Margaret's kids dance their way back to the flat, rejoicing at the package received from a man they hardly know. The poor kids can't recall the last time anyone offered them packaged gifts. They open it up to find kiddies' stuff which sends them to the stratosphere.

Their joyous moods rub off on Margaret who equally wears a happy face at what is turning out a happy Sunday. For once, she realises how much the kids want a man around them – a father-figure. There's not much an admin officer can do with her meagre salary.

Margaret tears open her wrapped package to bring out the King James and Revised Standard versions of the bible. There's also a third item: a cookbook ideal for a housewife. Margaret wishes the gift will mark the beginning of a steady dalliance with the man, but she won't deceive herself with needless fantasies. She thanks Bandele in absentia, though.

Sheline, who doesn't share the same optimism with her aunt, had walked into her room with furrowed brows, leaving Margaret enough space to think through the likely reasons Bandele is being so kind. For such a wealthy man to overlook last week's snub, mark them out at the church and offer gifts and stuff, he must have a good reason for stooping so low. And the reason isn't hard to tell – Sheline.

Yes, Bandele wants to date her niece. The idea tickles as much as it stinks. Sheline is married and carries her status around like a golden blouse. The young lady will resist his advances and disregard any talk that might affect her marriage. But why did Bandele choose Sheline instead of her, Margaret? She'll gladly welcome the chance to be his mistress without raising a finger. All the same, Sheline's arrival in Soweto is bearing good fruits.

If only Audrey had waited for Sheline to arrive here in Soweto before throwing the pretty girl at some faceless Bulawayo hustler. A golden opportunity like this can change their lives forever.

Obviously, Moyo took advantage of Sheline's youthfulness by bamboozling her with marriage. He can't provide for the girl the way Bandele would. Can he buy her a car and build a mansion befitting a queen?

Even if Moyo re-incarnates ten times, he still won't be able to achieve a quarter of all Bandele currently has. After Sheline gets a degree, she'll be too classy for the poor guy. Her taste would change and her new circle of friends would make her yearn for a better partner. Moyo won't fit into that new circle, so the marriage won't last.

Sheline has been here only a few weeks, a wealthy man is knocking on the door. If she were to spend a year here, politicians and international business moguls will come begging. Better things will happen in this house, for sure. Margaret lifts from the chair and starts pacing around.

What if Sheline breaks up with Moyo? It won't be the first divorce; neither will it be the last. After all, she, Margaret, also broke up with more than three men since she landed in South Africa, never mind the numerous heartbreaks in Harare. A divorce or separation isn't a crime. It's just re-evaluation of emotions – more like reconsideration for the future.

But then, can she convince Sheline to throw away Moyo's wedding ring? The girl is deeply in love judging from the way she locks herself up in the room chatting with him and laughing like some cartoon character. It shows how much she cherishes the poor guy. Asking her to walk away will be suicidal. She must let events unfold naturally instead of influencing the schoolgirl.

Inside the room, Sheline lay on the bed pressing her lips together. Can someone be this generous just for the sake of it? Someone they once snubbed by the roadside? Someone reputed to be a shark in the community but now claiming to be a regular churchgoer?

Why did he choose to share gifts when the church wasn't marking an occasion? For all his wealth he ought to be married with kids. Receiving things from such a man comes with certain expectations. Since she's not yet sure of his intentions, she'll leave his package untouched.

Sheline drops the package on the floor. At least, she thanked him. Why should he even give her a box bigger than Margaret's who'd been attending the church for God-knows-when? The mother-of-two will gladly walk a romantic lane with him if that's his desire.

Certainly, Bandele wants to date her but she's not available. She's taken and married. Married women aren't supposed to give out their phone numbers like that. If not that Margaret got carried away by the Greek gifts, her phone number won't land in a stranger's hands. Didn't he see the ring in her finger, as large as it is? These are the men her mom warned her about.

Margaret walks into the room, snapping Sheline out of thoughts. "How was church today?"

Sheline sits up, looking weary. "Okay."

"Are you alright?" Margaret observes her dour moods. "We didn't stand for long in the sun today, how come you look so tired?"

Sheline sighs. "I don't know. I'm fine."

Margaret sights the unpacked box on the floor. "Why haven't you opened the package?"

"Aunty!" She shakes her head slowly. "I have concerns about that thing. Why is the man suddenly nice? Remember that lady told us how bad this person can be. We're not sure yet what he wants."

Margaret brows lift. "Will you believe a silly roadside woman or you'll accept gifts from a God-sent gentleman?"

She walks towards Sheline and sits on the bed. Her voice takes a plunge. "Remember that I refused to enter his car the first time he stopped us on the road. And then we met him in the church praising the Lord and shouting Alleluia. Doesn't he even know more Presbyterian Churches than us? Where else does someone find decent men than at the church? Others can condemn him – they always condemn too quickly. But those that condemn don't know him. They've not seen him in church, but we have."

The passion Margaret packs into those statements makes Sheline listen with rapt attention. She's not done talking.

"How many people will show love by spending their money like that? Did you see how church members turned their faces at us today? Don't you like that kind of respect? He even promised to bring us home every Sunday and yet you don't appreciate that? God won't come down to render us favours; He'll only send good people to us. If you kick your angel away, you can't blame anyone."

Those words settle into Sheline's marrows. The woman seems to have a point. Roasting under the scorching Sunday sun isn't fun at all. Since the man has promised to pick them up weekly, they'll be returning from church in five minutes instead of an hour or two, like they used to do earlier.

Taking a second look at it, Bandele is just like a family friend. And back in Bulawayo, such people visited the house. If a church member chooses to bring them home in his car, it's not a bad idea, as long as there's no string attached. And for that reason, she saves his number.

But still, his package will remain sealed until further notice. Sheline tosses it on the wardrobe.

***

Bandele steps into the castle grinning at Molefi who arrived earlier but is now seated by his desk. The aide smiles as his boss walks across raising a thumb. Since the plan went well, Molefi looks forward to some pat on the back. He really dug deep to pull the task through.

As soon as Bandele swaps his suit for a t-shirt and a pair of jeans trousers, he grabs a glass of wine and sits in the lobbyroom. Something about today's event touches him deeply. He now has an idea of how it feels to care for a woman and her kids. He saw men dotting after children while their wives walked hands-free. He saw men who cherish their families and the message on their faces was love.

"Molefi!" The businessman calls out in a melodic tune.

"Yes, boss." Molefi races up the stairs wearing a cautious smile.

"You are the best."

Molefi won't let the moment pass. His right-hand on his forehead, he poses in a military salute, mouthing a new praise-rant.

Quintessential Blesser, the Emperor of Orlando

Tear the chequebooks, we do electronic transfer

Stock-Exchange can pack up; we exchange dollars on our own

The only independent Bureau-de-change

Millionaires clean his shoes, rich men wash his clothes

We feed a township in one day, the pocket is not dry

Ladies are begging for marriage, Bandele kicks them away

Seventy mothers want to be his in-law, he can only choose one

All hail Bandele, the Lion of Soweto

Orlando bows, Soweto salutes

Bandele nods several times as those words permeate his bones. Unable to suppress his feelings, he burst out laughing. "This boy, you have come up with another noise?"

"Yes, boss."

"I wonder where you get your grammar? Kweetess what?"

"Quintessential, sir."

Bandele laughs again before taking a sip from the glass cup. "Look. When my boys do well, I must let them know. This church plan was smooth and fanta—" He raises both thumbs and lifts his head.

"Fantastic."

"Yes."

Sensing the boss's willingness to talk, Molefi drops to the chair opposite, tucking away his pen and paper.

"Last time you didn't get me Sheline, I was disappointed." Bandele clears his throat. "But I forgive you because I know you can do better."

Molefi repositions his shoulders.

"See the way they look at me at the church today. They now know me among the people of God."

Molefi blinks, listening.

"Look, Because of your big head, taxi drivers didn't work today. The road was dry and there was no traffic. I like people who think."

"I knew they'll stick to the agreement."

Bandele nods. "I enjoyed myself in town today. Sometimes, it's nice to be with poor people. You learn some new things."

Molefi nods. Is it the wine making him talk this much?

"I like that Sheline so much. I was talking about the bible and government to her sister and they listen to me very well. Sheline doesn't talk too much. She's not like those who walk around looking for men."

"She's reserved, sir."

"But when she opens her mouth, her voice is sweet and nice. She will be good as a wife here. Don't you think so?"

"That's true." Molefi's face straightens.

Bandele drinks from his wine glass. "Look, I like many things about you. So, I will increase your salary by ten percent next month."

Molefi jumps to his feet, raising both hands. "Thank you, sir." His voice shoots through the roof.

Quintessential Blesser, the Emperor of Orlando

"Wait!" Bandele raises a hand.

Molefi returns to his former position, leaning forward.

"I know you gave me something new today, but your noise must change now that I have Sheline."

"That's not a problem, sir. I'll come up with a new one."

"Good...good. I've not been inviting girls for some time, because of this Zimbabwe girl. She's touching my heart too much. I think about her morning, afternoon and night."

"Uh." Molefi sighs.

"Now that I have her number, she will come here soon. I want to see her in my kitchen, in this lobbyroom and around the house. I want to see her everywhere. Look, her English is nice. Everything you wrote in her profile is correct."

"Okay, sir."

"You can go now."

Molefi lifts from the chair. "Anything I must do, sir?"

"Nothing." Bandele takes a sip. "I will call you later."