TST
Leo and Isla became very close in a short period. Their rapport grew stronger each day. This bothered Daniel and Rachel.
Leo escorted Isla shopping when his phone buzzed.
“Benjamin?” Leo said after accepting the call
Isla tapped his shoulder, “hey Leo… is this dress─”
“Talking to someone”, Leo shouted, “Yes Benjamin, I’m listening”
Isla ran in front of him, “How do I─”
“Can’t you be quiet?” Leo whispered and returned to his phone, “my father, what─”
“Leo… you said you like red. Take a look─”
Leo placed his palm on Isla’s lips, “When?”
After the call was over, Leo drooped.
Isla looked at Leo, “You alright..?”
Leo panted
“Everything ok..?”
Leo stared at his phone
“Who were you talking with?”
Leo looked at Isla, “my father is gone”
“What?”
“Long gone”
Isla dropped the clothes on her hand, “I’m sorry”
Leo smiled, “Don’t”
Isla hugged Leo, but it was her eyes filled with tears, not Leo's.
They returned to school and Leo took permission to go and attend his father's interment.
**********
After two weeks the memorial service was over and Leo returned to school. He arrived in Dar-es-salaam at 9 PM and he headed directly to the school. It was tardy but the school hall was full of lights and decorations, crazy beats and music came from the hall. It was weekend so Leo knew students were partying as usual.
“Leo?” said Baraka, who came from the hall
"What's up, man?"
“I’m good. How did things go in Mbeya”
“Cool…” Leo said, “What’s going on?”
“Revelry..!”
Leo smiled, “wow… you attend parties nowadays?”
“No, Isla invited…” Baraka closed his mouth with his palms
“What..?”
“Leo, it is…”
“What?” Leo shouted, “What’s with Isla?”
“Daniel and Isla…”
“C’mon man, tell me”
“Daniel is proposing to Isla tonight,” Baraka mumbled, “they have invited us to the revelry”
Leo breathed heavily, his bag fell off his hands.
“You alright..?”
“Would you?”
“Leo─”
“I’ll go get some rest” Leo whispered and slowly walked away.
“Hey…” Baraka shouted running after him, “your bag!!”
It’s funny how you thought you meant something to someone, but then they go and prove you wrong, his whole body was trembling. His expectations were all buried.
He entered into his room and he was stunned after flicking on the lights.
“Warden..!” Leo mumbled, “What are you doing in─”
“I have your message from school’s Dean” warden said digging into his pocket. He removed a letter and handed it to Leo.
“What is it?”
“He wanted me to tell you to be cautious”
“Why?”
"You know what I know," the warden said, leaving Leo’s room.
Leo quickly unfolded the tri-folded letter
If you want to remain in this school and keep your scholarship safe, stay far away from my daughter.
Leo felt a megawatt shot running through his entire body. He threw the letter on his bed and walked to his window. He opened the curtains and stared at the hall where loud music, cheers, and noises dominated. He stared at the window, a sour smile coming off his face.
He remembered when he was eight. He made his toy and a kid from a well-heeled family liked the toy. The kid wanted to take Leo's toy. As they were quarreling, the kid's mother appeared and reprimanded Leo… calling him a thief. His toy was taken and he was branded as a thief and the source of conflict. He knew he was now in the same situation.
No one has ever been on his side, even his parents. He has always been fighting alone and in those sorts of a fight─ he always loses.