My Final Destination

The sun was blazing hot. I sat outside the kitchen where we used to meet. Richard!!! I heard a call from a distance. I did not respond because I knew she will find me there. A sound of two people's steps were heard. my young brother and ma'am are here. I was very excited to have a long time chat with them since Dad is not around. It always made me happy when he's not around. You could feel that everything will be fine. All the sad faces were not available when he's not around. The meeting started with greetings as if we don't know one another. "I must be a man ma'am" Does it mean that you are not? "No I mean to change this compound for good" "It needs a lot of money to invest and this requires a strong decision." "Remember you are not educated" I looked at her with fear in my heart. What she said was Truth. My young brother looked at me again and again. What do you have in your mind? He looked aside. You are to remember what I told you yesterday. "What was it?" mom was ready to hear....he must move out of this village and settle somewhere in order to see another page of life.

I looked at him with keen interest. He is young with wisdom. Maybe because he's in grade 7 and this has made him a different boy in the house. I used to run away from him previous years because of poor understanding between us. He finished his drama. Do you agree to whatever your young brother has spoken? yeesss...yes I do. We agreed not to tell papa about the development. His position at the men's group made him to be popular and troublesome at home. When he's drunk it was all over the house. I hated myself. kachasu (local beer) made him to develop some skin challenges. Some of his friends stopped taking the liquor but for him it was becoming worsening.

Next week you must leave for greener pastures but please be careful with wild animals in the thick forest. I was happy to see mom supporting the Idea. Uncle Mathews is in the capital city and he's a well known person there. I believe he will help you. I nodded to all what Mom spoke. I left the scene with joy. people could smell it at a distance. Walking around and round my shamba was the game of the day. I wish ndaziona was here, we could have danced together. I remember seeing his body floating in nkona river. He was a man of his words. A good public figure in our village. Life has taught me a lesson.

I left my father's compound and went to mama Mia's bar. Richard where have you been? "it's a long story. I started with sad stories. My missing after the football match was the final story which caught people's attention. She kissed me. it was an amazing interest. Do you know the reason I'm here? "Richard stop your drama again....." the bar attendant added her remarks. I will be leaving for greener pastures ahead of our village. They laughed at me. Some new faces at the bar welcomed my presence. They were not as beautiful as Margret but due to cosmetics they were. I must leave the village in order to support my family. "Remember you are not educated..." I hated myself. The only way to see change is to leave this poor village. Certain wind's from the town brew over my mind. I created my own town. I was able to view a nice place within my heart. counting it for joy.

It was dark already. The sky was very clear and one could count star's without mucher do. I didn't went to dine with my family. Some busy schedules caught me up. Telling all my best friends that a'm leaving for greener pastures was my national anthem. l loved people's attention. Everyone should know that a'm leaving their poor unrespectful village.

Richard you have to be very careful with what you are telling people. she said this while holding two pillar poles of the kitchen. Mind your language. Not all people are good. I looked at her with clear antention. We agreed not to share with anyone remember..,...I looked at her with regrets for what I have done. Some people are Evil "she said"...I will change immediately Ma'am.

I went direct to my shamba and sleep though it was in the morning.

His mood changed, all I could see was unhappy face on him. I was wondering if he's ok. I don't know why he's like this today. After hearing the rumour that I might leave the village to town the very next week Friday it gave him a lot of challenges. John was annoid. I didn't bother to ask him as what made him to be in a sad face. He shall tell me as to why he's like this. It's not his first time to do this. The very first day I dated Margret and when his team is losing we do part ways for a little bit. Life can give you a lesson through friends. I ignored his emotional actions. He told the story to the group I left the past 7 years ago that I will be leaving for town the very next week. I was sad, I blamed myself of misconduct. sometimes it's good to keep it within your heart. More especially love stories are to be done with maturity and secretly. There was a man named Chitsazo who was amongst the village monger's group. He was a great man full of wisdom and understanding. Richard!!!..... Richard!!!.....I looked back. His nostrils in the air. Let's sit somewhere I have an issue to tell you...I was wondering if it's a good news or a trap. I reserved myself. "people are bad!!" He shouted while looking to all directions with a face of nervousness. Calm down my dear what is it? They've agreed to smote you before the weekend. We agreed to cease you because after being rich in the city you will be our leader. I looked at him with a tear drop in my eyes. I looked at my mom in my heart and cried out.

John is the one who brought the News in the camp and all agreed to do this but I have decided to warn you before it's too late. I love Richard and I don't have any grudge against you. I'm new in the group but I can't allow to lose a great man in my presence. I looked at him again and again. I stopped sobing and hugged him. we had some minutes of silence. A rizard caught our attention. Richard prepare for the journey so fast before all is done. He vowed not to tell anyone about the achievement. we agreed to be meeting at the very venue everyday before sunset.

I walked straight to my shamba and closed the door. I gathered some strength and thanked the god's of our land for revealing the secret of these Evil people. The group which was formed by Ndaziona and I has turned to be against me. I felt sorry for myself. I was distracted by a fast moving rat which jumped off from the roof.

"Mom!!! I have something to share with you." she was the only one whom I trusted. I narrated everything to her. Son stop complaining all is well and never lose hope we shall overcome. The city is my final destination. I just wish I could have wings of an eagle so that I could fly without a limit. She looked at me. May the god's of our land bless you. she left. Though she left I still felt something within my heart. I could smell the beauty of staying in a new city without challenges. A city with a comfortable life. I could imagine how urban individuals are enjoying life. I can't wait to be there. To be the richest man was my goal. I swallow my pride and focused on how to tell papa about my new development.

I was terrified of him. He is a man of his words and I don't believe he will believe and become friendly to my thoughts of leaving the village.

I started behaving like a'm already in the city.... walking and talking like an educated person was the song of the day. People could laugh at me but it meant nothing to me. Richard!!!! Richard!!! a very deep voice called my name.

I walked straight to the house. He sat on his usual place. with some smoke from his smoking stick. papa you said you have stopped this smoking habit..... Young man respect your elders. I sat down without word's. "tell me Richard what's wrong with you?" I looked at him with a suprise. His eyes turned out red within my sitting down moment. His walking stick was not around so I wasn't afraid. I have heard that you are leaving for the city? please refresh your mind I guess you are not normal. Papa you need to understand. I must have my own mind being implemented. I heard him whispering "you have never been there" I wanted to leave the place in a stormy way but I respected myself. "Ok let your will be done and don't die like your causin Ndaziona. I'm not going there for politics but to work. I want to come back with a testimony. I was happy to see him agreeing to my position of leaving them behind. Thank you papa I will be leaving soon. He stood up and said "you are not going and I will never allow it to happen under this roof". I started shivering. sweating was all over. I started seeing two things at once. one object being seen twice. I left him without saying anything.

she found me sobbing. ma'am that man is not my dad. How can he wish his own children bad luck? I hate this life!!! with anger I made up my mind that I will never say goodbye to him.

Don't be in furry my son that's your dad's behaviour.....she said this while holding my left hand. I shrugged off my hand and move forward to unknown direction. All over sudden I bumped into a dish of water nearby. She laughed. Look at what anger has caused you to be.....you are a monster. I understand that but it's unfair to reject me to my breakthrough journey. It wasn't a bad idea from him I think he was probably protecting his first son. I gathered my courage and determination to move forward with my decision. No one knows tomorrow. My goal is to change and remove the mess in my village and my family's challenges. The day was not good I wished to sleep and never wake up. Please make sure you are safe in your journey. We have a big forest ahead infested with wild animals. A'm not afraid mom I shall overcome. I will challenge the beast of the forest and bring a great news to you shortly. We agreed to carry on with the decision without his consent. I smiled again. I can't wait to see my tomorrow. I can't wait to eat delicious meals in the city. our village foods were being shared by rat's, cockroaches and other unknown pests in the House including our own pet's.

I started thinking of what to carry and what to leave behind. I focused. The night was too long and time wasting. I Woked up but it didn't promise to give me the morning wind again. I heard coks craws at a distance and I guessed what the time was. I slept again but without a dream. I packed my two shorts and two t-shirts in my black plastic bag which I got from Margret. I didn't want to be known by every eye that a'm leaving the village.