Chapter one🦋
He sat by the window in the long car everyone else called a bus because it had very many chairs and was big and long.
Completely closed off.
Everything was active next to him.
He leaned back in his chair as the long box passed by trees, and busy streets with vendors; hands clutched tightly on the bend with a painful expression on his face. Tyres that he now thought were set as an element of torture directly under his seat collided with deep holes and bumps causing his heavy mass to jump continuously .
He let out a strangled breath as they hit the last bump and relaxed releasing his tight hold on the bend.
Daniel had crouched himself to the side and talking to Janie. Teachers also looked to be deep in conversation with each other not minding the continuous chatter of the students in the bus. They laughed loudly at anything funny their neighbors said much more to his disadvantage as all noise came from behind him . He shrieked as a high chuckle rose from Janie . Daniel should have said something funny that now she was on his lap.
He closed his eyes, listening to everything around him as the bus sped by a high pitched sound that he thought was possibly from the ice cream man.
The sun glazed brightly on his soft skin giving him the slightest warmth as the wind blew violently through the small window just next to him. Honks and rumbles of traveling vehicles that signalled they were already in Njala town sounded distant as he concentrated. The headache was back again. It seemed normal to him as it was happening non stop in the past few weeks.
Releasing a breath, he opened his eyes , allowing himself to let free and forget everything that was now a burden to him.
The bus trailed along Off street passing by shops, supermarkets, boutiques,. Libraries, and Njala park that the mayor had donated to the people of Njala town. Kids were playing on swings, chasing each other, playing soccer in the small field on the left while their parents sat on the benches and small picnic tables under the mango trees.
His eyes landed on the bouncing castle and the small swimming pool that their father always brought them to during their kindergarten. However, the same place he met a girl who was now best friend to his twin , was the same place he dreaded . Memories ignited and he forced them back . Not intending to give a show of him crying curled up in a ball in his bus seat to the people who respected and adored him.
Different smells of roasted liver , chicken, meat , bananas filled the bus. People with different food stuffs and soft drinks had somehow fought their way to the bus windows as it waited in jam. They shouted and pushed one another trying to find space to sell their merchandise to the customers . Vendors ran after different vehicles as they started moving to get their money.
"Wooowe " a woman cried running after the bus trying to catch her note before it drove any further. Conrad laughed at the sight suddenly finding it humourous.
The driver stopped allowing the two to trade before turning on the road with a sign that read, 'Sunset🌠. He was familiar with this place. The first house on the lane was Mr Mutabazi's the most beautiful one followed by a trail of trees that made a forest leading to Jessica's farm. Then the mayor's house, it was a beautiful mordern residence with a big arch on the gate designed in black and cream. It looked lively and extravagant.
The bus continued down the road and turned a corner that led to his house . He could see his mother through the small square holes on the big gate hanging clothes on the wire outside. She looked happy which made him smile; a true smile🙂
Next was a public library one hundred rulers from his house and then a flower garden with roses and daisies . Sunset street was something else ; very organized and beautiful 😍
Men and women jogged by the bus as it stopped letting school kids cross to the other side where a small kindergarten was .
A large billboard with a poster showing Jessica's sister , Cathy posing with other stars stood firmly nailed in the ground. He recognized the movie 'Love Money💰 where Cathy played as the 'angel of pirates.
The bus halted on the road block and the conductor opened the door to let the security guard do his work. He must have found everything right as he moved out and instructed his colleague to remove the block and let them in. They were now approaching their destination. The sun gleamed so brighlty through the front mirror as they came to the view of 'sunset pictures.
Sunset was set with a bewitching sweet aura; a romantic, tantalizing, beauty. It was an eyeful to the curious teens in the bus; handsome, lofty, with windows that were large expanses of floor to ceiling glass providing a dramatic view and introducing a natural light deep into the interior.
In the wash of the new light, the beauty took on an appearance of an old photograph, one of nostalgia; so beautiful. They watched as they came into focus with the building. It was an extravagant white marble monument to love . Couples moved starry-eyed around the fountain , the small book library on the right side corner to a bed of roses on a tail that led to a restaurant. Some looked through the windows looking dreamily at whatever was there . Little wonder it should be the showpiece of the city built specifically to highlight that Eugene planned not to make any kind statement with this asset ' sunset pictures.
The bus stopped in the long-stay parking and the students filed out eager to catch more candy for their eyes. Sunset pictures, was a teardrop to the face of eternity.
With the permission of the headteacher, the film club had come as far as Njala district for their research project .
Conrad was the face of the club; 6'2tall, well built athletic body, brown clear skin and handsome. He had a godly look to him. Together with the designated jacket for prefects, he came off as hot and caught a number of girls gawking at him. He appeared too manly for highschool. He was grateful that he was in his last year at JF Kennedy academy .
Conrad stayed close to his best friend as Eugene;the film director and owner of Sunset pictures showed them around. The interior was equally as beautiful as the exterior. It was well furnished, secure, warm, and properly illuminated. The different rooms they passed were curtained-off to give more privacy to the actors and models. People wind their way around them too busy to acknowledge their presence. Eugene led them into a room that was open for shooting ads and movie trailers. Their project was to make an advertisement for J F Kennedy.
Black sparkling eyes caught Conrad's attention as they ascended into the room. They were framed with deep black painted arched eyebrows that emphasized her burnished complexion. Her pirate costume tailored perfectly to fit her delicate imp-thin body that tethered her wasp-waist. Lacquered and enameled by the sun ; her glow. She radiated energy and brio. She flipped her hair and her face was clear now. It was Cathy. No wonder she was called the 'angel of pirates. Daniel's tagging on his arm brought him back . She had grown so fast from the last time he saw her on her tenth birthday.He made a mental note to find her before they left for school as he followed the rest of his team inside.
No later than five, they were saying their bye and making a run for the bus. Conrad listened as Daniel babbled about his great experience at Sunset . The director had been so joyed to know of such natural talent as Daniel's that he gave him a business card in case he wanted to try out on the next auditions.
Conrad and Daniel remained behind as hungry teens fought for entry to the bus watching with amusement. They were seniors and awaiting for UACE. Fighting for seats was only for kids and they felt mature enough to wait for the commotion to end .Conrad kept himself busy looking everywhere but the bus searching for Cathy.
Conrad skipped to Cathy as soon as she was out of the building.
"Hey" he was now next to her . She turned and smiled up at him before her eyes looked back down to her phone.
"Cathy" someone called behind them . He remained stemed in his spot wondering whether she remembered him or not. She finished talking to the other guy and asked him,"who are you?" That was enough confirmation that she didn't remember him .
"I am Conrad " he said offering his hand . She just stared at his hand, then at him until he dropped his hand putting it in his pockets. She was waiting for him to explain lowering him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"a.aa I....just thought I could say hi to you but you don't even remember me or ....seem to recognize me ." Conrad smiled nervously at her. He knew she was going to act like one of those celebrities who don't have time for crazy fans who act like they are relatives.
" Well nice to meet you but I don't like strangers." She said before turning and disappearing in the far corner just at the end of the junction.
"Hey man!" He was startled at the voice behind him. Daniel just smiled at him and they walked to the bus. He looked at everyone but the floor as they glided with grace to their seats. ' I will make sure to pay them a visit during the term break' he thought as he dropped into his seat next to the window. He kept silent as the bus sped the highway to the far end of Villa town to a road leading to JF Kennedy academy.
The bus was filled with rowdy, raucous, proudmouthed, and emphatic people that didn't help the stabbing pain in his head. He slammed his face in the back of the seat in front of him. The continuous patter on senseless subjects and loud chatter only got to his nerves. He closed his eyes ostracising not to hear everyone and trying so hard to dissimulate the chaffed beast inside from blessing them with a comeback.
"Okay! Everyone take your seats!" That stopped everyone. He looked up to see his savior and it was Miss Sandie.she wore a serious face, meaning business.
"Prepare for a quick stop at Walmart." She said before taking her seat next to the driver.
"I am heading out, you coming?" Daniel asked him standing up.
" Just get me a KitKat" Conrad said opening his eyes slightly.
"Not happening! Come on." Daniel said before pulling him out and hauling him to the supermarket.
"You need to Iet loose." Daniel said as they entered the aisle with food
They separated and each took a shopping cart. They took their time selecting everything extra so they could share with Nowel and Jessica later at school. Satisfied with the items, they proceeded to the counter to pay for their stuff.
"Wow! That's a lot!" Miss Sandie said behind them.
"Couldn't forget the extra" Conrad replied referring to Nowel and Jessica.
"You sure love your sisters" Miss Sandie said before stepping aside to let them pass.'Did she say sisters?' he thought as he turned to see Miss Sandie after receiving his change.
" As much as blood could go" he said smiling deciding not to correct her and instead heading out with Daniel.
"Got everything?" Conrad asked Daniel as they exit with their heads held high .
"I think"he turned back one more time and counted the bags.
With six shopping bags each, they exit with an intention of making a show of their exit.
"Boys!" Someone called behind them making Conrad to drop his bags shouting like a little scared girl in the middle of the parking lot. This caused Miss Sandie to laugh mischievously. Conrad looked down as his face flushed with embarrassment.Daniel too had found it mirthful and was laughing his head off while holding his stomach .He looked up giving them a hard glare .Miss Sandie pushed them into the bus and resumed her seat just as the engine roared to life.
Once settled, he leaned back and let himself drift to the all familiar land of sleep. It was calming and more friendly.
"Hey!Con! Get up!" Daniel whispered nudging him .He opened his eyes and looked up out the window.They had reached school . Mr. Kasunguyira as they called him, looked up from his laptop and ordered the guard to open the gate. He was an obstreperous, and petulant man . Finding him there only meant they were to suffer a very severe punishment.
They all ran out as soon as the bus screeched to a halt in the school parking lot. It was already dark outside. The corners of his mouth turned up in a half smile as they lined up next to each other with their heads bowed down. He inspected all of the pacing back and forth .His matching was the only movement. Silence filled the place that the only other sounds heard were of crickets and their own breathing. They all he'd their breath as he stopped next to Conrad. He laughed so hard that it his voice sounded like a roaring causing them to flinch , wishing the ground could swallow them.
"Do you know the time?" He shouted in his ears after managing to hold his laugher even though it could still be heard in his voice.
They all nodded.
"It is eight sir" Conrad answered him confidently.
"I expected you to be back in the next two hours." He finally said after what felt like an hour.
" Go and prepare for dinner and meet me at the hall." He said smiling before making his way to meet the teachers who had gone as patrons.
They all released a heavy sigh when he finished talking and hurried their way to the bus to retreat their stuff and running off to dorm.
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Thy first chapter😪. This book starts with a confused and frustrated boy. 😢You know the name. Just,. Just,. Feel free to leave a comment below and vote 🌟 😊 if you love this chapter.
Enjoy and see you in chapter two
