PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga After graduating in 2023, Rachel insisted on following her path in a music career.
She was now an underground musician in the country will three songs, none of which caught the public attention. Not because the songs weren't prodigious but because they didn't put enough energy into promoting the songs. They were now preparing her fourth song which they were one hundred percent sure would go viral.
They have recorded the song with the best producer in the country, they have paid the best video director in the country to shoot the video plus they have prepared a budget for a media tour to promote their video.
This song will give her popularity and it will be the beginning of her fruitful music career. Leo, as her manager, promised that.
On the high table, Fabian was the guest of honor. His hair was now totally white but he looked energetic in his white Notch Lapel Suit. For the unlearned, old age is 3
PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga winter but for the learned, it is the season of the harvest. It was surely Fabian’s harvest season, as he always told Leo, He who is of a calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition, youth and age are equally a burden.
On Fabian’s left side, sat Sonia Japhet, SJ
with her husband, Freddie. They now looked happier than ever. According to them, there is no such thing as a perfect marriage because it is made of imperfect people. God is the only one that is perfect and having Him in the middle of your marriage guarantees perfection in all the imperfect circumstances. Leo was just glad they were able to solve their mistrust issues.
On Fabian’s right side, sat Patrice, with his wife. It was one of the few occasions where you get to see Patrice and his wife together.
Maybe because people always tell Patrice 4
PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga that he married a very young woman, of his son’s age, after he parted with his first wife, Daniel’s mother. But according to Patrice, age is a case of mind over matter.
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
Both Patrice and SJ were now in their late sixties, but they were all healthy. When Leo asked Patrice why he was very healthy at his age compared to his agemates who mostly were now victims of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, Patrice smiled and told him that those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
All three heroes who saved the country from Christos's vilest regime were there on the high table except Leo. His rank at TST
didn't allow him to sit at the high table. For the past five years, the four were advised not to appear publicly together, for security purposes. So, this event was the first public 5
PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga event, after five years, bringing together all four heroes in one place, openly. Hence, it was a special day with a lot of faces and that was what was petrifying Leo. What if they were coming today? The unknowns from his dreams.
He looked at the graduates who sat in the front chairs in the hall. Their faces expressed all the happiness. Most of the students, if not all, loved Lecturer Leo.
Maybe because he was good at teaching, or maybe because he never gave assignments at all like other lecturers, or maybe because he was the only lecturer who had missed more periods than any other lecturer, or maybe all of the above. Leo hoped the streets treated them better after graduating because he knew what the streets did to some of his classmates with whom they graduated together. The streets are a very cruel teacher, they never give you a break.
In the streets, every step is a risk, every 6
PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga move is a calculation. The streets have a way of teaching you things you can never learn in a classroom. Surviving the streets is a constant battle.
“Are you really okay?” Rachel said.
Leo sighed. “Too many new faces.”
“You can’t hide from people forever.”
"I have a bad feeling."
“C’mon, Leo. A dream is just a dream, and this is the real world.”
Leo nodded. “Easy to say when you aren’t the one getting the dreams.”
“Your therapist said you shouldn’t worry.”
“I’m trying.”
“Cheer up, it’s a good day.”
Leo looked at the white panel pair curtains on the windows of the hall. It was a modern, gorgeous, and expensive hall. Its 7
PEACE AND LOVE DOESN’T LAST LONG | Ezekiel Millinga construction started in 2021 and completed in 2023. Most influential people in Dar-es-salaam threw their parties and official meetings in that hall.
“I’m going to the washroom,” he said.
“I’m coming with you,” Rachel said, preparing to stand.
“You are being overprotective.”
“It’s my responsibility.”
“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.”
“Says a man who is afraid of everyone.”
Leo chuckled. “Five minutes only. Enjoy the shows, I’ll be back.”
Rachel looked at her watch. “Two minutes and 30 seconds. If you are not here by then, I’m coming for you.”
Leo smiled. “As you wish, sergeant.”