FREEDOM AT A PRIZE

New beginnings 2.0

Mel arrived in Johannesburg knowing no one in particular, and not knowing where to go about from the bus station to the West campus of Witwatersrand University. Yes she was going to study engineering! Yes she wanted to break the stereotype of ' this is a man's world '. So she dared and applied to the faculty, knowing very well she'll receive minimum to no support at all from her parents and the community as a whole.

Hence she was in Joburg alone without no assistance what so ever.

She read on the internet during the bus ride, that she was going to Braamfontain. After buying the cellphone she was not allowed to have all these years while she was still at home. She made sure to buy airtime and data to navigate her way in the big city. Dont get her wrong, she knew what was a cellphone alright! Her classmates at school had and they'll show her a thing or two from time to time. She was just not allowed to have at home or watch tv for that matter.

Her father gave her as little money as to get by before she left home. She did not mind though because she has been saving over the years,from small money she will get for lunch at school to church chores. The church secretary would feel bad because she was overworking her self and would give her little pay every after Sunday service.

So she was not that shot in the pocket, she could get by alright. She had promised her father she'll phone after arriving safe in the campus.

See! she was suppose to buy a small phone without internet or web just to receive calls. and that is what she promised her dad she'll buy. But knowing she'll need internet to navigate her way in Joburg she bought Samsung galaxy to search her way to campus.

So after arriving she pulled her phone out to search 'Braamfontain' on Google.

The search showed she was 22 km away from the searched place, now she was frustrated! She did not know what to do. where can she get transport from the station to Braam? But see! Because she was raised with manners, she pulled her suitcases to an oldwoman who was selling fruits near the side of the station.

Afternoon Ma! My i ask? I am a bit lost am looking for taxis or buses going to Braamfontain. She said in the most polite and respectful way

Oh sorry baby girl I really don't know. I am just an old lady trying to survive, I only know from here to my house and back that's all! but wait here, let me ask the bus station manager he might know. The old lady said getting up and walking a short distance to the nearby door and talking to a man there.

She came back and said, Go down by this road on your left you will see a taxi rank and there, ask for Braam taxis they'll help you!

Oh thanks Ma! I really appreciate it. She took some money and bought bananas and thank the lady one more time before she went down the road.

She arrived at the said rank and indeed she found taxis going to the campus.

When she got there, she was amazed at how huge and breathtakingly beautiful the place was! She has never been out of her hometown Babanango and this was all overwhelming. She took the place in and walked to the nearest reception point .

Luckily everything went smooth. Soon she was being shown the residents and her own dorm. To her surprise she had a roommate! She went on introducing her self and moving to her side of the room and started unpacking.

After some time She remembered she needed to call home and inform her parents how she went.

She sat down on her single bed and called her father whom was the easiest to talk to between both parents.

ring! ring! ring!

'Halo! '; said the voice from the other line

Halo dad it's Mel here, I wanted to let you know I arrived safely at the campus.

She wanted to keep it as short as possible she did not want to spoil her first day of freedom.

'Mel ? I don't know any Mel it might be a wrong number!' Her dad said.

Mel was confused, she checked the number again . surely it was her dad's .

dad its me Mel your only daughter! She wanted to cry because she didn't know why was her father acting so cold and like he did not know her.

'Listen here young lady I don't have a daughter. She died in my heat when she thought she could talk to me anyhow, walked away without listening to what I had to say. so am sorry maybe you are mistaken I don't have a daughter anymore! Her dad said and dropped the line.

She was left there stunt! She couldn't move a muscle. tears were flowing freely and she could not hold them even if she tried.Now her family did not recognize her as their own because she wanted to do what made her happy?

Because she... aaaah! She screamed.

Marcia the room mate as she introduced her self. She was short and petite also black with braided hair, she was your typical carefree, easy going person. She had body piercings and tattoos ( devil's worshipper) if you ask Mel's parents.

She picked her head up when she heard a scream. See she was pretending not to hear the conversation all along. But that damn phone was pretty loud.

She got up and went and knelt between Mel and hugged her.

Shhhh! shhhh! sweetheart! She was rubbing Mel's back and wipping her chicks with her thumb.

'From what I could hear, your dad is an a**hole! Sorry to eavesdrop but that's not how you speak to a person let alone your child! Tell you what! stop crying and take a shower and change. I'll take you to dinner, dont worry my treat!

Marcia said smiling.

I d..dont think I should go out ! Especially if not to school and with a stranger n..no pun intended! Mel said as she wiped her tears. It really hurt to hear her father say that but hey!

She knew what she was getting her self into from the start. And now she was more determined than ever to prove her parents wrong.

Looking at this girl infront of her, she nearly laughed. She'd let her hug her, wiped her tears and let her call her father that bad word!

She couldn't even think about it let alone say it.That was not her! She was also amazed at her self. she wasn't this carefree with strangers.

This girl was what you call the opposite of her very belief. She was everything she was told is wrong and evil.

hahaha! non taken sweety! but I really think you need to loosen up a bit.

Forget your father and your hometown. You are far away girl, no body knows you here! and besides the classes won't start untill next week! Marcia said going back by her side of the dorm.

So what you say, you in? she asked raising her pierced eyebrow.

Mel was torn, she did not know what to do. She didn't wanna come out as a boring farm church girl that she was.

And she definitely didn't wanna come out as ungrateful to a lovely and innocent gesture.

Plus she could really use company right now after what her father said.

ok but I'll have you know now that I don't drink, I don't eat sea food and I know and intend to know nothing about clubbing.

hahaha! girl get over your self! just from looking at you I can tell all what you've just said.

I am not planing on turning you into a party animal.

Just dinner in a small restaurant will do. Marcia went and put her sneakers on.

Now hurry I hate waiting ! She shouts.

Mel took a shower real quick happy for plenty hot and steamy water that she was yet to get used to. She went out of the shower and change real quick before coming out of the bathroom all good to go.

alright am ready let's go!

Marcia stood to take her small bag with necessities and glanced on Mel's direction. She was shocked at what she saw!

You are not planning on going out wearing that now!do you?

She couldn't believe her eyes Mel was wearing a long longsleeved black dress that covered her whole body and black supposed high hills with thick soles. It was a mess. Atleast the hair was cute.

I don't have anything fancy to wear, besides you said it's a simple dinner.

I see nothing wrong with what am wearing!

She was getting annoyed, she did not say she wanted to go out from the first place.

So she don't know why Marcia was attacking her clothes.

I might as well stay in if you think I'll embarrass you. She said seating down.

No no no! dont be like that am sorry Ok! I wasn't making fun of you, I was just concerned.

Let's go as long as you are comfortable it's ok with me.

Marcia lead the way to the nearest McDonalds. She really was happy to find a roommate that was down to earth.

She doesn't know what she'll do with a crazya** freak like her.

They sat down she ordered for both. When the food came she said;

Welcome to Wits and welcome to new begginings !

She raised her tumbler and said ;To new friends and to new memories!

'New friends!' ;Said Mel. She was overwhelmed, she was beyond happy to find somebody so outgoing yet understanding and respectful to ones beliefs.

She closed her eyes and said a small prayer.

'New beginnings and new me. be with me now oh Lord!'