‘Yolanda?’ The surprise was unmistakable in her roommate’s voice when she walked through the doors of their extravagantly decorated room, which looked more like a hotel suite than a student’s dorm.
‘Hey Betty,’ Yolanda greeted the girl at the study table. Kicking off her stilettos, she walked over to her bed, flopped onto the soft mattress, and crossed her arms over her chest while shaking one leg impatiently.
‘Why are you back so early?’ Sofia asked, looking up from her laptop. ‘I thought we wouldn’t be seeing you till morning?’
‘Mxxxtch. Can you believe that idiot Gershom? He just ruined my night. I think my mood is ruined for the whole week.’
Curious, Sofia moved from her bed and slumped onto Yolanda’s. ‘What happened?’
Reaching into her bag, Yolanda pulled out the bundle of money and threw it on the bed next to Sofia.
‘This doesn’t look like a hundred thousand. That bastard-what excuse did he give this time?’
Yolanda animatedly narrated what had transpired with her date. By the time she finished describing the state she had left him in, the girls couldn’t hold back their laughter.
‘He’s such a miser,’ Sofia said, rubbing her friend’s shoulder. ‘He’s lucky he was with you, because if it were me, I wouldn’t have bothered to inform the front desk. I would have gagged him and called his wife in the morning.’
‘You are too cruel.’ Yolanda chuckled despite her gloomy mood.
‘Sorry girlfriend,’ Betty said, going back to her study desk. ‘But I did warn you the last time he gave you that flimsy excuse. Let them off once and they’ll do it again and again until it becomes a habit. What are you going to do now?’
‘Take a shower and wash his scent off me.’ Yolanda stood up and began to shed her clothes. ‘Did you leave any food for me?’
‘Sorry girlfriend,’ Betty replied, nodding towards the two crushed Hungry Lion packs and empty Coca-Cola bottles in the bin near the door.
The tantalising aroma from the spicy chicken and chips still hung in the air. The three never cooked or ate from the school canteen-they either ate out or ordered in.
In the corner of the room stood an upright fridge stocked with expensive alcoholic drinks rather than food.
‘We thought you weren’t coming back, so we only bought enough for two. If you’re really hungry, I could ask the girls next door-I’m sure they cooked something.’
‘Forget it. I’m not all that hungry.’
Usually when they went out with Gershom, they would order room service once they had depleted their energy in their steamy trysts.
‘Sure?’ Sofia asked, concerned.
‘I’m too upset to stomach anything. I’ll take a shower and head to bed.’
‘Don’t be too upset- I’m sure after today, Gershom will think twice before trying to make a fool of you. And if he acts up and decides to walk, no worries. You’re a pretty girl. It shouldn’t be hard to catch the eye of another wealthy man.’
‘Well, I need to find someone fast because my finances are dwindling. I still have to pay Benson for the two assignments due next week.’
Betty chuckled. ‘Why trouble yourself paying the guy? You know he fancies you. Just do the needful.’
“Needful? Are you for real? Take a good look at me. All this,” she said and ran her down her curvy body. ” This body and this face, they were made to be worshipped by real men, not some broke and poverty stricken college student who can not offer me anything apart from love and romance. I cannot intentionally drag myself to poverty. Romance and love will not pay my bills.”
Even though Benson was very handsome-and the number one school heartthrob. Yolanda was firm in her decision. She had long ago resolved never to date a student, a civil servant, or anyone who depended on a salary to make a living.
Yolanda had told herself from a young age that she was not born to suffer. Stuck all day in the kitchen, sweating behind a stove? No,that was not the life for her. She was born to live like a queen, and that required a man with an endless supply of money.
For now, she sighed, she was stuck with Gershom. He didn’t have an endless supply of money, but at least he provided for her generously. She hadn’t lacked much since meeting him. He paid her fees and footed her bills.
‘Who says it has to be long term? At least you won’t have to worry about your assignments going forward. That’s a good two hundred kwacha saved on each assignment,’ Betty replied.
‘Girlfriend Betty is right. Why waste money when you can just sail through uni hassle-free? You should make the first move. Once he’s all wrapped around your little finger-‘
‘Betty is right. Why waste money when you can sail through uni hassle-free? Make the first move. Once he’s wrapped around your little finger, those assignments won’t cost you a thing.’
‘Speaking of making a move-why not strike now?’ Betty said, picking up her phone and holding up the WhatsApp group chat. ‘The second years are playing the third years. Why don’t we go cheer for Benson’s team? I’m sure he’d love to see you there.’
INKED IMAGINATION
