The Housemates – Episode 15

THE HOUSEMATES – Episode 15 

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

A RELATIONSHIP AWAY (BWALYA’S STORY)

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“Why you making it sound like I invite different ladies on a daily. It was Mutinta, Sepo and… Let’s forget it.” He stopped naming in frustration.

Max continued to laugh as his friend had just realized that his list was longer.

‘How did I get here?’ Bwalya asked himself. Life was never easy for him, mostly relationships proved to be a pain for him. It was always one girl to the next and not even one would say yes to him.

Talk about the stress of wanting to be with someone, Nevertheless, life took a turn after he graduated and began working in Kabwe. After two months he began getting his life together, Daily motivational videos and books, read about relationships and just a few pick up lines.

If only he knew that doing that would one day make him a player. It was the month of January, the 8th day. He had just knocked off from work and it began to rain cats and dogs.

The streets of Kabwe were flooded with no place to go. And it just happened that there was no Taxi in site. It was that day when he first met her; Eunice had come to visit her father who happened to be the Human Resource Manager at the hospital.

Eunice was an award winning graduate from Copperbelt University, she held a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Not only that but she was a Model signed to the biggest Modeling Agency in Kabwe.

Regardless of all this, on this day she looked like an ordinary person with not much pride and fame attached to her life.

‘I really have to get home. If only I had eaten before coming for work.’ Bwalya thought to himself as stood outside carefully observing the violent winds that blew.

“Why are you standing there? Your shoes are getting wet.” Eunice said to him. She was standing behind him, near the Hospital door.

“I’ve actually knocked off. So, its not big of a deal.” He responded without turning around to see who had spoken.

“I see, and what happens if you catch a cold?” She asked me, “Don’t you think that would be a result of being reckless…” Eunice added.

This time around his attention was definitely caught. He turned as he walked back inside, his eyes met hers; In that split second of a moment, the magnetic force of attraction were at play.

“I don’t think you should be standing there yourself, moreover, compared to me you don’t even have something warm on.” He commented as he stood at the door beside her.

“I do have a jumper. The only thing between me and it, is this rain.” She said calmly.

Bwalya kept stealing glances at her during their moment of silence, a thousand pick up lines rushed through his head as he looked at her.

“You don’t look like one whose sick, you came to see someone?” Bwalya asked her.

She looked at him before she could respond, she knew very well what ever she would say might start a conversation or end one, “I’m not sick, I just came to see someone and found his a bit occupied at the moment.”

“Your boyfriend?” He asked.

“I don’t think that’s your business. So which department are you from, Pharmacy?” She asked.

“Not at all.” He answered.

In one of the books he read, the author advised that a man should always lead a conversation. That showed he was capable of being a leader in a relationship and was one to take charge of things. But as things stood, She was the one having an upper hand.

“You still haven’t told me what you do…“ She told him.

“Am a Clinical Officer. What about you?” He answered with a question.

“I don’t talk about myself to random men is lab-coats. But I don’t mind talking about you.” She smiled.

By this time, Bwalya had made up his mind to get her number at all costs: instead of winning, he was losing terribly.

Eunice kept asking him question after question and she hadn’t responded to any of his questions.

At last the rain stopped, without a word, she waved at him and left. Bwalya was still thinking about waiting a few minutes for the water levels to go down and she just walked out. He tried to follow her and that’s when a gray Golf car drove out of the Hospital premises.

‘Yaba! So she’s a big shot. No wonder she was so controlling and kept asking questions.’ He said to himself. With no umbrella nor rain coat, he tightly held his bag in his hands and began running.

A week went by and he had not met her again, for some reason a vivid picture of her still kept popping up in his head.

The wish of seeing her again was strong upon his heart, he had fallen for her without even thinking of it.

“Hey Bwalya, There is a Party at one of my friends places. I was invited and I want you to go with me.” Bwalya’s cousin said.

“What! no way. I always feel out of place when I follow to one of your parties.” Bwalya objected.

“Come on. Don’t let these rich kids get the best of you. What’s important is that you on your grind son, and for that, they respect you. You might just pick up a girl…” His cousin said, “I will come and get you around 15hrs.”

That day Bwalya got ready and as promised by his cousin, they were on their way to Mulungushi University. That’s were the Party was being held.

One their, Bwalya immediately noticed that most of the well known kids of Kabwe that came from rich and well to do families were all present. It wasn’t just a beautiful sunny day, the view of ladies that he saw was beautiful as well.

Because he felt out of place, he kept a low key for himself as he walked around enjoying the view and hoping to meet someone.

.

.

.

“What the heck?”She exclaimed.

“Babe naiwe…” A young man who kept following a lady said.

“I’ve told you to stop following me. Do I look like I want anything from you? There is nothing worth my time on you.” The lady shouted.

The people who were gathered around the scene all busted in laughter by what she told the guy. Because he felt embarrassed, he followed her again, this time twisting her hand as he forced himself on her lips.

“Give me some sugar baby.” And just as he was about kiss her, Bwalya pushed the guy.

“You heard her say she doesn’t want you.” He said in a commanding voice.

“You didnt have to do that… Wait, You?” Eunice exclaimed in surprise.

“Hi, we get to meet again.” Bwalya smiled as he gave her a hand up, “Can I get you a drink?” He asked her.

“No thanks. I don’t feel like drinking. Thanks for helping me.” She said shyly.

“It was my pleasure, its not everyday when you get to see an Angel twice.” Bwalya commented.

This time around Eunice just smiled, it was different from the first time they met. For some reason she had let him lead in a conversation as she listened to him talk.

“I didnt know that Clinical Officers got invited to prestigious parties.” She said as they now sat on the grass facing the trees.

“I wasn’t invited, my cousin was and he decided to let me tag alone. What about you?” He asked her.

“What you mean…” She smiled.

“Do you get invited to such parties on a daily?” Bwalya asked her, he had forced her to get a Fanta since she had refused alcohol.

“Am always invited for parities. I didn’t want to come because I knew that fool would be here but my friends pleased with me.” She responded.

“You must be famous…” Bwalya commented.

“Am sure you have seen the lady on the poster that is at the round about when you leaving town heading to Kabwe Mall.” She laughed as she spike.

“I knew it. No wonder you seemed so familiar when I first met you.” Bwalya commented in a snap.

Became he had stood up for her, she had deliberately given him a chance to hang around with her. On her side, it wasn’t about emotions, it was just a good gesture that had now gone wrong. The two spend a good amount of time talking until Eunice’s friends came to take her so she could participate in a small modeling contest that was happening. It was now dark and lights were lit in an amusing way that just made the party exceptional.

°°°°°TO BE CONTINUED°°°°°