Monday
1200 Words
HMMMTOHEALING — CHAPTER 18: MONDAY
Monday came fast.
Healing woke up before his alarm. The signed form was under his pillow. He checked it three times before leaving home.
No breakfast. But today felt different.
He got to school at 7:00am. Early. The compound was empty.
Ms. Aisha was already at her office door, waiting.
“Healing,” she smiled. “You’re here.”
“Good morning, madam,” he said. He held out the form. “Sunrise said to report today.”
She took it, checked the signatures and stamp. “Perfect. Headmaster signed Friday. We sent it Saturday. They approved it this morning.”
Healing blinked. “Approved?”
“Approved,” she said. “Come.”
They walked to the admin block. The bursar’s office.
Madam Lydia, the bursar, was a short woman with loud bangles. She looked at Healing over her glasses.
“So you’re the boy,” she said. “Sunrise Youth Program.”
Healing nodded.
She typed on her computer. Clicked. Printed.
“School fees. Paid in full for this term,” she said and stamped a receipt. “Books. Paid. Uniform allowance. 200 cedis. You’ll collect it from me Friday.”
Healing just stared at the paper.
The paper was white. The stamp was red. The numbers were real.
200 cedis. Books. Fees. All paid.
His mother worked 12 hours for less than that. His sister had no books. His uniform had patches.
And now... it was gone. The weight. The fear. The shame of asking.
He looked up at her. She was smiling. Kind eyes. No pity.
“Thank you,” he said. His voice was small. Broken.
“You earned this,” she said. “Keep coming. Keep learning.”
He nodded again. He could not speak. If he did, he would cry.
He folded the paper slow. Put it in his bag. Close to his heart.
The office was quiet. The clock ticked. Outside, the school was loud.
But in here... it was peace.
He stood up. Bowed his head. Walked out.
The hallway was bright. The sun came through the windows.
For the first time in months, Healing was not afraid of Monday.
He walked to his class. The door was open.
His desk was in the back. Near the window. Dust on it.
He took a cloth from his bag. Wiped it clean. Slow. Careful.
The teacher came in. Old man. Kind face. Chalk in his hand.
“Good morning class,” he said.
“Good morning sir,” they answered.
Healing did not speak. He was new. He was scared.
But he opened his book. Page one. Blank lines.
He picked up his pen. It was new too. Given by the Sunrise Youth Program.
He wrote his name. H-E-A-L-I-N-G. Big letters. Slow.
His hand shook. But he finished.
The lesson started. Math. Numbers on the board.
He did not understand all of it. But he listened.
He wrote what he could. One line. Two lines. Three.
The boy beside him looked over. Smiled.
“You’re new?” he whispered.
Healing nodded.
“I’m Kofi,” the boy said. “We’ll help you.”
Healing felt something warm. In his chest.
It was not fear. It was hope. Again.
The bell rang for break. Noise. Running. Laughter.
Kofi stood up. “Come. Let’s eat.”
Healing followed. Out to the sun. Out to life.
They sat under a tree. Kofi shared his bread.
“Eat,” Kofi said. “School is long.”
Healing took it. Small bite. Then another.
It tasted like peace. Like family.
Other boys came. They asked his name.
“Healing,” he said. Soft voice.
They nodded. No laugh. No tease. Just nods.
For the first time in a long time... he was not alone.
The break ended. Bell rang again.
Back to class. Back to books.
The teacher wrote more numbers. Healing tried.
He got one sum right. Kofi clapped soft.
“Good,” Kofi whispered.
Healing smiled. Small smile. Real smile.
The day ended.
Sun was low. Orange light on the school gate.
“See you tomorrow?” Kofi asked. Bag on his shoulder.
Healing nodded. “Yes.” His voice was clear now.
They walked out together. Into the street. Into life.
Healing went home slow. Bag on his back. Paper safe inside.
His mother was cooking. Smoke in the air.
“How was school?” she asked. Not looking up.
“Good,” he said. “Very good.”
She turned. Looked at him. Saw his face.
“You’re smiling,” she said. Soft.
He touched his mouth. She was right.
He sat down. Opened his bag. Took out the paper.
The red stamp. The numbers. Paid.
He looked at it long. No words. Just eyes.
He put it under his pillow. Close to his heart. Safe.
His mother brought food. Rice. Stew. Small piece of fish.
“Eat,” she said. “You worked today.”
He took the plate. Steam in his face. Warm.
He ate slow. Every bite tasted different. Like hope.
“Was it hard?” his mother asked. Sitting beside him now.
He shook his head. “No.” He smiled. “It was good.”
She touched his hand. Her hand was rough. Strong.
“I’m proud of you,” she whispered.
He could not speak. He just nodded. Eyes wet.
His mother pulled him close. No words. Just a hug.
Night came. Stars came. The room was quiet.
He lay on the mat. Hands behind his head.
He thought of Kofi. The class. The teacher. The bread.
He thought of Monday. Not fear. Not pain. Not shame.
Monday was a start. A new start. A real start.
He closed his eyes. Breathed deep. The air was cool.
Outside, the street was quiet. Dogs barked far away.
Inside, his heart was quiet too.
He thought of the red stamp. Paid.
He thought of Kofi’s smile. The bread. The class.
He thought of his mother’s hand. Rough. Strong. Proud.
Sleep came slow. Soft. Like a blanket.
For the first time in months... Healing was not afraid of tomorrow.
Monday was not a curse anymore. Monday was a start.
The night was still. No wind. No rain.
He slept deep. No dream. No fear.
Morning would come soon. Tuesday.
But for now... he rested.
Healing had found something he lost.
Peace.
The moon was high. Silver light through the window.
It fell on his face. Soft. Calm.
He did not move. He did not speak.
He just breathed. In. Out.
Tomorrow would come. Tuesday would come.
But tonight... tonight was his.
And it was enough.
The house was quiet. The world was quiet.
Healing closed his eyes.
And slept.
No fear. No pain. No tomorrow.
Just night. Just peace.
The end.
Chapter Three. Done.
Thank you for reading.
See you in Chapter Four.
Chapter Four is coming soon.
Healing will go to class.
He will meet new friends.
He will learn new things.
His life will change.
Thank you for staying with him. Please wait for it. Thank you.
I appreciate every reader.
Your support means a lot.
Chapter Four will be longer. Stay tuned.
- Writer
