Why my marriage failed

Part 6

By Henry

Train hard, fight easy was the motto at the training school. It was Kenya Defense Forces academy. I managed to secure an opportunity to be part of the qualified young military forces candidates. This is after I finished grade 12. At this time, I was 18 years old. Yes, I was very young and ambitious. I had received my national identity two months earlier.

At the training, I was made a man out of a boy. Waking up early and starting the training. Walking and competing in the muddy swampy areas, using robes to get to the other side of the river, rescue techniques, ironing clothes, polishing shoes, surviving on half a loaf of bread for more than a week… This is the factory that refined me.

After the pass out, I went home and my belongings were taken to Mombasa, Nyali Barracks which was my reporting station. At home, everybody was happy. I remember my mum welcoming me home with a salute,  afande karibu nyumbani… Dad would always cough and say; that my askari…

Dad called me one evening aside. We were alone at home. My mother had gone to Jumuiya. She loved her church so much and also had empathy for the vulnerable people in our surroundings. That day they were going to a neighbouring village.

‘Son, I know you have a lot to do for this country.’

‘Yes, dad.’

‘Now you are a man. I know you spent almost a year in the training. The security of this country is in your hands. You have been trained and you have successfully completed.’

‘Yes, dad.’

‘That aside, am also getting old daily. I need your ear.’

‘I’m listening dad.’

‘There is this young girl I want you to marry. She’s 13 years old…’

‘Dad that’s a child….’

‘I told you to listen to me. I know the law more than what you learned at the academy. Don’t forget am a teacher by profession…’

‘Okay, dad.’

‘Before you interrupted me, I was saying this young girl is in grade seven. The parents died in a road accident. The good thing about her is that she is intelligent and her guardians can’t afford to further her studies after grade eight.’

‘I’m listening dad.’

‘So I want you to take the responsibilities of educating her. After her studies at the university, you will then officially marry her. What do you think son?’

‘That’s a good idea but how will start yet I don’t know her or her family members?’

‘Leave that to me. I wanted to prepare you psychologically that as you go back to the barracks, you have a responsibility behind.’

Serah was the name of the girl my dad told me. She passed her exams. By the time she was sitting for her final primary education, we were familiar. I had taken her to a boarding school. We used to visit her in school with my parents. She made us proud by being among the top ten students in the country and the first one in my home county.

We did her school shopping and she was ready to join Starehe Girls High School. My promise to her was to help her achieve the dream of becoming a neuro surgeon. She got this dream through the motivation books I used to give while in school. The book Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Curson helped her a lot. The story of the author taught her that education with perseverance will solve your life challenges.

She loved sciences a lot. Yes she was an A student but her interest was science, the medical environment was her dream. During her holidays, we agreed with my mum she would be taking her around top hospitals to familiarize herself. Take her to medical exhibitions and talk shows on health. My mother didn’t fail me in that. She knew afande will arrest her if she can’t obey the command!

Again she passed in her final secondary school national exams. She was leading in the country. The newspaper and television headline; GIRL BEATS BOYS IN EXAMS. I smiled and was happy for her. I was also happy that my wife-to-be is making headlines in the country.

I remembered that what a parent chooses for you, don’t question it. I prayed for a long life to my lovely parents. Their wife's decision for me deserved more than a golden trophy.

She was called to the University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus. As usual, with the help of my family, we did the shopping and provided all the necessary needed for her studies. Her course duration was six years. This was the first time I bought a smart phone for her and a laptop. The gadgets were from Apple manufacturers. She deserved this for making me and my family happy.

During her long holidays, she would visit me at Mombasa with the company of my sister. My colleagues at barracks thought she was my sister. This is because she was of the same age as my sister and we also looked alike.

She was attached to Kenyatta National Hospital during her internship period. I would visit her to see the progress and hear testimonies on her dream come true opportunity. She looked more beautiful in her scrubs dressing. Her smile was what made me forget other points during our conversation.

On her graduation ceremony, I invited my colleagues, and by this time I was given the rank of a major. This is a rank that is involved in decision-making in the military. My parents also came with a bus full of church members and my dad Toyota Harrier with the company of few elders and my high school principal.

They heard the news the graduand was a wife to be and she was going to be crowned as Dr. Serah. She was going to be awarded her first degree in neurosurgery. On top of that, she passed with first-class honor.

We were seated at the graduation square by 8am as per the graduation program. The first faculty was Agriculture which had almost a thousand graduands, Faulty of Arts which had almost two thousand, Faculty of Built Environment and Design, Faculty of Business Management Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Engineering… I was waiting for that Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Surgery…

First-class honor Serah… there were whistles, ululations, horns blown. We made the professor reading the graduands names pause for a moment. I was happy with my people.

I communicated to mum and dad to take the visitors to Serena Hotels. I had booked a place for the celebrations and all meals and drinks were catered for, the Ball Room was reserved for my guest. They left early to the venue booked then later I was to join them with the company of Dr. Serah. They agreed with me and obeyed my wish.

I told my brother to wait for me in the car as I go for Dr. Serah. We had parked our car at Hotel Boulevard, which is along Harry Thuku road. I was in my black suit, white shirt, and red tie. All of them were well-ironed as per the military training and my black shoes well-polished.

I meet with Dr. Serah in the company of a man. All of them were in their gowns and they were happy. Of course, this was their day and they deserved all the best of being happy.

‘This is Dr. Tom, a son to one of the Cabinet Secretary in this country. He has been there for me since I joined this course.’

‘My pleasure Dr. Tom and thanks for being there for Dr. Serah …’

‘Sorry for cutting you short, am also sorry for the news am going to give you. What I meant is that Dr. Tom is my fiancée…’

    Photo Courtesy: Google