BEYOND THE BOUNDS: A DAY OF UNPLANNED LESSON

 

Ndakuona! 

Iwe! 

Ima ima!

Ndikulasa!

Ndakugwira!

Unfortunately he missed. 

It was a Saturday the 14th of June, 2008 and I was in Form 2 at one of the Community Day Secondary Schools in Chileka. I had my own inner circle of two good friends, and we would do most of the things together eating, reading, and studying, it was a good crew and I was happy with it.

There was a game, Malawi was playing against Egypt, unfortunately, our school lacked certain amenities (I can't quite recall if a TV was among them), and couldn't broadcast the match. Our crew loved football, I played for the school team, and I was involved in competitions like Coca-Cola back then when Coca-Cola was Coca-Cola whilst my friends loved to watch football. So, on this day we decided and agreed that there was no way we would miss this game, we were determined. Slated for a 6:00PM kickoff, we decided to sneak out. Our school did not have a fence but had a gate made of wire, so we did not have to hustle to climb over we just passed through. 

We aimed for a nearby video show, which charged MK10 per head for football matches, a steep price compared to movie screenings., each one of us paid for himself, and we went in. Inside, it was hot and crowded, the air was filled with a heavy mix of sweat from spectators. The flicker of the screen revealed familiar faces; many were schoolmates. I even heard someone calling my name from the back;

Oliver! 

Ndinangokweza dzanja ngati ndikuvomela roll call mkalasi. Most of the people had taken off their shirts due to the unbearable weather of the day and the fullness of the small room. When I saw that most of my schoolmates were there ndinalimba mtima kuti kukalowa Pa gate sikukavutayi. Then, I found a place to sit.

Yeaahhhhhh!

Malawi! Malawi!

The atmosphere was electrified as the game commenced. We sang the national anthem with fervor, rallying behind the Flames with high hopes.

“Game tidya iyi!” I could hear people saying

By halftime the score was still deadlocked.

“Ma guys ku geli ndiye chabaya” one of my schoolmates informed us

I saw a good number of them going and even some saying that they won’t be coming back. My friends and I, however, stayed, eager to see the match through.

Haaaaah! 

A collective groan of disappointment rose when the Pharaohs of Egypt scored the second and winning goal. The game ended 2-0, and the Flames lost to the Pharaohs of Egypt. Now it was time to go back to the campus. I started off with my two friends and we were joined by three more colleagues, we were now six in total. 

“Ma guy ndiye mwati tikalowa bwanji?” I asked

One of the guys said it would be better if we use the gate because the guard at that time could be moving around the campus. We agreed and went towards the gate. 

“Komano a guard akangotiona wina aliyense ayendele yaketu eti” my other friend commented 

“Okay” we responded in unison

No sooner had we entered than a voice halted us.;

“Eeeh, ndiye chani chimenecho”

We knew it was the guard, all of us went in a free mode, tinayamba kuthamanga wina aliyense m’mene waimvelera. The guard was confused, he didn’t know who to catch, but in a situation like this one he did exactly what I could have done, he just focused on one person (luckily it was not me) bearing in mind that once he catches him, avula zigoba azinzake. I was wearing slippers on that day, when I got into the hostel I aimed at my resting place took my duvet and covered myself with my slippers on. At this point I did not care kuti ma friends alikuti, I was more concerned of my safety than theirs. 

Outside, the guard's footsteps filled the air, seeking whom to catch so that tomorrow he should have a good tell to his bosses.

“Ndikudziwa muli mom’muno, ndikangokugwirani mundidziwa” He threatened

I could not move an inch, and once silence returned, I emerged from my hiding, only for a friend to burst in moments later, marveling at another's unexpected speed in eluding our would-be captor, who, despite his age, had given chase with surprising vigor.;

“Man, Dusto (Not his real name) amathamanga chonchija?” He wondered

That was the same question and wonder I had because I had seen his speed and my eyes could not believe it because he was in his 60’s, he ran as if he was in his 20’s. That night marked the end of my escapades beyond the school's boundaries without permission.

Written By Oliver Kasito Jnr