THE POTREPRENEUR (To Rise & Fall)

Chapter 1A: Introduction

From Chancellor, Principal, Lecturer, Headmaster, teacher, down to the parent, they all have the same prayer and goals. See the kids in their care make it out into the society with flying colours and a promising future. There is no moment that brings more joy, than the moment a student wears that graduation cap and gown. Dylan was that kind of grad student. He shone brighter than all students in his class. A belt of good reputation strangled around his waist. I mean, everything around him told the whole story about where he was coming from and you could clearly tell where he was headed to. Of course in an institution that he was enrolled in, nobody really cared. It is university after all, where students have more fun drinking and getting wasted than getting buried in their studies. This behaviour of his colleagues surrounding him, weren't a distraction to his plan of making it out with a first class degree. Tatenda, close friend to Dylan, was very motivational and goal oriented. Both were a perfect match for each other. Where Tatenda lacked, Dylan would be there to rescue him. In another world, you would say they were soldiers living by the motto "No soldier is left behind". Possibly, he was the only friend Dylan had on campus. The rest were ticks on a feeding scheme. They only needed him when exams were around the corner. I too, was surely a part of the crew. Dealing drugs was my lifestyle, but this isn't my story. Dylan was never caught up in the ring of drug abuse and blood gangs, well at least he distanced himself. Even though i wasn't much of a fan to his well versed school kind of life, I just envied how he managed it. Great Zimbabwe University (Mashava Campus) [GZU], had recognized Dylan's efforts and his well doctored reputation. A craft he sculptured himself. Thus they offered a fully funded scholarship after a couple number of requests by lecturers were filed to the dean of student's office.
Well, Dylan's background was not so much sugar coated and full of red roses, Neither was it blood tainted or a pit of fire. It's just that the odds stacked against him were not entirely favourable. Coming from a family with guardians rather than parents, automatically sets you on a path that pushes you to do more than what you are expected of. Love isn't something he was deprived of or he dearly missed. His guardians welcomed him with smiles and open palms. The death of his parents shook him a little but he got back on his feet. I could say, he got back even harder than before. You can't deny that the fire within him, was brimstone fuelled.
His dilemma as I call it, began on the 23rd of March. It was only a month into his final year first semester. That Wi-fi hotspot hall was were his new world got lit up. Dylan and Tatenda were studying, discussing about the assignments they had due in a week or two. It was just after seven or eight, when the destroyer of worlds opened the doors of that hall. Everybody and everything, paused for a moment, felt the cool breeze swishing through the stone walls of the 40yr old building. It was an ecstatic moment, everyone felt it. You could bet on it, no eye blinked for that moment which lasted at least close to a hundred seconds. Bella had stormed the castle walls. She was taller than most girls, and with waitress long legs. If it wasn't at the university, you would think she was a stripper in an uptown strip club. Her body was flawless, i mean it was well aligned like those seats in the parliament. The dark skin tone, elegant smile and a confident gesture on her that screamed, "I am interested", you were surely going to fall for her. If you were used to going after light skinned girls, it was high time you switched your preference. She was a real crowd pleaser and her body was a work of art, the Da Vinci kind. Like a movie, every step she took, cameras clicked and books flipped less. Famous without even asking for it, but she embraced it euphorically. She was in the hearts of many but with none at heart. No lie, she was the flavour of every semester. Were they the benefits of the Work related learning period, her home upbringing, sugar daddies or simply her hustle that made her glow so bright? Nobody could tell, but she was fine as that Egyptian cotton. You couldn't place a price tag on that beautiful face of hers. If she went overseas, Hollywood would definitely sign her impromptu and men would cherish her. Paparazzi would take her pictures up close and nonstop. Anyway, it was in Zimbabwe and here men worshipped her beauty. It was the work of God, you couldn't refute that because her body screamed perfection. The whole crowd in the room went nuts and burst into screams so deafening at the sight of her. Surprisingly, Dylan didn't even notice her. He was in too deep with his friend studying, for they never forgot why they were at that establishment. All the players were busy flashing their cards. From lesbians, straight, bi-sexual, up to the catholic brothers, they all wanted a piece of the cake, but Dylan. Even the gays thought twice about their abominable sexuality. In short, she was stunning and took men and women on a love train.
"Woah dude, look at that", Tatenda spoke in a trembling tone, In fact, mesmerized by the beauty his eyes had got caught up on. That's when Dylan snapped back to reality.
"What is it?" Dylan asked as he lift his head in search of what was causing the commotion.
"12 O'clock my nigga" bowing his head a little bit.
"Holy shit, who is she and where does she come from, i mean who is her father, Is she a student around here?" he asked continuously.
"Dude chill, I don't know anything just like you".
"Anyway, it doesn't matter. You and I know very well that we don't stand a chance with all these popular guys around. Besides, we got school work to attend to", Intending to get back to work.
"No ways dude, you can't seriously ignore that beauty, close those books man, we are done for the night", closing all the books that lay before them.
"Come on man, we got a lot of stuff to do, plus that's lust you got going on in your head right now. You just got a boner man, when it's gone, you are going to realise that you wasted valuable time doing nothing", A little bit irritated.
"I got a plan for this, I got to try at least. So let's go back to our room and then strategise on this. I bet i got some mad lines you will want to hear before we attack" he spoke so excitedly, about the brilliant plan that had just crossed his mind.
Meanwhile, drama was already cooking on the far end of the room. Confident guys were already making their moves on her. Hitting with every line they had but to no avail.
"Hey Senorita, I am Papacita. Can i buy you some Margarita, maybe tonight, we could end up in my villa", George "the Blesser", hit on her imitating some Mexican accent hoping to win her over.
"Dude get lost, am not homeless", she responded in a feisty tone which shook the whole crowd. And there was instant silence.
"Come on girl, am not a fighter, am a blesser, Okay. Me and the priest, we are alike, just that they operate from a church and i from a bar. Allow me, to make your stay on campus worthwhile", trying to sweet talk his way out of embarrassment.
"What makes you possibly think, you are my type? No wait, what makes you think you can afford me? Dude, am more expensive than your whole family combined". And she rolled her snake eyes as she fled the scene to her friends.
There was an uproar after that and that marked George's first ever lose. His name further faded from the lips of high-end girls on campus. It's like he became a myth overnight.
She had this friendly face, and nobody expected her to be harsh. They all thought she was just like all the other freaky girls who easily hooked up on anyone on campus.
"I guess whatever genius plan you had going on, wasn't ready for that and will never be. That closes the chapter for tonight, let's get back to business as usual", Dylan spoke in an annoying manner.
"Yeah the plan wasn't for her anyway", Tatenda knew that he was never going to win her.
Not to judge or anything, but they both were not cut out of a cloth of that kind. They were those guys whom you wouldn't notice, even if you entered in a room with them only, that type of guys who were beyond shy. The only confidence they had that was better than any student on campus, was that one of challenging Lecturers with facts. You wouldn't beat them. It's like they were always well rehearsed.
"Let's call it a night", Dylan told Tatenda and they packed their books and left the hall.