THE BIG DAY
I had always wondered what role I had to play in society when I officially turn into an adult. Luckily, fate had an interesting and unexpected way of communicating. It was in early 2011 and I had just successfully completed my driving exam. I was quite excited and couldn’t wait for the journey that lay ahead. That evening, I had my supper early and prepared for the next day which was a big day to me.
I woke up at 6am had a quick shower and slowly and cautiously put on a new navy blue suit. It felt quite strange to be in one as I had never worn one since my uncle’s wedding which was ten years ago. As I looked in the mirror, I could not help but expose a satirical smile as I remembered vowing to my best friends a few months back that I would never wear a suit until I was over 50. I walked out of the room, bid my mother goodbye and started my journey.
Upon arrival, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Kenya’s tallest building. I had seen it many times before but it felt different this time. I also felt a sweet sense of belonging as I blended in smoothly with the serious crowd found there. I confidently walked into the massive door and went straight to a guard who was overseeing order in the area.
“Morning, where do I take my driving test forms?” I asked.
“Right over there,” he pointed “but you will have to queue in this long line.”
My spirit suddenly pitched to a record low. I had actually thought that I would find no queue if I arrived early enough. It was a rough introduction to the outside world. I could now fully imagine and appreciate what my parents went through every day in the jungle called life. (Things are not as easy to come by as they seem).
The queue was moving quite slowly and people were getting tired and restless. Some, who had a sense of humor, even started to entertain the ones around them with crude jokes and satirical comments about the government procedures and processes. A man, who seemed to be in his early thirties, behind me also tried to start a conversation with me but I was tight lipped. This might have seemed rude but I was not really good with small talk. I always didn’t know what to say. It was quite embarrassing and also awkward for me. Luckily, somebody else rescued the situation by responding to the comment and now they were the ones talking.
As I hit the second hour mark, I could feel my feet slowly shutting down. I knew that I wouldn’t survive another hour unless some miracle happened. No sooner had that thought set in, than a short, wide, well-dressed man got out from one of the doors right across where I was standing. He was being escorted side by side by two officers carrying big guns. It was quite an intimidating scene and you could tell by the sudden change of atmosphere in the hall.
“This person must be very important,” I imagined. I was looking at him in admiration and a little craving for the stature he portrayed. When I came back to my senses, I realized he was walking towards where I was standing. Anxiety was building up inside me and I was now feeling a bit frightened. I couldn’t help but wonder what I had done wrong. In that split second, I started imagining those two officers arresting me. His eyes were now focused on me and now I could start feeling the world getting smaller. As he approached me, he stretched out his arm towards me.
“Young man, you are very smart.” He said smiling as I greeted him in fear. I was confused and dumbfounded with that statement.
“What do you do?” he asked.
I quickly replied,” I work at my business.” That was the first thing in mind. He was very shocked but impressed. He just nodded in admiration and gave me one more handshake before walking away. I was quite overwhelmed by the events that had just occurred. My hand were also trembling a little in excitement. I couldn’t believe the man that enjoyed the most respect in that room had just been excited by a simple, young face who had just started to explore the real world. I could also feel some of the respect or rather intimidation transferred to me. Everyone who had witnessed the incident was now stealing some glances towards me every few seconds, perhaps wondering whom I was.
It was such a great but instrumental feeling in me. I had now known what I wanted to do in the world. I wanted to change the world and be remembered for that. Just like the great people I adore, Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs and even Sir Alex Ferguson. That is where I fit in. I knew that it was possible since in just a few seconds, I had been noticed for a very simple action.
The big day was surely very big. Bigger than I could have imagined.

By Roy Munge.