Controlling your emotions - Anger

"I had no idea what had just happened, I lost it. He kept on getting on my nerves and I tried to ignore him but he brought my mother into it"- I told the policemen as they took me away in one of their vans.

I hadn't realized it earlier probably due to the adrenaline pumping through my blood at the moment that I was bleeding. The journey to the Police station was a long one. I noticed students and passersby pointing to the Van, I swear I heard them say "that is the reason we send you to school, so you won't end up like that boy".

I had completed my O'level Certificate examinations and was waiting for admission into the university when the incident happened. It was a simple game of football but it soon turned into a violent battle.

My side was leading by a long gap and the other side didn't seem to be getting better. Slowly the game started getting rough as the opposing team grew even more desperate to balance the scale. All efforts proved abortive since it was almost impossible to break through our defensive line - with me being the main defender.

We decided we had played enough and it was time to blow the final whistle. It was becoming pathetic to see them waste so much energy. They didn't want it to end, so they pleaded and we agreed to the continuation of the game. The trashing went on until "he" came at me. With a right hook from him and I was on the ground. My teammates surrounded us to see what caused the fight, he claimed I had stepped on his foot - which was a lie.

He was bigger and stronger than me, also older. I tried to call him out for lying against me but he slapped me back to the ground. At this point, the game could no longer continue. I was on the ground as he tried to pounce on me for a further beating but was stopped by his teammates. I tasted blood in my tongue as I got back up on my feet with swollen cheeks. My parents had organized a therapy session in the past to help me cope with my anger and for a while, it worked until today.

Did you know that anger can be a great source of strength? As I took the beatings I tried to remain calm...until he used the forbidden word which involved my mother. With renewed energy and strength I got up from the ground and gave him a strong kick to his left leg and he fell hard to the ground. While he was on the ground and still in shock given that he wasn't expecting my attack, I had the upper hand - literally. I rushed some blows to his face and then I paused to catch my breath

Fighting isn't as easy as the movies make it seem. You get tired and would need to take breaks from time to time. I wonder how people fought in the days of the old by wielding heavy swords and raising heavy shields with their heavy armor and would often have to fight for long hours covering long distances.

He tried to get back up on his feet, but I launched another attack with a strong kick to his chest. The cheering crowd fell silent as we observed his motionless body. I bragged about my victory but it was short-lived when I realized what had just happened. I had killed someone.

It wasn't long after this had happened that the angry mob advanced towards me. I knew trying to explain what led to the "accident" to prove my innocence would be pointless, after all, the dead man is always innocent. So, I ran and they chased me.

I had seen what angry mobs do to criminals on the news but I never imagined it would be my turn. No, not like this, I won't die this way. I ran as fast as my leg could carry me, I didn't know I could move at such speed. Luckily an elderly lady allowed me to hide in her apartment in the closet. While I hid, I didn't know when the tears started rolling off my cheeks. I could barely differentiate the taste of the tears from the sweat and the blood as it came in contact with my tongue.

What would mom say? Would she be proud that I fought to defend her honor or disappointed that I gave in to my demons? I wished I could go back in time and change what had happened. I wish I had just stayed at home instead of going out with friends to play football.

I knew I was better off in the police station than with the angry mob. I begged the elderly woman who allowed me in to hide to call the police which she did with pain in her eyes. She had known me since I was a baby, I ran errands for her and kept her company during the period that I stayed at home.

I have never been more pleased to hear the sirens of a copper as I was that day. The mob soon dispersed as they were now focused on compelling his parents. I received curses from his parents as well as bystanders. I was the victim here yet I would be the one to get punished for trying to defend myself. I couldn't bear to look at my mother in the face but I imagine the news would have gotten to her by now.

Do not feel bad for me for I'm real and unreal at the same time. I'm merely a figment of Greatwolfman's imagination to inspire you to take control of your life by not giving in to anger. With one swing of a blow, your whole life could come to end, treat my story as a lesson. Don't make the same mistakes I did.

While this work may be pure fiction it could also be real, I refrained from mentioning any name to keep my characters anonymous. I passed by the prison cell and could only imagine the story each of the prisoners could tell on how they got to where they are. If I were to guess, I would say "Violence". The tendency to get upset is common to every living being but it is up to you to control it. Control your emotions at all times or it could be your downfall.

Lead Image Source credits goes to Unsplash.com