Sarah scrolled through her HTC One's music gallery for Taylor Swift. She could've sung her heart out if not for her mum in the dorm. Her mum was making the bed as her younger sister Linda, played games on her tablet.

'Mum, this is why I wanted to do this alone!'

'This might be the only time this bed is ever made,' her mum replied, smoothing out the corners. She turned to Sarah and adjusted her glasses. 'If you had worked harder, you would've been in a better school, but you were too busy playing with boys!'

Sarah bit her lip and held her breath. Chiku had broken up with her three weeks ago. She had shared with her mum how her first love felt he needed to concentrate on his studies, as if she never gave him space, and instead got bashed for, in her mum's words 'acting like a loose girl who wasn't brought up right'.

'I never want to hear about boys from you again, what do you know about love? Stupid girl!' A few days after, her mum brought in two women from the Lingadzi Presbytery to talk to her about HIV and AIDs. Sarah vowed to never share anything personal with her mum again.

'Last night she was texting with a boy!' Linda danced around Sarah.

Sarah's mum picked up her phone ringing in her purse. 'That was your dad. He wanted to know if you're settling in ok.'

Sarah nodded, glad that the call disrupted Linda's telltale. At this point, she didn't care that she didn't make it to any international university, what mattered was she was far from home. After locking her room, she walked her mum and sister to the car. They were returning to Lilongwe, while she was going to do some sightseeing with her cousin who lived in Old Naisi. Better than Revenge poured into her ears, she was finally plugged into her music as she waited for Tricia who later on showed up in a Toyota RAV4.

'College girl, college girl! Out here to break hearts! In that cute little outfit of yours. Get in, get in! So where do we start first? Mwadya koma?'

'Yeah, we stopped by Steers for burgers before we got here.'

'Iiiih! So, what will I show you now in this little city of ours!'

They drove to her Uncle Achille's place where she spent the night. He was a former army commander, now spending his retirement days overlooking the hills. He invited friends and neighbours over for a barbeque in honour of Sarah.

'This one here is Romulus' first born! That brother who tries to boss us around!' She could hear her uncle sharing with his friends over drinks. 'You can never reach him; his phone is always engaged. I always tell him, achimwene pumaniko... enjoy a little!'

Sarah secretly nodded to her uncle's words. Her dad rarely took holidays from work, and even when he did, he spent the time in his Study. She walked past her Aunt and friends, who were huddled in another corner, discussing Ankara trends and Sunbeam products.

'Ndinasiya kalekale kuphika mpunga mu rice cooker! It's tasteless! I prefer rice cooked in a pot!'

'How do you ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom? Do you use ma jumbo?'

'Plastic bags in that man's house! No way! The technique is simple.'

The chatter among them went from lively to hushed, as if trying to keep the secrets to their successful cooking skills from their husbands. She sat down with Tricia and the friends, smiling and laughing as they talked about various issues. From time to time, her uncle's staff would dish out meat and chicken coming straight off the grill. She wondered what it was like being Tricia. She had heard stories of her running away with boys and Uncle Achilles hunting them down, threatening them with guns.

'The reason why she's like that is because her parents didn't raise her well.'

Her mum would share her opinions on Tricia's scandals and upbringing to whoever would be in the kitchen to listen when news broke. 'It's a shame that baby won't know who her father is,' was her mum's judgement when Tricia's baby was born. Kari was now five years old, looking like she was having the time of her life. Sarah chuckled, and sipped her ginger beer. She was going to miss her mum's unwarranted insights, reported daily from the Tebulo kitchen.

The party was over three hours later. Sarah slipped into Tricia's nightgown right after a shower, and crawled into bed. Tricia later came in to say goodnight.

'You should've just come live with us, instead of living on campus. I bet your mum thinks you're safer there than here with me.' Tricia winked and smiled. 'My advice to you, be careful there ok. No sex for grades, your uncle's a retired military guy! He can come rearrange the lecturers any time. And stay safe. You know what they taught you in Biology and what-what! If he loves you, he will wait. Don't be like your wayward cousin.'

'I think you're cool,' Sarah chipped in.

'Who? Me? This is all pretend! You should see me when I'm all alone. I actually need Jesus.'

Sarah laughed out loud.

'No, seriously, I do. Anyways, get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow'

It was around 11p.m. when the lights were turned off. Sarah lay in bed, staring at the ceiling Her uncle's place felt more like home than with her family. For the first time in a long while, she was welcomed and celebrated. She wished the night could go on forever.

A month in, Sarah was settled in her UNI life. Her weekdays were split between class and the library while her weekends were for salon trips and Uncle Achille's place, whether Tricia was there or not. Her first roommate had moved out to stay with the boyfriend. She pushed for Hazel, her former high school classmate to join her, but Hazel delayed in processing her transfer, and she got Nomsa instead for a roommate. Nomsa was the vice-president of the Young Christian's Association and immediately showed displeasure at Trey Songz' bare-chested poster put up above Sarah's bed.

'It's my part of the dorm that I paid for Haze, I'm not gonna let someone rob me of that, ha!' Sarah said to Hazel as they headed to the basketball court to watch a game between Zalewa Bears and Tropical Tigers. Over the weeks, Sarah and Hazel had gotten to know each other better. They both inwardly felt that it was easier to stick together than try to make new friends.

'My question is- why Trey Songz? Why not Usher or Breezy?' Hazel replied.

'Have you seen Trey topless? Oh well, you see him every day when you come to my room! Say thank you!'

Sarah and Hazel found seats and watched as the game proceeded. Sarah's eyes wandered, following a player she hadn't seen the past two weeks. He was light-skinned, tall and muscular. And he looked way better than Trey Songz.

'I should put him as a poster,' she whispered to Hazel. Hazel rolled her eyes. The game ended with a win for Zalewa Bears.

'Let's go congratulate them!' Hazel shrieked through the cheering.

'Groupie tendencies!' Sarah replied as she clapped. 'I'll stay right here.'

The next day, Sarah was on her way to catch a taxi to town, when she found Bongani standing by the entrance to the Flats. He approached her as soon as she reached the gate and she slowed her pace.

'You didn't come by to congratulate us,' he said and smiled.

'What? You mean, after the game?' She rubbed her fingers across her face, and felt the fabric of the headwrap she had put on. She was going to get her hair curled, and wished he hadn't seen her in the wrap.

'The dhuku looks really good on you. I can call it that right?' He gestured for her to lead the way.

'Thank you,' she smiled, her cheek muscles strained to avoid blushing. She patted the headwrap instead. She checked Bongani out. Here was this 6-foot 5 dude walking her off, and she did absolutely nothing to get his attention. How lucky could she get? Chiku should've been here to see this. He had sent her a couple of 'I miss you' texts, and asked for her email address. And he thought he could live without her.

Bongani took the taxi with her to town, waited for her at the salon, and then walked her to Tricia's place.

'Thank you for the ice cream,' she said to him as they parted ways at the gate.

'No worries. Let me know when you're back.'

Sarah watched him go until he was out of sight before going in.

Later that night, she sat on the patio with Tricia, who was braiding Kari's hair.

'How do you know if you've found the one?' Sarah asked Tricia.

'Girl, you're only 16! Tricia exclaimed.

'I'm 18 Trish!'

'Whatever, now is not the time to be thinking bout that! Have fun, uwadyereko!' Tricia put her hand on her mouth. 'Ignore that last part. A lover boy buys you ice cream and you're thinking of marrying him?'

'Mummy, what's a lover boy?' Kari asked.

'Shhh! Mummy is busy ok.' Tricia patted Kari's head and continued. 'How many girls has he walked right now, while you're here? There's probably two who've been in his room already.'

Sarah got up and headed to the guest room. Tricia joined her a few minutes later.

'I'm just looking out for you couz. I'm not saying you shouldn't date, but, if you're looking for a soulmate, I'm sorry-Zalewa ain't the place.'

Themba joined Joe and the guys who were drinking on the ground floor of the Flats' male dorms. He had returned from mowing a Faculty Staff's lawn, only to fall asleep right after taking a shower. His day was filled with various types of field work. It was his attempt to raise money to pay for his upkeep, after his application for a full scholarship had been rejected. He found a seat, picked up a Green and guzzled it down.

'Whoa, easy dude!' Joe exclaimed, his words slightly slurry. 'Sunasonkhe and you're drinking like that!'

'Joe, come on, be civil,' Bongani chipped in, and gave Themba another bottle. Themba received it hesitantly.

'Man's been working hard ey! Man's been working hard!' Joe looked at Themba and chuckled. Themba hated Joe when he was drunk, and was starting to regret joining the drinking group. He came for the free drinks, and maybe this was making him look more economically challenged.

'In other breaking news, I got her number!' Bongani shared to the group. 'I told y'all! I told y'all I was gonna get her. While y'all were busy being wimps, y'all had a month! I did it in five days.' Bongani flashed his iPhone in their faces to see.

'I just texted her goodnight a few minutes ago. Zatheka basi!' Bongani grinned and took a Chill in celebration.

'Bongstar ndi dolo guys! Paja how did you end up here, a month after everyone else had started?' Joe was now talking on top of his voice.

'Big man told the Admin the delay was Malaria admission, hospitalized 21 days.' Bongani replied, he looked at the guys, and laughed.

'And he shows up, playing basketball on his second day, iwe ndi zoba, aise!' Juma, a fellow member in the group of six chipped in.

Themba went to bed that night angry. Listening to Bongani made his blood boil. Bongani found himself in UNI through connections, while he had to work hard to secure a spot. Bongani had the status to get any girl, and he went for Sarah. And to make it worse, Joe brought up Themba's interest in Sarah to the group. The guys laughed like a pack of hyenas, as Joe narrated how Themba was planning to approach Sarah after he had spared enough to buy new clothes and take her out for lunch. Themba snatched the bottle in Joe's hand and almost smashed it in his face before walking away.

The next day, Themba went to Old Naisi for his usual Sunday work, cleaning and doing laundry for a community project officer called Becky. She frequently hosted a group of ladies for drinks and he'd eavesdrop on them as they talked about their boyfriends and other developments.

'Is Tricia not joining us today?' One of the ladies asked.

'That one has joined this fellowship, led by Brother Thupi,' another replied and they all laughed.

'Is she praying for her daughter's father to leave his wife? Impossible!'

After the ladies had left, Becky walked into the kitchen where Themba was washing up dishes. She stood next to him, dressed in a short camouflage shirt dress and pink flurry slides and stroked her brown frizzy weave with her manicured nails.

'You haven't been yourself today, is everything ok?' She put her hand on his shoulder, and patted him. Themba had been trying his best to avoid her advances. He washed his hands and turned to face her.

'Money issues that's all.' Becky was almost ten years older than him. She was unmarried and had no stable boyfriend. She, like her friends had given up on the possibility of marriage, choosing to be side chicks to prominent men in the country. What would she gain from him, he thought?

'Are you sure?' She sipped some wine and put the glass on the counter. She reached for her purse and took out K50,000. 'Here, for rentals until the end of the semester.' She placed the money on the counter.

'Auntie B, K20,000 would be enough.'

'I told you not to call me Auntie, you make me sound old.' She took a few steps closer to him.

'You know my friends are jealous of me because of you. They wish they had you working for them. Sometimes they ask me if this, is the only work you do for me.' She was now in his face and kissed him.

Themba returned to the Flats after dark. He was going to pay off rentals for the whole semester, and have a little money left over for himself. It had all happened too quickly. Was the universe consoling him for losing Sarah to Bongani? Becky asked Themba to show up on the next Saturday, instead of Sunday. Soon, he was spending his weekends there. Showing up to do the housework and stay indoors afterwards until the next day. He couldn't bring himself to admit that in the midst of this new arrangement with Becky, he had started to develop strong feelings for her. She was also another woman he could never have, but Becky's hunger for him kept him going back. And going back he did, almost every weekend he was in UNI, for the next three years.