It's 11:30 p.m. Amanda lay wide awake, despite being in bed since 6:00 p.m. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of her matric results.

She had written the exams the previous year, but the outcome hadn't been favorable - none of the universities, not even those in rural areas like her hometown of Zibani, had offered her a spot. Now, after repeating her matric exams, she anxiously awaited the results, which would be released by the Department of Education in just 30 minutes.As the minutes ticked by, Amanda's anxiety deepened.

What if the results were the same?...

How would she face her grandmother's disappointment?

Her grandmother's love was tough, but genuine. She had sacrificed so much for Amanda's education, paying her rent every term, ensuring she had food on the table and matches the rich kids of the school in wearing The thought of disappointing her weighed heavily on Amanda's mind.

She turned to the other side, letting out a deep sigh as the weight of expectation and uncertainty pressed down on her.At 12:30 a.m., Amanda's phone buzzed with an SMS notification.

Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the message. Her eyes widened in shock: Bachelor's degree with 5 distinctions. For a moment, she was frozen, her mind numb. Then, a huge smile spread across her face. "Yes!" she exclaimed, leaping out of bed. She grabbed her earpods, plugged them in, and blasted her favorite song. As the music pulsed through her ears, she started dancing, her body moving to the rhythm with creative flair (what madness is this? she's alone in the bedroom).

She was known for her impressive dance moves, and tonight, she let loose, celebrating her incredible achievement.

Amanda slept soundly, her heart full of joy, until she woke up around 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Over the next two days, congratulatory messages flooded her phone from the various universities she had applied to - courtesy of her sister Zanda, who had helped her with the applications.

After careful consideration, Amanda chose the university in Light City, a place where every rural and some urban youth had always dreamed of visiting as a different province's big city.

This university was prestigious, ranked among the top 10 on the continent of more than 40 countries. With her decision made, Amanda began preparing everything she would need for her new life as a student at this esteemed institution.

Amanda efficiently communicated with her prospective landlord, paid the deposit, and booked her flights well in advance. Her travel plan involved a 4-hour journey to Bright City within her province, followed by another flight to Light City the next day.

To outsiders, Amanda's polished style and flair might suggest a city upbringing, but beneath the surface, she was a country girl with a passion for life's finer things. Her natural beauty and effortless elegance made her a stunning presence wherever she went, a timeless beauty who defied categorization. Amanda's features were striking - a light-complexioned Black African woman with a radiant glow eye captivating ass and slim waist. …

She is around 5'5" feet (approximately 65 inches) with an elegant presence. Her eyes are captivating, with whites that contrasted beautifully with her extremely dark pupils, making them appear almost luminous.

Her skin was flawless, a testament to her diligent skincare routine, which she had maintained since struggling with acne in her early teens.

Now, her complexion was smooth and fairy-like. Her pinky lips curved gently in her slightly round face whenever she smiles, and her stylish haircut framed her features perfectly, accentuating her natural beauty.

As the flight from Bright City finally touched down at Light City Airport, Amanda stepped out into the unfamiliar surroundings. Standing alone, far from the comforting presence of her family, she felt a shiver run down her spine, giving her goosebumps.

She let out a deep sigh, the weight of her new independence settling in. Pulling out her phone, she made a call to the landlord's number.

After a call she waited anxiously for over 10 minutes for the pickup she had arranged. The minutes ticked by slowly as she stood there, a mix of excitement and nervousness swirling within her.

The presence of fellow students on the flight had somewhat eased Amanda's nerves, making her feel less alone in this new adventure.

When the car arranged by the landlord finally arrived, she was relieved. As they drove to her new accommodation, Amanda's eyes widened as she took in the sight around her. The city was a world apart from the rural town she used to be , and even different from the major cities she had visited before; they have different vibes and utmost feeling in appearance, nature and people.

She was struck by the towering buildings, bustling streets, and the hum of activity that seemed to pulse through every corner. Being the first from her rural hometown of Zibani to study here,

She felt a mix of pride and intimidation. This new world was both thrilling and overwhelming, but Amanda, being the style-conscious and ambitious young woman she was, was ready to take it all in and make the most of her time here, as Amanda gazed out the car window, the warm breeze danced across her face, and she couldn't help but notice a Volkswagen Polo careening down the road. The car itself was unassuming, but the car owner attempted to upgrade it  "and it's dope .

" And then,as she looked there were  four to five males crammed inside”, The boy in drivers seat glaring at her, in particular, caught her attention(in her mind she said rich kid what are you looking at)She roll her eyes, it’s as if he owned the road, and everyone else was just a mere mortal.

Amanda's expression soured faster than a lemon in a vinegar bath. She clicked her tongue in disgust, recalling the countless times she'd seen similar Polo owners back home, cruising around with an air of superiority, thinking they could charm the ladies with their questionable taste in cars. "But those polo guys won, girls are pregnant back home," she muttered under her breath...letting out a small sigh.The Polo car's sudden U-turn, mere yards away, seemed almost comically predictable.

"Oh" Amanda said,

 raising an eyebrow. It was clear the occupants were itching for a confrontation, or perhaps they just wanted to prove a point – whatever it was, Amanda was ready to give them a piece of her mind.As Amanda stepped into the cozy family home, she felt an instant sense of warmth. 

The medium-sized green garden, complete with a pool, brought a smile to her face. However, her gaze was drawn to a Volkswagen Polo parked a short distance away, and she wondered if they were following her. 

Shrugging it off, 

She entered the house with her suitcase.The university girl welcomed her warmly, showing her their room. It's her roommate, Dakalo, who was there, and they quickly bonded over their shared space and started calling each other Roomza, a slang meaning roommate . 

As evening approached, Amanda settled into her new surroundings.

Later in the early evening as she descended to the living room, claiming to go to the garden for fresh air she overheard the girls entering the living room with shopping bags discussing 

” handsome boys in a Polo outside, looking for someone inside the house but why is it not me they are looking for ?”

“I am so jealous,” the other said. 

Amanda heard that her reaction was swift –  retreating to her room and jumping to her bed like she had been sleeping for so long.

In the living room girls said in unison  ‘Dakalo’ they thought 

Alia rushed to Dakalo's room, knocking and calling out "Dakalo!" “Dakalo” as Dakalo comes out of  the room .

 Alia informed her that guys outside are looking for her”her eyes brimming with excitement”. Alia dragged Dakalo toward the gate, claiming she'd accompany her. and the other girls followed anyway. (Nobody said they don't want handsome guys.)At the gate, 

The handsome boys looked at Anderson who was driving the car. Triggered Anderson asked, where…"Where is that girl?" Alia pointed at Dakalo, saying "She is." However, Anderson shook his head, "No, it's not her." 

He asked Dakalo if she was the only girl in the house, and she confirmed.In a mix of confusion and annoyance , Anderson and his friends got into their car, occasionally glancing back at the girls. As they drove away, 

Simi and Alia exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what had just transpired. Dakalo turned back to the house fast as a bullet, not giving the young ladies time to ask anything and went straight to her bedroom.

Dakalo plopped down beside Amanda, her eyes scanning the room before fixing on her roommate.

 "Roomza, talk," she said, her tone firm but amused. "What's with those boys?"

Amanda sat up, a hint of a smile on her face, although her eyes told a different story. 

"Nothing," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dakalo raised an eyebrow. "Nothing? You were practically sprinting to hide here earlier. If you don't spill the beans, I'm out of here – no more covering for you as she acted , 

Roomza!"Amanda's sad smile deepened, and she seemed to hesitate, unsure how much to reveal thinking she just met this girl but right now she’s been caught at first glance when lying. 

Dakalo's expression softened slightly, encouraging Amanda to open up.

Amanda rubbed her forehead, explaining, "I don't know them. I was in a car from the airport, and that “Cutie pie” driver glared at me. I acted annoyed from his glare, and surprisingly they took a u-turn and followed us. I have no idea what they want.

"Dakalo's eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased, "Mmm, a 'Cutie pie'?" Her gaze lingered on Amanda, who swiftly pulled the blanket over her head, ignoring her roommate's playful jab.

With a soft chuckle, Dakalo settled into her own bed across the room, and both girls drifted off to sleep, the soft glow of the room's lights fading as the night came and deepened.

(....)

The city's newest entertainment space had undergone a stunning renovation; it will be Spice and Lemonade  Lounge , and Anderson, a vibrant 24-year-old, was ecstatic. 

To celebrate, he gathered his friends Sam, Leo, and Andries for a late-evening escapade at Green Valley Park, nestled just outside the city. The park's expansive grounds unfolded like a canvas of emerald green, with a serene lake glinting in a short distance with flying birds and goose floating in water like a ship seemingly unmoving. A stylish log cabin stood proudly, its staff busy conjuring up delectable dishes and refreshing drinks.

Luxury tents in subtle grey and vibrant green hues dotted the landscape, complementing the lush grass perfectly. Picnic shelters with tile-roofed structures and grassy roofed accents offered cozy nooks, accompanied by handcrafted wooden chairs. Geodesic canvas dome tents, adorned with plush couches and flowing curtains, added an air of sophistication. Towering trees in row from the distance with about 12 feet bamboo fencing behind and vibrant flowers positioned around differently framed the sprawling area, creating a breathtaking backdrop.Despite its grandeur the park exuded an aura of exclusivity, thanks to its tight security measures. 

Anderson and his friends revealed in the ambiance, their laughter and music mingling with the night air as they celebrated the city's newest gem.

The evening sun had long since dipped below the horizon, but the GV park was ablaze with lights, casting a daytime glow over the vibrant atmosphere. Inside the canvas dome, the curtains were drawn open, revealing the four friends lounging on plush couches, drinks in hand, as the DJ in his cabin spun a soothing melody that seemed to match the rhythm of their laughter.

Sam's eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned to Anderson, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Bro, tell us about the girl," he said, his voice low and teasing. "We've spent four hours waiting for her to come out today. Is it love at first sight?"

Leo and Andries chimed in, their faces alight with curiosity, leaving Anderson no room to dodge the question. 

With a resigned sigh, he shook his head. "No way, guys. That girl is infuriating. Her reaction when she saw me... I wanted to give her a piece of my mind."

The music continued to play at a short distance, but the atmosphere around them seemed to shift, as if the mere mention of the mysterious girl had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions and further questions that refused to settle. 

At that moment"Leo raised an eyebrow. 'Wait, you're saying there's such a thing as hate at first sight? Something doesn't add up.

' Andries nodded in agreement. 'How can you even notice that while driving past in a car?' 

Anderson's eyes darted away as he took a gulp of his drink.

but Sam jumped in before he could respond. 'Hold up, you know that Anderson has never dated though he has been involved with countless pure girls who throw themselves on him.

"Those university girls were affluent students in Africa, paying around R7,000 or more per month to live in luxurious Sky View apartments. They were all stunningly beautiful, which made the mysterious girl from Fox Street, a government-funded student, seem like an unlikely match for our brother.

"Andries asked, 'What if our brother wants to throw himself at the mysterious girl?' 

“Hahahaha”

Meanwhile, Leo had dozed off on the couch, oblivious to the ongoing debate between the brothers……

?

"Amanda woke up at 6 am, ready to tackle the day with Dakalo. They were headed to the University of Light City for registration, followed by a shopping trip. When Dakalo emerged, Amanda's eyes widened in surprise at her friend's transformed look, courtesy of a touch-up makeover. As they prepared to leave, Amanda put on her mask to cover her face.

Dakalo noticed and asked, "What's wrong? You're beautiful; take it off." 

Amanda hesitated, "No, it's not that... I just don't want the polo guys to see me like this." Dakalo nodded in agreement, and they hailed a taxi."

"After breakfast at Green Valley Park, Leo's brothers headed home, exhausted, to catch up on some much-needed sleep. 

But Leo couldn't shake off his restlessness. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind replayed the encounter with the ladies last year, and frustration simmered. Why was he always the last choice, seemingly unapproachable? Perhaps a change in style could make a difference. With newfound determination, Leo sat up and decided to head to the shopping mall to revamp his wardrobe.”

"As Leo walked down the hallway, laden with shopping bags, he heard a voice calling out from a nearby store. He turned to see the girl approaching the door, her face radiant with joy, exclaiming, 

"Roomzaaa, come see the different tracksuits here!" as he looked at her he suddenly collided with a girl leaning on the pole, and her phone slipped from her grasp."