He couldn't make it through.

Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, months to years.

Many decades have past and still he held on the tiny hope that they would one day appreciate him.

A very long time ago, there was a little boy who was born to the family of all girls. His presence have been seek forward to, this is why he had so many sisters.

His presence ended the circle the mother passed through of giving birth every year in search of a son.

He was celebrated and things had been set out for him.

Places he would go, when he was to wake, people he were to associate with and every available things were set out for him like a map.

His sister's had to leave after he started walking, leaving him alone with his mother and father. He had no one to play with.

With time they groom him up the way they wanted him to, he was to sit and watch his father sort out businesses and speak to his employees.

Though he was admitted to school, his lifestyle was different from other kids so he began to wonder why he was different.

He didn't like it one bit, he'd watch other parents come pick up their kids from school with smiles on the children faces to meet up with their parents.

He watched as a man gave his son a peck on this forehead and how the boy giggled.

He wanted that too, and he tried to show his parent what he wanted but he was stopped even before he started with threats that if he thinks or reminisce on how other children are pampered he would be severely disciplined.

He was afraid, he had to live with that fear embedded in his mind.

He was glad though he had a driver who picked him up instead of his father, though the driver doesn't talk to him, he still appreciated his presence because he wasn't forced to do things by him.

At that little age of his where he needed to be pampered and create his childhood memories, the opposite was the case.

He had memories but not the kind that'll bring smiles on his face.

He worked hard to satisfy his parent, listen to every instruction of theirs to the very tip. He even learnt how to talk like his dad and behave like him.

Words his father used on employees became the new trend in his mouth. He speaks them out like he's reading his alphabets.

Still his father wasn't proud of him, his mother wasn't even there to care for him. He tried hard to gain their favours, the more he did, the more was expected of him.

There was nothing like you have tried,that's my son and other words to boost his morale.

All he receives was just a nod from his father for a job he worked really hard to get done.

He didn't like the life he lived. He could see people having friends who they talk to and he wanted that too.

One day , he spoke up and approached one guy when the bell rang, he was surprised the guy answered back in a manner not known to him.

But his heart knew that response, those were the response he yarn to receive from his parent.

When the voice of his new friend echoed in his ear again, he turn toward him and gave a big toothy smile. The kind of smile he never knew existed.

You have a lovely smile his friend had complimented him. You should always smile more and never let it be taken from you.

He turn around with smiles on his face only for it to drop dead, right there was his dad beside his new car talking on the phone while his body guard were to pick him up.

He ran towards them and never told his new friend goodbye like he had always watch others do because he didn't want them to scare him like they did to other people he spoke with.

He walked towards the car and thought within himself, maybe he wants to take me to another business meeting.

He walked towards the car, and greeted his father like he had always done. Stand firm and bend a little bowing his head.

He was ignored like always as he father chatted on with whoever he was talking to.

The moment he sat down, the car roared back to life as it zoomed off.

He sat down at the far end of the car and and faced outside watching as the other cars passed by.

Hours pass by excruciatingly, as he watched the once busy road turning to a bushy one.

When are we gonna get there he asked himself, just then the car came to an abrupt stop.

Finally he exclaimed to himself, he was going to free of the boredom.

His victory claim was cut shut when he heard a familiar authoritative voice with venom attached to it speaking out in one tone.

Get down! , He stood up immediately and got down like he was being controlled by a remote. Meet me at home in an hour said the voice.

The car zoomed off and he stood there trying to process the information.

He heard the voice again louder this time and he turned in fear to see where his father was only to notice that he was all alone.

His legs moved him before he had the time to process what was going on.

He took charge and ran so fast he felt the world was crushing down on him.

Even with that he didn't stop and continue running so fast his throat almost closed down on him.

His breath became suffocating but he never gave up, he couldn't do that now. This is just another test again which he must pass he thought.

There lay a hope in his eyes , with smiles coming to the conclusion that if he did it right maybe his father would truly see him for who he was this time.

That hope fueled his breath as he continued running so fast like he had never thought he could, in fact he had never seen any being who could run like that.

The tress became a flash as he ran by, he missed his step and fell hard on the stone filled ground almost hitting his head on the big rock very close to where he had fell.

His eyes open wide and he stood up abruptly and continue running ignoring the sharp pain in his abdomen and legs.

He continued running more until he finally met with his salvation. Right there in a distance, stood his house.

He ran towards it and pressed the bell which was immediately open up to him.

He continued running fast not giving up now that he was almost to his father abode.

The boy ran to his father falling hard on the floor again panting hard. He tried speaking to announce his presence but he came out as a squirmy whisper.

You are thirty minutes late the voice had said. Go to your room and never come out till tomorrow unless you are told to.

He stood up immediately holding his shoulder high up as he had been told never to show his pain.

As he walked to his room,blood drip down from his battered body and he felt his soul bruised.

He walked into his room and open the door to his bathroom, not caring about his clothes and shoe he switch on the hot shower and sat under it crying hard.

He shouldn't have hoped again, he shouldn't have believe it would be different this time around. If he had just not hope , if he.... if he... He hiccuped cleaning off his tears and muffling his voice in order not to attract attention.

He rose up his head and saw how his blood had mixed with the water washing off his body.

The little boy stood up and pulled of his wet clothes discarding all materials on him. He walked towards the cabinet and brought out the first aid kit to clean his blood and the body relieve drug in it.

His stomach rumbled and he patted it, telling it how sorry he was that it wasn't going to be fed tonight again.

He walked to his bed and snuggled in with traitorous tears mocking him of the outcome of his day and right there in his room, he vowed to himself that he would never hope again and he held on tight to it.

Months passed and things became worse with different tests..

He passed some and failed some which he paid dearly for.

The only thing that kept him sane though was the new secret friend he had.

His new friend was full of compassion and had taught him a lot which he was grateful for, though it brings tears to his soul that he had never felt those love from those who begot him.

Years passed by and the boy grew and was now a teenager, his teenage life was tougher than his childhood.

He was faced with countless challenges that almost claimed his life, this made his father mould him up more until he almost lost his humanity. He had almost lost his human sanity but his new friend always helped him through.

One day, his father called him to his mini office and right there was a bruised man who was chained.

The little teenage boy was given a gun to shoot the guy dead or be shot dead. His cold heart battles with his little soft heart for humanity.

He held tight on the gun and chose the wall. He shot at it and a resounding slap echoed in his ear.

He held on tight on the gun and bow his head toward his father. A pain in his right abdomen caught him by surprise but he took it all in not daring to look at the knife stuck into him.

More lashes came his way until he almost bled out.

He was told to go his room of which he did.

Right there he collapsed on the floor with blood gushing out from each side.

He tried to stand and save himself again but he couldn't, he struggled hard to breathe but lost his touch. He pulled himself up with his will power and dialed 911 and when the lady picked up he answered her saying. I was killed by my father. Right there in his room, a teenage boy lost his life.

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

The moment a baby boy is born, the believe is that he is to work hard and be responsible for his family's life and the family he is to build. Many challenges come their way and they are left with themselves to have it overcame.

Some are fortunate to have met with new friends ( wife, sister or brother) who always encourage them and assist them.

While some made it through, many fell and wasn't able to pull through..

The sacrifices of a child toward his parent , a brother toward his sisters, a husband toward his wife and a father toward his children is so overwhelming that even the strongest soul may fail to overcome.

Kudos to all men over the world for always trying and never giving up.

And to those who lost their life in the great battle of life, I pray they continue to rest in perfect peace..

Let's take a moment to appreciate our men for what they have done and what they'll do through Christ that strengthens them.

Thanks for the usual tips, comments and love shown towards my articles.

I duly appreciate you all including my viewers.

To my sponsors I say thank you and to my new sponsor @JanPat0204 welcome to my family.

PS: The above article holds a lot of unsaid meaning, it is not just the story of a boy but a reality of life.

Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Photo source: Unsplash

Writer: Balikis

Date:17 March 2022

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