I AM DIFFERENT

In school again!!!

Here we were!!

At the school admission block ready to be directed to my class.

Harriet approached the school secretary to inquire the way forward.

They talked for a few then she was to leave me behind and head home.

I was a little bit nervous but the Secretary held my hand and took me to my classroom.

I know you are wondering why I'm I not mentioning my class and age but trust me all these happened when I was around five years.

I was born bright with a brighter memory which at times tend to be disturbing but I thank heavens.

I rejoined grade one.

When I got into the classroom, it was full and silent.

Madam Kuria was the class teacher.

I walked slowly towards her table for clarifications. She welcomed me with a warm smile that made me feel a bit relaxed.

"stand there and tell us your name and where you come from", she uttered.

Now this was something simple to me.

........Aii  just standing in front and saying my name? Simple.

I stood firmly and said what I thought I had to. But the teacher bombed me with bombastic queries

"What is your mother's name?"

"What is your father's name?"

"How many are you in your family?"

"Where do you come from?"

These were burden questions to me.

I knew my name, my mother's name but who was daddy? Who is that guy again?

I had migrated a little bit so was I supposed to say my grandma's place was my home or where we were staying with mama??

I was all confused.

I shut up and stared at the teacher somehow confused but mostly hurt.

I did not mention a thing until she allowed me to have a sit.

✴✴✴✴

I had this beautiful deskmate, her name was Zulfa Wanjiru.

She was darker than I, I was bright and shaper but we blended.

She was Muslim, I was Christian but our bond really worked out perfectly good.

Zulfa became a sister I never had. She was now my best friend. We knew nothing about each other but the love we shared was so okay and comfy.

During break time we would hold hand and head to the school canteen to get snacks and smoothies.

She mostly liked samosas but I preferred bhajia and some crunchy staff we used to call them papure.

We'd take fresh juice or at times break our "parents" rule and take diluted juice colla which was so unhealthy.

Days passed, months flew, school terms passed and our bond strengthened. During all this time in my examination I was the top scorer. Always position one. I was now used to victory just like the great Manchester United.

I always made granny happier. She never failed to buy me gifts and presents

By now I was in a complete family.

I mean I had my Granny who loved me more than anything else,

I had Harriet who always took good care of me.

I had zulfa who made my school days perfectly fun and amazing. Yes and I had God by my side

I was now a normal kid. In school and doing good there.

I was okay!