The Phone Thief

4. Family Affair

Abubakar was looking at Adam with contempt... Like what the fuck and who the fuck is this guy? He was totally bewildered.

Adam continued talking "you see, I am not a thief, that's just my investment. And I always ask my victims for forgiveness and they rush in forgiving me and even dashing me things. Honestly, I can't say I was born to steal but It's the environment that trained me. Are humans not animals? I swear to God some animals are better to live with than some humans. I have experienced enough in my life to be called a grandpa. I have been a victim of life, I have begged death to rescue me several times when I was younger. I conquered my fear and I prayed to the Lord. And here I am, being dragged by satanic and Godly forces. I am a fucking kleptomaniac, I am a thief!" Adam shouted. He became hysteric. He started sobbing very deeply that his body shook.

Abubakar's confusion doubled. He doesn't know what to do but he felt sorry for Adam. He moved closer to him and held his hands. "Adam, stop crying, everything will be fine. I will share your misfortune. I will do everything possible to help you. Please stop crying."

Adam continued crying. He will use his hands to wipe the tears from his cheeks. Abubakar watched as Adam tried hard to stop crying but as though he remembers something, he will burst into a deeper wail. Abubakar held one of Adam's hands and put his right hand across his shoulders.

"Please stop crying. With God everything can be dealt with and trust me nothing lasts forever. It will be over."

It had to take Abubakar a lot of effort to stop Adam from crying. When he stopped crying, Abubakar gave him a bottle of water. He drank half and kept it where he kept the sachet water that was given to him the previous day. There was silence. Abubakar doesn't know what to say.

Adam broke the silence by asking Abubakar a question "how often do you cry?"

"Well, once in a while. Why?" Abubakar shrugged.

"But when was the last time?" Adam asked again.

"Actually...about six or seven months ago, why are you asking?"

"I guess you don't have an idea how emotionally and psychologically stressful it is to hoard pain. I cry almost everyday but I have no one to console me. No one to show me love and care. I have been looking for a shoulder to lean on. So I feel relieved now that I cried in your presence, I feel relieved. I feel loved. Thank you."

"I know the feeling" Abubakar said.

"No you don't." Adam blurted. "you don't know the feeling. You are sympathetic but you are not empathic. If you know how to put yourself in other people's shoes, you'll cry almost everyday because our environment is full of realities to cry for. Crying is not always a sign of weakness. There are times when crying is the sole indicator of strength. You should be empathic, Abubakar."

"Well, let's talk about that some other time. Right now I'm more interested in hearing your story. I want to know how you started stealing and what prompted you. I want to know the pain you've been hoarding, and I will love to know if this is another stunt." Abubakar's hand was still on Adam's shoulder as they spoke.

"I am a product of a broken marriage. My parents separated when I was Five years old. My sister was only two then. My parents love story was a titanic one. They exchanged a seed of love and planted them in their hearts. The love grew so well. They fertilized it with fidelity and promises. They got rid of weeds promptly. I hope you understand what I mean?" Adam asked Abubakar. Abubakar nodded and Adam continued.

"My grandmother, that's my father's mother, she hated my mum with passion. Because my mother was from a poor family. She wanted my father to marry someone from her family. My dad was blind to the wishes of his mother. He refused to listen to her. My grandmother leveled all blames on my mother.