It was a quiet morning and Mmabatho was finally back home,her phone buzzed. She grabbed it off the nightstand, rubbing sleep from her eyes. It was Sandile.
Sandile: Hey, are you free today? I could really use your help with baby shopping. First-time dad vibes are hitting me hard.
She texted back: Sure. I'll help you figure it all out.
Within an hour, Sandile was at her door, looking a bit overwhelmed but trying to keep it together.
"You ready to navigate the world of bottles, blankets, and diapers?" Mmabatho asked as she stepped out, locking her door.
"Not really," he admitted, holding the car door open for her. "But let's do it anyway."
The baby store was overwhelming, even for Mmabatho, but she did her best to stay focused. Sandile trailed behind her, scanning the shelves and racks as though they were foreign territory.
"Okay," Mmabatho began, grabbing a notepad from her bag. "Let's start with the basics. Clothes, diapers, bottlesâwhat do you already have?"
"Not much," Sandile admitted. "This is all new to me."
She sighed but gave him a reassuring smile. "Alright, let's tackle it step by step."
They went through the store, picking out essentials. Mmabatho pointed out practical items, while Sandile occasionally picked up something that was either unnecessary or extravagant.
"This is adorable," Sandile said, holding up a tiny designer onesie.
"Adorable, yes. But practical? Not so much," she replied, swapping it for a more affordable pack of basics.
By the time they were done, their cart was overflowing.
At the checkout counter, the cashier, an older woman with kind eyes, scanned their items while glancing at them with a smile.
"You two are such a sweet couple," she said.
Sandile froze for a second, then shook his head. "Oh, no, we're notâ"
Mmabatho interrupted, her tone polite but firm. "We're just friends."
The cashier nodded knowingly, but the warmth in her expression didn't falter.
When they left the store, Sandile exhaled. "That was awkward."
"It's not the first time people have assumed that," Mmabatho said, adjusting one of the bags. "Let's just focus on getting all this stuff home."
Back at Sandile's house, they unloaded the car and brought everything into the nursery. The room was nearly empty, save for a freshly painted wall and an unassembled crib in the corner.
"Alright," Mmabatho said, opening one of the boxes. "Let's get started."
They spent the next couple of hours putting things together. Sandile tackled the furniture while Mmabatho organized the clothes and supplies. The quiet rhythm of their work created a calm atmosphere, and for a moment, it felt as though everything was falling into place.
When they were done, they stood back and admired their work. The nursery looked cozy and welcoming, with soft blue tones and little personal touches.
"It's starting to feel real now," Sandile said, his voice quiet.
"Yeah," Mmabatho agreed. "You're ready for this, Sandile. You're going to do a great job."
He glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you, Mmabatho. I don't know how I would've managed all this without you."
She smiled, but there was no need for a reply.
Later that evening, Sandile dropped her back home.
"Thanks again for today," he said as she stepped out of the car.
"You've got this," she said with a small smile before closing the door and heading inside.