Deroda's Diary

                          Pricilla was not the first person to complain I try too hard to please people. "You are nice to a fault," her exact words. Kate had lent some of my plates at different times and failed to return them in one piece. "Elizabeth, lend me your plate," Kate said and without waiting for my response, she was at my wardrobe moving things and helping herself to my utensils. I felt Cindy's intense gaze on me. My eyes darted in a different direction. From my side view, I saw her shake her head. I heard some movement on her bed and she was gone. I sighed inaudibly. Kate moved from end of the room to the other dragging her feet along.                      I turned to take my journal where I tucked it in beside my bed. I sat up in bed and rested my back on the wall close to my bed, with my pillow behind me and my legs crossed. My closest friend had give...

           Two weeks into resumption and every one seemed grouped already. I told myself it didn't matter but deep down I felt loneliness gnawing at my insides. I wanted to be left alone and at the same time be included. Priscilla was the first friend I made. She sat beside me during a lecture. She was really chatty but it was easy to follow her discussion. She talked about finding her way around school, getting through the screening process and made other small talks. Whilst lecture was on she would make funny side comments, I loved her instantly. After class, she asked me to go with her to eat at the cafeteria. After the day's work, we walked together to our new homes. She stayed off campus while I stayed on campus. My mum had ensured I got a private hostel in school, she was meticulous about my safety and comfort.                      Priscilla would show me around school. The librar...

          Living alone has its pros and cons. I had never been far from my family or spent a night outside my home. Except for vigils and I was with my family. Leaving for school was going to be a whole new experience for me. Much as I would love to step outside my home and from the constant watch of my mother, the thought of living with people other than my family terrified me. However, I did not look it when my parents dropped me off at the airport. This could be my only chance to learn to survive on my own. In past times, my mum had dictated every step I took, the friends I kept, the places I went, down to the decisions I made. It was hard to form an opinion on my own or take a decision without her. In part, it accounted for my indecisive nature. My Dad took the liberty to lecture me all the time on why I needed to be independent of her.         A varsity in another state, new roommates, a monthly allowance, a new pho...

              Set me as a seal upon your heart, For many waters cannot drown true love -a lover           Aunt  Titi placed the book on the table, she checked her food and was back to her position in front of me. "Sarah", she started as she flipped the pages of the book, "one of the value of having the spirit of God is that we don't have to go about testing waters, doing trials and errors. When we are truly ready He helps us see a compatible partner, not a crush. A relationship where love can strive in spite of the knowledge of their strengths and flaws, not an infatuation that lives today and is gone tomorrow," she laughed. "One week for this boy, the next week another boy, secondary school love," I joined her laughter. She stopped at a page. "Here, read the highlighted portion. You will find it helpful."        "Okay. 'Abba Gerontius of Petra said, Many are they who tempted by the delights of the...