ABANDONED DREAMS

CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1

Stephen

I was at school taking my exams when I received a message that my uncle, Jayden Nkuna, would like to see me. He had done his best to care for me from a young age. I wouldn’t disrespect him and not do as he asked. School was almost out in any case. I was happy for the break, but I would miss my best friend, Alfred. I asked him to come home and visit my uncle with me. He declined. Not because he didn’t want to, but because a dream that we both shared was coming true for him. We both loved the written word. Dreaming of becoming writers since we were younger. Alfred came from a family that was a little more well-off than the family that I came from. He did many things in school. He was class head so he would encourage the entire student body to do well and make our families proud by studying hard, achieving highly and making our dreams into reality. Not only was he telling us this. He inspired us by doing it as well. Not only were his grades good, he had recently written a book. One of our dreams. I had started to write a book. Not having much money for supplies, I had to make a choice. Finish the book with what I had or use my supplies for school. I chose school. I could always become a writer once my education was complete was what my uncle and some close friends tried to persuade me of. It made sense, so I listened. Alfred didn’t have to make that choice. Now he had completed his book. He entered it into a contest and was chosen as one of the youngest up and coming writers. He was to be honored in London because of it. I had always dreamed of going overseas. We both had. Now, here was another dream of his coming true. I was mainly happy for him. I supported him and wanted the best for him. I also envied him. It seemed that his dreams were coming true. It was mine that were put on hold. Still, I was honored to be his friend. Me, the friend of an author. One who was off to London to launch his book. He encouraged me that one day soon it would be me as well. I wanted to believe that of him. He was going to call me from London and keep me updated of his progress. I couldn’t wait to hear from him. He just gave me more inspiration to follow my dreams, one day. A few days later, I arrived at my uncle’s home. As I was passing through the gate, a grand car came pulling up next to me as I walked my bike in. It was a new neighbor no doubt. I looked to him and he greeted me kindly. This took me by surprise as he was white. Very seldom did I meet a white who would approach us in happy manner.

“Good morning.” He said out of the driver’s side window of his car.

“Good Day, sir.” I answered him back nervously.

“You must be Jayden’s nephew. He has told me about you.”

“Yes, sir. I am Stephen Nkuna.”

“Well, I am Freddy. That’s what you can call me in any case. I’ve only been living next to your uncle for a short time, but he is a kind man and neighbor. Both myself and my wife think so.” He explained.

“Thank you. I will tell him you said so.”

“I heard you were in school. How are your studies going?” he asked of me.

“As well as they can be. I wish I could continue them.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he asked me. Seeming to be genuinely interested in my answer.

“Because, sir. Schooling takes money. Money that my parents nor my uncle have. It is coming time for me to put the dreams of continuing my education out of my head and going to work to help my family.” I told him.

He nodded his head as if he understood and pitied me.

“Well, young man. I can understand that. I tell you what, I would like to speak with you a bit more. How about you come on over for breakfast in the morning.” He said, inviting me out.

“Yes, of course. I would be honored. Thank you.” I said

“Well, I have to get on. I’ll see you tomorrow. And tell your uncle I said hello.” He yelled from the window as he drove off.”

I told him that I would. I was shocked and not sure what to expect from this man. I headed inside and found that my uncle wasn’t home yet. I cleaned up and then started dinner.  When my uncle arrived, he was happy to see me and dinner done as well. He hugged me and we spoke of school, his work and my parents. When we sat down to eat, I let him know that I had met his neighbor, Freddy. I explained to him that this neighbor wanted me to come by and speak with him in the morning.

“This is a great opportunity for you. Freddy is very wealthy and kind. He owns many

businesses and he does not look at us as being inferior to him as other whites do. As a matter of fact, his wife is one of our own.”

“You don’t say.”

“I mean it. and she’s beautiful, educated and kind as well. I have always wanted the best for you. I know that whatever he has in mind will only help you.” my uncle assured me.

I nodded in hopeful agreement. Barely being able to sleep that night, I went and stood outside for a while. Looking up at the stars and wondering what was in store for me. I arrived at Freddy’s home ten minutes early. He seemed impressed.

“Punctual. That says a lot about a person.” He said as I was let into his home.

My eyes couldn’t believe what I was taking in. The foyer was huge and the chandelier was made of crystals. The staircase wrapped around in a circular formation and the floors were of the most beautiful, marble tile I had ever seen. I could see right through the house to the back yard. There was a large pool and tables set up out there. His kitchen was huge with the latest appliances. He watched me taking it all in before he invited me into that kitchen for breakfast. As I sat down, a beautiful dark-skinned woman appeared. Freddy kissed her and introduced her as his wife, Ms. Emmy. I stood to greet her and she hugged me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Stephen. If my husband has invited you over, he must see something in you. Learn all you can.” she whispered into my ear before releasing me from her grip.

The smell of fruit lingered on me from her. I could only imagine what being a part of this family must be like.“Well, sit. Don’t be shy.” Freddy instructed me. “Tell me about yourself. What is it that you want in life?” he asked of me as we were served breakfast.

There was Putu pap with milk and sugar as well as mealie bread. Eggs was also served with some kind of beef slabs that he Fred called Scrapple. The breakfast was a mix between both of our cultures. And I enjoyed every bite.     After I told him about wanting to continue my education, he nodded his head in agreement.

“I like that you want to finish. Education is key. I have always believed that. As well as following your dreams. In this life, you get out of it what you put into it. That’s what I believe in any case. What about work? Do you have a job?” he asked.

“I do odd jobs. But I am looking for something that will allow me to pay for school and help my family out as well. My mother is a domestic worker. Her money must go to my younger sister and her studies now. I would love to be able to complete mine as well as help pay for hers.” I told him.

“That is very honorable. I can tell that you were raised right. It makes me feel better about what I am about to offer you. It just so happens that I have a position open at my company.

If you are done eating, come with me. Let me show you around my business. We can speak more there.”

We walked out of the house together and got into his Mercedes- Benz G-63. It wasn’t the car that he was in yesterday. I could tell that it drives much faster. He saw me admiring it and took it up to high speeds to impress me. There was no need to try and impress me. I was already admiring this man. As we drove, he talked to me about the importance of school. All that succeeding could bring me and about the potential he saw me. Just in the two days that he had known me. Sure, he had heard about me from my uncle, but to meet me was something else. He said I lived up to all my uncle said that I did. We arrived at his business and the building was huge, beautiful and well-built. On the way to his office, he introduced me around as his protégé. I liked the way that sounded. It meant he trusted me and would look out for me. Me. Of all people.  What a difference a day makes. Just yesterday, I was wondering how to continue my studies, make money, help my family and follow my dreams of ultimately becoming an author. Now, I had a plan for almost all of those things that I considered problems. I know that he could tell the look on my face that I was excited just to be there. He poured me some cold water that his secretary brought in from a pitcher.

“So, the job I have in mind for you isn’t glamourous. However, it will allow you to take your studies seriously and make money.”

“Sir, I am just happy for the opportunity. Anything you think you can trust me with, I am willing to do.”

“Glad to hear it. It just happens that I need a driver. Not so much need as I could use one and I think it will be the perfect place for you to start.”

“I accept.”

I said before he could even finish his explanation. I knew that just being around him almost daily as he went to and from meetings, events and sites would give me the opportunity to learn from him. A chance to learn and grow with the company. I would have been thankful if he had asked me to clean his office. My mother always told me to make the best of every chance I was given. To learn from it and teach someone else along the way. I took her words to heart. This was my chance. From out talks, he knew that I wanted to become an architect. Almost as much as I wanted to write. He took the potential saw in me seriously. He promised that his company would pay for my education to become an architect. He saw it as an investment, no doubt. The fact that once I was done my studies, I would be able to transfer my position to an architect with his company wasn’t lost on me. His company always needed people to design and oversee the building of roads and bridges. Which was how he made his fortune. It all made sense to me as well. I would drop him off at work in the mornings. Then, I would use his cars, to drive to class at the University of Limpopo. It was at his insistence. Then either between or after my classes, I could take him where he needed to be. If I was in school, he would have another employee take him. But, I was usually available. Driving his cars to school brought me a lot of attention. I never allowed it to go to my head though. I knew that these were not mine. But I had every intention to have my own expensive homes and cars one day. Until then, and hopefully even after, I would maintain my humility. I knew who I had to think though. Fred. He would always encourage me to do my best.  I found that I wanted to make him happy. He looked at me as a son. And I was blessed to have that from him. A couple years into my studies and my employment with Freddy, his wife, Emmy gave birth to a son. They named him Junior. I had never seen Fred so happy. He now had someone to leave his businesses to. His wife took off from the hospital and he took off to be with his wife and new son. Even though he didn’t need me to drive him, I was still paid. I checked in on them daily and did anything else they may have needed. I also checked in on Junior. To me, he felt like a little brother since his father had taken me under his wing. He did, however, allow me some freedoms at his job. Giving me small jobs around the office that aiding him in his working from home. It gave me a taste of being in charge. Two years after Junior was born, I graduated from the University with my degree in Architecture. My position at the company was automatically upgraded from driver to junior architect. I was now learning at the hands of the best ones that he employed. My salary increased as well. Even though I didn’t have to, on occasions, I would still drive him. I had learned a lot on those drives and I aimed to learn more. My salary allowed me to build my mother a house and pay for my sister’s education at her private school all the way through. I had also put money away for her college studies. My uncle, who had always cared for me was owed something as well. I renovated his home at Mahwelereng and also gave him an amount of money to help him not work as hard. Fred’s interest in me and the chance that he had given me had lead me to being able to achieve my dreams and help my family. I owed him my life. And I knew that I could never repay all he had done for me. The best I could do was to make him proud by continuing to do my best. And so I did.