Worry sits on Bathandwa’s face and her afro bounces up and down as she runs to the Department of Commerce notice board, her heart in her throat. She has to pass the Stats test or she will have to repeat the module, and she can’t afford the fees. But, between her part-time job at EasyLoans, waitressing at La Vida Loca Restaurant, and all the work for her other courses, she knows she did not study hard enough for Stats.
Her grandmother has taught her to cherish the life she has, but she sometimes wishes she also came from a wealthy family. When she is going to work and sees other students chilling, partying and driving brand new cars she envies their lives.
She has not been to one party this term; has not been to the movies since forever, with her boyfriend, Che. Her phone buzzes. Speak of the devil.
“Hey, Beautiful. How did you do in Stats?” Che’s voice still makes her weak at the knees.
“Hey, Handsome. I don’t know yet. I’m on my way to the notice board.”
“I know you aced it, my capitalist genius.”
“There you go again, Mr Socialist. It’s the way of the world: if you can’t beat them you join them.”
“Yeah. When do I see you?”
“I don’t know, Che. I’m working this afternoon.”
“Restaurant or EasyLoans?”
“EasyLoans.”
Bathandwa is in front of the notice board. Her eyes scan until she finds her student number and the mark next to it: 68%.
“You know those loans companies are dodgy.”
“Yes!” she screams in joy.
“So you agree with me?” says Che.
“No, silly. I am just happy I passed; I was sure I had failed. Hey, what can I do, Che? Imali ayibonwa. Kumanzi phansi. I am short for the taxi fair to Kokstad and I have to go back home tomorrow.”
“So I won’t see you before you go?”
The rumour about the campus beauty queen who has her eyes on Che plays on Bathandwa’s mind.
“I will finish late, but I’ll see you after work.”
“I also have a meeting. We have to mobilise the campus so we can be one when we march against financial exclusions. Fees must fall for real. And they must fall now!”
“True, Che. I would be there, you know that, but I have to work…”
“Laters, Beautiful.”
“Laters, Handsome.”
She is in the campus cafeteria, when her manager at EasyLoans calls her.
“Bathandwa, unjani sana? You’re coming in this afternoon right?”
“Yes, Sir, I will be at work.”
“Excellent. The Printshop called to say the flyers you designed are ready. What colour did you decide on?”
“Orange, because it’s bright which will make the flyers stand out.”
“Great, you can pick them up. They are paid for. And Bathandwa, darling, stop with this ‘sir’ business. Just call me Andy.”
“All right, Sir, I will pick up the flyers. I’ll start at the clinic and drop some off there, then the shopping centre and leave the rest at the grant pay out office. I’ll see you as soon as I’m done, Sir.”
“Bathandwa, you are doing it again.”
“Doing what, Sir?”
“Calling me ‘Sir’.”
“I meant Andy. It will take getting used to.”
“Ndiyayiqonda, sana. Push those flyers. If we get high numbers your commission on each loan will fly.”
“Great, Si … I mean Andy. I will get to it.”
Bathandwa’s thoughts are on Che and the beauty queen who has her eyes on him, who has suddenly become all socially conscious, now attending student meetings.
“I should be there next to Che, instead of that fake,” Bathandwa thinks out loud.
***
Tell us what you think: Do you trust Andy? Should Che be worried about Andy?