Episode Nine

Maya had completely forgotten she had planned another date with Ethan. She had been so engrossed with work and school.

She was in her final year and didn't want to lose focus and end up losing her scholarship.

It was just like yesterday when she graduated from high school and here she was about to finish university and she planned to get a teaching job immediately after she graduated.

Combining classes with work wasn't easy but she didn't want to depend on her mum for finances and wasn't interested in any relationship either.

Her friend Mia had the notion that when you are in a relationship the man pays the bills.

They both had a heated argument because Maya refused to accept such a concept. She believed a woman should be independent and able to take care of her bills.

Deborah had argued that both the man and the woman should be able and willing to spend their resources on each other.

When the argument wanted to cause a fight between them, Maya had conceded. Her friends were more important to her than winning a debate.

Deborah's foundation was beginning to take shape as volunteers had registered to support her ideology and projects.

She had been invited to an interview by a popular host on television, they had met at an event and they both connected immediately.

Mia on the other hand had taken up two jobs so she could afford the latest 2 in 1 camera that does both video and still photography.

She had saved up within four months after sleepless days and nights but it was worth it all at the end. The Camera made her pictures and videos higher in quality and she was able to get better gigs and earn more.

The three friends were on purpose to meet end goals. And they were not all about relationships or so they thought.

Ethan had called Maya to remind her of their scheduled date that evening.

"Hello Ethan, how are you?."

"Great, and you?."

"I'm okay, just exhausted. I now work two shifts, and I have to study too."

"Hope you are ready for tonight."

"What's happening tonight." She tried to juggle memories.

"Don't tell me you forgot," Ethan said he was getting irritated.

"Please don't be angry with me, this past week has been exhausting," Maya said trying to calm him down

"So tiring that you forgot our date, Maya."

"So tiring that you forgot about me." He was sounding harsh now and as he talked he paced through his room.

"I'm sorry Ethan, I need my job and I also have to keep good grades to keep my scholarship."

"That's a stupid reason, Maya."

"Thank you so much for your support Ethan, I thought you were my friend. You should know how important this is to me." She tried to stay calm and getting furious never really helped solve issues.

"I know Maya, but you always never take me and my love for you seriously."

"You keep pushing me away." Ethan's mood swing was at it again. He was suddenly close to weeping.

He angrily hung up on her and switched off his phone.

He sprawled on the bed and the unshed tears spilled over from his eyes.

"Maya, Why?." Was all he said repeatedly till he dozed off on his bed, his phone still in his hands.

Maya tried to put a call across to him after he hung up on her but the phone was switched off.

She showered and dressed for work. She had to work so she could help with rent, her mother's business was striving but she wanted to be a responsible adult and not bother her mother with things she can solve herself.

Ethan woke up with a start, he tried to recollect his thought and it dawned on him that he had cut the call and switched off his phone too.

He quickly switched his phone on and placed a call straight to Maya.

The call entered into voicemail and he threw his phone to the wall smashing it into pieces. That was the third phone he had smashed in two months.

Char had told him the other day that he had anger issues and was bipolar when he had slapped her doing a heated argument.

"I don't need to see a therapist." He fumed as he screamed at no one in particular.

"I'm not crazy." He clutched his pillows and sobbed into it trying to stifle his own sound.

Back at Maya's apartment, Deborah and the volunteers for her foundation were putting up finishing touches to their rally.

Andrew had joined them just a month ago and was always having arguments with Deborah over one issue or the other.

This night was not an exemption, Andrew had suggested they create fliers to share in the campus in order to create awareness before the main event starts.

Deborah had immediately disapproved without giving any good reason for her decision. He had become so angry at her that they both started throwing insults at one other.

The other volunteers just sat laughing at them until Bebo who was never shy to speak her mind said what most of them were thinking."

"Both of you behave like couples, do you need a room."

Everyone in the room laughed and Deborah turned red and ran into her room.

Andrew got his jacket and left. 

The meeting was rescheduled for Friday night and they all left. 

"Deborah! Deborah! Debbie!!!." 

Maya yelled as she entered the house after work. The living room was in a mess, papers and cups scattered on the table and the group banner had fallen on the floor.

"What is it, Maya." She stood at the door frame her arms wrapped on her tiny waist, hair ruffled, and in a mess. She just at an old Tshirt on which at a tear at the neck rim.

"What happened here, you didn't bother to clean up and remember we agreed you would only hold meetings here if you would clean up immediately it's over."

Maya glanced at her "You look terrible too, what happened here."

"Nothing important," she said and walked back into her room.

Putting her bag on the green couch facing towards Deborah's room. Maya went into work to tidy up the room. She had never seen Deborah ruffled up like this before.

Mia came in minutes later and joined her, they both tidied up the room and whisked up some light dinner before going in search of their friend.

Deborah squatted on the floor near her bed, her body rested on the bed frame and held her teddy close to her. She looked up when her friends came in.

"What's up with you Debbie," Mia said as she squatted next to her while Maya sat on the bed which was carefully laid with clean sheets. Debbie was a neat person.

"Yes Deborah spill," Maya said placing her hands gentle on her shoulder. 

"We are here for you."

"It's that boy, Andrew, he gets on my nerves." and she told them what had transpired at the meeting.

"And to make matter worse that stupid girl Bebo asked if we wanted a room to blow of the steam." She said angrily.

Mia and Maya looked at each other, both trying to stifle their laughter.

"Is that all Debbie, or is something else bothering you," Mia asked

"Do you like the boy," Mia said.

"What do you mean by that." Are you here to comfort me to get me angry." Deborah said as she stoops up and walked over to the window.

"Okay, you win. I don't know but I get this tingle when he is around." She smiled at her friends and they all started laughing.

" What if he doesn't feel the same way, I would feel stupid."

 "You will never know the truth till you try, and from what you just told us. There is a connection somewhere, Just take one step at a time."

Maya said looking at her friend.

"Yes Debbie, one step at a time. Now let's eat am starving." Mia stood and took her hand and Maya's too and they all moved into the kitchen for dinner.