by Morris Kiema Kilunda

Created on: July 22, 2008

Walking at a snail's pace, i wondered what had happened the previous night. I pinched myself hard and could not understand if i was dreaming as i walked or my body had become numb. I looked into the eastern horizon, failed to see my star for good omen and cursed bitterly. Had i been born without any luck? Why had all my friends been so successful in life while i kind of never found a suitor to accept my proposal for marriage? I shed a tear and closely looked into my failures. enough was enough. I declared. I had to be like my friends.

I silently mourned. My favourite girlfriend, though was hot on my heels, had been banned by her parents from seeing me. I had to re-invent myself and meet the requirements that Mary's parents, especially her mother Grace wished fulfilled for her daughter to be married. I had never learned this ingredient of a person interferng with another's future life. I had no information that a mother could sabotage a relationship and nullify its possible yields in the future. Did the old folks never understand one characteristic of a relationship that is adopted from the business fraternity? A woman can marry the possible good future of a man and build her future to achieve the desires of her heart with her man! Relationships seemed to have had another dimension of trust and faith of one's abilities. It appeared relationships were pegged on current status of a man and not possible loss of fame that may happen in the future.

I removed my mirror that i always carried to see my handsome face and admire my looks. I had maintained my stance. There was no question about it. My dressing left nothing to be compromised. I had enough education to litter hopes of a propective girl with expectations. I had good communication skills. I never knew what made my values fail to tick.

Just as i wandered and wondered accross seas of thoughts, i heard a seemingly buzzing sound. I had just opened my perfume to update my sweet odour. When i looked back to see what hell it might have been, i could not believe my eyes. A swam of bees was descending on my little body. Was i worthy such temptations when i was looking forward to meet my girlfriend Mary against all odds?

I ran wild, as fast as my feet could manage, but i was not as fast enough for the bees. My nectar smelling perfume had betrayed me! In a few minutes, they caught up with me.i lay unconscious for a time i could not predict. By the time i was woke up, Grace, Mary's mother, was sitted beside me. She looked at me. "You can risk!" she said. "Where is my beloved Mary?" i asked. "I have gone through many trials. I am sure, one day, i shall overcome my barriers into success." i added.
Joseph, Mary's father who sat on the other side looked at his wife. "There are men who are made productive by the women that they marry. It is high time we gave in and let the ball roll on its court." he said. As i closed my eyes, i knew like a pray that must come to an end, i had to say Amen.

Mary who was watching sadly a few metres from her parents edged closer. "Do not despair. Everything has got its own time to weather storms of challenges that sabotage its value. Every tree that bears edible fruits has a time when it matures and people begin to appreciate it. We have lived past this. If we were married childless couples, relatives could have said we are infertile. We can still give birth. They should know." She said calmly.

"I have had not time to strategize to fit the likes of people. I am the same person, whose qualities everybody dispises but i am glad, in the same light, i have won a title of honour. I will live this great dream of being who i am. it is an important asset of human being." I said as i struggled to stand.

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