Early in the morning in the quiet village of Sagawaita, Alec Sigilai sat thoughtfully in the sitting room of his modest two-bedroom house, waiting for breakfast. His daughter Becky was the subject of his thoughts. He could only imagine how hard life had become for her. She had confided in him about her experiences at Kararan Academy, and the sadness in her eyes had struck him deeply. He had no doubt—this was the most difficult period of her life.
He pictured her struggle to adjust to her new reality: a painful, unofficial separation, the disgrace of being the abandoned wife of a once-admired army officer, and the heartbreak that still lingered, raw and unresolved.
Becky was still very young. Too young, perhaps, to carry such a heavy burden. And maybe, she missed her husband and child terribly.
Yes, she was very young. He had married her off shortly after high school, never bothering to send her to college. What a disastrous mistake. How could he—once a teacher—have failed to support the intellectual development of his own daughter?
It had all begun the moment Becky showed up with a man. The young man appeared deeply in love, and Alec, after doing a little digging, learned he was a high-ranking military officer with an impressive payslip. And he had begun to picture him through the lenses of military uniform. The prestige. The promise of a secure life. It all seemed so perfect. He found no problem accepting to marry off his 18-year-old daughter. He was handing her a bright future and a guaranteed happiness both wrapped up in one bundle.
But had his decision not been vindicated —at least for a while? Becky appeared happy, especially after they were blessed with a child.
It had been so bewildering when out of the blue, it all fell apart. Tesot, once so sensible and educated, lent his ears to the archaic counsel of tribal elders. How could Alec have known the man he trusted with his daughter's future would turn out to be so weak—so gullible?
What troubled him even more was Tesot's failure to educate Becky further. A man of his stature and exposure should have enlightened, not diminished, his wife. But now, the burden had returned to Alec. Regret clawed at him.
He had to make it right.
He would help Becky find her footing again—starting with her education.
She was lost because of him. And he had to prepare her to face the world that now lay ahead.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Becky entered the room carrying his breakfast—a thermos flask in one hand, and a plate of omelet in the other.
She placed them on the table and walked to the cupboard to fetch a cup. She set it next to the flask.
"Your breakfast, Daddy. Welcome," she said, beginning to walk away.
"My daughter," Sigilai called out just as she reached the doorway.
She turned to face him. He had already opened the thermos and was pouring the steaming tea into his cup.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Come back. We need to talk."
Becky returned, curious about what he wanted to discuss.
"I've been thinking," he began. "Your education was cut short when you got married. You never went to college. And now, the man you sacrificed your future for has cast you aside so dishonorably. But who knows? This could be a blessing in disguise. Perhaps now is the time to reclaim what you lost. I want you to go back to school. It's important—for your future, for your personal development. What do you think?"
Becky stared at him, surprised. His eyes were filled with fatherly concern.
She hadn't expected this. Since meeting Tesot, the thought of going back to school hadn't even crossed her mind. Her father awaited a response. But what would she study?
Seeing the uncertainty on her face, he added, "You don't have to decide now. Take a week to think it over."
That was fair. She promised to do some research. At least her father still cared. He always had, and she knew he always would. She had no intention of letting him down. She would go back to school—if not for herself, then for him.
But she needed guidance.
There was only one person in the village she could turn to: Sara, a medical student at Moi University. Though younger than her, Sara was resourceful and wise beyond her years.
She had seen her a few days ago walking back from church and learned she would only be home for a few weeks. There was no time to waste.
After clearing the breakfast table and doing the dishes, Becky left for Sara's home. It was a short ten-minute walk.
In no time, Becky arrived. Sarah, armed with a long cane, was letting the cattle out of their shed, preparing to drive them to the river before grazing them.
The animals walked in a neat single file along the narrow track. Becky stepped aside to give them room. Sarah, following behind the last cow, hadn't noticed her yet.
"Good morning, Sarah," Becky called out, making Sarah jump.
"Hey! Becky, do you have to sneak up on people like that?" she gasped.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just stood aside to let the cows pass."
Sarah relaxed and chuckled. "Oh, it's alright. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"And your son? Mum told me you went to visit him at the Academy yesterday."
"She already knows?"
"I guess your mum told her. They're friends, you know."
"Well, it was hectic."
"Hectic? What do you mean?"
"You won't believe it. My presence at the school wasn't welcomed. I even got arrested for trespassing. But someone came through for me."
"What? Arrested? How?"
"Kiplimo's father. He found out I went there and ordered my arrest."
"Oh no, that's awful! I'm so sorry, Becky."
"It's okay now. I'm fine."
"But… did you get to see him?"
"Yes. The man who helped me made arrangements so I could see him."
"That was kind of him. So, how's the boy doing?"
"He's doing really well."
"He must have grown so much."
"Oh yes, he's a big boy now."
Sarah glanced ahead and noticed the cows were drifting too far. "I'd better catch up before they wander into someone's farm and land me in trouble. You go home—Mum's there. Probably sipping tea. Join her. I'll be back soon."
"If you don't mind, I'd rather come with you. I have something important I want to talk about."
"You won't say hello to Mum?"
"I will, another time. This can't wait."
"Well, come along then. What's going on?"
They walked quickly to catch up with the herd.
"Sarah," Becky began, "my father wants me to go back to school."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
"He asked me what I think about it, but I honestly don't know. I'm not sure I can even grasp anything in class anymore."
"Of course you can! Don't doubt yourself."
"He wants feedback soon. I'm lost."
"But Becky, this is a good thing. Your father truly means well."
"I know. But I'm confused. I don't even know what course I'd want to take."
Sarah paused. "What was your mean grade in high school?"
"C plain."
"What? That's a solid grade! Why didn't you go to college right after school?"
"It was that fool. From the moment I met him, I thought I had everything. I didn't see the need for school."
"I get it." Sarah nodded sympathetically. "So, what do you think you'd enjoy doing now?"
"I don't know, Sarah. That's the problem."
"Alright. Let me give you some ideas. There are many options—education, nursing, accounting, secretarial work, or technical courses like textile design, catering, hairdressing… The list is long. Do any of those interest you?"
They discussed each option at length, weighing the pros and cons. In the end, Becky settled on nursing. Sarah had a wealth of knowledge on the field—after all, she was on her way to becoming a doctor. Becky didn't qualify for medicine, but nursing would still place her in a hospital setting, and that excited her.
By the time they reached the river, the cattle had begun to drink eagerly. Once they were satisfied, Sarah turned them back, planning to leave them in a paddocked plot until lunchtime.
"Good choice," Sarah said. "Now you know what to tell your dad. I'll organize for your admission letter as soon as I get back to school."
"Thank you so much, Sarah. I'm really glad I came to you."
"Anytime, Becky. I'm here for you."
"I should head back now."
"No! You promised to come for tea," Sarah reminded her as they reached the gate and opened it to let the cows in.
"Forgive me, Sarah. Dad's alone at home. Mum hasn't returned from the market, and he might be wondering where I am. I'll come another time. I promise."
"Alright."
Becky walked back home, feeling hopeful. When she arrived, it was almost lunchtime. Her father sat outside, listening to the radio. He saw her, but said nothing—perhaps he was hungry.
Becky rushed to the kitchen, where she had left beans boiling in a clay pot. She added firewood and began cooking rice. In ten minutes, the food was ready. She served it in a hot pot and brought it to her father.
"Daddy, I've thought about what you asked me, and I have an answer."
She explained her decision, and her father was visibly pleased. Three weeks later, her admission letter arrived. She had been selected to join the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Kericho campus.