At the Frontline. Part 1

The night was dark…….unusually dark. No moon and no stars tonight.

A faint and distant whistle reached my ears. It was time! We had prepared for weeks on end. Tonight was the night! It was now or never. Faintly, another whistle, I quietly crawled out of my bed, there was no need to wake them. They would ask questions and I was ready to answer any. I quickly pulled on my faded blue denim jeans. I grabbed my wind breaker from the wall. I put on my gloves and picked up my racksack and heaved it onto my back. This is it! (pun intended) I was going . I opened the dor and walked out of my room for the last time without even taking a final glance. As I reached the front door, I had a movement within the house, if they found out, my chances of making it to the whistler would be trashed. I slid out of the door quietly and locked it again.

I managed to sneak out of the house in a record 7 mins 27 seconds without switching on any light.

The chill and slight drizzle welcomed me into the pick balck night. I shoved my gloved hands into my pockets and I walked away from home.  I reached the hilltop without incident and when I looked at the house that had been home to me for 19 years, I stifled back a tear. I missed home!

I summoned my courage and walked towards the blinking lights…..our signal. The truck had come. We were now fighters. As I neared the truck, I hear muffled voices and even recognized some. Jeff and Richard had come too. The big uniformed guy, he had told us to call him ‘Genera’, signalled us to board the truck. The journey had begun.

They said we were the young blood that would clean the country of its misdeeds. With nothing but hope, we followed them.

To be continued…..

Confession – part II

I told you how ‘she’ was calling and texting. Well things have gone to another level, every Friday evening, she calls and says she is going to the salon. Results are sent via email on Monday mornings.

Honestly, I am loving what I see! She has gone through alot just for me. One evening she called and promised to stay with me for as long as it takes.

There is this weekend that she made extra special by surprising me with a visit. I was busy minding my own business on a slow Saturday afternoon, when a call came through. The caller said I had a guest to pick at Kampala Coach offices on Jinja Rd. I hop on to the next boda and cruise down there. Lo and Behold! Who is here? None but herself……..the shock, the joy, the surprise all mixed engulfed me!

A quick tour of Kampala was quickly planned. Sunday evening saw her board the bus again for the return trip. As the bus pulled out of the parking, I walked away feeling lonely and sad.

I did not run…..my legs wanted to but my heart did not!