As soon as the bottle was finished, he decided to leave immediately, not wanting to stay while the gate of the house was just opening and a young man wearing sports clothes appeared. Fear gripped him, and he even blamed himself for coming to that street.
----
Siyawezi arrived home around sunset. That day, he found that his father had not yet returned. It had been a long time since the students he was in the same class with had returned home, but he had only arrived at that hour and had no trouble at all—it was normal for him. He had endured punishment and strictness before, his body had felt all sorts of discipline, yet he remained stubborn and unwilling to understand what his parents had tried to teach him, beyond repeating the same behaviors.
Entering the yard, he was met with a sharp gaze from his mother, who was sweeping away debris. He was not intimidated; he simply greeted her as if nothing had happened. Even though it was well known that he was late, he behaved as if it was routine.
"So, greetings. Do you see? Perhaps you can cleanse your foolishness. What time is this for you to come home, child? Do you want me to send someone here to help with the other tasks like my colleagues?" She did not accept any greeting beyond reprimands due to his lateness.
When Siyawezi noticed his mother raising her voice further, he decided to slip his hand into his school skirt. He took out a note for five thousand shillings and handed it forcefully, saying nothing. His mother exhaled as if cold water had been poured on her and looked at him briefly. She softened her tone, "My child, life doesn't work like that, I am showing you mercy. You will be sent to the countryside to your grandmother to finish school there. Your father is tired, and what he did yesterday when he disciplined you, that's what I mean. You will go study on the farm until you finish; mind your own business."
Her words shocked him. He did not expect such a decision given his repeated disobedience and disregard for warnings. By giving his mother money, he effectively acknowledged the plan she had, understanding it as a corrective measure for his behavior. To him, it was a startling realization, and he knew his father would not fail to enforce it if decided.
"My child, please, starting tomorrow wake up early, go to school without fail, and do not be late. Today I hear there is a plan for you to meet with a teacher who will observe you, and if you fail to change, it will be enforced. Tomorrow, you will meet the headteacher at school. If you want to stay here, behave properly and complete all your tasks; that plan will be abandoned." She explained in a low voice, making Siyawezi agree before she went inside.
Although both parents seemed to have a unified stance, one continued to speak ambiguously. She did not reveal important matters regarding their daughter's future and continued leaking trivial plans. Everything seemed focused on money and minor issues, which she could not share with her husband. Upon receiving money from her daughter, she decided firmly to support her side.
She knew her child's misbehavior inside and out, even more than her husband, but there were hidden aspects she kept secret. She understood that the money was a product of her daughter's rebellious behavior, yet she saw no problem, as it would resolve other matters she preferred to keep undisclosed. The worry gnawed at everything until she became dependent on her child, almost turning against her husband.
--
"Hey, you know that girl brings me packages I don't understand. If you try to hold her bag, she won't just say anything. At night I sneak behind their place, and she doesn't pick up the phone," complained a young man sitting on stones near the football field.
"Then adjust yourself. If it's like that, understand, some senior decided to take action against you," someone advised.
"I met her today. She told me she already gave it, but I haven't seen it. She brings her gifts," he replied.
One of them laughed loudly at this and said, "Listen, yesterday I was with Mudi, after getting that orange, the senior got frustrated. He went out into the night streets in the dark. The man told me to hold him, slap him, and shake him. The girl didn't know it was you. The man told me to keep it secret, but I will tell you now."
"Ah! Mudi… you know, I dealt with it, I took the fruit to strike, you know, if you touch it, he will look for you, making it difficult to hold. That girl is quite something; the man ruined everything for me," another added.
"So, calm down now. You didn't get anything else. But that situation happened. You paid him as if he worked hard, and the girl doesn't know, neither does Mudi," someone else advised.
"From what Ali said, I see the girl didn't betray you, and stop boasting in the dark when you see in the light. Another day you will get there and handle it, you'll see," another joked, and everyone laughed, even the one whose plans were ruined had no choice but to join.
Surprisingly, even his father noticed the next morning. Upon waking, he found the entire house swept and cleaned. The time was very early, even before those going to school had left. He nearly refused; it wasn't Siyawezi, whom he knew, but the one waking up had to be disciplined and reminded by his mother.
He remained quiet, responding to greetings, and continued with his preparations for daily activities. By the time he was ready, the daughter had already left for school, which surprised him, as it was unusual. This disrupted his plan for the day, and he decided to remove it from his schedule to continue with other matters.
Siyawezi decided to comply carefully, after receiving that warning. He knew his mother was not someone to underestimate. When it came to giving such a warning, he trusted her immediately. Even when entering the street on his way to school, those who knew him were surprised by his early departure.
The girl joined a group of students going to school, who also found it unusual to accompany her. At school that day, she attended class normally, maintaining cleanliness and participating fully in activities until break time, surprising many.
The first class began, and she conducted herself properly, without showing the usual mischief or attitude that others were accustomed to. The teacher was surprised to see her, as this was not her usual behavior, and even when questioned, she maintained composure, while others continued with their prideful chatter.