Imagine Mountains - Episode 2

 

14 years Ago

"We can't admit him like this. The school admission letter was clear. You must clear hundred percent of the first term school fees and you must have all the items needed. You have only paid half of the first term school fees and you have three quarters of items needed. I can't admit him like this."

My heart sank . I stared down at the contents of my school metal box which were now disorganised after the inspection. The corners of my eyes were burning from holding back tears. I tried not to turn and look at my mum who was desperately trying to convince the teacher that she would have the rest of fees by the end of the month.

My mother was a single mother of two boys. Brian and me. She was a small business owner and that was what she used to make ends meet. I didn't know my father. He left when i was an infant. Even my brother who was five years old when he left could not remember how he looked like. Out of bitterness my mum had destroyed everything that would remind us of him and his abandonment. 

"Could you step aside so that i can finish with the other parents ?"

My mum nodded politely but painfully and grabbed my box to move aside. I stood rooted at my spot

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/imagine-mountains

. I needed that man to understand that if my mother said she would pay the fee by the end of the month, she would do just that. 

"Dylan." My mother called. 

"Just a minute mum."

I turned my gaze to the teacher who i later learnt his name was Mr. Okumu. He was a tall man with an intimidating face. For a moment there i second geussed my choice to stay and fight instead of stepping aside. 

"Young man you are wasting valuable time, step out of the line please."

"Please sir hear me out. " I said in an almost whisper.

He looked at me. 

"Let's talk aside."

I followed his lead and we ended up standing some few metres away. 

"Son, what do you think you are doing?"

I stayed silent. 

"I asked you a question young man."

"I am fighting for a chance and i need you to help me. I worked hard to get an admission into a good school. Am sure my mum will pay that school fee. She is just experiencing a little delay."

Mr. Okumu sighed and produced a note book from his breast pocket. 

"Go to room number fourteen in the administration block. Explain yourself to her. Maybe she can help."

With a new ray of hope, i went to my mother clutching the piece of paper the teacher just wrote in. 

"Mum am sorry, i was just trying to help."

"You should be more careful with people and your words. "

"You are the one who taught me that i should speak my mind and stand up for myself."

My mum looked at me. She was trying hard to hold the smile playing at the corner of her lips. 

"Let me see that." I gave her the piece of paper Mr.Okumu just gave me.

"What does this mean?"

"Let's go to room number fourteen and find out."

It wasn't hard locating the office. We found the occupant almost leaving after finishing the work of the day.  My mum took over explaining our dilemma, pleading with the woman to let me start with rest. The woman, Miss. Kamuli sat patiently listening to my mother. She had a no nonsense look but was very kind with her words. 

"You know the school policy is that for the beginners the fee has to be complete. If we allow students to learn with debts its almost impossible to run the school. "

"I understand madam but i am still asking you to consider my son's case. "

"What's your name?"

The question was directed at me. 

"Dylan, Dylan Were."

"Do you have something to say."

I looked at my mum unsure if me speaking at the moment was the right thing to do. 

"Dylan?"

"Yes Madam."

She nodded in a bid to urge me on.

"I know we haven't completed the fee, my brother is ill and currently in hospital. It is just the three of us. She did not want me to miss joining, so she did everything she could to see me join school today."

"But why should i let you in?"

I hesitated before continuing. 

"Because i am not going to waste your kindness and because if my mother says she will pay the fee, she will and am not exaggerating."

She sighed.

"I am sorry to hear about your brother. I wish him quick recovery."

"Thanks."

"If i let you in this school, you will have to promise that you will make it worth my while."

"I will." I said nodding my head vigorously like a demented fool. 

"The school has a donation pool for struggling students. Every year we pick students and this year we have received additional funding from its alumni. We have one spot left and we have been waiting for the right candidate to put in school. It seems am starring at him right now."

"Does that mean what i think it means?"

I bored my eyes out in anticipation, holding my breath while my heart beat increased. 

Miss. Kamuli nodded smiling. "Your son is now fully sponsored by the school."

My mother was beside herself with joy. 

"Thank you so much madam. May the Almighty God bless you."

"You too Dylan. Don't make us regret this."

"You have my word. I will make you proud."

She opened the drawer and removed a check book and wrote on it. 

"How much did you say you had already paid?"

"Thirty thousand."

"Since we are fully funding your son, we will pay the full fee. Here is a check of thirty thousand a refund of what you had paid for. Use it to buy whatever is lacking and take care of your other son."

My mother broke into tears. She stood and went to hug the other woman. 

"God bless you my child."

Dramatic her turned to me.

"Dylan you see how God works? If you decide to be stupid i will kill you and bury you myself. Have i made myself clear?"

"Yes maam." I said making an imaginary salute in my head. 

Miss. Kamuli watched us smiling.

"Go be a good student."

In a span of thirty minutes, everything had changed for me and my mother. She immediately left for town and bought everything i needed.

In the evening i stood with my mother by the school gate. She had her hands on my shoulder and was fighting to hold back tears. 

"Be a good boy. Work hard. Don't you worry about your brother. I will take care of him. Just worry about getting good grades."

"Yes mum. Tell Brian that i like my new school and that the teachers are nice. I need him to come see it.

Read " Grand. " by the same author ( DORSILA ANYANGO )

. Tell him i love him."

Without a word my mother embraced me and we stayed like that for a while. 

"I have to go now. Take care."

I stood there as my mother left. This was the first time i was truly free of her and it felt like i was orphaned in an instant.

"We are going to be fine." Someone said from behind me.

I turned only to see a fellow mono. This was a name given to us form one's. I could tell he was a fellow mono from the way he hung his key around his neck just as i did. He was taller than me, had a lighter skin tone and a sheepish grin playing at the corner of his lips. Something told me i could trust him.

"Are we?"

"Yes we are. I saw how you helped your mum convince the teacher to allow you in. I could never summon such courage."

"I honestly don't know where i got the courage. It just happened."

"It was destiny pulling you towards itself."

We stood in an awkward silence.

"I am Allan."

"Dylan."

"I am in St.Alberts dormitory."

"Me too."

"6th cube."

"Me too."

We laughed at the weird coincidence. In that moment it felt we were going to be okay after all. What i did not realise was that i had gotten a friend for keeps.

********

AUTHOR'S NOTE 

I HOPED YOU ENJOYED.

TILL NEXT TIME,

DORSILA.