James had no clue whatsoever of what was happening back at home. He continued his studies well through to the end of the semester.
As usual, the semester was over and he went home. Later, the results were out and he gave his parents. Upon giving them, this time they did not congratulate him as usual and had many questions to ask him.
James could not understand why his parents reacted in that manner and why the many questions. Nonetheless, he just assumed they were having a bad season. As James was enjoying his holiday, he noticed that something was not quite right with his parents.
He noted that his relationship with his parents was slowly by slowly beating the bush. He was happy that his parents appreciated him and his efforts once again and could not let that go away. He could not live with this and he had to ask about it. Upon asking about it, they hardly said anything. All they said was that everything was fine.
James did not bother to ask anymore but kept it to himself. He also swore to get to the root of the matter. After inquiry from a few people and hearing the comments from those people around his aunt, he knew that she was the one who had spoilt the soup.
Without waste of any more minute, he decided to make things right. He approached his parents and told them about the whole story but his pleading fell on deaf ears. Instead of them believing him, they accused him of cheating them, faking the results and more so being a dead man walking.
He could not understand why they had to refer to him as a dead man walking but after a long conversation, they came clear and told him that they knew what he was doing in school and that he had already contracted the 'kamaliza' as they referred to the HIV virus.
James could not help but wonder what evil he had done to his aunt for all the trouble she had caused him. He tried so much to get his neck off the noose but his aunt's charms seemed stronger than his efforts. His parents could not believe a word he said.
At this point, there was nothing more left to do. The die is cast and the case was closed. James was left with not an option but thought after thought on why life had to be so unfair as well as enjoy the view of his capsizing boat! Eventually, the holiday was over and back to school James went.
He never expected to go back but his parents told him that they were to continue paying his school fees to his dying time so that he could not have anybody to blame but himself. With all this occupying, the best part of his head, the calculus and other engineering concepts had not a space that semester.
He decided to play the accused and throw his life to the dogs. He turned to one very good friend who could give him comfort and companionship during these hard times. This was none other but the mighty, unbeaten and unchallenged Mr. Alcohol. With his stupendous record of handling stress and making life easier for others before him, James could not escape this trap.
As Mr. James was busy adoring his newly found friend, this friend seemed not to be sleeping either. He made sure that James played his role of the accused perfectly for he brought as many women as possible into James' life. Everything he ever wanted was at his reach and not forgetting the incessant money supply from his parents.
Still, with James enjoying his newfound carrier, there were still challenges. Sometimes his friend Mr. Alcohol would turn his back on James and remind him of his studies and dreams but James had already found a solution to this too. Every time Mr. Alcohol would turn his back, James would go through it by blaming his parents for having him ruin his life.
Day after day, week to week, month and another from the start to the end of the semester, James was surely wedded to his friend Mr. Alcohol. He did not seem like one about or willing to break those vows. For better, for worse it was indeed! The end is here and the papers were around the corner. James did not care anymore about them. This time, the exams had a different theme song for James. They stumbled on him like buffalo to a toothless lion.
What more did he have to do? He left for his home after the papers. This time, his duty roster was different. Unlike the past where he had shifts to help his parents and study, this time it was all drinking and nothing but drink. He could hardly be found at home. The only time that James could be found at home was during the night past midnight. At this time, he could hardly tell the difference between a cow and a donkey.
The results were out and James had failed passionately. He printed the slip and handed it over to his parents. This time, he mocked them of bringing the authentic result slip. He claimed to have brought them the poor results as expected. As usual, drunk as ever!
"To honorable Mr. Dad and Mrs. Mum; to you, I present this authentic slip that I have not faked for I have totally failed my papers as you people wanted. Oh yeah to your son for living your wish," said James as he handed over the slip.
"You know James, this has gone beyond reproach. How dare you bring such a slip to us and to make matters even worse, you are very drunk? What has become of you James?" asked his mother.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! What did you just say? If I do not bring the slip to you, then, to whom do I take it Aah? About the alcohol, you should not ask. My aunt made it clear that I am always drunk and with women in school. I have just graduated to being drunk even at home. See for yourself. You do not have to be told by anybody, just use your eyes." said James.
"You are making me think that I am making a mistake paying for your education. If you bring me this next semester, I will have no other choice but to stop. Do you understand James?" asked his father.
"Of course I understand his holiness, my father! Nevertheless, a piece of advice to you two; you should not waste your money anymore. I am a walking corps remember? Dead men don't drink and use money," said James.
"Let me assume that you do not mean what you have just said, James. Let me take it that alcohol is making you do all these things. Get out of my house!" said Kaburia, James' father.
"Okay, now I am a puppet to be controlled aah? I see the madness is into you. Anyway, I will go now and suite yourselves. Chao!" said James as he left the house.
James' parents were left speechless and wondering what could be eating their son. Meanwhile, James did not care anymore. His parents were the only ones with unanswered questions of where it had all gone wrong.