Hidden Dream – Episode 9

Hidden Dream – Episode 9

A Story By Tisa Phiri

Jay…..

I could not look back as I rushed out of the class. Being any second more close to my father wasn’t going to turn out well as I had felt the urge to fight him back. I wasn’t going to allow myself get humiliated and slapped like a small boy anymore.

I had told my mind off and honestly I felt some relief. I saw his look but this time it didn’t give me any shivers.

” Jay!” I heard my sisters call out but I completely ignored them.

Nina however, followed me to the hostels.

” stop I want to greet you please” she cried catching up with me.

My younger sister wasn’t like Tina my immediate sister. We where mostly in good terms and she always found a way to me no matter how upset I was.

Her soft steps as she approach me made me stop by the entrance.

” what is it Nina?” I asked turning to face her.

” I missed you ” she made a sad face and hugged me.

I hesitated a bit but felt bad I was taking it out on her. ” I missed you too kiddo” i faked a smile holding her back.

“Why are you running? ” she asked me as I held her hand and walked her to the bench.

” it’s nothing Nina dont worry, now tell me how is everyone home? ”

” they are fine and mom told me I should say hi. Aunty Nelly said she misses you and told me to ask if you have tried to do what she had said”

” oh she did,” I sighed recalling how aunty Nelly asked me to take some time to think about myself.

For some minutes I talked to my little sister and later on Tina joined us. I was beginning to wonder what was keeping dad long. I had expected him to come out of the dance room and probably called the girls to go, but I was surprised by the amount of time that had passed.

” okey girls lets get to the vehicle now” I heard dad speak and indicated for my sister’s to go on. Nina kissed me good bye and my other sister gave me a quick hug before leaving.

I looked at my father and he seemed calm but I had no intention of talking to him.

I stood there waiting for him to tell what was on his mind and I cared less what he was to say , my mind was made up I wasn’t going to allow him dictate my life.

He cleared his throat and indicated for me to sit down as he did too.

Reluctantly I joined him and he spoke,

” well, I just talked to your teacher the young lady insists that I should give you a chance and see how you fair in your end of term exams” he paused.

I was still quite and my eyes kept on the small flower in front of us.

” so I want you to promise me that you will improve your grades. Prove what you said about you growing up and being matured enough to make your own choices. To tell you the truth I am not going to lie that I accept the fact that you should be dancing. All I want is to see you do okey with school.”

I looked at him and my thoughts went wild.

“How can he say he hasn’t accepted? Why on earth was he still talking to me then?” I asked myself.

” Thank you” I finally spoke not even knowing what I thanked him for really. It was evident the man would never accept me for who I was.

He sighed, ” listen Jared I have always wanted….”

” what’s best for me” I nodded finishing his sentence.

” do you even love me dad? ” I asked without thinking through my words.

I saw him look up at me. ” what? So you think I push you to work hard because I don’t love you?” He responded with a question and I stood up.

” don’t answer the question father” I giggled.

I mostly used the word ” father” whenever I wanted to stress the point that he fathered me but didn’t love me. Well that was my theory.

In a good mood and trying to talk normally with him I would refer to him as “dad” but at that moment his delidaling to tell me straight up he loved me or not I felt he didn’t deserve the dad title.

” Thank you for coming father and please regards to mom and aunty Nelly. I have something to take care of now and I got to go” I added taking a step leaving him seated.

” I get it you are upset Jared but am sure one day you will understand that I have your best interest at heart” he talked calmly.

When he saw I was serious with leaving he stood up and removed some cash from his pocket. ” here, for your expenses”

I looked at the money and back at his face. My other sense telling me to refuse it but I thought of how terrible that would make him feel so I got the money and thanked him leaving him immediately.

A week passed and we had a day before the final day for the competition in Lusaka which was to be held at Mulungushi Conference centre.

Ms Jere called us together as we waited with our packed bags waiting for the bus to take us to the city for the big day.

She had given us prio instructions and told us we would travel with another teacher who would help with the organising of things.

Tracy stood closer to me and I glanced at her small dress. I couldn’t help admire her sweet looks but my major interest was with Ms Jere.

Over time I started enjoying being around her more. She just felt right and said the right words every time.

I didn’t know if it was because she was the person that stood up and defended me from my father or it was the very fact that apart from her kind words she was so beautiful.

” Jay!” Come over and help me with something before the bus gets here” her soft gentle voice called me and I turned to look up at her instantly.

She wore a red blouse which was a see through. If not for the small white vest she had put inside, one would see her skin. A black jean in which she had the inside vest tucked in and a pair of white pumps.

” wow!” I screamed in my head. This woman is a indeed a hot cake, I swallowed hard.

“Am coming !” I responded almost jumping with excitment.

I saw Tracy sh00t me some stare and I patted her back telling her to watch over my bag. She shrugged without saying a word but I ignored her and trotted towards the direction Ms Jere was heading.

“How are you feeling, ” she asked me as she packed some papers in a small file .

” I don’t know, excited, nervous at the same time” I chuckled

” me too ” she laughed.

“I feel like am the one going to dance instead of you guys. Am so nervous I don’t know how to hold it. The only thing is that I know you guys will do the best and make me proud.”

I smiled widely, “what do you expect we have the best teacher ”

I saw her relax as she smiled too. ” So you clear with being watched on the Television?” She asked the most unexpected question.

” what do you mean madam?” I asked making wrinkles on my face.

” I didn’t tell you earlier but the competition is being sponsored by Airtel and they will televise it on ZNBC. I hope that won’t be a problem for you” she looked at me.

” am , I don’t know, does everyone know about this?” I questioned her

” well they will know soon enough. What? Does that change anything? ”

” no it doesn’t but… I don’t know if,…”

” don’t worry your father already knows about it I was forced to tell him. You know, in case he sees it on TV.”

For a few seconds I stayed quite not knowing how to make of the turn of the events but I comforted myself. I wasn’t going to be afraid anymore so I told myself whether I will be seen dancing by the whole world or not won’t matter. As long as I was doing what I wanted.

” okey then, get that bag for me. The bus is outside” she told me carrying her handbag.

” I never asked what you talked with my father but whatever it is stopped him from yelling at me and I appreciate you so much for that” I told her as we walked towards the bus. The others where getting inside already.

” you got it ” she responded casually and kept going while I tagged behind her deliberately wanting to take in her behind.

“How stupid Jay” I heard my inner self scold me and I let a small smile.

We where booked in at a lodge near Mulungushi Conference centre that evening. Given a separate room from that of the girls with four other guys. Ms Jere and the other teacher had separate rooms too.

She called us out for dinner after we all settled in. Telling us we were to go round for some evening window shopping at Arcades after having our meal.

I kept eyeing her as we went round not wanting to take off my eyes from her now different outfit. She had changed into some shorts going up to her knees and a loose T-shirt.

” she’s your teacher, you are way out of her league” Tracy whispered in my ears as we walked.

She had decided to walk besides me and two other guys who opted to walk with Ms Jere whilst the other group walked the other way with the other teacher.

” Tracy come on. What’s with you?” I turned to her. ” stop acting like a jealousy girlfriend. Am just looking around like anyone else and I honestly am getting tired of your insinuations.”

” insinuations huh?” She asked rudely.

” Yeah stop that it’s really not a good thing”

She looked at Ms Jere in front and back at me.

” well we will see ” she sighed and moved closer to me when Ms Jere looked back at us.

I moved away unconsciously and I saw Tracy almost laughing.

She attempted to hold my hand but I pushed her hand away and walked ahead of her.

” she’s out of your reach. It’s high time you set your eyes on those that are within your reach Jared Zimba” she whispered and rushed ahead looking at some clothes through the window.

I shook my head and let a small laugh.

“Girls! ” i whispered.

To be continued

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