A Child's Struggle

~1~

     "We will be leaving in the next 30minutes Raphael. You should go dress up", his mom, Mrs Bamidele shouted from upstairs as she entered Toluwani's room to dress her up.

The Bamidele household comprise of three children, two girls and a boy. The older girl, Racheal is abroad while the younger sister, Toluwani is still in primary school. Raphael is 13 year old and is entering ss1 this new session. His mom has to take him to school today because his dad went for a meeting. He's a real busy fellow, always on business trips.

Immediately he heard his mom's announcement, he left the dining and headed to the kitchen to keep his plates. Afterwards, he went upstairs to dress up for school. He attends Bells High Montessori, one of the best schools in their town. It was his first time in senior school, he felt so happy putting on the seniors clothing. It made him feel on top of the world but that joy was short lived by the remembrance that he was going to study what is not his dream. He shoved the thoughts to the back of his mind as he resumed packing his luggage.

As he was about leaving the room, his mind kept drifting to the fact that he was taking a path that was not meant for him. He immediately left the door knob and turned back facing his room. His room was well decorated for a footballer like him. Different wallpapers with successful footballers, quotes about the football game and many football related stuffs made up his beautiful room. He just stood looking around the room, obviously he was already missing home. He slowly left the box handle he was holding and moved towards the wallpapers. He moved his hands softly and slowly on them like he was caressing them for real.

Then he smiled and said in almost a whispering tune, like he was telling them in their ear, "I want to be a football star like you guys. I promise I would..." He was cut short by his mother's voice.

" Let's go", she said. He walked out of his room with his box and headed downstairs.

The family driver, Mr. Musa was not around because of some scores he had to settle with his village people, so Mrs Bamidele had to drive by herself. Tunde, the gateman was already in the sitting room waiting to carry Raphael's box to the boot of the car. Immediately Raphael reached downstairs, Tunde did the needful and went to open the gate. They all entered the car and she drove out of the compound.

On the way to School, Mrs Bamidele remembered her husband sent a voice note to her WhatsApp for Raphael to listen before he goes to school.
"Raphael check my bag for my phone and open my WhatsApp", she said as she focused her attention on passing the traffic light before it turns red. She told him to open his father's chat and check her starred messages. She told him to listen to the voice note.

"...my son, remember you are the only son of the family and you have to take over my company. Make sure you listen in class and gather all knowledge and skills you can get from that business class. If u dare fail, you know what I can do to...", Raphael threw the phone on the chair immediately. He was so angry that he had to stop the voice note at that time. The way he reacted to the voice note also shocked his mom. He was so angry that his eyes were damp with tears.

"Does he really only think of what he would gain. I'm I his machine or his son? I don't even get it anymore", he cried out as tears fell down his eyes. All the pain he had been holding in since when he was told he must join business class welled up in form of tears and began to pour.

"How can you say that son. Your dad loves you and will do everything to make sure you are great", his mom told him.

"No mum. I don't want greatness in this aspect. This is not the life I want."

"You know nothing boy. What do you know about life? You are just a 13 year old boy who is beginning life" she argued.

"Seriously mum." Raphael said as he looked at his mom. He knew already she would never support him and it really pained him so much. "Mum can you both let me do what I want? I want to be a footballer like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar..." He continued as his voice was rising. His mum immediately cut him in before he could finish the sentence.

"You better think of what you want to do with your life. We don't care about what you say because when you grow, you will realize all what we've done for you was for the best"

"I don't think I will ever get to that realization", he replied again strong headedly.

"Then suit yourself", she replied as she geared the car towards the school gate. They had just reached his school.

Raphael was really moody on reaching school. His little sister just kept whispering sorry to him. A small child who understands nothing but just wants her brother to be happy and smile forgetting all sorrows. That was Toluwani. As he brought down his box, she helped carry his school bag.

"Raphael sorry. Don't mind mummy and daddy." She said so innocently as they walked towards his hostel.

Raphael stopped walking and turned to face her bending down to reach her level. "Do you think I will be a great footballer?" he asked her sweetly.

"Yes brother, you will be a star", she answered happily as she jammed her hands together lightly. Raphael was so happy that at least he had a fan already. He touched her cheeks and then promised to be her number one star. Then he held her hands as they continued to the hostel.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bamidele saw her friend who is a staff of the school. She is Raphael's guardian, Mrs Treasure.
"Longtime. Holiday looks good on you", Mrs Bamidele hailed her friend as she saw her.

"Thanks for the compliment ma. How is the family? Hope you did not shout too much this holiday. You know children can be worrisome", Mrs Treasure said.

"Not at all. My children are not rough like that. That has saved my head a bit." She replied as they both laughed.

"So where is Raphael?", his guardian asked turning her head around checking if she could sight him anywhere.

"He must have gone to his hostel for his clearance. He now does things himself. Big boy tinz!" She replied jokingly.

"Serious big boy ooh" Mrs Treasure added.

"Please don't forget to keep an eye on him. You know children..." She kept on telling Mrs Treasure to watch over her son and make sure he stays in the business class as they would be put in classes. After all their chitchatting she continued to the hostel but not without giving the lady some tips. Nothing is free in this country at all!

After his clearance was done she said prayers and left back home. She reached home late because of the hold-up on the road. When they reached home, her husband was already back home.
"Daddyyy!", shouted Toluwani as she ran towards where he was sitting and climbed his body.

"How are you baby", he asked her as he adjusted himself so she could stay properly.

"Fine dad but Raphael is not. I think mummy made him sad." she replied sharply not minding her mum was standing there.

This girl is really a talkative, Mrs Bamidele thought in her mind. "Hello Darling", she said as she pecked her husband. "You shouldn't listen to this girl", she added as she walked into the kitchen.

"But did anything really happen. Is he sad?" He asked still worried.

"Just his normal sulking because his joining the business class", she answered from the kitchen.

"Ooooh", he said as he stroked Toluwani's hair. "Don't worry baby, your brother is doing fine."

"But dad can't you let him do his football?" she still pressed on the discussion. He told her not to worry about it because she won't understand. She still wanted to say something but he shifted her attention to the television. It was her favorite show time. Toluwani can disturb, if not for that show he would not have escaped her questions.