Babe, the city lights twinkled seductively beyond your windscreen as you gripped the steering wheel tighter. The drive home from your dead-end job had become a nightly monologue, filled with heart-wrenching declarations of love and empty promises from your so-called boyfriend, Mark.
Today, however, something felt different. Anxiety gnawed at the edges of your stomach as Mark paused mid-sentence. 'Babe. I haven't been entirely honest with you. I've got something to tell you. Remember that uncle I have been telling you about? The one who's been paying my fees?'
Your heart skipped a beat. Uncle what? The man who'd been your rock since you moved to Lusaka had suddenly become a phantom? 'Okay so the truth is...' Mark hesitated, his voice trembling.
'He doesn't exist.'
The words hit you like a sucker punch. The uncle, your financial savior, was a mere figment of Mark's imagination – a carefully crafted lie to ensnare you. Laughter bubbled up from the depths of your being, a mix of amusement and disbelief. 'You've been what, scamming me?'
Mark's defensive tone grated on your nerves. 'It was just a little white lie, babe. I didn't want you to think I was a bum.'
A wave of anger washed over you, eclipsing the laughter. You pulled the car over to the side of the road and unleashed a tirade of insults that would make a sailor blush. Mark squirmed in his seat, his doe-eyed expression failing to soften your resolve.
'Get out,' you growled.
Mark protested, but you were unyielding. 'Now.'
With a sigh, he gathered his belongings and stumbled out of the car. You watched his retreating figure in the rearview mirror, a sense of relief mingling with a twinge of sadness.
As you drove away, the laughter returned – loud and boisterous. Your predicament was absurd, almost comical. You couldn't believe you'd fallen for such a ludicrous scheme.
The next day, you confronted Mark at his university dormitory. Armed with your phone, you documented your interrogation, determined to air his deceit to the world. Mark, looking sheepish and defeated, confessed to the truth. He had invented the uncle to impress you, to make himself seem more financially stable than he was.
'I was wrong,' he said, his voice cracking. 'I shouldn't have lied.'
'You think?' you replied sarcastically.
You posted the video on social media, warning other women of Mark's deceptive tactics. Within hours, it went viral, becoming the most talked-about topic in Lusaka. Mark was labeled the 'Uncle Scammer,' his reputation in tatters.
Meanwhile, you embraced your newfound comedic status. You performed stand-up gigs, telling the hilarious tale of the boyfriend who invented an uncle. Your unique mix of wit and self-deprecating humor won you legions of fans.
And so, what had started as a heart-wrenching deception ended as a triumphant victory. You found your voice and your comedic calling. As for Mark, he became a footnote in your life, a cautionary tale about the dangers of lying and the rewards of embracing honesty – even if it comes with a side of laughter.
