Richard woke up after a long tiring rest, he had enjoyed playing football the other day after church service till sunset, he and his counterpart must've really enjoyed it without getting tired, the wall never gets tired does it?
'Your water is ready, come pick it up and take your bath' his mum called out.
'Coming'.
'Hurry up or you're going to be late and I won't plead on your behalf' added Vincent, his father.
'Like you care' Richard said to himself.
Richard never loved his father, things never went smooth between them. Vincent was brought up in a polygamous family.
The family was not poor but he and his siblings were treated without care, they go to the farm every rising day and are made to work themselves out. They were made to depend only on the money they make from games they sell and crafts they make.
His father never tolerated any misbehavior and so they all we're almost always brutally beaten and tortured for any misdoings.
Vincent always believed he had to bring up his son in this same way. Richard was a boy that seeked liberty alone. He loved to do things on his own in order to figure out which best way would do.
Quite inquisitive for his age, he always had his paths crossed with Vincent. Vincent would beat him almost every passing day, on lucky days insults and abuses will do the whipping.
'Richard, go and get my belt' was the sentence Richard heard most of Vincent. Poor boy.
Since Richard was the one getting the belt, he thought of a way to ease the pain sometime and an idea struck him. This was about two months before now.
'Kre.. Kre.. Kre. Krekrekre... ' Holy shit don't give me that sound Richard pleaded with the rickety old wooden brown door that led to his father's room. He walked stealthily on the faded blue carpet that was laid plainly on the floor, getting to the wooden brown hanger that stood across the room, he stopped.
Richard started to feel the texture of the belts and picked the one he felt was thinnest. 'This would do' he said to himself. He decided to give it a trial by flogging his left palm with it.
'Ouch!' He yelled... Not from the pain from the belt, but because he had hit his little toe against the edge of the bed.. 'Damn you! Damn Damn you!!'.
'I'm ready' said Richard as he walked over to the living room with his backpack and basket.
'Ready or not, I was leaving already'.
It's been over a few weeks now and Richard had made some friends.. This list included Joshua and Claire.
Joshua, the fat boy, was one who loved playing football, this was the only common factor that brought the boys together, perhaps added to the eye they both had for Claire.
Claire was his play buddy in class, they do work and walk together more than any other boy girl friendship in the class.
'Did you do your homework Richard? ' Asked Claire immediately Richard entered into the class..
'What homework? '
'You're so gonna be trashed boy' laughed Claire 'here take mine and copy, then we both pray as much as we can that Mr. Ron doesn't find out, you'll submit yours at the middle of the other books, I'll drop mine at the top'.
Without hesitation, Richard grabbed the book and made for his table.
Claire looked at him with disgust
'Lazy boy'.
