Memories Back Then: Our past makes us who we are

By Joel Tendo

A coming of age story that transports you back to the memories that make you who you are. It is the experience,  journeys, and twists and turns that eventually make up our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joel Tendo
• Release date: Jan 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222050423

Book preview

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Prologue

The cheers and clapping rose as he stood up and moved to the stage. He got up there trying to hide the fright in his eyes. He had always been nervous when it came to delivering a speech to any audience large or small. It was something he had failed to adjust to in his carrier. He gave Jansen a gentle handshake.

He looks terrified. Jansen joked aloud

The audience replied with laughter. Jansen handed him the stage and left. He looked into the audience and firmly tightened his grip on the podium. He smiled and found himself opening his mouth to speak.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It is my honor to congratulate you all on another successful year of zain music records. This indeed has been quite a hectic year. We have had our ups and down but in the end, we perceived through it all. We have been able to sign several musicians and make good music. Well at least much better than crappy music produced in this country.

He paused as the audience giggled. He wasn’t sure of his next words so he took advantage of the interruption to think of them. When the audience went silent again, he continued.

It has been a great year and we have ended on the best terms. We made a lot of money. I know some of you are anxiously waiting for your monthly cut but don’t worry, your accounts will soon be credited.

The laughter resurfaced again. He waited for a while and spoke again this time with much more confidence than at the beginning.

So thank you all of you, for the hard work, we did it, all of us. Have a blessed holiday.

The audience gave a standing ovation and with that, the music was turned on again. Everyone went their way and Douglas found himself standing idle in the center of the room. Jansen was nowhere to be seen. Everyone began moving out to go home and in a short while the place was deserted. Douglas went back to the boardroom and picked up his car keys preparing to move out. He was about to switch off the light when he saw something lying on the ground. He moved closer and realized it was a photograph. He picked it up and stared at it for a while. The nostalgia made him feel disillusioned. These had been the times he and Mirona had been somewhat happy or at least comfortable with each other. Now they were getting a divorce with four years old daughter. Then they would have to deal with the child custody issues and child support and he was quite sure she would make it difficult for him in every way she could. He wondered where his life had gone wrong. He didn’t want to think about it but deep inside he felt it had been about ten years ago.

At the time he had that he was making a wise decision but now that he thought about it, he felt like he had been running away. He slowly pockets the photographs and heads out. His range rover was parked just outside. He walked to it and placed the keys in the door. He was about to open the door when he had a whisper coming from his back. He heard steps approaching from the back when he turned around startled. She called his name and this time he had it loud and clear. The voice sounded familiar as much as he couldn’t see her clearly in the darkness of the shed.

Douglas Her voice came again

Yes, who is there? He replied

She walked out of the shed straight up to him until she was close enough then spoke again.

Douglas, are you seriously going to act like you don’t recall who I am? She asked staring directly at him

He looked at her in disbelief. She stood there with the same gaze she had had years ago at the pool when they were teenagers. He remained speechless until she spoke again.

Douglas, aren’t you going to say hello after all these years?

Hello Tess, wow long time. I am just so surprised to see you here.

She didn’t answer and for a while, they both remained silent.

I saw you giving a speech. It was nice. You have quite a successful career.

Thank you.

I wasn’t congratulating you."

Ok, then why are you here?

Eeeh, Can’t I say hello to an old friend?

No, it is ok.

They went silent for another minute before he spoke again.

Hmmm, I was leaving. Do you need a lift?

Najera.

What?

That is where I stay.

Oh, well I live in Luzira so I will drop you somewhere in Nakawa.

She moved to the door of the co-driver’s seat. He opened it for her and she got in. He opened his door and got in and they drove away. They moved from Entebbe to Nakawa in silence. She shifted her position occasionally in her seat and would stretch out her hand to the radio station. With time, the silence became too awkward for both of them. She knew he could maintain this just to retain his pride so she acted first.

Do you have a flash? She asked without looking at him.

He signaled her to check the bonnet. She opened it quickly and picked out a blue flash drive. She went ahead and plugged in the outlet. A signal was given that it had no data.

I meant one with music. She snapped at him.

There is another inside the burnet.

She opened it again and shoved her hand inside and withdrew it with a black one this time. She plugged it in and waited for it to be scanned. It was confirmed and the music was turned on. She fell back in the car seat and shut her eyes. He looked at her as she lay there motionless. Her beauty had blossomed over the years. It wasn’t the same teenage attractiveness. She was now a woman, a beautiful woman. He wondered how to begin a conversation with her. Tess seemed to be holding resentment for some reason. He wondered what it was. It had been ten years since they had seen each other.

" Congratulations.’ She spoke with her eyes shut

For what?

Your success at work. I heard your speech.

I thought you weren’t going to congratulate me.

She didn’t answer and remained there lying back in the car seat. For the rest of the journey, they both remain silent. When they got to Nakawa, he drove past the road that led to Luzira.

Where exactly in Najera do you live? He asked

She raised her head and looked out of the window.

" You can drop me at the spear