TWO WEEKS - Episode 16

Vicky finished her shift at the CD store and hurried home to prepare for her band rehearsals.
40 minutes before the time, she made dough for making her pastries and left them in a warm place to leaven.
She then took a shower and dressed in a red woolen sweater over a top, and jeans trousers.
After having done practice on the mirror, she made short hasty prayers and picked her bag, leaving the apartment.

‘West Circuit West Circuit.’ Vicky murmured, following a pavement way that they usually circled during their morning jogs.
She was so excited about joining the band. She loved singing very much and she imagined that, the band was her opportunity of exposing her talent as a singer.
She longed to tell her mother that she joined the church band. She would be praising and lifting God’s name in Ortegun and probably, in the rest of New York and America.
Maybe there would be choir championship or battle of the Church bands.
She was so excited that, although she recalled Wayne offering to direct her to the music hall, she did not want to look for him first. In fact, Wayne was not available for the morning jog. Vicky already guessed that, he slept at his girlfriend's place and might not have even returned to Ortegun that day.
She lowered her pace when she neared a tall building with a dome shaped roof. It had a lit portico and some people walking on a couple of stairs below it, into and out of the building.
A label at the portico was the one that caught Vicky’s attention.
The Derby
“This must be it.” She said to herself and begun following the path to the building.
She passed two security guards at the entrance and entered the lobby which was huge with marble floors and the dorm shaped roof. Most of the people in the building were foreign to Vicky. She became a little nervous because they also seemed too older than herself or Wayne’s class.
She smiled however, when she caught sight of large swing doors at the end of the busy lobby.
The doors were labeled with golden italic letters.
Music hall I
She increased pace toward the doors and almost touched it before someone called.
“Hey Lady! Don’t go in there!”
She gasped and spanned around, already frustrated that, she had done something wrong.
A man in the University’s security uniform came running to her from the building’s entrance. He was one of the guards who Vicky left behind when she got inside. Maybe he followed her.
Vicky gulped, shaking on her feet. Oh my God please help me. She prayed inwardly.
“You are not allowed to go in there, that hall is under renovation.” The security guard said, halting in front of Vicky.
She sighed. “Oh I am sorry. I didn’t know. We have band practice and we were told to meet at the music hall. My friend told me that, it would be in The Derby.”
“The Derby is all this area; four buildings actually. This just happens to be the first one. What your friend must have referred to is The Derby opposite the Law Faculty building.”
Vicky sighed again. How could she have missed Wayne’s instruction?
“There’s the Music Hall there; neither one nor two. Just music hall. Alright?”
Vicky nodded. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Are you a first year student?”
“Yes.” She replied shortly.
“Okay. Just a tip, this building is normally used by post-graduate students so, you might seem out of place coming in here.”
She raised her eyebrows, nodding.
The man smiled and begun to leave, she did too.

Vicky was upset when she came back, outside The Derby. She was already thinking of returning back to her apartment. The little mishap took the best of her.
I was so excited. She thought, hovering around the stairs below the building portico.
She wished that she had a phone and then she could share her awful experience with her mother. But, she didn’t.
“Hey!”
Someone called.
She turned and her face lit up to glance at a familiar person.
She took the few steps to the ground and walked to Kyle, who waited for her across the pavement way.
“Hi," he greeted charmingly. “I see that you are already here.”
She blushed. “Yeah. But, I think that, I got lost.”
“Forgive me. I should have given you instructions.”
“It’s okay.” She replied, fixing her bag braces well over her shoulder.
He begun to move. “So, what type of music do you sing?” He asked as they walked side by side.
“Well. I sing Gospel. I can do Solo. I don’t know if that answers your question.”
He chuckled. “It’s alright. Have you ever been in a band before?”
“No.”
“Can you lead a band if at all you were to be in one?”
She was elated. “Wow. Yeah. I will be so happy.”
He grinned. “Listen Vicky, that’s your name. Right?”
“Yeah," she replied nodding.
“Alright Vicky. Our band is the most popular known band in Ortegun. If you sing with us, you stand the chance of exposing your talent and becoming very famous. We also go outside campus and compete with the college bands of the colleges like MIT, NYU and more other renowned Universities in New York.”
Vicky was very excited. “That is great. So, I’ll be the leading soloist?”
“Yeah. Only if you agree.”
“I have no problem with that," she replied instantly, without a second thought.
By this time, they already arrived the Law Faculty Building. Vicky got a glimpse of it and realized immediately that, they were already there.
“Okay" he said, stopping. “We’ll just meet the rest of the band and we can go for the rehearsals.” He said, glancing behind her.
She turned around and saw another beatifully designed building.
There was a banner at the entrance written; The Derby.
That’s it. Opposite the Law Faculty building. She thought and turned back to Kyle but, he was already leaving, walking into the Law Faculty Building.
Vicky knew that she had to wait.
She crossed her hands below her chest and exhaled deeply. She could not wait to start.
As she stared at the Law Faculty Building that, Kyle disappeared into, she embraced the sight of Wayne and Gregory, coming down together with charm on their faces.
She offered a smile when Wayne glanced at her and, he smiled back.
“Hallo?” She called, through the cool breeze that also made her very chilly.
“Hi!” Wayne replied, walking down to her with Gregory. “Waiting for me?” He asked, halting a few steps from Vicky.
She laughed a little. “No but, it’s nice to see you.”
“Hallo," Greg greeted.
“Hi.” She replied.
“Oh. The band rehearsals. Oh gosh. I forgot that I promised to pick you up.” Wayne said in disappointment.
“You are with the Fangs, Wayne?” Greg asked first.
“No. I can’t sing," he replied.
“Don’t tell me that you are with the Fangs… who Vi…?” Gregory asked her.
“Vicky.” She helped. “Who are the Fangs? Another band?”
“Like the leading rock ‘n’ roll band in Ortegun. But, don’t mind him. So, where are your partners?” Wayne replied and asked.
“There’s one; Kyle. I think that, he went to call the others.”
Wayne frowned. “You are not talking about Kyle Johnson or are you?”
“She’s lost man.” Greg said, shaking his head.
Vicky was puzzled. “Anything wrong?”
“Vicky. Where did you meet this guy?” Wayne asked.
“In church.” She replied, worriedly.
“He must have gone out to look for a soloist. I heard that, he has been in search for one ever since Melissa lost her voice.” Greg said, confusing Vicky more.
“Vicky. You do not want to hang around with these guys. His band is full of boys and they will only harass you. They are not anything close to God or the church.” Wayne warned.
Vicky found her mouth opening but, staying in silence. She sighed deeply.
Gregory laughed. “Oh my God… don’t tell me that you thought that… I mean, I can follow Jesus even Wayne can but, Kyle? Not under this sun.”
Wayne glanced at him and back at Vicky. “They are bad news, Vicky. Take it from me.”
“I’m back.”
They all turned around to face Kyle. He was carrying a laptop and a guy in a dark outfit escorted him.
Wayne frowned at him, taking Vicky’s side. “Kyle.” He bawled.
He raised his eyebrows in queer, approaching the three. “Yeah Wayne. What’s the problem?”
“How can you lie to her?” Wayne shouted.
“Lie to who?” Kyle asked instead.
“Don’t you know that this girl is saved? She can’t join your band.”
“Listen Wayne, our band may not be about God but, we are not singing about the devil. Our content is about life, okay?”
“I thought that, it was a Gospel band.” Vicky said, letting out her disappointed voice for the very first time.
Kyle sighed. “Okay. Maybe it’s not a Gospel band. I mean… those songs have no market these days. People want to hear about life and love. No one believes in a God that they cannot see. I don’t either.”
“It’s fine that you don’t.” Wayne begun and took Vicky’s hand. “But, she does and you are not going to soil her image or reputation by making her sing for your band.”
“Wayne, Fangs is the best band in Ortegun. We already sold more than 100K copies ever since our last CD was out. And that was just a few weeks ago. Singing with us will be her chance of debuting into the music industry.”
“Pick another girl.” Greg suggested.
Kyle turned to him. “I have tried searching in Ortegun. Only she has the best voice.”
“Really, how about Deborah?” Greg asked again.
“She only wants to sing for God.” Kyle replied quickly and added. “Anyway, what’s important is, the record company needs a song in two weeks, otherwise, our band is finished. We also borrowed money to pay for Mellissa’s hospital bills and the next song will be our only chance of clearing the debt and not get into problems.”
Vicky furrowed her eyebrows. Just then she recalled a verse from Romans chapter 8. All things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
I am here for a reason. She thought.
“You are not going to use her, Kyle. I am warning you.” Wayne threatened.
“Listen.” Vicky begun, freeing her arm softly from Wayne’s clutch. She looked at Kyle. “We’ll do a gospel song.”
Kyle shook his head. “It won’t hit.”
“Let’s try and err.” She insisted.
“I can’t afford an error, Vicky. My life and the rest of the band’s, are at stake.”
“Okay then, I will not sing with you.”
“Right.” Wayne supported her decision.
Kyle pulled a sad face. “But, you can help just this one time to sing one song. I promise that it will be only this once.”
“I am so sorry. I only sing Gospel, all the time. I am also telling you that, a Gospel song will hit; even more than your life songs.”
Kyle sighed deeply, looking down.
“Those are the terms.” Greg interjected, staring boldly at Kyle.
“It will hit Kyle. You have me and more importantly, you will have God. May it be that God wants to use your band because, it reaches more people, to spread His knowledge to the world.” Vicky told him.
Kyle shook his head. “No, you don’t understand Vicky. We need to sell another 100000 copies and we need a hit song.”
“I understand Kyle and I also want to help you help your friend and yourselves. I will join your band only on those terms. We will sing a Gospel music.”
Kyle sighed. “Gosh.”
“Take it or leave it Kyle. Make up your mind, now!” Wayne enforced.
Kyle turned to his company, Fred. He just shrugged.
Kyle turned back to them. “Who will write the song? I don’t know the Bible.”
Vicky smiled. “Don’t worry, I will.”
Kyle sighed again. “I don’t know guys if I am making the right decision but, I can swear to you that Fangs is going down.”
“And we are going to give it a new name.” Vicky announced.
“What!” Kyle exclaimed.
“Yeah. Fangs’ a bad name.” Greg commented. “It means what?”
“Snake teeth.” Wayne replied bluntly.
“Yeah. We are going to name it Faith.” Vicky said nodding.
Kyle sighed. “No, we can’t do that guys. People will laugh at us.”
“Relax, Kyle. It’s only going to be for two weeks.” Greg said.
“If the song doesn’t hit then, you can go back to the old name.” Wayne added, being aware of the routine now.
“Guys, if the next song doesn’t hit and we sell 100K copies, we go to jail.” Kyle explained.
“It is going to hit.” Vicky assured them.
“Why do you seem so sure?” Kyle asked.
“Because, I know the God in whom I believe. He will never let us be put to shame. That’s Joel chapter 2.” Vicky replied.
Wayne noted that in his mind. For further study.
Kyle sighed and decided, “Okay. Since, you are writing the song, we’ll postpone practice till tomorrow evening. We have to becoming every night and on Saturdays because, we have to record by next week.”
Vicky nodded. “It’s alright.”
“Okay good. And I will check you out from time to time.” Wayne promised.
Kyle just gave him a glance and turned to his company.
They left together and the three remained on their own.
“Lets’ go.” Wayne suggested and they began to walk out. “Are you cooking tonight Vicky?” He asked after a while.
“Yeah.” She replied.
“You cook? Ah you have plenty of time.” Greg said.
“I tend to minimize time for doing other things that I can skip.” Vicky explained.
“Example?” Greg asked.
“Watching TV or chatting.”
“Oh C’mon. Watching Television is relaxing.”
“Truly but, it would be better to do that while, I already have my Masters and I have a good house and cars.” Vicky said.
Wayne narrowed his eyes.
“Woho. You are amazing” Greg commented. “I know a few girls who are so determined.”
“Thanks. I believe that, God guides us to do what is right.” She replied.
Wayne was silent, contemplating her reaction.
“Okay. So what are you making?” Gregory asked.
“Buns. Muffins as you may call them but, not exactly that.” She replied.
“When can we come around?” Wayne asked afterward.
“By ten. I’ll be studying after that.”
Wayne nodded. “You are reminding me to work on that time table.”
“Did you read John Chapter 2?” she asked.
“Yeah. And I also covered John Chapter three. I understood that, giving up Jesus was a way of God showing his love to mankind.”
“Yes.” Vicky nodded.
“Oh. You are on the Bible stuff Wayne?” Greg asked.
“It’s called Salvation, Gregory.” Wayne told him.
“I’m a Catholic but, I don’t get the word salvation. The only thing that you are doing is praying and reading The Bible, right?”
“Yeah but, there is more.” Wayne said. “There’s like, real faith in Jesus. I don’t know, like you feel him or something.”
“It’s all about a better relationship between man and God. That was the reason for Jesus coming down; to repair the relationship between us and God. He also revealed the Father that is, God, to us. We are supposed to know and serve God to the extent that he deserves.” Vicky explained.
“But, we do so when we go to church, right?” Greg asked.
“When was the last time that you went to church?” She replied with a question.
“Amh…” Greg begun to recall aloud. “On Christmas eve.”
“See? God needs all the attention.” Vicky said. “Do you also read your Bible often?”
“I don’t have a Bible.” Gregory said.
“So, get a Bible and get acquainted with God. The Bible says in Job 22:21 that, Agree with God and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. In another translation it says that; be acquainted with God and be at peace. Therefore, Jesus has already taken away our sins, we have boldness and confidence to come to God and ask him for his intervention in our lives.”
“Oh.” Greg said. “I never looked at it that way. But, then, won’t I have to stop doing the things that I like to do?”
“For example?” Vicky asked.
“For example, I know that, the Bible says that, it is not good to sleep with a girl before getting married. Something that it calls fornication. But, seriously, that is impossible not to do.” Gregory replied.
Wayne laughed.
Vicky didn’t. She explained afterward. “God is the one who gives us the ability to not do sin. The Bible says that, he who commits sin is a slave to sin. But, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the fullness of him, sets us free from all sins.”
“You mean that, if I start to pray and etcetera, I will not want to sleep with my girlfriend?” Gregory asked.
“You will consider doing what is right and marry her.” She answered.
“Aah. C’mon. I am not ready for marriage.” Greg opposed.
“Ask God’s opinion for your life, Greg.” She concluded.
Wayne was following the discussion closely. “So, what do I do if I still want to sleep with girls?” He asked.
“Pick a girl, Wayne, and marry her. God understands the way he created us and the Bible says that; for this reason man shall leave his family and be joined to his wife. So, get married or stop doing what is wrong before God.” She said simply.
“And if I don’t want to marry?” Greg asked.
“Get closer to God and he will help you to set your life aright; including giving you your spouse at the right time.”
“Really? It will work?” Greg asked.
“Try and err.” She replied.
Greg nodded. “Since I have nothing to lose, I’ll get a Bible and start reading it.” He resolved and turned to Wayne. “You at John, right?”
“Yeah. Chapter three.” He replied.

                                                                              #

They parted at the fountain and she ascended to the dormitory building.
At 9pm, Wayne came to pick his buns and also repay Vicky the money that she used to buy him his Bible.
Before he left, Wayne returned back to Vicky's door again.
“Coming.” She called.
He heard footsteps coming closer to the door and it was opened. Vicky appeared behind it. “Oh. Yeah?”
“Amh… I don’t know how to put this but… I am going to tell you anyway.” He said.
She raised her eyebrows in queer.
Although she could have, she did not let him in. She did not want to.
“Yes, tell me?” She asked.
He took in a deep breath and said. “Well, I usually have scary nightmares and they give me terrible days. Yesterday I slept alright but, only because I was in Boston beside Sasha. I don’t know if tonight, I will be able to sleep well.”
“Oh.” She said. “Just ask God.” She answered him simply.
“Ask God? Can he help me to have a good night sleep?”
“Do you have a Bible right there?”
“No, no but, I have a Bible app in my phone. Tell me the word and I will bookmark it.” He said, feeling his pockets with his free hand. The other hand held a plastic bag containing Vicky’s Prettiz.
“Okay. Read Psalm Chapter 127 from verse 1 to 2.”
He scrolled the screen. “Is it in the Old or the New Testament?”
“Old Testament. It is also the longest book in the Bible.”
He nodded in understanding. “Say it again, Sam?”
“Psalms, with a ‘p’ like psychology.”
“Oh alright I get it. Wow. It has one, one fifty chapters!" He exclaimed as he perused the screen of his phone.
“Yes. Go to chapter one twenty seven and read verse 1.”
“It says; unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it, labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” He read and paused, looking up at her. “So, God is supposed to protect us and do everything for us.”
Vicky nodded.
“Am I also God’s beloved?”
“You are his son, Wayne.”
He smiled, that made him a bit joyful. “Alright. Thank you.”
“Before you go. Have you heard anything from Annie?”
He shook his head. “No but, I did text her a few days ago.”
“How about calling her?”
“I can try right now.” He said and turned back to his phone, tapping it.
She waited silently as he placed it against his ear.
He lowered it shortly afterward. “She’s not reachable but, I will try calling her again.”
“I just hope that her father’s okay.”
“If anything happened, she would have told us, right?”
“Yes. I guess so.”
“Has she called the apartment?”
Vicky shook her head. “Not while I was around.” She said and added. “Is she from Mexico?”
He chuckled. “Not Mexico but, New Mexico. Anyway, his father lives there. He divorced her mother when Annie was young. All I know is that, the dad didn’t call or look for Annie and Mrs. Earl for over the past ten years or so. They had no communication until last week when they found out that he was sick.”
“Oh. That’s too bad.”
Wayne nodded.
“Mrs. Earl… is she also called Linda?”
“That’s what few people call her. Especially girls, the lady is very strict.”
Vicky laughed a little. “I didn’t notice that.”
“That’s maybe because you don’t take psychology.”
She smiled, remaining silent.
He sighed with exhaustion, pocketing his cell phone. “Okay. I gotta go. Good night?”
“You too. Don’t forget to pray before you sleep.”
He shook his head. “I won’t.”

She shut the door and he left.
Vicky went to her room afterward and prayed for Annie’s father. She was also worried because, there was no news from Annie ever since she left.

After having tea with Vicky’s Prettiz and studying, Wayne drafted a timetable of how he would be spending his day. He saved enough time for reading the Bible and working on his assignment.
Then, he reclined to his bed with his Bible and looked for the Psalm 127. When he read it again, he shut his eyes and prayed for a comfortable sleep.
“Just like yesterday,” he requested God at the end of his prayer. “If you would like but, a better sleep would be welcomed.” He concluded, “In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.”
He pulled the sheets above himself and dozed off.

A couple of miles away, Greg was watching like he usually did. He did not have trouble sleeping but, this time he was supposed to be watching a movie.
But, instead of the couch, he sat on his work desk. He took out a borrowed Bible from the desk drawer and placed it on the table.
“Okay, God. I want to follow you and hear your plan for me in my life. I was told that, there was more of you than I do know right now. I do know much about relationships and mine have never been long lasting. Can I start a permanent one with you?” he said with his eyes staring at the closed Bible. “Let’s begin.” He said to the atmosphere and opened the Bible to the book of Genesis.

                                                                              #twoweeks stay tuned....

TWO WEEKS - Episode 8

For a while, Wayne focused on working on his awkward group assignment while Vicky adjusted to her new life in Ortegun and consequently, New York. She consulted her friend, Annie who helped her get a part time job in a CD store, a few kilometers from their campus.
On Sunday, Annie got her a company of a 2nd year girl, to go to the College fellowship in the East circuit of the campus.
Annie however, joined Wayne’s gang again, at the college club.
That Sunday, Victoria went to work after mass and returned home in the evening. She was making spaghetti when her door was knocked.
“Coming.” She called, testing the stew with a cooking spoon. “Oh how I miss home.” She added, absorbing the sweet taste of the red colored slippery noodles.
She relinquished the cooking spoon on the kitchen counter and wiped her hands with a napkin.
The door knocked again and she walked briskly to it.
“Wayne.” She reckoned, after opening.
He stood behind the threshold of the door in a black shirt and dark trousers, holding an iPad in hand. He was seemingly sober. “Hallo. Is Annie in?”
“Hallow good evening. No. She is not in but,” she opened the door wide "Come in?”
“No. That ain’t necessary but, thank you.” He said while she retired into the house. He sighed when he had to follow her inside to ask her another question. He watched her as she neglected him, walking to the dining room. “Do, you know where she went?”
“Nani? Annie?” Vicky asked, removing the lid that covered her cooking dinner.
He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, first; of the good smell and the other, of her question. “What did you say?” he asked, glancing at her from a window that connected the dining and living room where he was.
She gasped and covered her mouth after that.
“Wait, a minute, I am looking for Annie.” He explained, before she said anything.
She sighed. “Oh, I am so sorry. I know that and I understood you but, my tongue slipped. I thought that I was back in Bongo and talking to my peers.”
He chuckled. “You’re funny.”
She turned to the sauce pan and stirred the meal, ready to serve.
“So, Bongo is your capital city or something?” he asked, strangely, finding interest in her.
“No. Dodoma is the capital City. I live in Dar es Salaam however. Bongo is an informal phrase we use to mean Tanzania and in many cases, Dar es salaam.”
“Good one. The latter name is such a long one.”
“We also refer Dar es salaam to Dar. That is very common.”
He nodded a little. That seemed less interesting than this, “So, what are you making?”
“Spaghetti.”
“Why do they smell so different? African cooking?”
“Yeah. I love spices. I brought over a pack.”
He nodded again.
“Please, welcome and have a sit.”
“Wait, you are not asking me to join you for….” He tried to search for a ‘politer’ word “meal.”
She nodded strongly. “I am. It’s tasty. Come and taste.”
He took some time, deciding. He was too proud to join her and she knew it.
“It won’t harm anyone if you do…” she said.
He gulped, scowling at her.
She in turn, switched off the cooker and prepared the dining table, placing the plates on it and serving the spaghetti.
After she had sat, he appeared in the dining entrance with a defeated look on his face. “So, you are saying that, I will like your food.”
She joined her hands together. “Yeah. It’s prepared with love. My brother used to tell me that, my buns were always the best because, they were prepared with love.”
He placed his iPad on the table and pulled the metal chair to sit opposite her. “Buns like, muffins?”
She nodded.
With widened eyes, he looked at the hot and attractive food in front of himself. “It surely smells good.”
“Oh and it tastes way better than that.”
He picked up the fork. “Great. So, let’s dig in.”
“Wait.” She stopped him, making his head draw back in defense.
“What?” he retorted in confusion.
“We pray first and then we eat.”
He frowned.
“It’s not too much to ask now, is it?” she asked.
He sighed. “Okay. You say Grace.”
She shut her eyes. “Our father who is in heaven. Thank you for this auspicious moment. Thank you for bringing us together to have supper. I pray that you bless this food as you blessed the five loaves and two fish so that, they sufficed the appetite of the more than 5000 that were in the wilderness with you. Please, let this food give us strength to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
“Do you have plans of making me a convert?” he asked, immediately after she concluded the prayers.
“No doubt about that.” She replied, without looking at him, picking up her utensils.
He watched her closely, thinking.
She forked some noodles and took a mouthful. Chewing, she widened her eyes, queering his stare. She swallowed and asked. “What are you waiting for? Dig in!"
He took a fork that was on the right side of his plate. “I am wondering.”
“Wondering what?”
“What could be the cause of your, positive attitude.” He explained, taking his own bite. “I have a couple of Christian acquaintances, none of them stood up against what you would call, temptation.”
“With men it is impossible, Wayne but, not with God. For with God all things are possible. Mark 10 verse 27.” She replied.
“See. That’s what I am talking about! How can you be like that? How can you be so standing? I gave you two weeks. It has already been one and like you said, you are still the same. Africanic, religious young lady.”
“Agree with God, Wayne, and be at peace. Thereby good will come to you. Job 22:21.” She said, smiling.
He was silent. The verse touched his life. He really needed that good.
“I sense that, there is something troubling you.” she added, soon after her second swallow.
He was looking at the food, he glanced at her. “No, no. What makes you think that?”
“Asides from seeing you, I feel it in my heart.”
He swallowed and glanced around like he was avoiding the subject. “Are you some kind of spiritual leader or something?”
“Feel free to tell me.” She said, passing over his question.
He was silent, maybe ready to tell her but, a voice in the living room gained their attention.
“The door is open." It was Annie. She announced, making her entry.
“We are here.” Vicky called, pushing back her chair and rising to serve supper for her friend.
Annie closed the door. “We?” she asked and turned to the dining window. “Oh Wayne. We missed you at the club.”
“I came looking for you.” he replied.
Annie begun walking across the sitting room to the dining. “Me? Why?”
“Because, I needed some help with Mr. Hurts’ work.”
“It’s Sunday.”  She replied.
“Welcome.” Vicky said, having set a plate for Annie.
Annie turned to her. “Thank you. Oh that really smells nice.” She said and rounded the wall of the room, to enter it. “Anyway guys. I am leaving.”
“Leaving?” Vicky asked.
“To where?” Wayne added.
“My father fell sick. I have to see him.”
Wayne went quiet. Everything that night already revolved around his own misery.
“Oh Annie, I am so sorry.” Vicky said sincerely.
“Thank you, Vicky. That is why I left quickly. My mother called me and told me that my dad had also asked for me. So, I have to go.”
“Is that your pa that leaves in New Mexico?” Wayne asked.
Annie nodded and walked to the table. She sat at Vicky’s right side and begun to make silent prayers.
“I am so sorry Annie. I pray that he recovers soon.” Vicky said, as soon as Annie opened her eyes.
“What is he suffering from?” Wayne asked.
Annie glanced at him and said, “He has high blood pressure. I believe that is the cause that got him ill.”
“He will be fine Annie. I will pray for you.” Vicky said.
Wayne glimpsed at her and back at Annie, watching her response.
“Oh. Thanks Vicky. I hope that God hears you.”
Vicky offered a warm smile.
Wayne stayed silent.
“So, did you manage to talk to your mom?” Annie asked between bites.
Vicky shook her head. “I couldn’t save enough and I haven’t had luck with the secretary.”
“I could help you but, I didn’t pay my phone bills. I chat through Whatsapp only now.” Annie said.
Vicky nodded. “I understand. I will reach her, even if it takes a while.”
Wayne, who had been eating turned to them and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Vicky’s mom. Vicky has been trying to reach her but so far, was unable to succeed.”
Wayne turned to Vicky. “Don’t you have a phone?”
“I had but, I don’t anymore.”
“Don’t ask that. Wayne, just tell us if you are willing to help.” Annie reproved him.
He relinquished his fork on the table and felt his pockets for his phone. “Where does your mom live?” he asked Vicky.
“Tanzania. Can I make an international call with your phone?”
He placed his phone on the table and tapped it. “Yeah, I think so.”
Vicky sighed with relief. “Oh. Thank you.”
“Wait.” He said, twisting his head to face her worried face. “What do I get in return?”
“Wayne!” Annie snapped.
“I’ll pray for you.” Vicky replied, hoping that it would be helpful.
“No. You know I’m not of those kind of people.” He replied.
Vicky sighed deeply and turned down to her food. She was disappointed that, it had to be that way. In fact, she also thought that he was changing.
“Okay. I will pay you.” Annie said to Wayne, feeling sorry for Vicky.
Vicky turned to them. “No. It’s okay. I will talk to her. God will help me.”
Wayne laughed. “Come on. I was just joking” he said.
Vicky did not seem convinced.
“Wayne, it’s her mom.” Annie warned him.
“Yes I understand. Vicky, I will not charge you anything, I promise you. Tell me your country code or, can you dial on your own?”
Vicky drew a smile and her face lightened up again. “Thank you. Amh, yes I can do that on my own.”
Wayne passed the phone to her.
Vicky thanked again, receiving it. She tapped the numbers on the dial pad of the iPhone 6 and placed it against her ear.
“What time is it in Dar?” Wayne asked, finally catching up with Vicky’s culture.
She smiled a little. “Seven hours l, later. It maybe 4am.” She answered and then became excited. “Mom?” she cried, pushing back her chair and rising.
She left the room with tears flowing from her eyes, talking to her mom.
Wayne was moved by the love that Vicky seemed to share with her family.
Annie was touched too. “She seems so happy.”
Wayne did not respond.
Annie turned to him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. She is happy. It must be great to talk to your mom after being separated by time and distance.”
Annie leaned forward and lowered her voice to add, “She had to sell her phone and laptop to pay the expenses of coming here.”
He seemed amazed.
Annie drew back, knocking her plate with her fork. “She is just a great person. And as it seems, her family is too. My mom says that, it is that way in Africa. The way the kids grow up and are reared, is quite different from the way it is here. They also hold strong beliefs. They share pain and joy. Most of them are absolutely phenomenon.”
“Because they are poor?” Wayne found himself asking.
“Maybe. You saw some ambassadors’ kids who started first year with us last year, it didn’t take long before they were expelled. They were not all like Vicky.” She said and paused, looking at him. “I think that, sometimes when you are in need, you become humble and so and so, or at least, you find something to believe in. Like Vicky.”
Wayne took some time to digest her statement. It was true that Vicky was phenomenon. She was kind, stable, nothing could irritate her. She also seemed like, she had a lot of love to give. Come to think of it, Wayne had never met a person like her.
“So, what work did Mr. Hurts give us?” Annie asked, taking another mouthful of spaghetti.
He glanced at her. “Oh. He gave us an assignment of building up a case.”
“Against who?”
“Animals.”
She grimaced. “Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I went to his office and all he told me was that, we have to be innovative and something like, it will teach us to find faults even on the most innocent things.”
“Have you had any luck with that?”
“I picked up a range of options. But, I still need your help.”
“Tell me what you already came up with.”
He turned to his iPad and opened it, tapping it to reveal a document.

Outside the room, Vicky dropped on a couch with the phone against her ear. “I am very fine mom" she told her mother, beaming at the atmosphere.
“That is great to hear dear. So, tell me? Are you praying?”
“Of course I am. I thank God every day for making me realize my dreams.”
“It’s good honey. How are studies going?”
“Great. And guess what ma? My bench mate is a Nigerian.”
Mom laughed. “I told you that you will meet a lot of West Africans there. And anyone from Kenya?”
“No, I haven’t met a Kenyan but, the admission officer said that, there are Kenyans here.”
“Okay. It’s good dear.”
“Tell me mom. How is home? Are the boys alright?”
“They are very fine. Junior has gone back to school and Wile is getting ready to leave soon.”
“Oh. Great. And Weenie?”
“She’s at home. They closed for a short holiday after their CAT exams.”
“Is she there with you?”
“No. She went to the shop. I asked her to get me a packet of milk for taking Ugali.”
“Oh. Ugali ma… how I have missed it.”
Mom laughed. “You can just buy maize flour and prepare it.”
“I haven’t yet got used to the food stores here. There’s a cafeteria that sells burger, hotdogs, pizza and other foods whose names I haven’t yet crammed.”
“Oh don’t worry dear. Is food too expensive? Are you okay financially?”
“Mom. I will be fine. My friend got me a part time job at a CD store, I get a couple of bucks by the end of the week so, I’m okay.”
“Oh honey. You are already beginning to sound like an American.”
Vicky laughed. “I am?”
“Yes. Anyway. It is good dear. Work hard honey. For your young brothers.”
“Yes mom. I already begun to search for any faculty that is close to what Junior wants.”
“Good dear. Please do that. I am also encouraging Wile here to study hard and land outside like you.”
Vicky smiled. “He should really work hard, ma. Amh, how much is still needed till he can complete the year?”
“Ah for Wile? Do not worry dear. Your dad will take care. Now worry about your books and your own upkeep. We’ll worry about the kids.”
Vicky smiled a little. She appreciated the way that her parents cared for her. “Thank you mom.”
“It’s alright dear. Is this your new line? Can I give it to your dad to communicate with you?”
“No ma. This phone belongs to my friend. But, I will get my own line and phone soon.”
“It’s good dear. I wish you all the best. Do you need anything?”
“Ah ma. What could I possibly need here? I wish I could see you, that’s all. Otherwise, I'm okay.”
Mom sounded pleased afterward. “You are a good child, remember to pray dear. You know that God can protect you and guide you more than anyone can. He will also help you find favor before your lecturers and everyone there.”
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied just before hearing some footsteps entering the room. She twisted her head and saw Wayne, hovering in front of the dining exit. “Ah mom? Please greet daddy for me. He’ll be the next person I’ll look for when I get access to another call.”
“Yes of course honey. Do you have to go?” Mom asked. She clearly noticed that Vicky was summarizing the phone call.
“Yes mom.” Vicky replied rising but, giving the dinning her back.
“Okay dear. All the best honey. And what time is it there?”
“It’s approaching nine thirty.”
“Oh. It’s so bright and early here. But, okay dear. All the best. I’ll tell the kids that, we spoke to each other.”
“Thank you mom. I love you.”
“I love you honey. We’ll be praying for you.”
“Thank you mom. May God bless you.”
“You too honey. Good night.”
Vicky laughed a little. “Good day.” She said and lowered the phone, hanging up.
She smiled to herself afterward and sighed, feeling a little sad that she did not know when she could call her mom back. She then turned around and greeted Wayne who was approaching her at the sofa.
She waved the phone to him when he halted. “Thank you very much Wayne. May God bless you.”
He gave her a short smile. “It’s alright though, I’m sorry that you had to cut your call short. I have to work on this assignment.” He said, shaking the hand with his iPad.
“Thank you. I wish you all the best in that.”
He took his phone. “You know, I was thinking. You could make a lot of dope if you start selling your cooking.”
“She makes excellent muffins Wayne.” Annie called from the kitchen.
Water sounded pouring after that. Vicky guessed that, Annie opened the sink and was washing the utensils.
“I thought of doing so.” Vicky said. “But, I don’t understand the procedures.”
“Don’t mind any procedures. I’ll tell you something, I’ll get you plastic bags from a store downtown. You will pack whatever you’re frying or baking and we’ll sell them around the campus. Beginning with the dormitory.” Wayne offered.
Vicky was very elated. “Thank you very much, honestly.”
“Tell me when you are ready to start. Tomorrow?”
Vicky nodded. “Yeah. I’ll start making them early. From 4:00am perhaps and then, they could be ready for breakfast for people who come from the jog.”
Wayne pocketed his phone. “Alright. I don’t know if I could get the bags within these few hours but, I’ll try.” He turned to her. “I’ll pick you up for the run around 5. Will you be done?”
“Yeah.” She replied, nodding.
“Okay.” He twisted his head to the dining window. “Annie, what time are you leaving?”
“Mom said that, I could go at any time. I haven’t decided yet.” Annie replied.
“Do you think that, she will be at the grounds in the morning?” he called.
“I don’t know. But, I can ask her if it is necessary.”
“No. It’s okay. I just wanted to see her.”
“Bad dreams again, Wayne?” Annie asked.
“No. It’s just another matter.” He lied.
“We should get you a dream catcher.” Annie teased and sounded laughing afterward.
Wayne became dismal and Vicky noticed that.
“Okay. Good night. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” He said to Vicky.
Vicky wanted to tell him something more but, she suppressed the thought. “Good night.” She said shortly. “I’ll escort you to the door.”
“No.” he said with a stretched hand. “It’s not necessary.”
She nodded silently and he left.

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