9 Chapter Nine

Having had to punish his best friend had really hurt him. But the betrayal hurt most. How could he do that to them, to him and the way he had trusted him with his life. One week had gone by and ye had not recovered yet. He couldn't believe that he was no more. How could he do that even though he knew what the penalty was. Regardless, he was happy that the worm had been contained before it spoilt the whole harvest.

Koyala sat in silence in his office and all he could remember was the pleas that came from Kran. He had asked for a second chance. Koyala wished he could bend the rules but he just couldn't, he had to show how stern he was, lest others did wrongs and expected to go away with it unpunished. He tried to rest his mind but all he could think of was his friend's last moments.

"Please I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry brother." Kran had pleaded before life was sucked out of him. Before he was injected with the serum that would kill him slowly but eventually, Koyala had to pronounce the sentence and the reason behind it.

He found himself talking to himself as if addressing the late Kran, "That was uncouth brother. You shouldn't have done it. It is not my fault you know."

Meanwhile, a week had gone and everyone was planning on going back to their homes for the purposes as resuming to work and their children resuming their studies. Aunt Faiza's family had left two days earlier. Aunt Stephanie was still waiting for the husband to come from the trip to pick the whole family up. He never showed up for the celebrations. I guess that is how rich people always are. There was a hot discussion between my grandparents and mom. They wanted us to stay back in the village and continue with our studies there, something Wendy would never agree to. I didn't mind staying behind. I had lots of friends, even though I just liked a few of them. So after a lengthy discussion, mom called us privately and asked us what we thought about the idea. At first we all refused to stay behind but mom insisted that one of had to. She said it would not show a good picture, especially after how well they had treated us. I volunteered to stay.

The next day I watched mom and Wendy leave for the city. The moment the vehicle disappeared I began regretting my decision. I was to be taken to Ambira Primary School for admissions then later taken to the tailor who was to knit my school uniform. After the admission test I was told to report to school officially the next Monday. Sam and Felix were happy about my joining their school. It meant the bond would stay strong.

All the noise and the frequent chatters that were heard from grandma's compound were no more. It was just the five of us; grandpa, grandma, Mustafa, Alice and I. Alice had been brought from the city to come assist grandma with the house chores while Mustafa ensured that the compound was tended to. Mustafa and I weren't that close but I guess the bond between us got stronger when we started sharing most of the time together. He would take me to school very early in the morning and come for me in the evening. I was turning twelve, I didn't see the need for that but he insisted on it do I just let him do what pleased his heart.

Anyways the first days at school were not easy ones. I'm not trying to sound disrespectful but the kids in school had local minds, I don't know of that makes any sense. I felt like I was a sheep amongst goats. Blending in was a task but I took to it. I wanted to make grandpa proud. He had wanted me to become a pilot some day in the future. It had been long since we heard from the Rebel. Maybe they had been attacked and all of them killed. We were glad that at least no mystical creature had come to attack or maybe kidnap as they had they had done to Sam.

It was on the third week of learning and the week for sports. Sam had wanted to play in the school team but the coach said he was still young to play, though he had let him train with them the team. He was told that he would join the first squad if he showed consistency. The first match was between our school team and a neighbouring school. The match was awesome. I remember cheering till I lost my voice. Sam had been given chance in the second half of the game because the striker had got a strained tarsal. At first, he would lose the ball easily to the opponents because of the fright. It was his first time playing infront of a big crowd of people. Some minutes later, he caught up with game. The defenders of the opponents team tried giving him hand-offs but he wouldn't lose his stamina, something that really intrigued the coach. "Gooal! He scored," I yelled out. He really did it. The game ended with our team leading with 3 to 2 goals.

When the match was over the coach called him aside and congratulated him. I had never seen him that happy. We then headed to the lockerooms as he had to change back into his school uniform before heading back home. Felix was carrying Sam's bag. He was so proud of his best friend.

Just as we were getting into the locker rooms, light flickered and there in front of us, Maya stood with an ice cream in her hand. She scared me to death.

"Hello there, it's been a minute. Wow, I didn't know these things tasted this sweet."

Felix froze. The bag he was carrying fell off his hands. I could see how frightened he was. Maya came wearing nothing on her forehead to cover her third eye so I could imagine his fright. On seeing an extra party she froze.

"I'm sorry I didn't know there would be the three of you."