Flashback

It was a serene time of sunset when I took John with me out of the park. It was quite unbelievable that the boy who was making excuses for not playing was unhappy about leaving his game. I took him to an ice cream shop, he was quite hesitant to buy ice cream, but on my insistence, he agreed. He was eating the ice cream joyfully, he was not walking on the street rather he was flying in the sky high up in his dreamland. We both was having the best time of our lives. Escaping from my bitter past and his bitter reality, just living the moment together. He reminded me of my young nephew, Alessio. Last time I saw him he was the same age as John.

Soon we arrived at Matthew's residence, When we entered the house the whole house was filled with a delicious and heartwarming aroma. We both went into the kitchen and saw Mr Matthew, he was cooking something delicious for both of us.

"Father you shouldn't do this right now doctor said you should still rest," John said worriedly, Mr Matthew leaned and said.

"I'm really fine now my dear son, how can a father be sick when he has a caring son like you to look after him," Mr Matthew said while smiling and placing his hand on John's cheek.

"John's right sir you should rest ill take care of it," I said in my deep tone.

"You've already done a lot for us gentlemen, this is the least I can do and also the food is ready," Mr Matthew said in his polite tone.

John set up the cutlery, I placed plates and glasses on the table and Mr Matthew served the delicious and fragrant food he made. Its taste would be delightful I could say for sure just by looking at it. We all sat at the dining table and begin to eat.

"Father you know today Mr Samuel took me to the park, I made a lot of friends there, I played a lot too and after that, we both ate ice cream it was creamy and tasty." The little boy told his father joyfully.

"hmm seemed you enjoyed a lot John, didn't you?" I Matthew said while caressing John's hair.

"Yes I did father, thank you so much for this wonderful day Mr Samuel" John said like a well mannered gentleman.

"Oh no need son I'm glad you enjoyed" I replied while a smile formed on my face.

We all ate the food happily while having heart-filling talks at the table.

"That was incredible, I didn't know you were a great cook too Mr Matthew" I said while eating the delicious food.

"I'm happy you both enjoyed it" Mr Matthew said.

"Father always makes delicious food you know Mr Samuel, I help him too," John said and then yawned.

"You're a talented gentleman, but I think that talented gentleman should get some sleep hmm what do you think Mr Matthew? " I asked.

"I think Mr Samuel is right, night time John" He said to his son while smiling.

"Ok dear father, don't forget to take your medicine" John said.

"I won't my dear child" Mr Matthew said.

"Good night father, Good night Mr Samuel "John kissed his father on his hand, bowed to me and went to his room. Mr Matthew smiled towards him, his eyes were filled with happiness because of his son, I adore their bond it reminds me of my dad. Once on my birthday, I asked for a gift from my dad, at that time we were not well-off rather my dad was an ordinary man who used to make wooden toys for children, he used to work day and night making thise wonderful toys. When I asked for a gift he made me a beautiful horse,

[ Flashback]

"Father it's really beautiful" Sameul said, at time he was the same age as John.

" I'm glad you liked it, my son, one day you'll become rich and you would also be like this fast-paced stallion and will keep being more successful with each passing day" His father said.

"Really father" Samuel said while his eyes gleamed.

"Yes my son yes" His Father replied while smiling gently at him.

I came back from my flashback when Mr Matthew offered me a cup of coffee.

"Thank you, sir" I replied

"No problem sir, in what thoughts you were lost?" Me Matthew asked.

"Just some beautiful childhood memories, Mr Matthew you have raised a true gentleman, in his age when children are carefree and stubborn he is a responsible and well-mannered child," I said.

"Age doesn't make you mature responsibility does Mr Samuel, my little son has gone through a lot since he was an infant" Mr Matthew sighed.

"What do you mean sir?" I asked curiously.

"When he was born he was a weak child, he usually had high fevers he even suffered from diarrhoea when he was just a 1-year-old child. When parents enjoy the first steps of their children, play with them happily and are excited about their child's first words, my and his mom just prayed day and night to God to save our innocent son's life. When things were finally turning good, my sweet and dear Martha felt ill from a deadly sickness and died, I didn't have enough money to save my Martha. My son never lived a normal life like other children, when kids are busy playing with toys his little and precious hands were covered with dirt and sores because of working hard with his poor father just to fill our stomachs. I have never bought him any toys, he never celebrated his birthdays because I didn't have enough money to do so. Everybody looked down on us, that is the reason he never had enough courage to be friends with anyone. How the people who looked down on his dad accepted him as a friend even if they wanted to their parents wouldn't let them befriend the son of a poor worker. My John never had a dreamlike childhood, my Martha didn't live for long all because of me...its all my fault-" Mr Matthew started crying.

" No sir it's not your fault, it's not believe me you have raised a brilliant son John is a son you should be proud of. It's never our fault for someone's death, Death and life are only in God's hands please don't blame yourself" I reassured him.

Mr Matthew went to his room, I gave him his medicine and was about to come out when he said

" Thank you very much for making my son happy sir thank you very much"

"My pleasure sir, my pleasure " I smiled at him and came out.

I lay down on their old couch and started thinking. The differences, boundaries or standards of rich and poor that are set up by this world are so cruel, they make a husband guilty of his beloved wife's death, a father guilty of brutally murdering his son's childhood, making a father guilty of not being to give their child a life according to the standards of this world. The Kings and Queens care nothing about the kingdom they rule and the people it has if there is something they care for is only the luxuries of the royal life to enjoy and to make their economy stronger by making them work ruthlessly. For once if they could think of them and try to do something better but their thrones are built up on the corpse of these poor and helpless people.