IS THIS LOVE Episode – 17

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 17

A story by Kennedy C Katongo 

 

A CRY FOR HELP

After dozing a bit, I went to take a shower so that I could come my body down. I had not drunk a lot of alcohol, but since it had been a while I got drunk quite fast. I wanted to call Chileshe and check up on how he was doing but the little voice in me couldn’t let me do it.

BEN: ‘Are you sleeping?’

@@ 4 DAYS LATER @@

I had called Chileshe on Messenger and we had a tough conversation regarding why I didn’t want him to have my mobile number.

“I don’t just give my number to strangers.” I told him.

“After all this time, you still consider me a stranger? That’s a horrible excuse. Am not going to take that. Find something else to say.” He demanded.

“I don’t see anything wrong with us chatting from Messenger.” I laughed.

“You just being difficult for nothing. Besides, all your friends know how I look… If anything happens to you on my watch they know very well where to find me and fish me out. I’ve given you my solid reason – I would love to be checking up on you on regularly via calls.” Chileshe said in an argumentative manner. I was kind of surprised by how well he argued out himself just to make me give him my line. It was like he was a whole different person.

“Okay. I will give you my number on one condition… Never should you call me at night. I don’t pick up.” I said calmly.

“That’s fine with me. Besides I don’t even do phone calls at night. Now that we have agreed, can I have your mobile number, please?”

.

.

.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

“I know Chileshe. But you need to understand what am telling you. Pay at least a quarter of your tuition feels and exams fees. I will help you out to make sure you write your exams.” The accounts officer told me.

I had just left work so that I could talk to him and see how best he could help me. After begging him, and getting my eyes all watery in front of him, he agreed to help me out.

“Hello, has anyone seen Lydia?” She was my supervisor and a very beautiful young lady at best. She had a fierce face that was accompanied by a glow of self worth.

“Excuse me Lydia.” I waved my hand as she continued to count the boxes that had just come in, more like she deliberately ignored me.

“And that’s 35. You said you weren’t going to take long – this is like 45 minutes since you went out!” She said without even looking at me.

“Am really sorry. The accounting officer delayed. He told me to wait for him a bit longer.” I said calmly. Even after that, Lydia was still mad. I just got straight to work without even asking her what I wanted.

I knew if I could be allowed to to serve tables for two weeks, I would obviously get reasonable tips given to me of which, the sum would make a significant difference towards the money I had to pay.

After everything was done, I sat in the kitchen chatting with guys waiting for more work. I enjoyed lazying around and seeing how they cooked and prepared their works of arts.

“Excuse! Chileshe can I talk to you?” Lydia called out to me as she walked outside.

“Kid, I think she likes you…” One of the guys said.

“You joking right?” I said with a long face as I followed her. “You guys see how she’s been bossing me around of late. That’s not what you do to someone you like.” I added.

When I got outside, I found she was busy messing up her hair.

“Is everything okay?” I didn’t know what to ask her, for all I care she might have been going crazy.

“Am fine. I want the wind to blow my hair.” She giggled.

If only she knew how hot headed I was at that moment trying to think of a way to look for money. Mom had said she would try her best to send me something, but again, I knew it would be far from enough to cover both the exam and tuition fees.

“I wanted to tell you that am sorry for being rude earlier. I behaved wrongly and I wasn’t supposed to do that.” Lydia said to me. She had already walked up to me as she spoke.

“I don’t think you need to apologize. After all, you are my supervisor.”

“Oh! If you say so… You wanted to ask me something, what is it?” She asked.

“Well. I wanted to ask you for a favour, I want to serve the tables as a waiter for not more than two weeks. I believe the tips can help me increase my saving before I can get my last pay.” I explained to her.

“That’s very tricky. You haven’t been oriented on how to serve on tables, the do’s and the don’ts. Besides that, it would mean am breaking the big mans law with regard to how long someone needs to be here before they can earn their place out there.” Lydia said sharply.

I couldn’t help but fix my eyes on her as she spoke. Starring at her just happened – it was a reflex that I had no control over.

“Okay. But… Is there a way you can help me out?””I really need this. Am desperate.” I told her.

“And how much do you need?” She asked me.

“Roughly a K2500. But if I can raise a K300+ that would be nice.” I guess.

“Okay. Don’t worry. Just continue with your shifts. I know what to do.” She responded. That marked the end of our conversation.

Later in the day, Matimba called me to check on how I was doing.

MATIMBA: ‘I haven’t seen you online. Was your day that busy?’

CHILESHE: ‘It hasn’t been all roses. Am just trying to get a few things together. What about you, you working?’

MATIMBA: ‘Yeah. Am done with everything though. Just waiting for something and I will be off.’

CHILESHE: ‘Someone is excited about knocking off.’

MATIMBA: ‘Every worker looks forward to knocking off. That’s just a fact. Did you manage to see the Accountant?’

CHILESHE: ‘Yes I did. His helped me the best way he can. I wouldn’t mind miracle money at this stage. Lol. I think it will work out.’

MATIMBA: ‘How much did he say you can pay?’

CHILESHE: ‘He said, ‘k2500′ minimum. So that’s the amount am trying to raise.’

There was an awkward moment that followed there after with me not believing what I was hearing.

MATIMBA: ‘I can give you the money…’

CHILESHE: ‘No, No! I can’t let you do that. I’ve made moves and the money will available. You don’t need to, but thanks.’

MATIMBA: ‘Am okay with it. Okay let’s do this, I will give you the money so that you pay now. Thereafter, once you put your cash together you can give me back. Is that okay?’

CHILESHE: ‘No! It’s not okay at all.’

MATIMBA: ‘We friends ain’t we? Am just trying to give a helping hand like everyone else. So I insist on doing this, unless you intend not to pay me back. Kikiki.’

Tears just came in rushing and out of my eyes. The account had told me that the best way was to pay early before the day of payments was announced.

Since Matimba was willing to help me with the needed sum earlier than I would have managed to raise it… It meant that I had successfully securued a space for the exam.

To be continued…