Hidden Dream – Episode 5

Hidden Dream – Episode 5

© Tisa Phiri

……Tracy…

I was hurrying to the classes. I just finished doing my punishment during break time. ” oh I hate this guy,” I sighed breathing heavily as i stood by the door waiting for the teacher to allow me in.

Oswald always found something to punish me for. It’s either I didn’t wear my neck tie properly , or had wrong socks on. I was getting tired of his evidently silly behaviour, it’s like he enjoyed seeing me all worked out and tired. And he’s thing making sure I worked during break really got to me.

” Tracy, you are late.”The English teacher called me in.

“Sorry sir, I was purnished by the head boy” I explained.

“Go on sit down” he smiled.

I went and sat sighing as I searched through my books for an exercise book for English.

Later in the day I went to sit under the tree waiting for the afternoon prep. My best friend Chama had gone to see our grade teacher and I had told her to catch up with me when she was done..

Someone cleared their throught behind me and I turned to face him.

“Helo!” He beamed exposing his perfect smile.

” Helo new guy” i responded cheerfully.

I had seen Jay twice after I last caught him staring at the dance club. Something told me he was dying to get in and join in the dancing but I noticed he seemed reluctant.

I had bumped into him 2 days later and I should agree the guy was a hottie. He’s school uniform fitted him perfectly and I knew some girls where already making themselves available for him. What amazed me though was that he seemed unconcerned about girls. He was always with the guys and mostly in the company of the head boy. I came to learn he was coming from some good school in Lusaka city and that his family was loaded too which explained why the head boy was all over him.

” Well I was out of league for him” I thought to myself. I was just a girl from a humble background. My mother was a teacher right at my school and my father a business man. We lived within the school compounds.

I was in my 11th grade and I never used to announce about my mother. I thank God she never taught my class so I had it well covered.

Not that I wasn’t in good terms with her, but I liked keeping it cool. I didn’t want people to talk about me like I was getting favours from teachers because of my mom and staff like that. So from the time I joined the school in grade 10 I never announced my parents except for those who quickly matched father’s surname to mom and i.

” I thought we are off the page of new and old” Jay shrugged standing in front of me.

” well it’s just been what? Two weeks? I bet you are still new to me” i said looking up at him.

” mind I sit next to you?” He asked pointing at the bench besides me.

” not at all” I told him moving my bag and placing it on my laps.

” So, what are you doing here alone?” He asked me.

” waiting for my friend, She went to see our grade teacher.”

” I see,” he sighed.

” I can’t get used to the food at the dining and the fact that am not so good with eating, I decided to stay away a bit and wait for my friend out here”

” mnmmm ” i murmered nodding my head. ” the rich kid doesn’t eat from the dingo” I shrugged with a laugh.

” oh no, not you too with the rich kid thing, come on. Who even told people am from a wealthy family?” He asked shaking his head. Clearly not pleased with his identity.

” well, it’s not difficult to tell. Your swag, the way you carry yourself and even accent says it all.” I told him.

” Okey,” he frowned. “But please whatever it is. Can you guys stop calling me that? I hate it” he said honestly. ” i just want to be like any other guy in this school. Am trying to fit in and it will be much easier if people like yourself just looked at me as me and not my back ground” he added.

I smiled at him. And I saw him relax. Watching my face like he was seeing me for the first time.

” what?” I asked him shapply.

” you are a dancer? ” He asked unexpectedly.

” yeah, i mean I try and am sure will get there. I love it even though sometimes people criticise the club. Dancing just keeps me alive. I feel powerful, beautiful and belonging” I said looking up the tree.

I saw him smile, it was like he understood me so well. His smile faded quickly and he sank back.

” Jay, are you Okey?” I asked concerned at his sudden turn of his expression.

” I really admire you. I wish I had it in me to express myself like that without hesitation.” He said sadly.

” why not? I mean if there’s something you love doing why not get yourself to enjoy and be free with it?” I questioned him.

” do you have a thing for dancing too?” I asked and regretted almost immediately as Jay stood up abruptly and started walking away.

” am sorry I got to Go.”he announced without looking back and took some quick steps away.

” what did I say to upset this guy?” I spoke to myself loudly.

“Since when do you talk to yourself like an old woman?” I heard Chama ask as she joined me.

” it’s nothing girl am just surprised by that guy Jay, he just stormed out of here when we were just talking calmly. I wonder what I said wrong.”

Any way, tell me how it went with Mrs Banda I asked her instead, trying to push the thoughts of Jay away.

” well she told me to see her later for some notes so that we can write during prep. But stop deviting the story. You said something about that new guy. What’s up with you two? I saw how he looked at you the other day in the hallway. ”

” come on girl, it’s not that. I think the boy is just trying to blend in. And I noticed he’s got this sad look in his eyes. It’s like he’s hiding something. I don’t know” I shrugged..

” Okey,” Chama raised her neck to look at my face. ” now you can even see through his eyes. Wow! That surely doesn’t sound like my girlfriend. I just hope this guy doesn’t get you in trouble with your mother. Besides Oswald will not let him win you over.”

” now you are way out of line girl.” I responded shocked.

” I don’t have any intention of having a boyfriend in this school and that Oswald can go to hell. I don’t care if his the Head boy or the president himself. I will never accept his proposal. Am not here for any relationsh¡ps but for school” I burst out making a sad face.

” well I give up” Chama raised her hands in surrender .

” don’t come complaining if i scoop that hot Jay from you. I have told you oooh!” She shouted in a Nigerian tone and we all laughed.

” all the best in your hunt.” I chuckled and stood up.

” lets get going prep time is almost starting I pulled her up bring her to her feet as she tried to pull herself back to the bench.

” we haven’t had our lunch” she complained loudly.

” come on I will give you a fruit on our way, no eating today since you refused carrying food ” I scolded her as she followed me to the classes.

Friday came and the Music teacher walked in dressed in her jeggings and a tight body top showing off her contours. I would agree she had the body. I loved her so much she inspired me.

She was a great dancer and when she came to campaign for the dance club in our class the previous year, I had instantly fallen in love with her voice and gestures. She was good at dancing and that made me not to want to miss any of the dance meetings.

My mother had first objected to my joining the group but after she saw how happy it made me. She had given up and even came to watch us perform sometimes..

We always performed at the first Monday of the month in the school assembly hall and whenever we had some important functions. Everyone was amazed at our moves. Which really helped get me to be amongst the most recognised girls in school. I was only in grade 11 but the attention the guys where always trying to give me made me look like I was part of the grade 12s.

” come on people, let’s get to it already. Today we have to continue working on our salsa dance for that upcoming district competition” Ms Jere announced clapping her hands.

“Everyone get into your positions with your partner’s and get started” she added as she walked to switch on the radio player.

I was getting ready with my partner Ken, when I saw him standing by the window again. His face with pure desire to want to dance. Something told me Jay was intrested in dancing but was somewhat shy.

I whispered something to Ms Jere and she turned to look at the direction of Jay.

“Go on and start the dance” she told me and walked towards the door….

…Jared…..

I was almost running away, I saw Tracy whisper to her dance teacher and when she turned to face me I quickly took off.

“Hey !” I heard her call me.

I pretended not to have heard her and walked on but when she me mentioned my name I froze instantly.

I slowly turned back and came face to face with Ms Jere’s beaming face. She had this bright smile it almost knocked me off my feet.

I sighed looking at her. ” how are you madam?” I greeted her instead.

“Come on, come join us” she smiled further.

” what? Oh no I didn’t intend to come join you guys. I mean I can’t even dance” i stammered almost getting chocked by my own lies.

Ms Jere nodded, “okey,” she sighed

“Come in, anyway. We wouldn’t mind having someone watching us” she giggled.

I was speechless. I couldn’t say no cause my in,side was scre-ming loudly at me to go in and join the dance already. But thoughts of my parent’ s warnings and the furious eyes of my father when I told him about my passion to dance scared me.

” I can’t am sorry” I managed to say at last.

“I will just go now” I staggered uneasily.

She stopped smiling and came closer to me.

” listen to me my dear, I can tell someone is a dancer when I see them. And am not wrong to say, you are dying to dance in,side yourself. Don’t take so long to take a step towards dancing. Dancing is like boiling water, if you cover it up as it boils in,side it will eventually spill over. You cannot hide from your true self. You have to learn to harness the power in,side you. Grab it and enjoy it as it lasts. You will not be young forever” she added and patted my shoulder gently before walking away.

I remained standing my mouth dry.

” Jay! Come on. Let’s go!” John called me out. I had sneaked out on him running to the dance class before he pulled me to go with him to his club.

” where did you disappear to? I was looking all over for you” John scolded as I walked with him to the labs for JETS.

” no where I was just moving about” I coughed nervously. When he didn’t bring up the dance teacher I relaxed knowing he had not seen her talk with me.

” So what’s up with that babe? I heard boys talking man, be careful she’s being eyed by the Head boy I don’t think it’s a good idea to cross him”

“Which one?” I asked surprised.

” that Tracy man, don’t pretend. I saw you two the other day talking and people are talking as well ”

” mnmmm I see people like gossiping in this school huh.. not to worry my friend though, i got nothing with that girl shes just a girl I met outside the dance class the other day and….”

I couldn’t finish my sentence and John stopped , eyeing me suspiciously.

” dance class?” He asked surprised ” what the hell was a dude like you doing at that class for girls man?” He asked looking straight at me.

‘ I, I was just am um” I stammered.

” I know! ” He shouted loudly. ” you went checking out girls right?” He asked hitting my shoulder.

” yeah! That’s what happened man I breathed heavily. ” and that teacher, you said it Wow, she’s so damn hot!” I stagged an act raising my hands.

” you are unbelievable man, so soon you have started looking out for girls” John laughed out. .

I shrugged casually not wanting to argue his percept ion. I was cool with him thinking I went for girls than knowing my true intentions. .

That Friday passed and I was still fighting my inner desire to join the dance class.

To be continued

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