In Between

The Emerging Artist

Abba's teenage years played out like a dramatic saga, full of highs and lows, but it was during these years that his innate talent began to surface. His father, Ngoma, was nothing short of a genius inventor, leaving behind big shoes to fill. However, Abba never felt the pressure to match his father's reputation and legacy. Deep down, he likely knew it—Abba too was a genius, albeit in a different realm. His exceptional artistic talent began to bloom during these tumultuous years.

With a pencil, a paintbrush, or a pen, Abba created art effortlessly. Like his father, who stood apart from his peers in the world of invention, Abba was exceptional in his artistic expressions. His pain, joy, and mental struggles were vividly brought to life through his art. But, like most geniuses, the loneliness of standing apart from others plagued him. At the age of seventeen, a single sketch he drew with an injured hand caught the attention of art enthusiasts. Despite the praise, Abba's family disapproved. "Why does he waste his time drawing?" they often whispered. Yet, for Abba, art was not a pursuit for recognition. While others played sports or video games, Abba drew—it was his outlet for pain.

Unknown to the world around him, Abba harbored immense hatred due to the way he was treated and used following his father's death. This bitterness impacted his relationships, even with those he should have loved better. At seventeen, his life was relatively quiet compared to previous years. He had fleeting flings and significant growth in his art. It was also the year he met a girl who would become crucial to him in the near future.

As Abba approached eighteen, the chaos around him subsided enough for him to revisit his romance with Nola. Luckily for him, Nola had not forgotten him. How could she? If they could ever tell their stories, they would describe each other as the love of their lives. When they met again, the fear and anxiety of encountering an old flame vanished with a simple smile. Abba had traveled back for a visit with friends and decided to see Nola. The joy with which she jumped into his chest for a hug was adorable; it felt as though they had never been apart.

The two did not care who was watching or who had feelings for them. One look at them, and anyone could tell they belonged together. It was hard for everyone else, which perhaps explained the consistent efforts to split them apart. But why would friends, a whole community of people, spend so much time and energy trying to destroy the happiness of another friend? Abba and Nola faced their own problems, but their biggest issues always stemmed from the people they called friends.

Abba began to realize this and started distancing himself from his so-called friends. Although he didn't leave all of them behind, he developed a habit of moving on from friends every time he relocated. The reunion with Nola was short-lived, much to the joy of some of their friends. Abba moved again, this time to a district closer to Nola. Though cordial, the two did not speak much.

In this new district, Abba met someone new: Atesi. Perhaps she was the first girl Abba ever had pure respect for. Atesi came from a conservative family with many rules. Although she had heard about Abba, she didn't care about the rumors. She wasn't initially interested in him, even though she found him attractive. Abba was persistent and patient, eventually winning her over. She forced him to grow and became his first exclusive girlfriend.

Atesi was as beautiful as she was intelligent. She was a hard nut to crack, which made Abba feel secure. Unlike his previous relationships, his relationship with Atesi was built on trust and mutual respect. She brought out the best in him and kept him away from toxicity. This relationship thrived partly because none of Abba's old friends knew about it. Their bond carried on into the year he turned nineteen and almost twenty.

Eventually, distance took its toll. As Abba moved to another district, Atesi's feelings began to fade. She was honest about it, telling him that her feelings were waning. It was a heartbreaking moment for Abba, one that shook him more than his past relationships. While he did not love Atesi as much as he did Nola, with Atesi, he had found stability and contentment—a future he could picture.

After the breakup, Abba dived deeper into his art, expressing himself in the only way he knew. His paintings began to earn him acknowledgment among his peers. More importantly, he had successfully separated himself from his father's image. The only comparison made was about how both were geniuses. Abba's art became a reflection of his journey.

His work caught the eye of local galleries and art collectors. At exhibitions, people marveled at the depth and emotion in his pieces. They saw the soul of a young man who had faced immense challenges and had channeled his experiences into breathtaking art. Abba's talent was undeniable, and he began to carve out his own legacy, distinct from his father's.

As he approached his twenties, Abba continued to navigate the complexities of life, love, and artistry. He knew that his journey was far from over, but with each stroke of the brush, he painted a brighter future for himself. His art became not only a means of expression but also a way to connect with others, to share his story, and to inspire those who saw his work.

In this new phase of his life, Abba learned to balance his passion for art with the realities of adulthood. He pursued further education in the arts, honing his skills and expanding his horizons. He met new mentors and peers who recognized his potential and encouraged him to push his boundaries. Through it all, he remained grounded, never forgetting the lessons of his past.

The experiences of his teenage years had shaped him, but they did not define him. Abba was determined to forge his own path, to create a life that was true to himself. As he continued to grow and evolve, his art flourished, reflecting the man he was becoming. And though the journey was often difficult, Abba embraced it with the same passion and determination that had carried him through his darkest days.