IS THIS LOVE Episode – 20

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 20

A story by Kennedy C Katongo 

 

A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON -1

“I don’t believe this. So this is why you didn’t want me to come over?” Matimba said as she walked out of the room.

“Come on you just making a big deal out of this…” I said as I rushed behind her attempting to calm her down.

It had been about 3 weeks since Matimba had helped me settle my fees at the accounts office. It took only a week and my friends at work had raised the same amount and gave it to me in good faith to pay. However, since I had already paid – I used that money to pay back Matimba of which she was kind of not happy because it seemed like I was pushing myself pretty hard to return her money.

After that phase went by, she asked if she could visit me since she was going to be free and wanted us to maybe check out movie at Fresh View. I happened to be against the whole idea because from my perspective, Matimba was a lady of class and fine taste. Coming to my hostel just didn’t feel right with me. Not only that, there was no food.

“You could have told me you don’t have food Chileshe. I don’t get why you keep hiding things from me.” She said sharply, her words were filled with emotion and one could tell that she was really upset. I never imagined not telling her something like that would get her worked up and emotional.

“Can we at least sit down… Please?” I begged her. We ended up taking a sit under a big tree that was near the club at campus. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that my pay was delayed. But I don’t want to be a burden to you. You already helped me out and am grateful for that. But I can’t be bothering you every second Matimba. Am a man, I need to learn to survive on my own.” I told her in my most calm voice as I hoped that my words would make sense to her.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure…” I responded.

“I’ve I ever complained to you that you being a bother to me? I don’t remember ever doing that Chileshe. And when you came to pay me back the money I asked you if you didn’t need it for something else but you refused and here we are now.” She said strongly.

“I seriously don’t get the problem here…” I spoke out finally. I didn’t get how me not having food was a big deal for her.

“Oh! I see.” She responded. Her face become more pale and her mood just went down the drain in a second.

“It’s okay. I guess I just over reacted for nothing. Am sorry.” She added.

“Are we still going to watch Angry Birds 2?” I asked her.

“I think will pass for today. I don’t feel like it. Am sure you have some things you must do. I will be on my way.” She said calmly. She stood up, gave me a short wave and began to walk away.

Normally I would have followed her. But for some reason I missed the hint, the clue was right in front of me and someone I kept missing it. After contemplating for a few good seconds, I went after her. Givig her a push to the station was the least I could do.

.

.

.

“I thought you said Matimba is coming. Where is she?” Mwenda asked.

“She’s gone. She didn’t even spend 5 minutes.” I responded.

“Why do you have that long face on? Did you try doing something stupid?” He asked me. His question was followed by a strong irritating gaze that made me feel worse.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“If she left in such a hurry. It definitely means you did something wrong. Girls don’t just storm out genius. So what did you do?” He asked me once again. This time around, he was certain there was something I wasn’t telling him.

“She found out that we don’t have food. And she got all pissed and emotional about it cause I didn’t tell her that I had ran out of food.” I told him.

“Nigga! What’s your problem? Don’t you know that a normal lady that cares for you will expect you to open up to her about such ting details even though they are stupid? I mean, even my own girlfriend is aware of the situation we going through in this room.” Mwenda blasted at me.

“You know me man. Do I look like the type to share such things to people.” I responded. I tried to act as though I was pissed as well. But the damn friend of mine easily saw passed that mask.

Mwenda went on to school me regarding how ladies are regarding such information.

“It’s not like these skinny girls who come to eat our food and don’t care whether we have food or not. Matimba likes you, she’s trying to look out for you. The reason she got all mad at you is because she thinks you two are at a point were you trust each other so much to give each other such information. She might have taken you shopping for Christ’s sake.” Mwenda shouted at the end of his long speech.

“So she’s gone home? Call her back, tell her it’s a matter of national security. We dying here.” He added.

“Nigga stop being funny. Don’t I bring food from work?” I asked my friend.

“Don’t make it seem like you bring every single day.” He got up and began to complain as he pulled out his laptop from the suitcase.

Matimba actually changed her mind when we reached the police station. She told me she was going to ZCAS to visit a friend of hers there. There wasn’t much I could say, after all, I didn’t see anything wrong with how I reacted.

@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@

“Am about to reach your room. Where are you?” I asked him.

“My room! How come I didn’t see you enter campus? Am outside trying to get some Sharwama.” Ben said. For some reason I could tell he was blushing. Then I recalled something, he had asked me to visit him and I turned him down.

“Don’t forget mine. Otherwise I might end up eating yours.” I giggled.

“What drink would you like?”

“I don’t want a drink. You still have that juice I found last time right?” I asked him.

“Yes I do. Are you sure you don’t want a drink? Pure Joy – anything?” He asked dramatically.

“Don’t worry. The juice will do.” I laughed as I hang up. Talking to Ben had made me forget how pissed I was at Chileshe for his insensitivity.

When I reached Ben’s hostel, the front door was open. This meant his neighbour was around, he was the one who never closed the main door.

“Matimba! Right?” He asked me the moment he popped up out of nowhere.

“Yes.”

“Ben has just gone out. Have you communicated?” He asked me.

“Yes I’ve spoken to him. His on his way, thanks.” I smiled. “Are you smoking?” I asked him.

“Smoking? Me? Nah! I don’t do that Matimba.” He responded in a flash and began to sniff out his own breathe. Without a word he walked into his room and came out with a toothbrush.

“It’s actually your eyes that gave you away.”

Right then, Ben imaged from behind me.

“Hope I haven’t kept you waiting for long.” He kissed me on the head before I could even absorb his sudden presence.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I said while attempting to hit him in the head.

“Nigga you back? Did you get my order?”

 

To be continued…