The "Saw" Principle

The rain poured like it was furious, flogging his back and knocking his head, but he didn’t mind, he had experienced this many times that it dint matter anymore, he was used to it. The walk home wasn’t too far, just 30 minutes , he would make it home safe as long as it wasn’t  past 9pm, Sege and his gang emerged at that time and no one in sound mind should be out unless they wanted to join or die!

He was a very smart boy, his teacher advised him to go to Kings College for his secondary education or get a scholarship to White Sands but he feared his parents won’t be able to afford it and he won’t be able to fit in with the “aje butters”. It hurt him though, he knew he was very smart and deemed it unfair that a boy as intelligent as he was wouldn’t be able to get a good education, all because of money! Cursed thing!

He quickened his pace as it was getting late, he knew he stretched the time too far but how could he say no to a nice soccer match with the boys, especially when he knew he’s a very skilled player! Then the rain had to spoil everything and he remembered he had a curfew.  He definitely didn’t want to meet Sege neither did he want to worry his mum so he started running . He began to see lights turned on nearby and his heart started racing, “I need to make it on time o!” he ran faster and then he slipped and fell hard on the muddy floor.

He gradually stood up and tried to squeeze some water out of his clothes and as he squeezed all he could a black Jeep sped past and drenched them once more. He sighed loudly, he hated being poor, he wished his family was rich, at least he won’t have to walk and get soaked and dirty! He wouldn’t have to pretend like he didn’t care about the jokes his classmates crack, they teased and said hurtful things like he had only a pair of trousers and he walked to school because he had no money, they say they could buy his house with their allowance. He also felt bad because they take okada to school and he doesn’t.

He felt terrible now, the fall made it worse. At first he was happy about the correct goal he scored which made him forget about the rain, then he thought  of the nice things his teacher said to him and he felt better then he became scared because he was running late and now he regretted being poor!

He got home on time and just like he figured his mother was waiting for him. She shouted at him for taking time then told him she boiled hot water for his bath and Pounded Yam and Egusi was waiting for him. His little brother ran to hug him then showed him what he drew in the jotter Uncle Tunde dashed him. He sighed, he was happy he was home but was still upset he was poor.

The rain poured like it was furious, flogging the roof and banging the boot, he didn’t mind, all he had to do was put on his headphones and play some music. He took out his iTouch and selected “over my dead body” . He’d met Drake once at this concert where he got a V.I.P seat. As funny as it might sound he actually wanted to go with his dad but he was busy and had been for the past 3 years!

He wasn’t a straight A pupil and he didn’t care, he knew he could get into any secondary school he wanted, his mum knew principals and besides he was going to an English school in Paris, he didn’t have time for this country, it was too hot and too boring. He thought about this while taking a few puffs from his inhaler, cursed thing! He thought. He was off to the hospital again, his leg had to be checked. He hoped it was fine even though this was the 4^th in successive months he was going for x-ray on the same leg. The doctor said he had brittle bones and should be especially taken care of.

The driver missed a turn and found himself in a very dodgy area, he made a quick U-turn and sped past splashing some boy with muddy water.  He saw the pool of water soak the boy’s face and clothes, he felt sorry for him and told the driver to be careful next time. He kept staring at him and wondered what he was doing under the heavy rain, couldn't  he at least take a cab or something? The sharp pain on that leg reminded him that he had his own problems to take care of.

He was scared and wished his mother was there, he wished she read him a story or told him how hectic her day was while leaning  on her  shoulders.  He wanted to feel like a big baby for once, he was longing to feel like a big baby. She  was never at home and he was tired of always playing ps3 games with his governess or gossiping about his classmates to the driver. He wished his brother would drive him to school at least one day, preferably on his birthday so he could show him off to his classmates and say “hey! My brother drove me to school!” He couldn’t remember the last time he ever hung out with him, he was always busy either with his friends or going to some party. Sometimes he wished he was as old as his brother so that he could go out with him, he began to cry. He just wanted his parents, he just wanted love… He just wanted his family.