Chapter 5

The conclusion of the class brought me a sense of happiness as I made my way home. Following my usual routine, I shouldered my bag and exited the school premises to catch the bus that would transport me back home. It was a hassle-free process, as the journey would only take me a maximum of five minutes from the last bus stop to reach my house.

In a surprising turn of events, you uttered my name, catching me completely off guard. I had never imagined that you would not only acknowledge my presence but also summon me by name. The realization that you recognized me was beyond anything I could have fathomed. It was a revelation that took me by surprise, as I had never anticipated such recognition from you. Overwhelmed with curiosity, I turned around to verify my assumption, and to my delight, it was indeed you standing there.

You extended your hand for a handshake, introducing yourself as John. You expressed your anticipation for a meaningful conversation with me. On that day, I noticed a slight uneasiness in your smile, though I couldn't discern its exact meaning. After bidding you a farewell, I made my way back home.

Upon arriving home, I immediately set to work revising the outline of the subject that would be covered in our upcoming session. That day, I actively participated in every class discussions, eagerly answering questions that are posed to the entire class.

This newfound level of interaction fills me with an overwhelming sense of hope, as it signifies that I am on the right path to overcoming the challenges that lie ahead. With unwavering determination, I make a solemn commitment to myself to remain focused and undeterred, ensuring that nothing will hinder me from achieving my goal.

I am committed to making a conscious effort to avoid being perceived as snobbish and to cultivate an approachable demeanor towards those around me. It is important for me to be open and receptive to others, fostering a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable approaching me. If I encounter someone whom I believe may be causing the issues I am currently facing, I will strive to maintain level of maturity by diverting my attention away from them and focusing on positive interactions with others.

Looking back on that time, I held a belief that changing my perspective and attitude seemed like an unachievable goal but that wasn't easy at first.

The next day proved to be quite difficult in our interactions. Despite your previous mention of wanting to have a productive conversation, it was disheartening to hear only threats from you. You expressed that I should never bother to improve in my current position and advised against putting effort into reclaiming my place at the top.

The threats you made were quite telling, and it seemed evident that you were attempting to conceal something by warning me not to disclose anything to our colleagues. I came to the realization that you were being two-faced at that time. It seemed that you put on a facade of being pleasant and friendly in front of others, but when we were alone, you confronted me with hurtful words.

I calmly made my way home, choosing not to be affected by your unwarranted outburst. I am an individual who makes decisions based on what I believe is best for myself. I must confess that I had an initial sense of unease or apprehension about you as well.

Shortly after I returned home, my mother and younger sister arrived. The weariness etched on my mother's face indicated a particularly demanding day. She reclined on the couch, visibly exhausted, and drifted off to sleep within moments. This was a departure from her usual routine of promptly heading to the bathroom for a refreshing shower and changing into comfortable attire. Typically, she would then request my assistance in preparing the dishes.

Given the circumstances, I made the decision to take on all the responsibilities myself. I didn't even have the opportunity to inquire about my mom's meal preferences. Consequently, I had to independently choose and prepare the evening meal. Once I finished cooking, I approached my mom and noticed that she hadn't budged from her usual spot. Concerned, I reached out to check her temperature and observed that she was hyperventilating. Meanwhile, my sister sat on one of the couches, engrossed in her assignments. I brought her food and instructed her to go to the bedroom after finishing her meal. I didn't want her to panic if she realized the extent of our mom's discomfort.

Reacting swiftly, I hurried to our bedroom in search of medication. My mom had been experiencing symptoms before, but they had never escalated to such a high fever. I didn't want to disturb her slumber, so I promptly fetched a hot water bottle and gently placed a towel on her forehead to help alleviate the heat.

As the late evening, my mom finally woke up and I approached her with concern. I carefully examined her, noticing the weakness evident in her attempts to sit up. It became apparent that my mom had been keeping an illness hidden from me, and I had been completely unaware. I quickly administered the prescribed medication and handed her a glass of water, hoping to alleviate her symptoms. Her complexion had already turned pale, and I began to doubt that her condition could be attributed solely to malaria.

Upon hearing my mom express that she was experiencing severe abdominal pain and that it was serious, panic immediately surged through me. I had a strong intuition that something was amiss. It was clear that we needed to rush to the hospital. My mom reached for her phone, and in the blink of an eye, she was leaning on me for support. At that moment, I was unaware of the exact nature of the situation, but I could sense that we were about to face a tremendously challenging ordeal.