Joseph could never forget the day. 7th February 2017. The head master himself had come to his classroom, having a few words with his science teacher.
His heart skipped a bit when the teacher mentioned his name but he'd calmed himself. He was a good student. He'd never broken any school rule.
The first sign something was wrong was when he saw his maternal auntie outside, talking to some of his teachers. She had never been to his school & had no reason to as far as he was concerned. Her eyes were red from crying, another ominous sign for him.
She'd slowly approached, ushering him to the side of the primary seven classroom block.
His heart stopped when he heard accident. He didn't need hear the rest. He knew. His parents had been taking his little sister to school. They had told him about it the previous day.
He'd slowly taken a step back, shaking his head, his aunt calling out to him. He turned & sprinted past his classroom, towards the primary six block, two male teachers racing after him.
It couldn't be. He couldn't be an orphan. Not for many years, he'd hoped. Tears were starting to fall from his eyes but he proceeded up the primary five block, the teachers calling his name.
He wasn't sure were he was going but he wanted to go far way. Away from what he'd heard. If he run fast & far enough, maybe he'd go back in time & unhear it.
His math teacher had eventually caught up but he'd wrestled to entangle free, several students coming out to see what was going on. His teacher had hugged him tight, Joseph finally letting out a huge sob.
Trevor had been allowed to escort him to Mulago hospital with his auntie, there learning his mother was still fighting for her life. A three car collision, an overtaking taxi had tried to evade an inbound harrier, ramming into his parents nissan in the side, veering it off the road into a tree.
The head on collision had overturned the two vehicles & only four out of twelve people had survived. Joseph saw his sister's body & seven others covered with sheets be pushed out on beds.
A young Max with a plasters on his face & hands was refusing to let go his mother's bed, his father with a bandaged arm, pulling him away..
"Hey", Dejen joined Joseph on a bench as Max carried on the phone.
"Hey", Joseph snapped out of it.
"You ok?"
"Umm... yeah. Not really actually. I mean I hate him but I know how he's feeling. I lost a sister too.."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know", Dejen was somber.
"She passed away with my dad in the crash", Joseph swallowed. "I didn't even get to say goodbye. They wouldn't let me.."
"You didn't bury?"
"I did but my family wouldn't let me see them in the casket, some culture thing. I remember being so angry that I didn't get to see my sister one last time..."
"Maybe they were trying to protect you. Was it your mom who refused?"
"No, she didnt attend", Joseph shook his head. "She was still in hospital.."
"He's making preparations to leave the morgue..", Max hang up & approached. "They're burying in Kayunga.."
"Will you guys bury?", Dejen asked.
"Yeah. Joseph will you escort me?", Max turned to him.
"Uhh...", Joseph hesitated. "Can't.. I have tests", he stressed
"Damn who will I be going with? Kayunga is so damn far..."
"I'll escort you", Saul interjected.
"I want you to stay here. Jessica won't manage on her own.."
"Okay guys, I have to go", Dejen looked at his watch, standing up.
"Okay. Thanks for everything", Max shook his hand.
"I'll escort you", Joseph followed.
When he returned to his hostel, Joseph checked his messages fro. when Axel had sent him money. He clicked on the number, pondering on whether he should reach out & express his sympathies.
He decided not to. Why should he? he debated himself. He too could've died if that's what Axel & his friends had wanted.
He heard a hello & when he looked down, realized he'd mistakenly dialled & Axel had picked. He grinded his teeth, swiping frantically to hang up.
