Chapter 1: Background

What is the first thing we do? I think we open our eyes first. The overwhelming light hitting our eyes , the pain is unbearable at first making you disoriented but we adjust to the light. Then the smell and sometimes it's the odor makes us want to vomit as it find it's way into our nostrils and interconnect with our mouth. This is the time when you realize you have to brush your teeth because the taste in your mouth is unbearable.

This is a story about a young man who lives in a city with more than two million people. It was actually a capital city of the kingdom. Born from an average family, maybe worse than average, grew up in rural area. He was accustomed to farming for a time, but just like any other children, his parents struggled and sweated their body to let him go to university. Now he is holding a degree but life is not that simple as fairy tales, reality is a monster that even the modern weapons can not put a scratch on it, it just need a swordman who face it head-on.

His name is John Moyo, living in a one room with only a bed and a gas stove. Today is Monday, he have to go somewhere to find a job. When he thinks about it, every bone in his body shivers, he looses the strength to even lift a finger. It feels heavy in his heart, four years in university has amounted to this. His parents are back home now have healthy issues due to overworking and stress but it all amounted to this. 'I have to keep on looking for a job no matter what ', he thought with almost tears coming out from his eyes. 'God is this the life you have for me?' His eyes were closed, his hands were molded into a fist almost tearing his skin with his nails. Suddenly tears start running down his chicks like river. His parents have worked hard but he haven't sent them anything, even a cent. It's been two years since his graduation but he only got piece work here and there. Those who have interest in him will throw him away in the next three or four months. The thought of going back to the village has crossed his mind over and over again. If he could be given a medal, perseverance is his strong suit.

His clothes are old as of they have been handed over to him from his dead great-grandfather. It's not because they were not new when he bought them but they have been on his body for the past year and a half at least. He is a smart guy, that I can say out aloud but the constant wear and tear has made them look like a township mentally challenged man.

Life has not been kind to him. Suddenly, there was a knock on his door, he was petrified, 'who might it be, the landlord maybe, I haven't paid rent in three months '. "Who is there?" He shouted with a shivering voice. If he is kicked out of the house he have no where to go.

"It's Sharon, can we talk", a sweet voice came from the door almost making him forgot all his worries. He collected his thoughts and went for the do half excited. Sharon was the daughter of the landlord, she was always friendly to him, they always have long chats about life and everything. If anyone see them they will think that they were dating, but no it never crossed his mind. Maybe it's because of his tough life that made him forget about having a girlfriend.

'Why is she here this early?' A train of thought were in his mind as he went for the door.

"Hi, good morning", he said as he open the door.

"Can I come in," she said as she passed him going into his room. He was about to say something but she was already in the room and she went to sit on his bed. He never had a girl in his room, this was the first. He looked around and saw disorder in his room.

"I apologize, my room is a mess. What's up?" He said that trying to organize a few things in his room.

"Yeah it is a mess and it's really small", she said chuckling sweetly. She knew how to make him uncomfortable.

"That's not helpful", he said when he realized that she was just playing with him. He was a little relieved to hear her saying that. She came close to him and pulled him to his bed, "please sit down, my parents will know that I came here."

His heart almost skipped a bit, ' what's going on'. He sat down and turn around to look at her, their eyes met, 'she is beautiful'. He smiles and she smiles back making him almost choke. " What's up?". He asked again.

There was a glint of pain in her eyes, she looked down in the brink of crying. She was silent for almost a minute. "Emm, my parents wants you out of the house, they are going to tell you when you are back, I'm sorry John. They only think about money, they don't understand what you are going through. I tried to talk to them to give you more time but they are not listening to me now".

'I had been expecting this for the past month but I guess the day had come for me to face the music' he thought to himself. He was confused why Sharon was crying, he was the one who was supposed to cry but he had already accepted the reality the moment she came. "It's okay Sharon, what if I do something for them, like working for the rent? Can you ask them for me, I can do gardening or any other hands-on work. Anything".

Her eyes lit up, she was excited for this ideas, she jumped and hugged him almost falling onto the bed. "That's a great idea, I will ask them. I really don't want to loose you, you are like my brother to me". Suddenly, there was a boulder on his throat, though he hugged her back he was not that happy about it, those words hurt him all of a sudden. ' What's going on with me! Why do I feel like I'm mad at her'.

"I will tell them when they woke up, it's a great idea." Now the moment seemed awkward to her too. She could feel herself hot, her cheeks turning red and her body getting all excited. She quickly let go of him and straighten up he dress. " I should go", she was afraid if she stay she might do something. " You should came early from your errands so that you can talk to my parents." She walks to the do, opens the door then she looks back with a smile, her cheeks are still red, " see ya", she closed the door and rushed out almost running.

"What's going on with her", he mattered to himself.