|
|
Exams always made me sick. I feared them more than I would fear a sword. Now it was KCSE, the hottest of all exams I had ever written. I sat wondering whether I'll ever make it to the university. I remembered a friend who wet his blue shorts on seeing the standard eight mocks. I feared it might happen to me - I wished it wouldn't. No...I was better prepared. More so, I had a mission to accomplish. Beating up my bitter grape rival.
I burned the mid-night oil day by day, hour after hour, minute after minute. I placed my legs in a basin full of cold water hoping to keep awake until I could feel enough was enough. I became a regular customer to the coffee shop. “It keeps one awake,” a friend has disclosed to me. KCSE made me a humble and loyal attendant of books. I searched for the quietest places to free from noise and disturbances - I wanted a win. I even composed songs from Biology and chemistry text books. I sang the Physics text book, Abbot from page one to the last index. I was confident I had captured the dream into my hands. I saw myself a fresh man at Nairobi University, Faculty of Medicine, training to become Kenya's best doctor.
In this season, gift shops make more money than banks earn in the whole month. I received many words of encouragement, as it happens to everyone at this stage. Success cards flowed in from all directions with all types of wishes. The first card was from my mom. It had words I vividly remember, "Millions of people are behind you. Go for the best results. I know and everyone knows you can make it. Success is your brother." Signed mum. My elder brother too, gave me his success wishes by word of mouth, "Young boy," he started, "You are a great boy. Be confident and determined. So many have crossed the narrow bridge. You too can make it." As he talked, a friend of his on a visit to our home made a joke I didn't like, “Hey boy," he began. Thinking he was going to tell me sense. I gave him my full ear only to vomit nonsense, “Don't sweat your ass reading to madness,” he belched, "You won't be the first or the last to fail. And if you pass, still you won't be the last or the first." He laughed like a moron. If he was of my age and strength, I promise I would have given him a bloody nose that hot afternoon. I turned and walked away, determined to score an A, and shame two devils walking this planet. First, Omar my brother's friend. Second, Angelina, the proudest but sweet girl in my class.
Angelina was a beauty of my class. The whole school adored her; the male students desired her and the teachers did the worshiping. She was intelligent, tidy, tough and beautiful. In truth, female teachers detested her. I heard she was also a threat to her middle-aged mother who wouldn't keep her company especially when she was to meet her business partners. That's was why Angelina opted to join the boarding while she would have preferred to stay a day scholar. She rivaled her mother.
Every boy looked for a chance to talk to her. I wasn't an exception. The biggest fight was among the big bulls. The Head teacher had some interest in her but wouldn't openly express his feelings. His Deputy and the Dean of studies were already arch-rivals, having known each other's intentions; they manipulated their office in her advantage in order to win the trophy. The D.O.S got her examination papers before they reached the examination room. For sure, she kept number one, straight A’s throughout her stay at the high school. She won the awards for the best student, year after year. The bursary fund was entirely hers. She never touched a penny from her family since the second term of her form one. She was a golden girl. The parents committee attached to her a label, 'University material' to the envy of those parents who struggled to improve their children's grades. None of them knew her secret. Only a hand full in the whole school knew the story behind her success.
Therefore, I had no Precious Blood schools to defeat or compete with. I had near me a genius of the highest order. Angelina Moshee, she was my icon of super intelligence. One day at the parade, the Headmaster compared her IQ with that of Isaac Newton, it felt bad to hear him shower the beauty with praises, "We have Kenya's best brain. Angelina's IQ is above 140." He said forcing us to clap for her. I had a self talk, "It's barbaric for teachers to play dirt games with their students!"
The examination day dawned. It was the time each one proved their worth. Day one, it was English. I was less tensed this time. I spotted the golden girl making her final touches of mwakenya. She was panicking. It was to play a sadist but I was glad to see a golden girl sweat while everyone looked relaxed. What happened in the examination hall, I didn't notice. I was busy registering my A. After the paper, I could tell from the shock on her face - things weren't going well. I felt like going to her rescue, better to listen to her story. But I feared to be seen by the 'big men.' Small fish cannot swim in the same water as the whale - its risking life.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Mike
Mike Ssegawa
ssegy2001@yahoo.com
A Journalist with Daily Monitor, Uganda. I have a passion for development, especially for the youth.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
