Stuck in Between

  The tick-tock sound of dripping water coming through the windows caught my attention. I slowly opened my eyes to the rays of sunlight piercing through the window. The weather is still chilly as it just finished raining. I sighed and stretched my hand, reaching the mini drawer beside my bed. It's a Sunday morning. Time to complete this story, I said to myself as I opened the rainbow-colored dairy in my hand. My name is Ahmad, a successful young man in my early 25 and this is my story... Growing up in the Northern part of Nigeria where religion, culture, and tradition are predominantly the order of living is a stressful life for a boy with complicated feelings like me. I live in a small town where farming and fishing activities are reigning due to the good soil of the town and the abundant river that passes through the town. Many people from different parts of the country come to my village for trading and other business activities. Every household in my town is either farmer or fishers. Young boys like me only end up on the farm and young girls are married to rich men while others are sent to the city as house helps. Only a few whose families still have the idea of education are allowed to go to school. Even though I disturb my family about enrolling me in the public school in my town, my father and older siblings will scold me and call me lazy. "I don't know what you gave birth to," my father said, referring to my mother. Boys of Ahmad's age are always seen on the farm or market, but he spends all of his days either at home or in that useless school you claimed you enrolled him in. Calm down daddy, my mother replied, Ahmad will soon be writing his final exams and I will send him to the city, so you won't have to bother seeing him, she said. "Send him to which city"? My father shouted, as if the years he wasted going to that school is not enough, now you want to send him out, with whose money, he shouted again. Oh please Mr, I want my son to be educated, least you forgot, I am also a farmer and I have enough money to sponsor my child, you already have his siblings following your tracks and dancing to your tunes, let me also have Ahmad do as I wish, at least I would know that I benefit from this marriage, she said as she drops the tray of grains on her laps. My father threw away the cutlass on his hand in anger, " I don't care what you want to do, but I am getting Ahmad married next year", he is already 20, I see no reason he would still be under my root extorting my hard-earned money, he said and walk out of the house furiously. My mom hissed and entered her room. Oh my God, I sighed as I dropped the book I was reading. Early morning fights have become a daily routine in my house. I wonder why my father is so cultured and obsessed with marriage. As if he would be the one to be married, why would he force me to do what I don't want to, I hissed as I closed the book and headed out of the house. Ahmad! Ahmad!! I heard my friend calling my name as I was walking my road to the river. Mr. Lukman was expecting you at school yesterday but you were Absent. What happened? Mike asked as he tapped my shoulder, he was panting seriously. Oh, Mike, you know my father and tradition. He forced me to attend a function at his church yesterday. He wanted to get me delivered from whatever he thought was disturbing me, I said and we both burst into laughter. Seriously Ahmad you need to give your father a break, Mike said as we continued walking to the river. Get out Mike, it's easy for you, your family understands that you want to study and they allow you even though you are a dumb lazy kid, I know you are just using school to escape farm works, I said hitting his head. But look at me, I am putting all efforts into this but my father won't consider it, I added. Stop the bitter face, Ahmad, it makes you look ugly and those girls will stop looking at us, Mike said paying attention to the girls walking towards us. When will you admit that you only follow me around just to talk to girls, I asked, hitting his head. Will you stop hitting me already, Mike said. Well, I wish I was the one that's this handsome with a brain, he added laughing. Unfortunately, you are ugly and dumb, I said and we all laughed. Hey Ahmad, the girls greeted as they were passing. Mike engaged in a chat with them, I just stood there, nodding and smiling. That's one thing Mike is good at, Flirting with girls, he uses me for attention and takes the opportunity to flirt with girls. I don't know why girls are not attracted to me, no matter how hard I try, I don't feel the connection Mike always talks about. Guy, what is your problem, those girls are tripping for you but you just walked out on us, Mike said as he sits beside me on a small rock by the riverside. Let me be Mike, you know that's not my way, I replied. That's your problem, he said. So why was Mr. Lukman looking for me at school yesterday? I hope all is well, I asked. Oh, that. A new teacher was sent to the school to replace our former English teacher, guess he is a copper, Mike said. So what does that have to do with me, I said. Will you allow me to finish talking, Mike shouted. The teacher asked for our notes so he could see where we stopped, but you know, no one is as serious as you are, he added. You are all a bunch of lazy kids who are privileged to have understanding parents, I said as I stood up to leave. Where are you going, we just got here, at least let's wait and dive a bit, Mike said. Sorry, I remembered I had to do some chores, I said as I rose cleaning up the dirty particles in my trousers. I wonder why life has to be so unfair. I am working hard on this path but still, I have to suffer through family drama. These kids that are not putting any effort are having it on a free platter. This is so unfair, I said to myself as I walked home. Ahmad... Did you just get home? I have arranged your stuff for the week, my mother said as she handed me a bag full of foodstuff. Thank you mother, I said as I collected the bag. What is wrong with you, you seem a bit down, are you alright, she asked as she moved closer, touching my face. I am fine mother, just wondering how unfair life is, I said looking worried. Don't worry my dear, I know you are thinking why you have to suffer this family issue just because you choose a different path, but don't worry, no matter what the outcome will be, I will stand by you, she said. Now get ready, that is for 3 weeks, she said pointing at the bag with me, At at least, you will stay a long time and also start preparing for your exams, she added. Three weeks! ( Yelled ) , I am fine with coming home weekly, I can help you on the weekend, I said. You don't have to, I am fine, here, keep this money for emergency purposes, she said handing me some money. Thank you mother, you are the best, I said as I gave her a warm hug. This is the only thing I enjoy most in this family, the connection between me and mother, she is my best friend and supports all decisions I made. I normally stay back at school for a week because of the transport expenses which my mother alone can't cover, so I was given a small room by the school beside the teacher's lounge, considering how dedicated I am to studying. I parked all that I needed for 3weeks and bid mother goodbye. I left the house immediately before my father returned with another bunch of drama. Reaching school, I settled and rested a bit. I came out to the field in the evening where guys normally played football. I noticed Mr. Lukman's car was still at the school's premises so I decided to go greet him. Good evening principal, I said as I entered his office. Evening Ahmad, have you resumed already, he asked. "Yes sir, I did". I wasn't aware you left school early yesterday and I was also expecting you tomorrow, he said. "I am sorry Sir, I had to leave unprepared because my father sent for me, and I returned today so I could cover up before Monday," I replied. Okay then, there is a new English teacher taking over next week, I want you to show him your notes and syllabus so he can continue from where you stopped, he said. And yes, he is living in the teacher's lounge since no one is occupying it, you can say hi to him later, Mr. Lukman said as he stood up. Okay, Sir, I will do that. Okay then, see you next week. We walk out of the office together and he heads to his car. I walked back to my room and stood by the little fence facing the teacher's lounge. He came out wearing a short and an armless shirt. My heart tripped seeing his well-built body structure. I managed to swallow a bit as my mouth was dry. A very young and good-looking guy, maybe 28yrs, with dark skin and a full beard face. I stared at him for a while as he walked out of the school. I couldn't take my eyes off him till he disappeared into the air. My heart was beating so fast. What is wrong with you Ahmad, I asked myself as I sat hopelessly on the floor.