As I walked away from the scene of the fight and trudged back to my room, the weight of the world crushed me. I couldn't shake off the feeling of what had happened - Thando and Sarah fighting, but over what? Since both ladies had vanished without a word, leaving me speechless and uncertain.
The silence was too much, and I yearned for someone to talk to, someone who would offer comfort. Thando's face flashed in my mind, and I wished she were there to listen and to talk to me.
But as I reached my room, I found a surprise waiting for me - a note on my bed, with a message that made my heart skip a beat: "Meet me at the cafeteria at 5 pm. We need to talk."
It was unsigned, but I knew exactly who might have written it. Time seemed to have stood still, my curiosity piqued. I fidgeted in my chair, constantly checking my watch, the minutes ticking by at a slow pace. Five o'clock felt like an eternity away.
I paced around my room, trying to shake off the restlessness, but my mind kept wandering back to the mysterious note. As I moved, the creaky floorboards beneath my feet echoed through the silence.
My stomach growled, reminding me that I was running low on food. The fridge was almost bare, a stark reminder of my mom's recent layoff. Just a few days ago, she'd called to tell me she was selling fruits on the streets of Harare to make ends meet. The thought of her dodging authorities, her fruits scattered on the pavement, filled me with anxiety.
As I pondered my next move, I considered reaching out to Sarah for help. But my pride and ego got the better of me, and I convinced myself I could handle it alone. The reality was stark: I only had enough food for two more days. After that, I'd be at the mercy of others to survive.
Lost in thought, time slipped away, and before I knew it, 5 o'clock was approaching. My mind was torn: should I meet the mysterious person who'd left the note, or ignore it and face the uncertain consequences? 5 minutes before 5pm, I headed to the cafeteria, my heart racing with anticipation.
I stepped inside, scanning the room for a familiar face, but saw none. I took a seat and ordered a hot cup of coffee. As I sipped the fragrant brew, my mind began to wander back to my situation. I started brainstorming ideas for getting food - who could help me, what odd jobs I could do.
As 10 minutes ticked by without a sign of the mysterious person, I approached a beautiful waitress, dressed in a stunning uniform that accentuated her curves.
"Hi!" she chimed, her voice low and soothing. "Someone left a note for you. You must be Cedric, right?"
I took the note, curiosity getting the better of me, and hastily opened it. The message read: "Hi Cedric, sorry something urgent came up and I had to leave early. Can we meet tomorrow during lunchtime? Thanks."
I stood up and walked towards the door. Just as I was about to open it, Charlotte walked in with some guy I'd never seen before. I smiled at her, but to my surprise, she didn't smile back.
"Hi Charlotte, good to see you, hey," I said. She walked by, passing me without a word or a smile. My face fell, and I felt a hollow ache in my stomach. I clenched my fists, feeling angry and disturbed.
I was lightheaded, my breathing heavy, and sweat dripped from my forehead. I was drained, my energy depleted. The thought hit me hard: just recently, she'd been desperate for my attention, confessing her feelings boldly.
Yet here I was, being ignored and given the cold shoulder. This thought pierced my heart, drying out my eyes and resurfacing painful memories from my past. The sting of voices echoed in my mind, replaying embarrassing moments from my childhood.
I felt like I was about to pass out, my vision blurring. I gripped the door handle tightly, trying to steady myself. The cafeteria seemed to be spinning around me, and I felt like I was losing my balance.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but my heart was racing. I felt like I was drowning in my emotions, unable to escape the pain and humiliation.
As I stood there, frozen in time, I realized that I had to get out of there. I pushed open the door and stumbled out into the cool evening air. I took a few deep breaths, trying to clear my head, but my mind was still reeling. I felt like I was walking through a nightmare, unable to wake up.
I cried uncontrollably that night, overcome with pain and questions. Why was this happening to me? I had no food, and my friends had abandoned me. Even Sarah, who had cared for me since university, was now distancing herself.
As I walked home, my feet heavy with despair, a car approached. Its headlights shone brightly, illuminating the dark road. The car stopped beside me, and I heard footsteps approaching. Before the person could reach me, my legs buckled, and I fell to the ground, everything going black.
I don't know what happened to me next. All I remember is waking up to the pungent smell of disinfectant and medication. The scent was overwhelming, making my head spin. I was shocked to find myself lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by the steady beeps of machines and the soft murmur of voices.
Faintly, I heard a voice whisper, "Doc, he's awake." I turned to see who was seated beside me, and my gaze met hers. Charlotte's eyes were red-rimmed from crying, her makeup smudged, and her beautiful dress stained and dirty. Her hair was disheveled, and her skin looked pale.
Before I could speak, she whispered, "You need to rest. I'll be right here by your side, I promise." Her voice was soft and soothing, a gentle breeze on a summer day. Her words calmed me, and I felt my eyelids growing heavy once more.
However, a searing pain suddenly hit me. I gazed at her, managing a weak smile before agony overwhelmed me. It felt as if someone was ripping me apart from the inside out. I groaned, thrashing about on the bed, and the monitor's beeps grew fainter. Everything around me dissolved into darkness.
.....to be continued...