Always been mine!

chapter thirteen

On January 10th, I decided to go back home to Ndola. My family had been back for over two days now and I wanted to see them. Bonnie and I packed a few things. Michael was to drive us to Ndola as he wanted to meet my mum, officially, as my boyfriend.

I just finished tying the laces on my snickers when a call came through. It was kumbwa. He said results had been stuck with computer numbers and he had cleared all six modules to proceed to third year. I was happy for him and wished him well. He asked for my computer number so he could check for me but I refused. I wanted to see my own results.

I went down to the lounge and found Michael and his brothers watching soccer. I sat on my boyfriend's lap and narrated to him what Kumbwa and I had talked about.

Him:"are you worried?"Am sure you aced everything." He sounded confident, more confident than I. I told him I wasn't too sure but hoped I'd cleared.

Him: "Today is Sunday and I won't see you for a whole five days, how about a last time?" He asked, pinching my ass.

Just then my phone vibrated, I swiped the screen to open, it was a text message;

"You've only cleared mathematics and communication skills. I told you girls like you rarely proceed to second year."

The message was from Zeb. I couldn't even hide it because I could see Michael had read it. I tried to pass him my phone but he told me he'd read.

Him:"this fool will never mind his business. Don't believe anything he says. I know you've cleared."

Me:"I want to check now, please take me."

Bonnie came rushing down at that moment, "besty have you heard? Results are out."

Me:"yes, ku...I've been told. I want to go over and check."

Michael offered to drive us to campus but I told him I wanted to be alone With Bonnie and he should continue watching soccer. He refused and drove us to campus.

When Bonnie and I got to the Administration block, we found the entire board covered with lists of names according to year of study. I went through my department list searching for my computer number. Before I could locate my number, I heard Bonnie let out a loud wail and she hugged me tightly,

Her: "babe, I've failed."

Me:"what?" I was confused.

Her:"I've only cleared chemistry."She answered me sobbing.

I hugged her while searching for mine. I'd cleared three, chemistry, mathematics and communication skills. My finger froze as it dawned on me I couldn't proceed to second year. I stood there in shock.

The drive home was short, I felt Michael had taken a short cut. He tried to engage me in a conversation but I gave him one word answers and he gave up on trying. Instead of meeting my mum I told him next time he comes he'll talk to her.

I explained to mum how I hadn't made it to second year but instead of cursing me or lashing me with harsh words she pulled me in for a hug and I let my tears roll down. Dad who'd been standing in the doorway spoke; "so you've failed? Who fails in first year?" I tried to explain but he wouldn't hear it.

He didn't talk to me for a week, all I heard from him was good-morning and good-night.

On Friday morning he called me to his study and asked me what I wanted to do with my life! I told him I wasn't sure yet but I'd get back to him. He gave me a couple of papers and told me if that's what I wanted I should fill them in. I looked at the papers and they were application papers from a fashion institute in South Africa.

I said yes immediately and gave him a huge kiss. He told me to thank mum as she was the one who had d convinced him. And I did.

Michael picked me up every friday and dropped me back in ndola on sundays. He and mum got along very well. On the 30th of january I received my acceptance letter. I was to report for registration on the 15th of february, which meant I had to leave for SA on the 12th, a day before my birthday.

I saw Michael on Thursday, the day before I left.

Him:"So, how are we going to do this? This will be my first long distance relationship."

I caressed his cheek."We'll see eachother every now and then. Its not like we'll never see each other again."

He pulled me in for a kiss,"I hope so. Well, we better make the most out of tonight. You never know."

We made love in the car and I enjoyed every bit of it.

I was going to study at Design Academy of Fashion (DAF), , a fashion design college in Cape Town. I loved designing, this was going to be the best year ever.

Michael and I chatted almost every minute. That same month Michael left for Spain because his father suffered a heart attack, told me he'd be gone for sometime, probably until he recovers. The first few months we communicated daily, texting and skyping. But then we started growing apart, I would text him and he'd take days to reply. I'd call and he wouldn't return my calls. One day I sent him a voicemail telling him we were done, hoping to get a positive response from him but I never heard from him again.

I had grown to love him and us parting with no reason hurt me a lot.

Bonnie later decided to study nursing at UNZA, in Lusaka

I did a two year diploma in fashion design after which I did one year in fashion styling and marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.

When I returned, I joined the Zambia Fashion Designers.

After breaking up with Michael, I decided to stay single. I had my fair share of flirts but nothing serious.