After the exams, I learnt that the boy's eye had not been badly injured. However, my father, a medical officer, had been summoned to the school to assist the boy with medical care. Now that he was involved, I would have to face his wrath and that of the school, which piled more anxiety on me, making the day feel never-ending. I kept my composure regardless, becauseas I asked myself, "What else could I have done?" Luckily, that Friday was the last school day for the standard seven class. Other classes would continue for another week before closing the following Friday. I, therefore, knew there was enough time to face my predicament before starting the final term of my schooling.
Nobody said anything to me that day, not even during the following weekend. The silence was very punishing. It was akin to the period before a tsunami, when all goes silent as the sea retreats, then comes back to strike with viciousness. The longer the silence, the more ferocious the incoming wave. I thought the silence was because the headmaster was preparing a grandsevere punishment for me and needed time.
Monday morning came, and I was back at school. As we assembled in the morning parade, I knew I was among those to face punishment that day and was waiting to hear the headmaster announce: "Mūcemi Kanyugo, see me after the parade."
I was known solely by the name Mūcemi Kanyugo. I had no Christian name because my father gave his children the freedom to choose their church and when to get baptised. I tried a few churches but could not reconcile with what they took me through. I gave up on getting baptised and did not even bother to give myself a Christian name.
But while looking for a church to get baptised, I became curious to know about Christianity, religion and God. Why do human beings need religion? Who is God? Why and what is it to believe in Him? What about other religions apart from Christianity? These are questions that have persisted since then.