The December heat lay heavy over Chitungwiza, but inside the Pasimupindu mansion, the air buzzed with more than just the hum of the fans. The family was gathered in the living room, each member occupied with their own corner of life. Caro scrolled through salon catalogues, looking at imported chairs she wanted to buy for her shop expansion. Collins had earphones on, sketching circuits in his notebook. Leratho and Clifton bickered over who got to film the next TikTok dance, while Tino sat with Mom, helping her schedule posts for her cooking page.
And in the middle of it all sat Shelly, her laptop open, a dozen tabs crowding her screen: SAT registration, A Level study schedules, and—hidden between them—application forms for Chulalongkorn University.
Her heart raced every time she hovered over the word Submit.
---
"Shelly," Dad's voice cut into her thoughts. "Are you daydreaming again? You've been staring at the same page for five minutes."
"I'm not daydreaming, Baba," Shelly replied quickly, snapping the laptop shut like she had something to hide. Which she did. "I'm… researching."
"Researching, huh?" Caro smirked, peering at her younger sister. "Let me guess. Thai universities again? Or are you watching Ohm Pawat interviews for the fiftieth time this week?"
The room erupted in laughter. Even Leratho joined in, clutching her stomach. "Big sis wants to go to Thailand not for books but for Pond and Ohm! Imagine her fainting if she sees them in real life."
Shelly's cheeks burned. "It's not like that!" she protested, though her guilty smile betrayed her. "Yes, I admire them, but Chulalongkorn is one of the best universities in Asia. It's about academics, not celebrities."
"Uh-huh," Collins drawled, pulling out his earphones. "Next thing we'll see is Shelly vlogging: 'Welcome to Bangkok, guys! Ohm if you're watching this, please marry me.'"
The laughter doubled. Even Dad slapped his knee. "Ah, my daughter, dreaming big dreams. But hey, whether it's books or actors, I'm glad your dreams are international."
Shelly groaned, but deep down, the teasing didn't sting. It warmed her. Their laughter wrapped around her like a reminder: no matter where she went, this family was her anchor.
---
Later that evening, after the noise had settled and everyone was tucked into their projects, Shelly slipped back to her laptop. She opened the Chulalongkorn application again. This time, she didn't hide. She filled in the last section, uploaded her documents, and hit Submit.
A message flashed across the screen:
"Your application has been received. Review process ongoing. Results expected in February."
Her chest tightened with a mix of fear and exhilaration. This was it—the step that could change everything.
---
The following weeks blurred into a mix of extra lessons, social media projects, and endless teasing about her "Thailand obsession." Yet in between, Shelly began to notice something remarkable: the family's online presence was exploding.
Caro's salon page had hit 20,000 followers, and women from Harare suburbs were booking appointments months in advance.
Collins started uploading "DIY electrical hacks" videos. One short tutorial on wiring a socket went viral on Facebook, earning him his first brand inquiry.
Tino began tutoring O Level students online, her calm voice and patient explanations attracting parents desperate for a reliable mentor.
Clifton and Leratho had become TikTok stars. Their sibling comedy skits regularly crossed 100k views, with kids at their private school whispering about "the Pasimupindu duo."
Even Mom and Dad weren't left behind. Mom's cooking channel was attracting diaspora followers hungry for Zimbabwean recipes, while Dad's motivational talks about resilience had unexpectedly picked up traction on LinkedIn.
And Shelly? Her YouTube channel had skyrocketed to 150,000 subscribers. A video titled "From O Levels to Owning Land – How I Built for My Family at 18" became her breakthrough, shared across WhatsApp groups and even featured on a Zimbabwean youth podcast.
Every click, every comment reminded her: she wasn't just chasing a scholarship. She was shaping a legacy.
---
One night, Shelly gathered the family in the spacious new dining room. She stood at the head of the table, her laptop projecting onto the TV screen.
"I have something to say," she began, her voice trembling but steady. "You all know I've been working hard with my lessons and my content. But I want you to know why I'm pushing so much. I… I applied to study at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand."
The room fell quiet.
Her siblings stared. Her parents exchanged glances.
Finally, Mom spoke softly. "Thailand?"
"Yes, Mama," Shelly said. "It's one of Asia's top universities. They have excellent programs, and… it's my dream. I know it's far, and I know it sounds crazy, but I believe it's where I'm meant to go."
For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then Clifton blurted out: "So you'll finally meet Ohm Pawat?"
Laughter shattered the silence. Even Shelly laughed, though tears stung her eyes.
But Dad leaned forward, his smile calm. "Shelly, my daughter, you've already done more than we ever dreamed at your age. You've built us a home. You've put your siblings in private schools. You've lifted our name. If Thailand is your dream, then we stand with you."
Mom nodded, her eyes misty. "We may tease you, but know this—you carry our pride wherever you go. And who knows? Maybe one day, the celebrities you admire will admire you too."
Shelly's throat closed. She tried to speak but only managed a shaky laugh. "Thank you. Really, thank you. I'll make you proud."
"You already have," Caro whispered, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand.
---
That night, Shelly recorded a video for her YouTube channel. She sat at her desk, fairy lights twinkling behind her.
"Hi everyone," she began, her voice thick with emotion. "Today, I want to share something personal. I've applied to study at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. It's scary, and I don't know if I'll get accepted, but this dream… it's bigger than me. It's about showing that no matter where you start—whether it's Chitungwiza, Harare, or anywhere else—you can dream global, you can reach beyond what people expect."
She paused, wiping her eyes.
"And yes," she added with a grin, "if I meet Ohm, Pond, or Phuwin, I might faint on the spot. But this isn't about them. This is about building a future for my family, for myself, and hopefully inspiring others to do the same."
She hit upload.
The comments came in floods. Some laughed about the celebrity joke. Others shared encouragement. Many said her story gave them hope.
As Shelly scrolled, she realized something: the path to Thailand wasn't just about her anymore. It was about every person who saw a piece of themselves in her journey.
And that was a responsibility she was ready to carry.