You are extremely gifted

We had to go back home and help mom. If someone would come and ask me who are my role models? I wouldn't hesitate, I will just tell that particular person that, my role models are my parents I look up to them. For the way they treat, look and love each other, you just tell there's no need to ask them! Do you love each other or you no longer have the connection or you are just staying in this relationship because of the kids? What we are learning every day is that love is between two imperfect couple who are trying hard to understand each other's flaws and feelings! Love can be described in many different ways. That is the love I see each and every day through my parents. Just when we got home, mom welcome dad with a smile, and he kissed her on the chick. And I also kissed mom on the chick.

"Wow my dear what happened to you?" in a surprised manner she asked. Mom was totally startled to see me behaving this way. After I left her kitchen in a bad mood.

"Nothing mom, I just wanted to show you that I appreciate everything you do for me. And also apologize for my behavior this morning."

"Even if I was mad you surely know how to soften a lady's heart I wonder where you got that from?" she teased. Whilst poking my chest.

"Of course this boy takes after me" pops started to brag. He fixed his collar which was fine and said "after all he's got all my good looks and the charms."

I went to my room made a phone call and of course my best friend Trevor.

"Man! What's up?" I greeted him filled with so much energy and joy. He toned down my emotions.

"So you decided to call me now huh?" he said, his voice was filled with so much anger. His voice has hardened, he was so cold towards me.

"Yes I just want to thank you that's why am calling you?" with a sunk tone. But he was so angry with me.

"Thank me?" he said. I could imagine his attitude just from the background of my ear that he was mad and didn't want to talk to me!

"Yes thank you! Mon… and why are you so upset?" I enquired.

"Whatever is going on in your life now please don't ever involve me!" he said. "All I just want to do right now is to focus on my assignment and sleep!"

"Trevor, please" I bagged. "It was some sort of misunderstanding I know you meant well." I only got to realize after I have spat my words that I shouldn't have mentioned 'misunderstanding' if Trevor were to be with me, he would have devoured me.

"Sort of misunderstanding you say, do you know that Mercy girl almost ripped my head off after your crush told her that I haven't said anything to you?" he shouted. "It's all thanks to you, if you didn't hang up my calls when I was busy trying to get hold of you none of this could have happened." I was kept in the dark. All those happy emotions I had. They all disappeared in a moment.

"My friend I'm sorry that I brought all that you!" before I could even explain further he spoke.

"Look Joe, I just want to do my work then go to bed. Not all of us have rich dads who'll take us out of class and take us to lunch and never borders to ask how class was!" Trevor was becoming too personal and that did hit a nprobed.

"Trevor you are being unfair now!" I said.

"Whatever man" he replied.

It got me thinking, if Mercy could speak any how to my friend disrespecting him publicly. So what was Lindy doing? Was she just watching her friend Mercy disrespect my friend just like that? Maybe I don't know her the way I claim to. I have to find out what exactly happened today.

Dinner came, father's guests arrived, and we hosted them and at the table as we all mingled. It was great until Mr. Meyers had a simple question.

"So Joe!" said Mr. Meyers. "You are currently studying Civil Engineering right? He probed.

"Yes sir" I replied.

"You are studding Civil engineering?" Out of surprise expressed his son.

"So you also want to have your own construction company like your father?" Mr. Meyers questioned.

"To answer that question Mr. Meyers is that, I've always loved Building Science ever since I was a little boy. But then I figured out something in me that was hidden… I can't follow the same footsteps as my father! They are so big to fill!" I tried explaining.

"What is that?" asked Mr. Meyers. "What is it that you've found that has been hidden?" the man was curious about my life.

"Art is what I Have found, and I'm passionate about it!" I swaggered.

"See Vusi here," He pointed at his son. "Is an artist he can help you get up on your feet and record your first album!" he too swaggered.

"No! No! No! I'm not talking about that kind of art but paintings," I spoke whilst I poured myself a drink. I gulped it down, it seemed like the man came prepared to grill me out with his questions.

"Oh! So that's what you are talking about painting?" he looked dismayed. After bragging about his son for a moment.

"Yes! Paints and pencils, that kind of art, I just love bringing life out of paint"

"So Vusi do you also D.J at clubs and private parties too?" Musa enquired. Vusi is Mr Meyers son. Who is a well known club DJ in his line of music.

"Wow, how did you come up with that ideal question?" Vusi enquired. Having my younger brother Musa who is smarter than any of us in the room just replied him back without second thoughts.

"There's no need to guess what kind of music you do, because your dress code just represents you? He said and carried on with his food.

And everyone laughed at the table.

"So what kind of music do you listen to Joe?" asked Vusi. "For I can tell the way you dress up, that you are a praying kind of a guy and I assume its gospel." Vusi wasn't happy with the way Musa described him. He didn't like the way he was mocked by younger brother.

"You got that right I'm a born again Christian saved by the grace of God..." before I could even finish bragging. Vusi stopped me.

"Dude stop you sound like you want to preach to me right now." he jested.

"You don't look like you love church, do you?" I asked.

"Relax man don't feel intimidated by Me." he said.

"See we do go to church every Sundays" said Mr. Meyers "but my son here, does get busy on some Sundays…"

"…Yes that's because, I'm trying to make a living Pap's." said Vusi "I sometimes just can't stand those boring pastors reminding you about the blood of Jesus… it gets all spooky and weird." he expressed.

Mom and Mrs. Meyer's didn't comment on our topics they just tidied the table.

"That was an excellent dinner there Mrs. Radebe." remarked Mr. Meyers.

"Perhaps next time you should join us for dinner." suggested Mrs. Meyers.

"Joe! Called Vusi "do you mind showing me your paintings?" he asked.

"No not at all, come with me please." I said. And definitely we were all equal! Mrs. Meyers was with Mom at the kitchen, Musa went to fetch the family photo album and showed it to Veronica Mr. Meyers's daughter and the two bulls mingled about their cooperates businesses.

"Wow man you are extremely gifted." he said.

"Thanks man I appreciate that." I expressed.

"You painted all of this?" he asked.

"Yes you looking at the Artist man" I replied.

"Tell me man so why do hide your talent here to be wasted? Because you should be out there opening your own studio and cashing in millions?" he said "don't lock your talent man and hide it here!"

"I will man! But someday."

"Look man I see that you are a Christian guy but truly speaking, If you were to spread your wings out just like I did, chicks would be screaming and shouting your name!" he swaggered.

"Girls, Huh,"

"Yes, man girls! Chicks love guys who'll sketch them, have portraits of them hanging… come on man wake up! …And come to think of it, am sure your girl loves you so dearly." he winked.

"No man I don't have a girl." I replied unwillingly.

"What!" he exclaimed. "You are kidding me right?" The way he stared at me it was like his seeing a ghost.

"Jesus man, you are not serious aren't you?" he looked disappointed.

"Of course I am serious!" I exclaimed. "Why would I joke about something so serious like that?"

"I have like, four steady girlfriends! He boasted. "And have like three side-chicks and you don't have even one girl!" He continued "like really now are you even a man?" that angered me for he was being insolent.

"Man, are you sure, you're not gay?" he said.

"For goodness sake man," I exclaimed. "You know I'm a Christian and I know what the bible says about gay people!" I was fuming. This guy was making fun of me and also disrespecting me in my own home.

"I see where your problem is now" he said. "It's all this Christian religion of yours! You guys think you know but you don't, and now you'll die a virgin like Paul of tarsus still waiting from a vision from God to show you which women to marry!" I was so angry that I could punch him on the face; this guy has got no discipline. My anger wasn't justified, but unbeknownst to both of us that this may happen in the future.