THE POTREPRENEUR (To Rise & Fall)

Chapter 1B: The Meet

Presentation month came up later on. One of the busiest times on campus and everyone was well focused, just a hustle to score the highest mark possible in order to release pressure during exams. Even those who pretend not to care about their school work, probably will be in a hideout, only to pop out later after the presentations. In class, they all knew that Dylan was there to finesse the presentations. With him on your side, you automatically knew that you were never going wrong. Others would just sit back and watch him do the presentation on his own and then they will appear on presentation day, courtesy of their names in the register. I was one of those people.
Presentations began and the race was on. On the day Dylan was presenting with his group, who would've known that his presentation was an eye catcher. In fact, who would've thought that it would catch the eye of one of the cuties on campus, Isabelle. She was taken adrift into a paradise unknown. As she was passing our class, that's when the confidence of a shy guy, won the most prized campus cup. The way he debated with the Lecturer, Isabelle couldn't shake it off her. She wanted him there on the spot. I guess beauty doesn't come with facial features, but with what you do with yourself. Everyone was startled by the way she was just standing there at the door. Her eyes wide open but seeing only one person, Dylan. Everything else was a blur to her. Everyone was just wondering what was wrong with her, why would she just stand there. Regardless of all the other students in class not paying attention to the presentation anymore, Dylan wasn't one of them. He continued with his explanations for he never knew what the heavens or mother fate was cooking outside his classroom doorstep. It was a few moments later that the lecturer and the other presenting students noticed what was going on.
"Hey young lady, are you lost or something?" Dr Mangudya asked.
"No Sir, i was just passing through and his argument caught my attention. That's all", Isabelle responded.
"You are welcome to join us, please come inside and have a seat", the Dr offered hospitality to the young lady.
"You're too kind sir, but i will pass", declining the prestigious offer made to her.
I wouldn't think of anything else, Dr Mangudya, was a well respected lecturer and he kept his work professional at all times. Most students were already wailing in the back. They wanted her to come inside. It was an honour to have her in class.
"I insist, it would be nice for these gentlemen and ladies to have a different party than themselves", he insisted.
Sadly as it may not sound, that was the end of the lecture. The moment she stepped foot into the room, Boys became sirens, wailing for emergency. The top shottas were screaming "Code Red". Dr Mangudya lives to regret that day up until today. It was never finished.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, let's call it a day shall we?" he declared and there was a loud roar of excitement.
Every guy had prepared pick up lines to get a shot at the beautiful lady, but to their surprise, she wasn't interested and did not give them the opportunity to isolate her in some corner. As soon as class was dismissed, she sprung over to where Dylan was standing and decided to make her first move. It wasn't love at first sight, i tell you. It was way more than that. She wanted to kiss him on the spot, but didn't want to look like a slut at the same time. So she had to play her cards right. He wasn't the most attractive dude on the block, but there's an aura around him that attracted Isabelle.
"Hey wassup, i am Isabelle?" she hovered all over him. All smiles and good gestures in hand. She suddenly became daddy's good girl.
On her side, it was justified what she did. Introducing herself was best thing she could do. What she didn't know was that, she had trampled Dylan's confidence. A shy guy face to face with the cutest girl on campus, we all know the odds to that story. Dylan shook to the core of his heart and words betrayed him like Judas did to Jesus. His heartbeat skipped a thousand times before he could say his first word. It was like a toddler trying to speak for the first time. The moment was hilarious to the spectators.
"H-e---l-l---o, how was me?" he responded while sweating profusely. It was the most embarrassing moment for him.
"Dude, you are an embarrassment to manhood. What the hell is wrong with you?" they shouted from the back. They were hoping for a show. Waiting for Dylan to man up, but all those thoughts were just thoughts in vain.
"Chill out, I don't bite. Okay?" she said in a very calm and assuring tone. But still, our hero trembled to the core.
"Am calm, i ju-jus-t get nervous....a--fter a presentation", Dylan wanted to cry honestly.
"Are you going to cry on me for greeting you? Look at you, all sweaty. You need some pampering dude" smiling to try and calm him down.
"I just wanted to say i loved your presentation. You inspire me to do my research well. I think you should keep up that standard", Patting him on the back.
"Thank you my sister, i tried", Stammering a little bit. She had managed to calm him.
"Don't you ever underestimate yourself dude. You killed it up there. You even inspired me. I don't easily get inspired"
"Thank you"
Tatenda was on the far end of the room, busy chanting his friends name to motivate him. He was actually playing the 3rd grade wing man and he was terrible at it.
"I would like you to help me with a few techniques on how to be good like you during my presentations."
"Uh, i don't think i can manage that. I am not really good at teaching people" gaining a little confidence.
"I will teach you how to teach others, then after that, you can return the favour. Alright. Do we have a deal Mr?"
"I don't know if am comfortable with that deal"
"You got yourself a deal Ma'am." Tatenda chipped in at the nick of time. He is actually my roommate.
"Oh! That makes it easier i could come to your room if you don't mind" flashing her elegant smile which highlighted nothing but milky white teeth.
In her eyes, you could see that she is used to having everything handed over to her on a silver platter. Above all, she was one to get whatever she wanted, by any means necessary if need be. At that moment, she was already winning the battle.
"No---that won't", Dylan stammered
"That would be splendid my dear. Dylan is just a little bit nervous about it all. You can come any time" Tatenda sealed the deal before Dylan could get the opportunity to decline. Dylan was more of an introvert when around women.
"Dylan! Nice name, so I will see you at eight. Your room number please?" she asked in a very polite manner, like a good girl would.
"S4.2. We will be waiting for you. You just ask for Tatenda" Tatenda was so eager to have her come over.
"Deal" and they shook hands over it.
It was going to be their first time having a girl come over and not talk about books. Tatenda loved girls a lot but from a distance. He couldn't approach them confidently, either he got spanked or spit at. So he felt like this was his golden opportunity to set the record straight. Make himself feel like a man and at the same time proving to his colleagues that he too could finesse on the ladies. Although he knew deep down that it was a long shot, he never stopped believing in the moment at hand. Dylan on the other hand did not want anything to do with the girl. In his mind, he just wanted to run and keep running forever. So he made a plan to not be available when Isabelle arrived. He spent the whole day searching for a quiet place where he would spend the night till she left. Fortunately, there was the library.