Dear Red

Four

"Any relation to..." Lawrence began but I held up my hand to stop him from mentioning any of my relatives' names. My family name was a famous one in Uganda, because of our wealth and enterprising. It started from my grandfather, who had played a major role in Obote's government. My uncle, Eridad, had taken after my grandfather, engaging in politics and was a high ranking, senior government official with a bulk of wealth in his prestigious name. My aunt had made herself a fortune in fashion designing, owning 36 boutiques around East Africa and opening one in Cape Town, South Africa by mid November. My other uncle, staying in the village had set up a large farm on a good number of acres. Put simply, two hills, named after his two wives, were covered in his crops. My father, was a real estate man, taken with architecture. He owned a number of buildings in the city centre and housing estates in the suburbs. I wondered which of Mzee Bagaine's four successful children Lawrence had been acquainted with and settled on Uncle Eridad, after all, he was a government bigwig. 

"Yes, there is a relation to the well-known Bagaine family," I replied shortly. He nodded and didn't press further although curiosity was etched on his face. He opened the car door for me, just outside the infirmary. The nurse stood waiting. He waved at her, whispered a good bye to me and swung behind the wheel. He sped out of school and I walked up to the nurse. 

"If he drives such a car, what do his parents drive?" she said rhetorically and went to sit on the bench outside the infirmary. 

"The parents travel by air," I joked as I sat down beside her.

"That doctor is stubborn! Just because he works for wealthy people, he thinks he can do whatever he wants," the nurse grumbled. I kept quiet. 

"Did the girl improve or not?" the nurse asked. 

"We left her at Kadic. The doctors worked on her but I do not know when she will return to school," I replied. "What's disturbing her? Demons?" the nurse speculated. "Her heart," I replied. She jeered. "She's just not given enough attention at home," she said dismissively, "Go for study prep. It's almost over." With that, she stood up and went inside to her room. 

I walked to dorm, holding the jumbo pack of crisps. I took a shower and when I checked the clock, it was quarter past nine. I put on my nightdress, Ken's jumper and lay in bed thinking about Melissa all alone in that ICU room, with machines breathing life into her body.

It was Saturday, the week was finally over. I put on a dark green vest and a black skirt with African sandals. Everyone was lazing around school, gossiping and completing assignments. Most of my friends were hanging out by the phone booth, making prank calls and eavesdropping on other people's conversations. I lacked anything better to do, so I was on my way to find them. Two people came out of the computer lab, absorbed in conversation. I didn't take notice of them until they were in ear shot. I looked up. It was our Physics teacher, Mr. Aniche. He was one of the best at St. Xavier. He was tall, handsome and in his mid thirties. He had good fashion sense and lively conversation which endeared him to his students. Beside him, wearing a baby blue shirt and jeans and holding a i-pad was none other than Ken Rugamo. My eyes widened slightly. I noticed some subtle resemblances between them which one would not notice unless both men were standing together, as they were. Their eyes were almost the same, though Ken's were thickly lashed. They were both tall and lean and their hair was the same shade. Ken was looking at me as he spoke. I stopped beside Mr. Aniche. "Good morning, sir," I said. He nodded at me and they continued. I turned and gave Ken a parting glance. His eyes were on me already.

Out of curiosity, I went to the computer lab at lunch time. It was cleared, since most people were in the dining hall. Just as I entered, a song began to play. I met Ken's eye and smiled. He was at the far end of the lab and I slowly walked over, enjoying the music.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm good too. What are you doing?"

"My uncle wants me to do some computer upgrades for him."

"When you say your uncle, do you mean Mr. Aniche?"

He burst out laughing. "Do you people seriously call him that?"

"Wait until you become Mr. Rugamo," I threatened.

"Not going to happen, dear. I'm not employed by the school. This is a side job for my uncle."

I had reached his side. He sat at a desk with a laptop (Samsung Notebook Series 9), his phone and monster headsets. I perched on the desk, beside the computer facing him. "It seems that you're chained to St. Xavier," I noted. "No. I'm chained to you." He had a serious look in his eye and a shiver ran down my spine when our eyes met. The next time I glanced at my watch, it was 2p.m. I turned to Ken. "This makes it two meals you've missed on my account," he said. "What are you going to do about that?" I asked. "There'll be plenty of time to eat out when holidays come around," he replied. "I can't wait," I said and slid off the table. I waved and walked out.

Tuesday, the next week, Melissa was back in school. This time, there was no grand entrance. We returned from lunch break for a C.R.E lesson to find her in class, talking to Kamwiga Esther. I had a busy day, clearing assignments and her return vaguely registered in my mind. Later that evening, I finished supper and was leaving dorm to walk to class for prep. "Tina!" someone called. I turned and saw Melissa leaving her room holding something. She caught my eye and I waited for her to reach me. "Hey," she said and before I could reply, she launched herself at me, enveloping me in a big hug. I was taken aback; surprised and touched by her gesture so I hugged her back. After a few moments, she pulled away and I took a good look at her. She was glowing with health and happiness. Her eyes had cleared and her skin was back to its chocolate complexion. There was a small scar on her temple from her injection. She hadn't lost any weight and she was fashionably clad in a dress with flower print and sandals. She was holding two bars of Nutritious Supplement, and handed me one. "Thank you," I said as we began to stroll away from dorm. She tore open her health bar and took a bite. I did the same. "Thank you for being there for me when I was sick," she said. I noticed she didn't have a cannular on her arm and mentioned it to her. "It was too much stress to handle. I agreed to get a fresh injection each time I am getting medicine," she told me, "Before I forget, Lawrence sent greetings." I smiled. She gazed at me sideways. 

"What is up with you two?" she asked. "Nothing," I said, enjoying more supplement. She looked ahead. "Even if you both try, you can't keep a secret from me much longer," she said. "There's no secret. How is your medication?" I asked. Her voice softened, losing the undertone of pride and she looked down. "It's painful but it's helping me a lot," she replied. I nodded. We walked in silence for a few minutes. "Tina, have you told people that I'm sick?" she asked. I shot her a quizzical glance. "Everyone saw you faint..." I began but she cut me off. "I meant, have you told people about my heart problem?" she asked. "No. You look healthy and happy. No one thinks you're sick," I replied. "Good. Keep it that way. Everyone will interpret things their own way should they find out," she replied. She laughed shortly and continued. "I've heard that people are bewitching my father through me, that this is what happens to the families of corrupt government officials. I've also heard that I'm seeking attention from my parents and that I'm seeking people's pity by pretending to be sick," she said. I put an arm around her shoulders. "Rest assured that I don't pity you- I understand you," I said firmly. We finished off our Nutritious Supplement and threw away the wrappers before entering class. I went to my seat. She walked by and turned back. "Tina?" I turned to her. "Have a good study prep," she said. "You too," I said and opened my desk. Kamwiga Esther's eyes were on me.