Chapter 2 The funeral

All people wore black clothes in a very large garden. A white coffin with flowers on top there Jacob was laying dead, I still couldn't believe he was dead. I didn't like him at all but I didn't want him.to die all I did was to defend myself. The priest was preaching but I couldn't catch anything he was saying because all I was thinking was the way that stupid raped me and now he was dead, I couldn't help to feel guilty. The funeral

Jonathan was about to speak on behalf of the school and football team he played in. he said how Jacob was a good friend and how they had fun together" Jacob was kind and motivated the whole team" said Jonathan finishing his speech . All seems like I didn't know Jacob at all, the Jacob I knew was a bury, arrogance stupid, who had zero respect in girls , he just thought they were toys he could play with and dump when tired of them. Jacob's funeral was full of tears his mother was sobbing, his father was calm but he had black heads seems like he haven't slept in a while. They were grieving for their son and I was hurt too for being raped and I couldn't say anything. My mother used to say it brings bad luck to say bad about dead ones though it wasn't the only reason. Nobody was going to believe me over a dead person .In that moment I made peace with my mind, this was going to be my secret and nobody should ever no about this. I will not tell anybody." Mrs. kamanzi I am really sorry for your loss, me and my family present our condolences" My father said to Jacob's mom " thanks a lot Mr Rutamu" she replied but her words could barely leave her mouth, " If you need anything just anything don't hesitate to call me" my mother told her while hugging her. Joanna was there wearing a black dress without a collar and Clinton was sitting in next two chairs in front of me. After the funeral they served coffee and sodas which daddy took, while me and Mom head home to prepare dinner since mother said we should spend so much time together before I go to university which was in about a month....

My mom was a good cook she prepared pilaw rice with chicken, I helped her to prepare the table and when all was done daddy was home as promised. “Honey your mom said you applied in Christian university but which major are you taking? Daddy asked with a tender voice.

“I am taking financial markets" I answered in a low voice, I was sitting on table but my mind was elsewhere debating with my heart weather to tell them about rape and murder or not. “That’s my girl, how about we take a family time and go in hotel and have fun the three of us before you go" he offered. “thanks Daddy that's so sweet but I can't Joanna is having birthday party on Friday and I am really supposed to be there" I said

“If you say so but on one condition" he said daddy was always like this he liked to spend so much time with me even if it was never easy due to his job.

“Honey what's wrong? Aren’t you excited to go in city? You will have fun make a lot of friends and have even a boyfriend." mom said with excitement.

“it’s not that mom it's just that I don't know if I deserve it, I am the...." I was going to tell them but mom interrupted me again

“Don’t say such words I know it's not easy to loose a classmate but you will get through this" she said and I just nodded. After dinner I kissed mom and daddy good night and went to sleep. I had a lot to think about while in bed. I was wearing my pajamas when I received a message from Joanna" hey, tomorrow we go shopping for my party are you in?" I replied “yes JoJo anything for you birthday queen" ....

I woke up at eighty daddy made us pancakes with black tea for breakfast" look who is here, mi Amor Hannah" daddy said handing me a cup of tea. whenever daddy was home our house was full of laughter though he spent most time in business trips the little time he had with us he made most of it." thanks Daddy so how was Japan mom said u spend an entire week there ? tell us a bit about it, one day I wish I could go to there" I said trying to act cool so that nobody notices terror in my eyes " oh what can I say, Japan is cool people are so formal and value their culture so much, when you get there you feel lost but their booze are the best" he told us mom was busy with her phone talking to the client she was supposed to meet in the afternoon. Mom was a real estate agent in butare which is why she knew many people and she loved her job. I kept talking with daddy about his trip in Japan till we finished our breakfast but mom didn't finish her cup “excuse me honey, I have to go,” she said kissing daddy on “but you didn't finish your breakfast? Daddy said surprised “I know but it's really important, will you drop Hannah at Joanna's place please? she said making humble gestures" mom I can take myself, I am eighteen for God's sake" I complained but mom give me her hard look which means shut up and I just shut it " don't worry honey" daddy said with mouthful....

Robert was an old man who had three sons, Jose, Justin and Ruben .his shop had everything teenagers could desire for their parties hence his old son Ruben worked in city he supplied him with new styles and stuffs .Joanna bought a red short body tight dress with long zip from neck to knees with short hands .she liked to look sexy so she wanted to look fabulous on her birthday .I bought a green mini skirt with a white tank top, I wasn't good at wearing to be sexy but being friend with Joanna she chose those for me. Joanna talked to Jose who agreed to bring vodkas and beer to her party because Mr Robert refused to sell it to her because she was a minor. after shopping we went to have ice cream at Candice fast food and ice cream the place was all covered in pink and white with tables for four people , Candice’s was our favorite place it had such wonderful view when you sit inside you could watch the whole street . Every Sunday me and jojo went there for ice cream or hot chocolate tea. “Hi what can I get u girls?” Collins came to take our orders, Collins goes to our school but also work part time at Candice’s" hi Collins, it's so good to see you, we will take the usual" JoJo said smiling she had a crush on Collins and it was one of the reasons she liked to go to Candice’s. when Collins was bringing our order jojo told me to invite him for her party since she was shy to do so " Collins we want to invite you for Joanna's birthday tomorrow" I said smiling," okay I will come , see you guys then I got work" he said as he walked away .

"I felt like my heart was going to explode" JoJo said. "It’s your lucky day he said yes, but why do you like him?? He is not your type, he is a weirdo if you ask me" I said smiling. Jojo paid zero attention to what I was saying because all her eyes was on Collins. We sat there for two hours talking with jojo made me forget about Jacob’s incident. When I reached home daddy was already gone to Italy mom told me it was urgent but he will be back with in three days, I took my soup and went to bed. I laid in bed thinking how Jacob fell unconscious with only one rock hit in the head, no matter how many times I prayed it, and it was still fresh and scary in my mind...

I woke up early to help Joanna to prepare for the party, we went to do manicure and pedicure first thing in the morning .we took a bus from Nyamirambo to Remera because JoJo liked to do manicure and pedicure at kelia barber shop since we were little girls. the lady was friendly she welcomed us with a warm smile " oh my beautiful ladies welcome I went to China last Friday I have so much good stuff, new polishes, new artificial nails kelia said . Kelia was a middle aged woman in late thirties with a fair skin and big butt, she was wearing a red jeans with a white V-neck t-shirts, and her hair was short with brown dye.