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The Blue Suitcase

Would Maria Graduate?

By Wanjiru CiiraPublished 9 months ago 1 min read
Photo by American Green Travel on Unsplash

Wanza imagined herself at Maria’s graduation

What would she wear?

Maria was Wanza’s oldest

A girl with promise

Would she graduate?

***

Maria joined university

And moved from home

But dutiful Maria kept in touch with her mother

Wanza worried about Maria

Would she manage to fund Maria’s course?

Would Maria graduate?

***

Two weeks before the end of the semester

Maria went home

She asked her mother to buy her a new, big suitcase

To pack her belongings at the end of the semester

Mother and daughter bought a blue suitcase

Would Maria graduate?

***

A week later, Wanza sent Maria money

Usually, Maria would call or text

To acknowledge receipt

This time, she did not

Wanza called her daughter Maria

No answer

Where is Maria?

Would Maria graduate?

***

Four days earlier….

“It’s over between us,” Maria said to Mulwa.

“No, not until I say so,” answered Mulwa.

“I said it’s over. Get out of my room,” Maria insisted.

“And I said it’s not over,” he said.

He moved towards her and attempted to hold her. She pushed him away and moved towards the door to open it. He grabbed her roughly to stop her from reaching the door and pushed her violently. She fell back and hit her head on the edge of a low table.

She was unresponsive….

***

Maria’s body was found in the blue suitcase …

Maria did not graduate.

(Based on a true story)

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About the Creator

Wanjiru Ciira

I'm a story-teller with an interest in the human condition. I write on relationships, health, aging, parenting, travel, and fiction. I've a background in journalism - feature-writing, reporting, and investigative journalism.

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Comments (4)

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  • Mercy Shuma9 months ago

    So sad

  • James Ciira9 months ago

    Very sad story

  • Nana C9 months ago

    Very well written......and sadly true :(

  • Sad story. Well told though 👍🏾

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