"Danielle!"
Danielle turned and saw Mike looking fixedly at her with his eyes wide open, wondering if he had called the wrong person.
Danielle and Mike lived in the same lodge during her final year in the University. She helped Mike when he was newly admitted into the University. As an old student, Danielle guided him and assisted him with money and food before she left the University. Mike felt he owed Danielle a favor, but there was nothing he could do because he came from a very poor background.
When Danielle left the school, she got married immediately and followed her husband who worked and lived in Cape Town to his base. Both of them had not seen each other for close to a year. This was the reason why Mike had doubts that he might have called the wrong person.
"Mikeoo! Is this you?"Danielle grinned.
"No my.....my.... spirit". Mike stammered, giving her a gap-toothed grin.
"Dani you have changed, what brought you to this school again? Your friend, Rita, told me that you are married and I can confirm that." Mike said, pointing at her wedding ring with disappointment written on his face.
"Mikeoo sit down and give me some gist". Danielle offered him one of the seats she set around a white plastic table.
"I can't believe this is you, Dani," Mike said. He grabbed her left hand and gave her an admiring stare with an expression of appreciation without talking. He took a seat and adjusted the camera he hung on his neck.
"Dani, I felt your absence like someone who lost a sister, but things are better now."
"Mikeooo! " Danielle hailed
"Mmmm"
"So, what brought you here, are you one of the matriculators?" Mike teased and Danielle laughed uncontrollably.
"My younger sister is one of them," Danielle said, pointing at a young girl that was coming in their direction. Mike stood up quickly the moment he saw Gabrielle as though he had just seen someone he knew for a very long time and had been wanting to see her. His heart began to beat faster.
"Is... she... your sister?" Mike stammered, looking at Danielle with surprise clearly written on his face.
"Yes, did you not see the resemblance? Wait, Mike, you know her?" Danielle asked.
"No I'm surprised she is just your younger version but prettier, taller, and her olive skin glows more than yours," Mike grinned, looking admiringly at Gabrielle. Gabrielle stood still and returned his gaze with a half-smile.
"Good day!" Gabrielle greeted.
"Good day, Smallie, how are you?"
"I'm fine thank you and you?" Gabrielle asked.
"Great! So tell me, do you live in or outside the campus?" Mike asked.
"No... ooo way... Mike, stay off my sister please." Danielle interrupted the conversation.
"Daniii...I feel like I owe you a favor, allow me to repay you through your sister. I need to know where she stays so I can keep my eye on her. You can see she is just a young and pretty girl. Do you remember when I got into the University, you guided me and helped me with everything I needed? I need to do the same for your sister. Someone needs to keep an eye on her." Mike explained.
" You want to repay me right?" Danielle asked
"Yes"
"Okay, you can start by bringing that thing on your neck out and giving us a beautiful matriculation photo shoot," Danielle said pointing at his camera. Mike grinned and stood up immediately.
Mike left Danielle and her sister after the photoshoot and went in search of new students who needed some photoshoots. He did what he could to make sure he never lacked anything in school. The camera he hung on his neck was borrowed from one of his friends. He intended to make some cash with it by taking pictures of the newly admitted undergraduates.
Mike, a twenty-four-year-old, tall, light-skinned guy with a delicious appealing physique was an easy-going jovial guy. He was quite friendly and liked to put smiles on people's faces by making some rib-cracking jokes. People often saw him as a womanizer due to the number of women that were always seen around him. However, he was a man who showed a marked fondness for the company of women and always gave them his attention. This earned him the title, 'the lady's man.'
When Mike left Danielle and her sister, they watched him as he continued waving at every lady that passed him by. He was actually drawing people's attention to the camera he had with him.
"You!" Danielle snapped at her sister.
"Sit down, you see this guy that just left here now, please I don't want to see you around him," Danielle warned.
"No I don't even like him, I hate tall guys," Gabrielle added.
"Why?"
"They are heartbreakers!" Gabrielle said.
"This is a fallacy of generalization, they are not". Danielle corrected the notion.
"Mike is the ladies' man, you can't compete with all the girls who seek his attention. The worse part is that he gives them the attention they seek, but sleeping with them is what I'm not sure of. I mean I can't swear for him.
Rita, my girlfriend tried everything she could to lure him to her bed, but he turned her down on several occasions." Danielle explained.
"Please just stay some kilometers away from him Gabby," Danielle warned.
"I saw the way he looked at you, so I believe this guy is madly in love with you but you never noticed him," Gabrielle whispered.
"No, there was nothing like love between us. He sees me as a sister, while I see him as a brother and nothing more."
"Okay I guess he sees me as his sister too," Gabrielle added.
"Speaking of your friend, Rita, where is she now?" Gabrielle asked.
"She is currently in Johannesburg, so desperate to settle down with a man. I pray she sees a man who will love and marry her." Danielle responded.
Soon the parents and siblings of all the newly admitted students assembled in the arena and the program kicked off. Mike took as many pictures of Gabrielle as possible. Gabrielle and Mike agreed to meet on Tuesday at the Political Science department, which was Mike's department for the pictures.
Danielle and her sister shared their food with some of their friends and well-wishers. They sat on the chairs and chatted for a long time. Mike was quick to detect that Gabrielle was an intelligent girl. She was all Mike ever wanted in a woman. He decided that he must find out where she lived and probably pay her a surprise visit.
Mike never believed there was something like love at first sight until he met Gabrielle who changed his belief.
Danielle and Gabrielle took all the things they used for the matriculation to her sister's car. Danielle accompanied her sister to her lodge. They took the narrow rough path that led to Bangkok lodge. The road was really bad, and Danielle was quite unhappy that her sister had to go through that rough path every day. Danielle halted when they got to the gate of the lodge. She spent four years in the university, but she had not stepped foot in the lodge. She frowned as she kept looking around. Gabrielle urged her to come with her. She walked slowly behind her. They walked into the entrance that connected all the rooms in the Bangkok lodge. Gabrielle lived in room five. While she was looking into her handbag in search of her bunch of keys, Danielle seized the opportunity to tour around the lodge. She was not satisfied with what she saw. Bangkok lodge was a totally amoral lodge. Students often said that the occupants of the lodge liked to 'bang' and 'kok'. They believed the name of
Gabrielle slept like a baby after her matriculation. She was just so tired that she almost forgot that it was Monday already. No one had ever talked to her since she moved in. It was as if they were waiting for her to settle down before including her in their games. "Good morning Pa Uzo." Gabrielle greeted the caretaker. His first daughter's name was Uzo, so the people who lived in the lodge called him 'Pa Uzo', which means Uzo's father. "Good morning Angel, I hope you slept well?" the caretaker asked with a broad smile, exposing his decayed teeth. Gabrielle smiled back at him. "Yes, I slept well, but the switches are not working so I could not use my standing fan," Gabrielle responded. "I'm sure I fixed everything before you moved in, but don't worry I will get an electrician that will fix it for you. Just give me one hundred and fifty rand." Gabrielle entered her room, she counted out one hundred and fifty rand from the money her sister gave her. She gave the money to the c
"Emmanco 'P'! Emmanco 'P'!" All the occupants of Bangkok lodge chanted as he shut the door. Gabrielle realized she had to be diplomatic in dealing with Emma as none of the occupants was ready to come to her rescue. The caretaker's wife came outside, her face contorted with rage and fear. She knew Emma very well and what he was capable of doing. He was a very dangerous guy. Fear gripped Gabrielle, she remained on the chair with her gaze fixed on the stranger who had taken charge of her bed. "I'm not an electrician," Emma began. "My name is Emmanuel Paul, but my friends call me Emmanco P, the 'P' stands for Papa. I am the father of this lodge, the General Overseer. Na me dey enter the path of any girl wey enter this lodge first. Na because say I never cross ya path na im make all men just pipe low. Person don enter ya room? Emma asked. Gabrielle kept mute and continued staring at him. "You see that jubilation wey dey go on for outside? Na because I don enter, road don clear
"Agatha, please can I sleep for the night at your hostel?" Gabrielle pleaded after narrating what happened last night in her room. "Yes, but first you need to tell your sister what they did to you. Look at your lips, Gabrielle. " "I called her, but she was already on her way to Cape Town. I know my sister very well, if I had told her, she would have come back and I don't want that." "Gabby, what is wrong with you?" She offered to take you out of that lodge, but you declined. Now the game has started. Where do you intend to go from here?" Agatha asked "I want to get my pictures, then go home, cook, eat, bathe and then go to hall B for night class." " And then what?" "Sleep in your hostel if you permit me." "Let's get the picture first," Agatha said. The two girls left in search of the Political Science department. Mike told Gabrielle to meet him at his department for her pictures. The girls were not yet familiar with the departments. The departmental blocks look the sa
The twenty-five-year-old Brian Moses, popularly known as Mangasi is the only son of a widow. He has three sisters. His father died when his mother gave birth to his youngest sister. Coming from a very poor background, Brian had no formal education. He quit school and went into building houses so he could support his family and pay his sisters' school fees. He was the baddest boy in town. He can fight and defeat any who throws taunts at him. Students who knew him very well were scared of him. Just like some students like football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis and different kinds of games. Manga liked to fight and watch people that are fighting. He never hesitated to run to the rescue of young girls and save them from bullies. Brian hates oppressors of the innocent and would always make his voice heard. He had no girlfriend because he did not believe in love. He thought love is the language of lazy men. He engaged the services of hawkers whenever he wanted to feel like a
Gabrielle quickly removed his hand off her neck immediately after they had gone out of sight. Brian put his hand back in his pocket as they walk silently to an eatery. He ordered two plates of food and drinks. Their order was carefully set on their table. Gabrielle was very hungry so she ate hurriedly. "You need more food?" he asked. Gabrielle nodded her head. He placed another order and she was served again. "I will be outside, I need to smoke." Brian stood up from his chair. "You smoke?" Gabrielle asked. "Isn't it obvious? I am proudly a smoker." Gabrielle tilted her brows and focused on her food. It was none of her business anyway. Brian was not even a friend to her. He was just helping her overcome the bad boys in her lodge until she moved out. Brian walked up to a provision store across the road and took fresh menthol sweets to freshen his breath. Gabrielle came out, she did not see him. She stood still and was looking around. "Smallie," Mike called from behind. Ga
Gabrielle climbed her bed after zipping herself up in a comfy nightgown. She drew her duvet up to her chest. Brian continued staring into space. Plotting how to get her out of the lodge tomorrow. "Please, leave the lights on, I hate darkness," Gabrielle said. There was no response from Brian. He doesn't sleep with the light on. Gabrielle relaxed her head on her pillow and soon hit the sack. Brian took one of her pillows and lay on the floor with his face up. He slept off too and began to snore. The noise could not stop Gabrielle from sleeping because she did not sleep well last night. Gabrielle woke up in the morning and was surprised he lay on the floor without his shirt. The night was miserably cold. A cold chill crept up her spine, raising the hair on the back of her neck. Gabrielle sat on her bed and stared at him with empathy. "Brian...Brian... Wake up, it's morning already," Gabrielle called. "I have been awake. Gabby you need to bathe now. I need to be at one of our bui
Gabrielle and her friend entered the room and were very scared. "Agatha, I would have waited for Brian. Coming here was your idea." "Relax, Gabby, probably someone reported what they did to you to a relevant authority. Calm down!" Agatha said. Gabrielle sat on her bed and waited impatiently. She was panic-stricken when she heard the man's voice moving closer to her room. She eavesdropped and found out he was shouting at the girls in room four. Probably, he is the owner of the lodge. She began to relax and laugh. "I think he is the lodge owner," Gabrielle murmured. Agatha smiled. "You can ask him to refund you now. He is rich, he can do it." "Brian, the guy I told you about said he has about ten agents that would help me and get a decent lodge. I'm going to move into a new lodge today," Gabrielle grinned and danced for joy. A soft knock came on her door. She opened the door slowly. The quinquagenarian and the caretaker stood there with a register. The man looked at her and
Gabrielle was awoken by the constant buzzing of her phone. She sighed and rolled over. Her husband traveled out of the country last week and they were expecting him that day. He pulled the phone closer and stared at the caller, it was Agatha, her best friend. She reluctantly picked up the call. Agatha had never failed to call her since she put to bed six weeks ago. "Gabby, your baby's picture is garnering attention on social media. You need to add your maiden name to your name. Felicia…you remember her right?" Agatha asked. "Yes," Gabrielle responded with a low tone. She could not believe her friend woke her up because of her baby's pictures she uploaded on social media. "She said our friends have a group chat but no one knows your whereabouts. Please add your maiden so they will find you. Do it now and call me back," Agatha said and hung up. Gabrielle added her maiden name just as her friend suggested and tossed the phone aside. She stood up and checked the time, it was a few mi
Brian, Gabrielle, and their son spent the week having fun and playing games around the house and in the garden. Rita had an issue with her husband, she intended to stay with her brother for a while. However, she packed her things and returned to her husband to give them space. Brian and Gabrielle's love for each other made her so jealous. The little Brian was lovable and fun to play with. His father did not stop carrying him around. He filled the house with beautiful toys for him. He kept appreciating Gabrielle for not considering abortion. On Monday morning, Brian and Gabrielle were still in bed. None of them felt like going to work. She rolled out of the bed weakly and Brian pulled her back. "Where are you off to?" "To the office""No, you need some days off and plan your birthday which falls on Saturday. Let's give your people a little surprise."Gabrielle quickly put her palm on her lips. She couldn't believe Brian remembered her birthday. She didn't remember telling him anyt
"Do you remember the first day we met?" Brian asked, staring into her eyes. Gabrielle nodded with a smile. "I fell in love with you that day, but I felt we will never be together. Mike was very smart and intelligent. He figured out I'm in love with you and called me dateless love.""Dateless as in timeless?""He meant I would never date you. You are beyond my league.""I never knew how much I loved you until I watched the cops take you away. My heart broke into pieces. I cried, but you didn't notice. "I did and I felt bad. I would have avoided the fight.""What happened when you left?" Gabrielle asked. "I was detained and set free after some days. I had no money to clear the outrageous hospital bills Mike's family gave me, I had to sell the land. I regretted not selling it earlier and established myself. When I remembered the business I ventured into was your idea, I knew everything happened at the right time. I wouldn't have invested the money wisely if I hadn't met you.""Which i
Mr. Ruben walked into Brian's office when he closed work for the day. He saw their boss leaning on his desk and Gabrielle crouching on his side. He frowned but tried to conceal his disappointment. He wanted Gabrielle desperately. "Sir, here are the account details you requested," he said dropping a file on the desk and walking slowly away. "Momi, let's go home," he muttered, planting a kiss on her forehead. Gabrielle picked up her handbag and began to leave the office. Brian held her hand. "We are going out together," he grinned. His seductive smile hadn't changed a bit "Gabby, you are extremely persistent, I'm not letting you out of my sight." Brian held her hand as he walked to his car. The company's chauffeur had positioned the car, waiting for him. "I want to get my bag.""Where is it?" He asked. "At the logistics office.""We are going to pick it up on our way out. Hop in Let's go."Rita entered the passenger's side, Brian and Gabrielle entered the rear side. Brian pulled Ga
Gabrielle alighted hurriedly when the cab she boarded pulled over in front of her apartment. She did want Brian to come after her. She ignored all the surprised eyes that were staring at her and began to pack a few of her and her baby's things. "Talk to me, Gabby, what happened?" Agatha held her bag. "Agatha, please…""Do you think I'll let you walk out of that door without telling me what happened?" Agatha asked. Gabrielle took the baby and began to dress him up. "I saw his father," she whimpered. "I'm booking a same-day flight to Pretoria. Phillip has been begging me to marry him, I think I'm ready to marry him," Gabrielle said. "Whose father?" Agatha asked. "Brian's father.""Whoo!" Agatha screamed happily. "Finally!" Agatha continued screaming. Gabrielle ignored her and lifted her baby and began to walk towards the door. "Wai..wai…wait! Are you running away from the man you have been searching for for the past two years? You are so difficult Gabrielle!" "He is married an
Gabrielle went to work very early the next day, ready for her boss. She switched her system on and began to work. Two company security men walked into her office without knocking. Gabrielle shot them a cold stare and understood something was amiss. "You are invited to a disciplinary hearing in the boss's office," they announced. Gabrielle stood up immediately and followed them. The members of the board were already there waiting for her. She greeted them and gestured to a chair. Mr. Ruben listed all the policies she had violated so far, and none of them were true. Gabrielle tried to defend herself, but the board members did not believe her. She was given a six months suspension without salary. According to the board members, the company was newly established and couldn't afford to pay workers who were suspended. Gabrielle picked up her things and left the company with tears in her eyes. Six months of living without a monthly salary was very difficult for Gabrielle and her son. P
Gabrielle and Phillip had been knocking on the main gate of their house, but no one responded. She sat down at the foot of the gate and continued dialing her brother's number. "Joe, open the gate, I have been knocking for ages. Gabrielle said as soon as her brother picked up the phone. "Dad is with the key. There is nothing I can do," Joe whimpered. "Why are you whimpering, is he there?" Gabrielle asked. "Yes""Move away from there and talk to me.""Gabby, there is nothing I can do. He is with the key and he knows you are knocking.""Where does he expect me to go?""To hell!" Mr. Williams roared and the call disconnected. Gabrielle's frustration was apparent. She couldn't believe her family had decided to throw away the baby and the bathing water. Her father did not care about safety anymore. "Come with me, I'll bring you back tomorrow morning," Phillip said, squatting before her. Gabrielle nodded and stood up. She had no options, so she stood and walked towards the car. The ne
"Good evening, dad," Gabrielle whimpered when she got closer to her dad. Mr. Williams ignored her and fixed his eyes on a newspaper he was reading. Gabrielle stood still and waited for his response, but all to no avail. Since the news of her pregnancy got to all the members of the family, they had been treating her like an outcast who brought nothing but a disgrace to her family. Her mom hardly responded to her greetings too. She wanted to rent an apartment and move out of her sister's house, but she did not have enough money to move.Gabrielle left her dad and walked into the building, wiping tears that were dripping through her eyes. Her younger brother screamed and gave her a warm embrace when she walked into the family's lounge. "Gabby, you took us unawares. Danielle called this afternoon, she never told us you were coming," Joseph, her immediate younger brother said with a smile. "I wanted to spend some time here, but with dad's attitude, I'm going to leave as soon as I'm thr
Mike took a deep breath as he began to dial the number. He was surprised when Agatha's name pop up. Mike looked at the phone number again, it was the same number he had been calling since he alighted from the school bus. He gave out a long sigh. He could not believe the caretaker sold Agatha's number to him for such an outrageous amount. Mike continued staring at the phone number written in Gabrielle's handwriting. He carefully folded the paper and dipped it into his pocket. "Hi, Mike," Agatha said as soon as she picked up the phone. "Is she there with you?" "No," Agatha muttered quietly. "She has gone. Did you forget the time I told you?" "No, but …never mind" "Mike we are friends, talk to me," Agatha said. Mike took a deep breath and rested his head on his palm. "Mike!""I had a little fight with Jane. She delayed me.""I'm so sorry. She gave the caretaker her phone number, I memorized it. I'm going to text it to you now.""Don't worry, she gave the caretaker your number. I'm