“Big Girls on Campus “
Episode 3
By ANNIE ALEX
……….Catherine nodded her head with excitement and promised to make them proud even though she wasn’t aware of what was coming to her
The following day Catherine’s mom woke her up early so they could go to the market and purchase some food stuff for her she excitedly woke up with a smile on her
“Good morning sweetest mom “ she greeted as she stretched her body and her mom responded smiling
“Good morning my baby, hope you slept well,” her mom asked
“Of course, I slept like a baby, “ Catherine said robbing her cheeks as one
“ you will not kill me with a laugh in this house, I will be outside waiting for you, so please be fast,” her mother said and left the room
When they arrived at the market, they bought the things she needed and Catherine requested some new clothes but the money was not enough to even get thrift wears for her
“ you know we are just managing ourselves for now just manage the clothes you have got now and in due time you will get some new ones, “ her mother said and she nodded her head in agreement
They got home and Catherine began putting her stuff together, she neatly arranged her clothes after ironing them in one of her mother’s rusty boxes. When she was all set she decided to call her friend to inform her that she would be resuming on Monday
“The MTN number you have dialed cannot be reached “ the customer care provider echoed from the other side of the line
She tried several times but it was still saying the same thing, she just angrily threw the phone to one side and continued with what she was doing
Since she was resuming classes on Monday she was to travel from Ondo to Lagos which would take a couple of hours
Written by Annie Alex
The night before she left for school her mom called her outside their house and handed some money to her and a Bible
“Catherine let this Bible be your guide and your friend, remember to keep yourself holy and don’t be carried away, a lot of people will want to entice you, but please my child remain focused “ her mother chipped in a piece of advice as she squeezed the money into her hands
“ I promise to adhere to everything you have said mom, don’t worry I will always make you proud, “ Catherine said hugging her mom
That night Catherine could not sleep she was full of excitement and at the same time anxious about her school and the people she was going to meet. All her life she has never traveled alone or even stayed alone without her parents and siblings
She was surely going to miss them after all the deliberation in her mind nature kept calling and she drafted into sleep
The next morning her dad and sibling escorted her to the park where they said goodbyes her little sister wouldn’t stop crying and insisted on following her but her mom had to hold her to herself
The journey seems too long for Catherine because of anxiety and besides she needs someone to show her around and all efforts to reach her friend Sammy seem abortive
She finally got to school after what seemed like forever to her and she was directed to her hostel by one of the students,she settled in in no time
Monday came and she began lectures at her time of resumption her roommate was not present so she had to live in the room alone for the time being
Gradually days turned into weeks and weeks into months she still had not been able to reach Sammy.
Life in school was not as rosy as she thought, there was a time when she had to go on an empty stomach to bed cause she didn’t have enough if not for the assignment she did for her coursemate to help settle bills, only God knows how she would have been surviving
“Catherine how are you and how is school, I know we have not been able to send you money for some time now, please bear with us oh, “ her mom said on the phone
“No problem mama, I understand, “ Catherine said staring blankly at the ceiling” How is everybody “ she asked
Written by Annie Alex
“We are okay is just your sister that has been running a temperature, “ her mother said not sounding too happy
“Don’t worry Mom she will be fine “ Catherine said, they spoke for a minute more and she ended the call
“Hey Cathy what is wrong, you don’t look so well“ Her roommate Esther asked when she came into the room and saw her lost in thought
“I’m fine dear is just some home issues “ she muttered
“I bought some food, do you want some “
Esther asked “En food, of course I want, “ Catherine said bouncing to her feet at the sound of food
“Foodie, “ her roommate said and they ate together giggling
It was Friday and Catherine was happy because she would be closing on time. Immediately after lectures, she left for the cafeteria with one of her coursemates who offered to buy lunch
It was her first time there and the place was so beautiful she couldn’t help but stare just then two beautiful ladies dressed in skimpy outfits and with luxurious hair and bags walked into the cafeteria majestically and everyone’s mouth was wide agape
“Are they students?” Catherine asked with eyes glued on them
“ of course they, those are the Big Girls on Campus and no one messes with them, “ her coursemate said
“ wow they are beautiful “ she let out
“ I heard one of them is dating the chancellor and you dare not fail them while the other is the minister of finance daughter, “ the coursemate said pointing at the one on pink
She then took off her glass shades and placed them on the table
“Am I dreaming, is that not Samantha” she let out and took a closer look at her to be sure and lol and behold it was her friend who she had been trying to reach for months
To be continued…….
