GETTING THEM 7

 

GETTING THEM 7

Having my certificate was surreal, I had prayed that this day could come and it did, what was even better, Mr Chalwe offered to help me apply for my course at the University of Zambia. I was clear, it was either economics or agriculture science but economics was my first option. I knew I would get it without a doubt. In two days, I had to check on Mr Chalwe and we would apply together at the university, at this point I still had no idea one needed to pay to get an application form.

The morning of my application at the university, I wore a denim skinny bottom and blue golf tshirt. In my wardrobe, these were my best clothes which I had only worn once. My sister was kind to let me wear her canvas which matched pretty well with my clothes. I loved seeing how good I looked, almost  felt like I could conquer the world. Well, I was probably going to do that. As I was leaving, my sister asked if I had money to apply as one needed money for an application form. I told her I had been saving and what I had could help, that was far from true but I figured Mr Chalwe had all this planned out and I needed not to worry. I still did not know why he was so kind. I left earlier than my sister who was actually going for work but Mr Chalwe had told me to be as early as 5:30 because we had to be first in line.

I walked to the end of the road while communicating with Mr Chalwe, it was still early in the morning but he assured that he would meet me along that road. I thought of walking on as he was not in sight despite saying he was in a white shirt and was heading my direction.

A car pulled over before me and the window opened as I tried to avoid the car

“sorry I am late” he said.

I did not expect him to be driving and I believe my facial expression told him the same thing.

“Hop in dear, we will be late” he said.

The drive was relaxing, just like when I was with Kalanje except he played no music, he wanted to talk the whole way. Mr Chalwe asked about my family and how I got admission at the school, I explained myself clearly and when he felt satisfied, he told me a little about himself. He was just covering up for Mrs Kawana, he was not actually a cashier but the new IT Manager. Mrs Kawana was on maternity leave.

I was third in line, it seemed two siblings were there before us but luckily I did not have to wait too long. I had all my documents in a folder including photocopies, I did not leave room for anything. Well except I had no money. Mr Chalwe counted a K300 and handed it over to me to pay for anything that would be required before asking me to wait for him in as he had an important call to make. Despite being there so early, the offices only opened at 08hrs and by then Mr Chalwe had bought us coffee and cupcakes from a breakfast spot at the mall near the university. The process did not take long at all and we were done in no time. I was grateful to Mr Chalwe because by the time I left the queue was so long. Luckily for me, by 8:30hrs I was already in the car heading out of the university with Mr Chalwe.