TEARS OF THE ORPHAN CHILD: EPISODE 1
He was roaming from one end of the compound, eyes staring at the cloudless sky with despair and confusion. Tears rolled down the cheeks.
“What grave sin has my family and I committed,” he continued to wonder, thinking the hardship at home was the result of bad personal deeds. “It’s exactly a year today since I dropped out of school.” the soft voice went on, a left hand wiping a tear. “The demise of daddy last year has been hell for everyone.”
In that mood he reached the gate and sat on a concrete seat, part of the building.
“Everything has turned bad indeed,” he continued to lament, face down, eyes now fixed to the ground, tears dripping. A white Mitsubishi Pajero appeared at the far end of the street, a hundred metres away. Being a residential area, the sensible driver kept to low gear. Drawing nearer the boy could tell which car it was, from the usual engine sound that he knew so well. It finally stopped by him. The driver leaned out of the window with fixed eyes on him. He did not look back, until the man’s loud call of name, which arrested his attention. He looked up, coinciding with a repeat of the call from the arriving lips. He saw him. Comfortably behind the steering wheel was a strongly built man, dark in complexion; and with a pointed. At first the boy did not recognise him. When he did seconds later, he reacted with a wild scream of excitement calling him. In no time he crossed the five metres to the car and found himself right before him.
“Uncle Mustapha!” he mentioned again.
He actually was not his uncle, brother-in-law instead, married to his elder sister, Mariama. Mustapha opened the door and stepped out of the car. They clung in a happy embrace.
“How can you allow yourself to become such a pathetic sight of society?” Uncle Mustapha protested as they walked into the compound, holding hands.
“What are you talking about Uncle?” he replied. “You don’t seem to think too highly of anything.” he added.
“Don’t lose your head with unreasonable thoughts,” the man advised softly. “Oh no Uncle!” he cut in. “Your behaviour was just outrageous. I am not at all happy about it. How many more times will I have to repeat myself that if you have a problem the green light is always on for you to discuss it with me; and I will do my best towards a suitable solution.”
“There is really no problem at all Uncle.” he jumped in raising an eyebrow. “It is just that mom’s health is again going down. It’s been bad since last week. Life is just not treating the family well.” he moaned, turning his face from direct sight. The shocking remarks sent tingles racing up the spine of his uncle. He gulped in some air as he yanked a hand and pulled him closer to comfort him, pity in his heart.
“Look, my boy” the uncle said nicely rubbing a smooth hand on the lad’s head. “You don’t have to worry at all. Everything will be okay. Trust me please.” He went into a long monologue with motivating words of hope. “The greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow will be.” And with that Uncle Mustapha began racking his brain searching for more convincing and pleasant words.
TO BE CONTINUED
AUTHOR: GIBRIL ®
Chee Danso 