Where do I start Vicky? Where do I even begin to express this deep sadness that is unique to you.
I feel shattered, I feel broken, I feel lost…
Ever since I met you smartly dressed in that white uniform with a red belt… you stuck to me.
There we were, two form one girls mingling with over one fifty other new students in secondary school. But somehow we clicked, we stuck together, from different societal backgrounds, bonded by the force of ambition.
You were relentless and eager to learn. Always asking questions in class, your thirst for knowledge that burned in your eyes amazed me because i saw it in myself.
You used to push me to stay after classes to read, way late into the dark. You taught me the aspect of never wasting time and that every minute is precious. You dragged me under the stairs to study during lunch break and I used to hate it. It’s only later in life that I appreciated your generosity and kindness of taking me under your wing.
We took the same subjects and in turn became competitors, pushing each other to always be better. We tailed one another in academia,when first you led, the next I did. Desk mates and
The memory that I can never shake off and keeps playing in my mind during such times is when we came to Nairobi to join universities. You went to Ku and I UoN. We found ourselves in unfamiliar territory all over again. You came to my campus and like an elderly sister that you were, took me to under your wing. The first time i ever came to Ku, the first time to ever visit Githurai market. You proudly kept me by your side and introduced me to your friends. You even snuck me in the library without an ID and it was a thrill.
You were so beautiful when pregnant and more so when you became a mother. You attained maturity early in life and increased in wisdom as time went by.
Sometimes you’d laugh at my woes and told me to get serious, other times you’d be serious and reprimand me to mend my ways. We might not have been in touch through out but whenever we met or talked it was as if we have been doing it all along.
We bonded, we related, we emphasized and understood each other. My heart bleeds and my tears have flooded my face. I cannot rid this hollow feeling. Who will motivate me? Who will correct me when I’m on the wrong? I only hope to lead by your example and impart to others what we’ve learnt from you.
Rest in peace, love and beauty dear Sister, you will forever reside in our hearts. You left us with two adorable beautiful girls just like you. We shall live to remind them of the iron lady that you were. Forever ours Victoria, forever ours!
