RENTED LIFE 14

 

It had been a week since their last conversation regarding work and Kuni was prepared for her interview, she couldn’t be more grateful to her friend Aaliyah but she was yet to communicate with Simon what had been happening. Aaliyah did not mention it to Simon either, she had found a job for her friend in Chilanga at a friends school. Given was a childhood friend and he had been present in Aaliyah’s life since her primary school days. Given was married with two children, he was a teacher by profession and had since taken up the running of the family owned school after his parents retired. The school had been known for many years for its prestigious status and it had been giving very good results from inception. Given was not the only child but he was the first and most of the responsibilities fell on him, he had to take up the task of ensuring everything regarding his parents property was well taken of. This had resulted in a serious strain on his marriage that his wife opted to go and study abroad in hopes her husband would give it all up and pay attention to his family. 

 

Aaliyah looked at her friend with a blank stare as she assured her that Given was a good man and if she excelled at her interview he would even give her a house to stay within the school. Kuni was not all the way certain about the interview especially because she had not prepared much. It was difficult to plan for an international school when she had not been taught much about Cambridge. However, Aaliyah was very supportive and confident all would go well, she even assured Kuni that if she did not do too well she would talk to Given and still have her get the job

 

“I hope I look alright” Kuni said looking at her friend who was having her breakfast by the dining table.

 

“Kuni I have told you, you are fine. Have some food please”

 

“Aaliyah, food is the last thing on my mind right nowI just want to get over and done with this interview” she said anxiously. 

 

“Okay, at least take some juice” 

 

Kuni put her folder on the table and headed to the kitchen to grab some juice., she was very concerned about wearing a trousers to the interview and she quickly returned with her glass of juice ready to ask her best friend for the 100th time if her clothes were just okay.

 

“Kuni, you are in a suit, it’s one of my best suits… it was very expensive, you have to look the part if you have to go to this prestigious school. Trust me the moment you get there you will understand why I insisted on you putting on this suit”

 

Kuni nodded her head as she looked at herself one last time and sat to take her juice.

 

“Are you sure you will not be hungry?” Aaliyah asked Kuni who was taking her juice and flipping through a book. She shook her head.

 

It was quite a stretchy ride but soon they drove into the gates of the beautiful school. Kuni was very quietand in shock, she could not fathom what her eyes were seeing. Children of all races were playing in the play park and her heart just became uneasy. She put on a brave face but Aaliyah could see that she was very agitated, the school had even gotten better from the last time Aaliyah was there. The silence continued until the car eventually stopped before thereception, it was time to go in and give it her best shot, Kuni was nervous.

 

“I really don’t know about this” Kuni sighed

 

“Hey, it’s okay… are you forgetting you were the best in our class?”

 

“It’s not the same”

 

“It is the same, go and give it your best. You have got this” Aaliyah said holding her friends hand.

 

Kuni unfastened her seatbelt and picked her bag as well as the folder containing her credentials. She was looking beautiful in a navy blue suit which consisted of a tight fitting trousers, a white body top and a jacket. Aaliyah Was somewhat proud of her friend despite the real reason she was sending her away. It was Aaliyah’s hope that she gets the job and gets an apartment at the school as that’s a privilege that came with being a teacher there. Aaliyah knew too well that she needed to somehow face Simon and say what she had done or just play a saint and act like she truly cared about her friends best interest and got her a job. As Kuni headed on following the directions Aaliyah gave her, Aaliyah stayed back and picked her phone to call Simon. 

 

“Simon…” she said calmly upon calling him

 

“Yes Aaliyah… what’s up?” He asked totally unconcerned.

 

Her heart burning with passion and strong feelings for the one man who had made her feel like a woman, Aaliyah sighed heavily wondering what to say. She had long forgotten why she called him. He always did that to her, there’s something about him that pierced through her heart in ways that left her desperately longing for him.