The Second Path

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Kaka made sure I stopped my 'become beautiful' routine and just accept my ugly self. She made sure I focused on the fact that Kauna was going to school today, for the very first time.

After all those years of getting caged by Mr Audu, Kauna's wings weren't clipped anymore. She was free as a bird. That's what education does, it makes us free.

I was taking Kauna to school since her school was directly opposite mine. She was going to attend Mansur Government Primary School, the primary school of my school. Her uniform was almost similar to mine, with the same colour except that hers was a pinafore and T-shirt instead. While the crèche's uniform looked like that of a boarding school's daywear, but with different colours.

It was almost 8am and we rushed inside the school gate so that Kauna will not be late for her first day of school which was in the middle of the week and in the middle of the term.

As we walked into the school compound, people kept glancing at our side, staring mostly at Kauna because of her blue eye. After filling a form in the front office, I was set to take Kauna to class.

We walked to the Nursery school block and the stares kept getting more tiring. Kauna held my hand in fear, not used to being surrounded and stared at by so many people.

As we walked through the Nursery school block, a small girl holding her mother's hand pointed to Kauna and shouted, "Mummy her eye is blue."

"Shh stop pointing." Her mother slapped her finger.

"Nursery 1 Tortoise." Kauna distracted me and pointed to the classroom in front of me.

"No your class is Nursery 1 Tiger." I said and came to a stop to the next classroom.

Despite Kauna was old for Nursery school, she had to attend Nursery 1 because that was what Kaka could afford for only one term.

We entered the class and all children turned to look at Kauna. Including the young female teacher that sat behind the desk.

"Look here children." The teacher announced while adjusting her scarf and stood up, "We have a new classmate."

The children just stared at Kauna in amusement, none of them saying anything. Then their teacher added, "Okay children, let's sing our welcome song."

They sang a welcome song for her and did a rhythmic clapping after the singing. I looked at Kauna who was feeling more unwelcomed by the song.

The teacher came to carry Kauna away from me and she took her to the nearest empty seat beside the teacher's desk. She gestured Kauna to sit down but Kauna refused. She stared at me in fear, hoping that I will take her away.

I stood by the door way and smiled before waving at her. She didn't wave back but just stood there staring at me until the teacher closed the door in my face.

****

"What will you do if I jump off the roof for you?" Vitamin D asked Peace as we were leaving the school gate after school.

"Prepare your funeral." She rolled her eyes.

Then they passed us to leave the school compound. Fatima shook her head at them and said, "I'm tired of these two."