Hafiz's POV
Darling! Mom called out to me as I got into our shared space. I quickly went to my stacks of clothes and went to the porch to change. Come lay beside me. She called out to me. Without saying anything,I moved to her bed stashed by the far end of the room. We have got a standing fan. She announced in a joyful tone. Aunt Fati gifted it to us with lots of provision. I turned in the direction of the Hisense white and blue fan stationed a good few meters away from the bed. How did I miss that? Well, what matters is that mom is in a happy mood. She pulled me closer to her and laid her head on my chest. A thing about life is that, there are days where sweet little sparks of pure joy not happiness enters your misery not to give you hope but to remind you that a great storm is about happening.
Mario's POV
Bring the black bowl here. But it's filled with water already! Frank said in protest. He had gone all the way to the hausa compound house on the other district not too far away from Zongo, I could understand his pain but it's either his water or we drown from the rain droplets pouring into our kiosk. The twins were huddled together on my right with a white washed bucket collecting water. Joyce was hugging her legs. Today she is sober,she didn't get any money to steal from her husband or her children. Said husband has been gone for a week now. We need to prevent the place from flooding. Mara added her voice. With a forlorn look, Frank agreed and with Mara helping him,they poured the clean pipe water outside. It was raining cats and dogs. The strong wind almost took me of my feet . Mara brought over the bowl to where the rain was faling into our home. With every end covered, everyone got somewhere to sit lost in their thoughts. With Frank's help,I pulled the big mattress in the middle, where he and the twins laid. I took the twins previous position by the door allowing myself enjoy a distant memory brought out by the loud rumble of thunder. Jos, I'm scared. Small round eyes would say to me while trying to get inside of me if that's even possible. All my clothes were loose, never had a fitted shirt no trousers. In terms of age ,I was older by a year. Will mama be safe? She is safe Doe. I'll pull him inside my big shirt and hug him till he falls asleep. The moment I try to put him on a mat, he will scream and wake everyone up, he was very clingy for a 6 year old born in a slum. Where is that slut of a mother? Joyce will shout in her drunkenness. Get him out of here. Allow him Joyce. Senior Joseph will interfere. Those where the only times I felt greatful to him. He didn't like being shouted at ,my Doe would whimper and shed baby tears. It's okay, no one is going to take you away from here. I would hum to him and he will go back to sleep again. My Doe, how I miss him. You are thinking about him eh. Mara moving to my side said. Don't deny it ,you have that look of longing. Should he have been a girl, I'd think you have a crush on her. What do you mean? I said in anger. Woah, chill, I was only kidding. A rush of regret hit me. I'm sorry Sam and you are right I miss him. He always found a way to turn my darkness into light. He did for us all Mario. Here is the rest of your fees. Mario, where did you get 100ghc from? And what of your fees? Don't worry about that? Joseph, when did we start keeping secrets from each other? Yesterday Frank said you gave him and the twins fifty cedis and with this, it sums up to your school fees. My fees got catered for so no need to worry and besides you can use the money from the pure water trade to get us something good for us to eat through the week. Do the wonders you ladies create with little money. One day we will sit in luxurious places and recount all sad events and laugh over it. I looked at my twin in the eyes, that must has been a lot for you to admit Sam. It did. We both fell into a laugh.
Isaac's POV
My fingers made figures on the floor to ceiling window, I sat on a bar stool facing the balcony the only thing protecting me from the rain was the glass window. My mind drifted to my previous live in the slums. Though it was hard and full of misery there were people who made my life in such a place worth while. Even when I almost gave up on myself a certain person held me through. You can fight this Doe, please stay awake. I.. need...I never got to hear what he said,my mind decided to give up. Hey! A voice from behind startled me into the present. Jet. Hello princess. Stop calling me that. Jet is an unfortunate abandoned Lebanese child. He is very fair with wavy afro. Unlike me, he was sold into this...life of being a pleasure toy at a very young age. What were you thinking about? Nothing. Well none of my business then,you should consider the boss's offer. Think about all the money you can make by sleeping with those rich daddies. You can move from the middle class apartment into a plush residential area like me. And another note about Jet is the fact that he is a kept boy and isn't allowed to sleep with any other patreon.
He can dance like me on the stage but he is not to be sent to bed. You can't be dancing always, people will get tired of you teasing them and you won't be able to get paid. Look at your mom ,she is ready to even bed with those crazy Arabian men. I wanted to scream at him that I wasn't my mom and I'd very much to keep myself but whom am I kidding, the fact that I don't go sleeping around doesn't make me different from her. I can never blame her,it is this thing called life that pushed her to such extremities. Think about it Doe,all the women are crazy about you but especially the men, they will do everything to have you. I'm not ... You are not gay, funny coming from you, you should know that all the guys like us in here are only doing it for money and nothing else.We were created different and we were unlucky to find ourselves in such dire situation.With a forlorn look Jet brushed past me.
