Saffire

1

November 10 2020

Zander Pov

"What are your Qualifications?" He asks staring at me with his eyebrows raised.

I know what he is thinking, it's the same thing over a dozen other employers like him has told me before.

Here comes the part where my address or any other small thing comes into play.

"I am in my final year of university where I'm studying to get a degree in finance and accounting from the university of the West Indies."

"I see, who can vouch for you that you have qualifications pending at the institution?" He says placing my documents on his desk and leaning forward with his elbow on the desk Infront of me.

"You can reach out to the school to verify." I reply and he raise an eyebrow.

Hear it comes.

Any minute now.

"Listen your qualifications so far seems impressive however I'm sorry I can't hire you." He says handing my documents back to me.

"Thank you for your time." I reply watching as he nods then use his hand to indicate I can leave.

I put my documents in my bag and head out of his office, just as I'm heading downstairs I bump into someone and I grab the persons hand in an attempt to keep them balanced.

"Eew don't touch me"

A slap connects with my right cheek immediately and I release her hand in an attempt to hold my cheek.

"I'm just trying to prevent you from falling." I say looking at her as tears build up in my eyes.

It's not the slap it's more of the disappointment I have been experiencing for the past month.

"Don't you ever place your filthy hands on a woman of my status ever. Now get out of my way." She push me to the side stomping away.

The things no money or power will let you endure.

I live with my mother and younger sister in the inner city of Kingston, it's a one bedroom dwelling with zinc fence and killing everyday. No food, no water. It's evident on me that I'm poor when you look at me.

I want to change that story, as a matter of fact I'm going to change that story. I want a big mansion on the hills for me and my family. I want to be able to provide like a man should.

Ever since our father passed many years ago it's been nothing but suffering and disappointments.

He killed himself one evening after returning from work, my mom was still pregnant with my sister when it happened. She went into labor immediately she got the news.

I walk out the building and stretch out my hands to get a taxi to head back home.

A black voxy pull up at my foot and I enter the vehicle knowing that tomorrow I have another interview that I need to prepare for.

Walking to the food court in the mall I stop to order something to eat. I walk up to the cashier looking at the menu.

"What would you like?" The cashier says looking at me.

"Can I just get a rice and peas with baked chicken and a water."

"That will be $1,250."

I feel my pocket and I don't feel my wallet inside. I had it up to the point I paid the taxi driver not too long ago in the taxi.

They robbed me in the taxi damn.

"Sir if you cannot pay please step out of the line." The cashier says rolling her eyes. "Next person please."

"I'll pay for him that's okay."

I watch as she walks up to where I'm standing, smile then hand her card to the cashier.

"You didn't have to do that babes" I say to her as the cashier hands back her card to her.

"We have to help each other out after all your my man." She says putting on her glass while collecting her food.

I collect mine and run behind her.

"Babes me really need fi get a job and take care a you?"

"I know you will baby and I believe in you but I have to run. My dad wants me home right now."

"I want you to finally meet my mom Saffire." I shout.

"Tomorrow you can take me home with you to meet them. I love you Zander."

She says then enter the car and I watch as it speeds off.

How can a girl like that be inlove with someone like me that has nothing to offer her?

November 12 2020

"Well Mr Gallo, I am impressed with you but since you have not graduated as yet please get your proof of your pending qualifications and return."

He says smiling and holding out his hand for me to shake.

I outstretch my hand shaking his hand as I smile.

Finally I'm able to secure a job so now all I need is uwi to help me out one last time and I'm on my way to greatness.

I walk up to the bursar's office knock and listen to hear her tell me to enter and I walk in greeting her.

After I take a seat she pulls up her computer and starts typing.

"Mr Gallo, your owing the school $250,000 in school fee's and I'm sorry but without clearing the balance you won't be able to graduate." She says looking at me with pitty in her eyes.

"I know but I finally secured a job this morning and all the employer needs is proof of my pending qualifications can I just have that alone." I ask her hoping that's enough to help me.

"I'm sorry but we can't. Payment has to be made in full." She says closing her laptop and standing.

I grab my bag and walk out.

What the fuck am I supposed to do now?

I pull my phone from my pocket calling my childhood friend Zues. He answers on the first ring.

"Badbro, what's up? How the job hunting?"

"Zues, mi tired and frustrated dawg, is like every weh mi tun me a get a fight dawg." I say to him at the brink of tears.

"Such is life bro, the system set us ghetto yutes to fail. If your family nuh rich you cyah mek it." He says.

"Who seh mi nah mek it? If the system design fi fail me then fuck the system and fuck society." I disconnect the call looking out at the students Infront of me.

Saffire walks up to where I'm sitting and she has tears in her eyes. She takes a seat and place her face in her hands crying.

"Babes what happen?" I ask her looking at her.

"Just leave me alone." She continues to cry.

I scoot up closer to her hugging her and to my surprise she allows me to hug her.

"Whatever it is you can tell me." I say to her rubbing her back.

"I can't." She cries and I nod my head holding her close.

"Fine but know I love you Saffire no matter what, now and forever." I kiss her forehead and hug her even tighter.