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"You will start from telling people about the position you're interested in" that was the voice of Micheal.
"You have to start from year one" was Edwards voice.
"You need to let go of this your shy shy attitude" I rolled my eyes at Nancy.
Meet my squad, Edward, a dark skinned dude, devious with his handsome features as he uses it for his selfish gain. He acts gentle. We call each other best friends but let's see how the friendship goes. His place was closer to mine so most times after lectures I spend it at his place or in my place.
Michael the hustler among the F4, the drama between him and Nancy is like a comedy to shoot. They are always quarreling and arguing like husband and wife. Michael and Nancy live in the same street, different from me and Edward. But over the weekend his place is our cinema.
Nancy, a dark skinned beautiful girl. She was extremely fat but that didn't make her body shame herself. She carries herself with pride and dignity. She didn't care about your opinion about herself but will say "love me the way I am". She was my go girl, one of my closest F4 friends. We got each other's back and we didn't spare to have the needed fun during our university days. Most Saturdays we host parties, where we act pantomime, dance crazily and get drunk. That was one of the silliest memories I still could remember.
"Shy shy is not in politics" Michael pressed on, one thing I like about him. He always tells you the truth about yourself and will advise you to either correct it or leave it no hard feelings attached.
We were done with lectures, just the four of us gathered in an empty room to discuss my intentions of being the vice president of my department. The election was fast approaching and it was an open ballot system when everyone in the department from year one to finals came to vote for their right candidate. We were all in year 3 in the same department. Happiness seeped through my veins like icy slush. I had friends who took my problems as theirs and were willing to support me every now and then.
Everything was going on smoothly, Nancy was always with me whenever I went to address any level. Her presence was heartwarming as I felt fully confident and loved. Along the line, Precious and Dinma came forward to draw their attention to the same position I was aspiring for. Precious was my reading mate, we both spent time burning candles together. Aside from being my reading mate she was judgmental and argued a lot. She wanted another person to believe in her own opinion whether it was right or wrong. She always acted like both of us were in competition or dragging for a position. I choose her as my reading mate because she always motivates me to study more, notwithstanding her bad energy.
Dinma was tall, slender with curves that the best potter couldn't imitate. She carries herself with dignity. Though she was sassy. It became a competition, it seemed like I was in the middle of the deep blue sea and the devil. The thought of withdrawing crossed my mind but my body was willing to embrace the journey. It wasn't my first time coming out for a position. It was my second time.
I had two companions whenever I went for my campaign, Nancy and Precious. Michael and Edward were pacing for my online presence as they helped out to broadcast in our WhatsApp group chat. Everything was going on smoothly, just as usual. I have gone for my campaign for year one together with my companions even though I hated Precious coming along with me as she was up to the game with her own campaign. After the campaign Nancy drew my attention privately.
"Do you know what your so-called best friend has been doing behind your back?" She stressed the word bestfriend my chest sank into my stomach. Where is she heading to?
"Edward is against you, he is supporting Dinma '' I laughed so deeply, I knew that Nancy could be so paranoid, she didn't like Edward that much. I knew the struggle between them but not to the extent of turning him into a bad person.
"Why will he do that?" I was finding it funny but then it was serious.
"Oya wait, let me show you the chat" she brought out her phone. She showed me the chat of her and a year four student who was in IT. He was the former SRC in my department. I read through the chat, she was trying to ask for more ideas from him since he was experienced in the game of politics and has held a position in the department before. I scrolled through her phone, I got to the part where an avalanche of sorrow crashed over me without warning. I stood deep rooted to the ground without making any move. Never have I felt his hard ache in my heart. It was more painful than a knife stab.
She took her phone when she knew I had read it to the end. The walk to our various destinations was silent, the trees could hear the rivulet of anguish trickling down my heart. When I got home I just laid on the bed with my eyes facing the ceiling as I battled with the next decision to make. Then a knock came to my door, speaking about the devil. The devil responsible for my anguish. I deliberated on whether to slam the door in his face or let him in. I let him in, pouring out all the anger that had built up in me.
He apologized but then the trust was gone coupled with the friendship. I withdrew the position leaving it for Dinma and Precious which at the end Dinma was the winner. I and Edward are still friends but then there was a limit.