THEFT OF HIS INNOCENCE (Title inspired by Jahaziel’s song “Theft of My Innocence”)

PART 1 – BOYS WILL ALWAYS BE BOYS

Iwe! Iwe! Iwe! (Learners could be heard chanting)

‘Amayo mwendo wangaaaaaaaaa!’ Sapu complained.

‘Eeeeh Iwe! Musiye mzako! Chikuchitika ndi chani?’ Teacher asked

‘Amandiyamba dala,’ Chipweteko responded

‘Taona wamuvulaza mzako,’ the teacher shouted

‘Amayooooooooo!’ Sapu cried even louder

The atmosphere in the school grew tense as everyone watched to see what fate would befall Chipweteko after his recent actions. Word of his deeds had quickly spread to Mrs. Kanjiku, the school's director. She was widely known as "Mnthetsamwano" due to her unique approach to handling mischievous and arrogant students.

‘Chipweteko, in my office now!’ Mnthetsamwano bellowed

Chipweteko braced himself, knowing he was in deep trouble.

Despite being one of the most reserved students in his class, Chipweteko was known for his calm demeanor, good looks, modesty, and friendliness. He had a tight-knit group of friends, the most notable being twins Ajako and Azawo. Ajako, with his huge head, was exceptionally intelligent. The adage, "The bigger the head, the wiser the person," seemed tailor-made for him. Ajako embodied this saying perfectly. Azawo, on the other hand, was small, lean, and short yet remarkably tough. He had a penchant for action movies like RAMBO and NINJAS, often skipping classes to watch them. His sense of humor was undeniable.

The trio, each with distinct personalities, formed a strong bond. Disagreeing with one meant confronting all three. They each had their preferred seating in the classroom. Azawo liked to sit among the girls, often choosing a spot in the front row or any place where girls sat alone, whether at the back or in the middle. Chipweteko preferred the safety of the middle rows, out of reach from the teachers' whips that usually targeted the front or back rows. His cautious nature had spared him from many punishments. Ajako, who enjoyed the buzz of the back rows and loved sharing stories, chose to sit there. He was a bit of a rebel, but his intelligence made him a favorite among the teachers.

‘Chipweteko, Ajako! Tiyeni ku break,’ Azawo said

‘Tiyeni!Tiyeni!,’ they responded in unison

Exiting the classroom and heading towards the snack vendors, they encountered Sapu and his companions. Mockingly, Sapu ridiculed Chipweteko for his slightly torn shoes. From an affluent family, Sapu had access to finer things and only struggled academically.

‘Ha ha ha! Shoes like boats’ Sapu jeered.

Chipweteko, was quick to anger, retaliated without hesitation, sparking a brawl as Ajawo, Azawo, and Sapu's friends joined in. The commotion was audible from afar. In a twist of irony, Chipweteko struck Sapu with the very shoe he mocked, injuring Sapu's ankle.

‘What happened?’ demanded Mnthetsamwano.

Chipweteko started to explain; ‘Anayambitsa ndi………….

‘English in my office!’ Mnthetsamwano interrupted.

A knock was heard at the door before Chipweteko could continue

‘Come in’ Mnthetsamwano responded to the knock.

Mr. Thamo, Chipweteko's teacher and a revered educator, entered. Rumors of an affair with the director followed him, but his teaching prowess was incontrovertible.

‘What's the news?’ Mnthetsamwano inquired gently.

‘Sapu's been taken to the hospital. He has a dislocated ankle,’ Mr. Thamo reported.

Chipweteko thought to himself that Sapu must have fragile bones.

‘See what you've done?’ Mnthetsamwano scolded.

‘Bring your parents tomorrow, or don't bother coming back.’

This spelled trouble for Chipweteko, who anticipated no support from his parents, only further punishment.

To be continued...

Written by Oliver Kasito Jnr