THAT GIRL IRENE

Episode One *My New School With A Memory That Cannot Be Forgotten* My name is Irene. Three years ago, I came to Godly Seed Primary School. At first I was shy and did not know anyone, but slowly I made friends, I knew all the teachers, and the school became my second home. I was now in Primary 6. We had just finished our final exams. Everybody was happy and shouting in the compound. After the last paper, my best friend Joy said to me, "Irene, follow me to my cousin's place to carry my textbooks I left there yesterday. It's not far." I said ok. We walked together to the street behind our school. When we reached there, her cousin was not at home, but we met my uncle who was passing on his motorcycle. He saw me standing near the compound gate. He did not even stop to ask me why I was there. He just looked at me and rode away. That evening, I was in my room resting when I heard my father's voice. "Irene! Come here!" My uncle had gone to tell my parents that he saw me in a guy's house after school. I tried to explain. "Daddy, I was not in a guy's house. I only escorted Joy to carry her books. That house is her cousin's house." My parents did not listen. They were very angry and disappointed. They shouted and flogged me that day. I cried not because of the pain, but because they did not believe me. It was the worst day of my time in that school. The next day, Joy heard what happened. She followed me to my house with her mother and her cousin. They explained everything to my parents - that I was only helping a friend and that the house belonged to a family, not what my uncle thought. That memory can never be forgotten. Even though I have stayed 3 years in this new school and had many happy days - inter-house sports, cultural day, prize-giving day - that one day after exams will always stay in my heart.