Previously: Memories of my mom
I was too depressed to the extent that I fell ill. Mom didn’t bother taking me to the hospital. She just boiled a number of herbs, which she forced me to take, and within a short while, I was well. Imagine! At my age, without even a phone. I had no idea how my friends were doing, or to which universities they were heading too. I missed them, Lindsey in particular.
“Tomorrow we are going to the university. There are some forms you have to sign.” Mother told me, one evening upon returning. I hated the “we” in that statement. I wished she could let me do things on my own. The next day, dropping off my siblings at school (Dan was in form 3 and Daisy 1). We headed to my nightmare. That university. I wanted to ask mom why she didn’t take me to an Adventist university but whenever I opened my mouth to speak, I remained tongue tied.
“I know you will love this university. First class is what I expect from you. “She said as we parked in the University Parking yard. There are single mothers out there who struggle to raise their kids up. My mother is not one of them. She has all that she needs. From a well-paying job to a luxury lifestyle. What I love about her, however, is her simplicity in everything. Above all this, she is a good reader of Christian books, especially Ellen .G. White’s. Well, I expect a loving and caring mother from her, but it’s only once in a while where I would bring myself to think that she is indeed the best mother in the world.
Just as she made her first step out of the car, her phone rang and she picked up immediately.
“Yes…Hello…okay then. I’ll be there in twenty minutes’ time, she said. Could be an emergency. My mother holds one of the biggest positions in Mahoza hospital. I could not wait for the good news.
“Now listen to me. I’m calling the Dean. You will go to his office, introduce yourself and he will give you the forms. I’ll be sending a taxi guy to pick you up after 30 minutes. I have an emergency at the hospital,” She said as she dialed, perhaps the Dean’s number. He picked, they talked and just after they were done, she told me to go and look for his office. My heart must have skipped a beat. I could not help but rejoice. I was going to be free, for the very first time…free. I watched mom, as she started the engine and drove off. I smiled like a little fool. The joy I felt was totally inexpressible. I walked, looking around in admiration of the great buildings. Following the signposts, I managed to reach the Dean’s office without any struggle.
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The queue was quite long, but I joined in anyway. After a few minutes, I saw a middle-aged man walk out of the Dean’s office. He looked around, and asked for Diana.
“Here I am,” I said immediately, not having any doubts that he was referring to me. I stood, and joined him in his office.
“Pretty little girl! assalamu alaikum.” He said, with an old sluggish smile on his face. I smiled back, without a response. He laughed. “Sorry. I know you don’t know…but you will learn with time. I’m a good friend of your mama, did you know that?” he asked.
“No sir.”
“Okay. Know it from today onwards.” He handed me some forms. You can find a place out, and you fill those forms. After, you will look for a nearest photocopier and photocopy them. You return the original, and you keep the duplicate.” He said, and smiled again. To be honest, I hated his smile.
“Thank you sir,” I said, stood and left.
“Daina!” I heard someone call, such a familiar voice and within the next few minutes, I was in Lindsey’s arms.
“Oh my! You! I can’t believe you are here…what are you doing here?” she asked. “Wait…don’t tell me…I’m…you girl, you got government sponsorship!” she added.
“Yeah, but I’ll be here.”
“Trust me; you are the last person I expected to see here. See how you look so beautiful without a school uniform.” One thing about Lindsay, she was a talkative girl. She could talk, until the listener got tired of listening.
“Come on, I have some great jazz for you.” She said while pulling my hand away.
“But they will take your place.”
“No worries. My brother is there…I’ll introduce you to him later.” We left; she jumped around like a little kid.
“I broke up with Mike. He is a monster.” She said, happily. I wondered if that’s how people behaved when they lost love.
“What! What happened?”
“I asked him to send me some cash, and he lied that he had no money. A guy like Mike can’t run out of money…I hate liars. “We sat somewhere, and I began filling my forms. “That’s funny. So you single?” I asked her.
“Who? Me? “
“Of course.”
“You sound silly.” She said and laughed.
“Uhmmm…”
“I can’t be single. I’m dating my brother’s best friend now. Let me tell you this Dee, never date a poor guy. Always go for those that have dimes. We are not meant to suffer, and hustle. We are there to be given, that’s why I dump whoever comes to me, and later runs out of money. I need money more than love…and another thing…these days, ladies don’t love with their hearts. They love just with their bodies. Cheer up to campus life!” she said… I wanted to spend the rest of the day with her, but I was worried, anytime soon, the Uber guy would be here for me.
“So, have you met any guy through the vacation?” she asked.
“No.”
“Oh my!..Hmm”
“What?”
“Make sure you don’t leave campus without a man. Get a man, and win a ticket to being a woman.”
“Hope so.” I told her. “I need to take these forms back.”
“I’m happy we shall be here together. I will not let you die single, that I promise.” She said and we walked back. “Take the forms back, and when you return, you will meet my brother.” She added. I knocked by the Dean’s office and opened.
“You took longer than I expected.” He said and received the forms.
“So your mom just called a few minutes back, and she says you wait at the parking. Any Uber guy you see, that’s him.”
“Thank you sir.” I said in appreciation.
“I know. Though you haven’t photocopied the forms.”
“I’m sorry sir, it’s just because mom didn’t leave with me any single penny.”
“Oh well then…see you next week when you report back.”
I left…and just as I came out, Lindsey stood, along with her brother.
“This is him. Kenny, I was just telling you about Diana. She is the one.”
Kenny and I shook hands. I did not manage to look straight in his face though. For the first time, I found out I was shy. He was tall and somehow dark-skinned. Wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, with black sneakers, he appeared handsomely smart.
“Nice to meet you Diana.” He said
“Nice to meet you too…guys, I really have to go. “ I said, pulling my hand out of his.
“I’ll push you up…” Kenny said…and as if after second thought, he said, “I mean, Lindsey can’t go along with you. She is just two people away to get into the Dean’s office.” I wanted to say no, but I did not. I hugged Lindsey. “See you next week bestie.” She said and pecked my forehead. That was funny though.
“So, Diana, where do you stay?” he asked, as we walked.
“Karen.”
“Eeehhh, that’s far.’
“Yeah.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you are a pretty girl?” I didn’t manage to respond to this question. “Are you shy?” he asked yet, again. Still, I was tongue-tied. “Do you have a phone number? We could talk sometime. I think I have liked you.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t have.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but I hope to get one soon.” I knew this was a lie. Where would I get the money to get myself a phone? I knew it was not even in mama’s plan. As we approached the parking yard, I spotted the Uber car.
“Please stop here.” I requested.
“Why?”
“Please. Just stop here.”
“Okay…okay ma’am. Hope I have not nagged you with my questions.”
“No you haven’t, bye.” I said as I made to go.
“At least a hug…come on Diana.” He said. I gave him a quick hug and rushed immediately to the waiting car. I had never been this happy, I must say. Knowing that Lindsay would be with me was enough to have hope in my campus times at UU and above all, I felt a little different. I never thought I would ever feel like the way I felt at the moment. The handshake, the hug…Kenny…I think I had finally found love, in a hopeless place…
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