Homecoming (PT. 02)

I couldn’t muster the courage to return home because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be accepted. I returned to my room and sat with my head in between my knees shedding uncontrollable tears.

“I am really stuck now, what do I do?”

I went in search of another job but they all rejected me for some reason i did not seem to understand. I continued living an unsettled life for over a year, depending on my friend George for my daily needs. I got kicked out of my match box sized apartment because I couldn’t afford to pay the rent for the preceding year. I asked George if i could stay a while at his apartment till i figured out what to do and he gladly took me in until after a while when he told me he couldn’t take care of my needs anymore and he also needed some time alone.

I had no other choice than to stay in an old abandoned factory streets away from where i had lived. With no source of income for food or shelter, i began to pickpocket to fend for myself. I felt sorry that i had to live this way but I had no idea of anything else to do. I left a family that provided me with everything I needed with the notion that the outside world would give me the liberty i desired. I had my liberty now in pains and suffering. I did not anticipate any of this, i was not prepared or ready, I did not know what it meant to be independent and because of this I was whiling away life bit by bit without knowing the next step to take.

I continued this shady exercise until a very unfortunate afternoon. I set out in search of my next victim walking down the busy street, i spotted an old woman just along the street with an expensive looking dress and fancy bag. My eyes got glued to her bag and my lips watered with the thoughts of how much money would be in it. I tailed her steadily until I noticed no one paid attention to her direction, after which i increased my speed towards her and grabbed her bag running as fast as possible away from the scene.

“Help, Help!!! Someone took my bag" She screamed.

Two hefty looking men heard her screams and chased me. I ran as fast as I could with my heart almost out of my chest, breathing loud until my right leg had a painful encounter with a large stone and i fell flat to the ground. The hefty looking men caught up with me and beat me to pulp. I was engraved in bruises as they took the bag away from me and returned it back to the old woman.

I laid there on the ground almost unconscious. Tears rolled down my eyes.

“This is it" i thought.

I was prepared to go home regardless of the consequence of my actions. I needed to reconcile with my parents to live a better life, i couldn’t take it anymore. I picked myself up in severe pains and struggled back to the factory.

                      ******************

It’s a day to the new year. I had been rehearsing possible answers to any questions my parents could ask all through the night, i took my things and headed back home with mixed feelings. Bruises and undressed injuries embalmed all over my body. Memories of home rushed in as i walked into the neighbourhood, i could hear noises from different happy families getting prepared for the new year. My heart skipped a beat as I approached my own home. I took a deep breath and knocked on the front door.

“Who’s there?” I could hear my mum call out.

“It's me"

I tried to compose myself in the best way I could despite the pains I felt.

“Tony?” She opened the door and stood in shock.

“Oh my God, Tony!!”

She pulled me into her arms and gave me a very tight hug with tears dripping from her eyes. I could feel her joy the moment she saw me and my whole body twitched from the thoughts of everything she had gone through.

“Honey, Tony's back!”

Traces of goose bumps enveloped my skin and my eyes met my father’s. He stared at me and i could only imagine how he felt like strangling me on the spot. He paused, wiped his eyes, let out a smile and stretched out his arms.

“Come here son, welcome back home"

My heart melted. I could hardly believe what was happening. If only I had known I would be accepted back with love, I would have been home a long time ago. I felt relieved as I was welcomed in, my room was left exactly the way I wanted it to be and my mum carefully dressed my wounds without being inquisitive. Hours later, i slept peacefully than i had done in two years.

“Happy New year" I woke up from the sound of voices exchanging pleasantries far and near. I said a word of prayer and felt grateful for the opportunity to be with my family again.

                       ******************

Right now, my 21^st  birthday is just around the corner, life has taught me its lessons and I have learnt from them. I am away from home, in my own apartment with a good job. I visit my folks during the holidays with gifts and goodies to make them happy and i have come to a conclusion that while leaving home to find your path is necessary and inevitable, never leave a family that loves and supports you without their consent, support and the feeling that you can return whenever you want to. Leave without regrets. This is what it means to be a man.

The end.

From the writer’s desk: My token of appreciation and congratulations goes to everyone who made it into the year 2021. I appreciate you for your fervent dedication to reading every post as it contains bulk messages that will help you in your life's Journey. I look forward to continuing my journey with you this year. Happy New year.