A STORY OF REALITY

The Edge Of Change

Days rolled forward soo fast in the blink of an eye. Daniel didn’t stop going to work, he kept on grinding never stopping. Waking up, go to work, eat, sleep and repeat –that was the flow of his life now.

Something inside him had changed since the last incident that happened in the construction site. Everytime he walked to the construction site, he noticed something’s that he hadn’t happened before– the tired look on the workers face, their sluggishness, the way they lifted their shoulders, the way they were extremely careful when they scanned the scaffolding above them, they also started praying before doing any of their work. He noticed that none of them in there were chasing a wage. They were all aware of the cost of survival.

The construction instructor came to the working site and told Daniel to follow him and then Daniel had different thoughts going on his mind, he thought to him self “where did I go wrong?, am I going to get fired?, where am I going to find a new job”. When he got to Mr. Victor’s office, he ask Daniel how he was doing, Daniel responded in a shaky voice saying “i’m well sir”. Mr Victor then said a new set of young workers are going to be coming in next week and I am going to need you to train them for me, you know we don’t need someone like me to chase off the new comers, we are really lacking workers in this job”- “Daniel feeling shocked and a sense of relief”.

Daniel then said to Mr. Victor, “train them?”. Mr.Victor replied “yes, train them”. Daniel’s thoughts was filled with- I don’t think I can do this, it might to too hard for me. Daniel them said “but sir I just started working here a few weeks ago, I don’t think I am ready”. Mr. Victor that is usually harsh then said “there is no need to panic, you can do this -he tries to be supportive because he really needs new workers- It wasn’t exactly a promotion, but Daniel felt something stir in his chest, it was Trust, Recognition. He nodded. “Yes, sir.” And then Mr. Victor replied saying “Good, don’t make me regret it.”

The following week new young faces showed up at construction site some of them all ready knew the basics, while the others were like Daniel when he first came. Daniel went over to them and showed them the proper way to carry the pile of bricks, how to use the wheelbarrow properly and even how to mix the cement in the right way, how to carry loads without breaking their backs, how to stay out of the way when heavy machinery swung by.With time, they were getting use to it but some of them still lacked the stamina.

At first, it felt strange giving instructions, but over time, he saw their shoulders looked less stressed, the movement looked more sturdy and smooth, for the first time in weeks, he felt like he had achieved some litte pride. Daniel smiled at them and then he went back to work. But life wasn’t about to let Daniel get too comfortable.

Two weeks later, Daniel walked down from the construction site to Mrs. Mercy’s shop to get a bottle of water, Mrs. Mercy looks him in the eye and says-

“I hope you remember the deal we had?”

Daniel replies saying “yes ma, I will have the money complete yes before then. But inside, his chest tightened. He knew in order to complete the money before the ending of the month, he had to reduce the way he spent money. He also thought to him self that he couldn’t afford to get sick or even could not even afford a day without work. The thought alone of failing her alone would be seen as ungrateful- started messing with his mind once more.

Later that night, Daniel sat on his squeaky bed with a plate of rice and chicken while thinking of a faster way to complete his loan money back to Mrs. Mercy –he hears a knock on his door– who is there! “he asks”. It’s David! “he replied “. Daniel looks confused Mr. David? …why would he be here by this time? “he thought”. He went over and opened the door. Mr. David came in, Daniel asks him what’s wrong–Daniel notices a sad and worried face on his face– “Mr. David replies” it’s my daughter, what happened to your daughter? “Daniel asks” then he replied saying – she is sick. He also called a nurse to his home to come see what’s wrong with her. But the nurse said that she needs to be admitted to a hospital for better treatment. Mr.David didn’t have the money to take her to the hospital and get her treated.

Daniel’s heart sank and then he felt pity for him. Daniel then asked “How much do you need?” Mr. David looked away and replied “300 hundred gold coins” i wouldn’t have come to you, but you are the only one I have right now “he said shakily”.Daniel hesitated, he barely had enough to settle his debt. He thought that giving that amount of money would take him back to the start. But he remembered Mr. David’s words on the cement bags saying “don’t let this place kill your goodness”– he remembers slightly. Without allowing himself more time to think, he reached under his Squeaky bed and pulled out what little savings he had. He tied enough coins for Mr. David to get his daughter’s treatment done. Daniel then walks over to him, places the bag of gold coins in his hands and says “use this to treat your daughter” – Mr. David cries softly, thanking Daniel and even almost got in his knees, but Daniel stops him and says “it’s fine sir, please don’t go on your knees for me”

Mr. David says “I will pay you back, I promise”.

The next day, he felt really exhausted. He moved slowly while he worked, getting distracted by the thoughts of how to get back the money to pay back Mrs. Mercy and the thought of hunger.

Later that afternoon by lunch break, Mr Charles “ the construction instructor” notices his sluggishness and asked Daniel “ are you sick?”, what’s wrong? Daniel replied “no sir” he said quickly and stood up on his feet. Mr.Charles looked him in the eye and said “you can’t afford to be sick right now, get your head back in the game, there is still much work to be done “he said”. Daniel nodded and got back to work, forcing himself to focus on what he was doing but deep down, he thought to him self, how long foul he keep on pushybefir he gave in.

That weekend, Mr.David came to him and said that his daughter was recovering –he was soo happy that his daughter was getting better. She’s smiling again thanks to you Daniel, “said Mr. David”.

They both laughed and rejoiced.