“He called the transparent ones diamond, the other one silver and the glowing type eh… I forgot what he called them. But he said they worth higher than the rest” Zack added. He was still talking when they saw a man dressed in beautiful rich rob coming with a woman considered to be his wife and two men carrying something in baskets. When Dylan saw them he ran away.
“Don’t run we come in peace” The man said to Dylan who was now nowhere.
Dylan’s mother was confused about the whole drama. She didn’t know who the man is and did not know what her son did to him that he’s running away. She looked at Rickie. Rickie too recognized him and stared with a hardened face. Getting ready to run but already behind his mother. Immediately Mata too showed up with Emily.
“Your daughter is not here” Mata said rudely. That’s when their mother began to understand things.
“You must know where she is” The good looking aged man replied thoughtfully.
“I don’t know”
“You will find her”
“Look sir, my sons were not around for more than a week. They just returned today, in the morning. You can verify from my neighbors”
“Madam, there’s no need for that. We came in peace like I said earlier”
She was dumbfounded for she was confused not knowing if whether to believe him or not. The man having observed her carefully and understanding what her thoughts could be, raised his hands just above his belly to signal her assurance for safety.
“Welcome, anyway. Come in and have a seat” Gesturing at a long chair on the corridor.
“We are comfortable here. We are not staying long. Actually I thought my daughter is here that’s why we came”
“No. I myself I have not seen her for over two weeks now. That’s after my son came complaining that you are against their relationship”
“Yes, for a purpose, but I choose my daughter’s happiness over whatever anyone can offer me. Therefore, you can bring back my daughter, I won’t only permit them to go ahead but I will support you both financially. Read my words”
“Mom, this sounds like a trick” Rickie whispered as the man turned to speak to his wife.
“But sir….” Dylan’s mother wanted to speak but the money and gifts they were presenting to her cut her up.
“Yes. They are all yours” He thought those were what she was calling for. “This is the beginning. You don’t have to be rich to be my in law when I can possibly set you to any height I want”
“We will help find her sir” Mata said.
“That is the best you can do for me”
“And we are sorry for our initial mistakes”
“Yes sir, we are, sincerely” Dylan said from behind, coming out happily. Jennie’s mother saw him and smiled.
“It’s over” They assured.
Godwin’s school life became peaceful and fun thereafter. He enjoyed his secondary school days to the fullest. Friends created unforgettable memories. With them life was bed of roses. But things turned around after their SSCE. They separated, everyone going a different direction. Many furthered their education in higher institutions including those who were dull and negligent in the class. Most of their mates traveled to distant places to school and some to greener pastures. The day they had the last paper was the day Godwin saw Peter, David and many of those who were close to him except Lovett and some of those he had nothing with. It was depressing to see or hear from mates that have gone to school while at home.
Lovett was a student of ESUT which was far from home. That was the beginning of the space between her and Godwin. They see only when she comes around which was like twice or thrice a year. The bond was wearing out gradually to a point that when they finally meet it looks just like mere friends. The old sweet feelings was gone and there was difference and inequality emerging. Lovett having had more experience about school than Godwin has more to say when she comes around, and that however makes Godwin feel intimidated or underestimate in a way. He knows they were no longer equal. She must have met guys who are better than him in many ways and which will be awkward of him to think she will leave them for him.
Godwin was spontaneous about dropping what is called loved. He wasn’t willing but it seems that was the best for him. He began to understand that life without money is useless. Money now was the only hope of getting her back that is if she will succumb. He needed to work hard, though it was not easy to face life without support and enough capital. The family makes it difficult to reach a goal. Once one has a plan and is saving to meet up, family problem comes in inevitably and shorts it or completely sweeps one back to square one. Godwin had more responsibility than anyone at his age. His father remarried, even when he could not take care of the children his late wife left for him. Godwin was now the father to his younger ones and sometimes his father relies on him too.
Base on the level of needs money was needed for, no work seemed enough. He earned double of what some people earn yet they live a better life. He takes up two jobs at a time to meet up family demands and yet it wasn’t easy going. Sometimes he was on shift and when he dismisses from one he goes to another. He works at night too. People sometimes pity him while those who knows nothing about him sees him as one who doesn’t have plans in life as why he doesn’t do anything solid with his earnings or plan for school.
Life for a man was the opposite of a boy. The sweet old days were gone. Those days you almost have everything you want with less stress, days when worse moments turns out to become memories, days when you have to do what you want without having to bother about anything, days when you have enough support and comfort, days when love was natural and unconditional, when love doesn’t consider money or beauty. Sometimes it just have to be neatness and intelligence. Days when one can have friends as many as he want and spend enough time without considering class and standards.
But now it was the other way round. One has to be on his own. It is normally assumed that you are equal to any task arising. Most at times you are remembered only when need arises and if you happens to be the only solution. You work hard to take care of not just yourself but the family, especially for the first children of the family. You turn slave for others to survive. You live for others. You live selflessly. You become third parent to your own siblings. No love without money, beauty and other benefits. You are nothing in the society without money even with your massive intelligence. You are useless in some families when you can not take up responsibilities. Life becomes difficult and unfair, that makes every man at this stage of life believes that the days life was sweet is gone