Three days after his mother's burial, Jacob was ready to leave for his motherland. He had no big regrets about leaving Musani's homestead, and as his mother had said, the man never liked him anyway.
His only regret was leaving Bukirwa behind. Jacob loved Bukirwa as one would love his real brother.
Bukirwa was probably his greatest friend and ally at Musani's home. Jacob was sure he was going to miss him as a true friend.
He had no doubts Bukirwa also appreciated him; especially the help Jacob had given him during their studies together. They both expected to do well in the final national examinations at the end of their primary education.
Jacob picked up the small bag he found at his mother's house and began packing. He packed three old shirts and pairs of trousers; one pair of trousers was sewn at the knees and waist where it was torn.
He had no money; his mother had not told him where to search. Indeed a search at her house had yielded little benefit; he only found a few old coins he knew could not even make him take a bus to Kampala.
But he was determined to leave, with or without money. He would just leave, even if it meant walking all the way to his homeland.
He would have been happier at his determination to leave had he known that Musani was already contemplating asking him to leave his homestead and go in search of his real father in Kenya.
Jacob's only other valuable possession apart from the bag he carried was the Marian silver medal and the golden necklace he wore on his neck.
As he was leaving the compound on a cold October morning, he called Bukirwa aside and began talking to him, "My dear brother and friend, Bukirwa, I have got to say farewell to you. I'm going back to Kenya."
"Why are you going? Must you really go?" Bukirwa looked at his friend, his eyes pleading. "I know they don't like you here, but you could still hang around. As always, we would stand together against them, two against the rest. I can always shield you just in case; remember, I am your friend, eh?"
"No, Bukirwa." Jacob, who had already made up his mind, added: "It's true you are my best friend here. But what can you do against a majority that doesn't like or want me around? I must go back to my native land, although I know I will really miss you. It almost breaks my heart, but I must go back to Kenya and leave you here."
Bukirwa quite understood his friend; his determination. Over the years, he had known Jacob as determined, resolute, and aggressive but in a positive
way once he took a decision.
Bukirwa accepted defeat and agreed to let him go. "Okay, you may leave. But I hope you will one day come back to see us; especially the place where your mother once lived and is buried."
"I surely will," he promised. "Let me bid my sister farewell."
He found Nabbu in the kitchen where she was preparing tea. She had grown into a beautiful girl who inherited her mother's features and knew most of the domestic chores; her major preoccupation being cooking, sewing, and gardening.
She was, however, short and slender with a light complexion. Her black hair was long, tied at the back by a white ribbon.
"Nabbu," Jacob called out loudly as he stood outside the kitchen. "Come here! I've got to see you before I leave."
She came out hurriedly holding the plates she had been washing. Her dark, sexy, and beautiful eyes appeared troubled. She was alarmed and queried almost immediately, "Where are you going?"
"I am leaving for Kenya. Our mother instructed me to go and meet our grandfather who lives there."
"How will you reach there, seeing that you have no money?" She knew he was penniless.
"I will walk but also ask for a lift. When I reach Kampala, I should be able to get a lift from a Good Samaritan to Kenya.:
"Will you come back?"
"I don't know. May be, may be not!" He said, his face frowning.
"Please come back, Jacob. There's no one to talk to or listen to for advice now that you are leaving." Nabbu spoke as she recalled the days she used to sit together with Jacob at their mother's side, listening to her stories full of wisdom, which they both liked and enjoyed.
Even as she talked, Nabbu fought back tears, which threatened to roll down her eyes. It was quite a heartfelt moment for him as he thought he may probably never see his dear sister again.
He was definitely going to miss her, his only sister who had proved quite responsible and caring during their mother's short illness from the snake bite.
"I'll try," he replied as he tried to console her.
"Go well then, and may the Good Lord take care of you always."
"Amen," he said, walking away to join Bukirwa, who was still waiting for him.
As they were leaving, Bukirwa suggested: "I will go with you up to the gate."
"That's okay with me."
The two boys walked along the path as they headed to the road. Then Bukirwa tried once more to make Jacob change his mind, "Please stay, brother. You and I could start something here in the village and be envied by many people."
"No, Bukirwa." He retorted, "There are great challenges ahead of me. I must reach Kenya no matter how long it takes. Life is quite a big puzzle that must be solved."
Bukirwa gave up. He knew it would be futile trying to persist in his efforts to convince his friend to change his mind. He decided to remain silent as they walked.
At the gate, Jacob seemed to remember something.
"What is it?" Bukirwa asked when he saw his friend frowning.
"My certificate. I only have my school leaving certificate with me. but now that I am going away how do I get my national examinations certificate when it comes out?" He asked as he requested, "Promise me that you will post it to me when I reach Kenya. I will write to you."
"You can relax. I will do it. Of course you know our school address, just use it because I will often be checking the mail that comes to school."
They were now out of the compound and standing on the road. Here, they decided to split.
"So long, Bukirwa. I will always remember you as my best friend at Mubende," said Jacob as he struggled to fight back tears from his eyes.
"Bye Jacob! Remember this: as long as I am still alive, you will always be my friend and I will come to you. I'll try to find you."
The two boys shook hands. Then Bukirwa turned his back and started walking back towards his home, his head bowed down in thoughts.
Jacob watched his friend walk away and knew he had left behind a true friend and brother. He watched him for a few minutes and then decided to proceed to Kampala.
The journey had begun.