The road that led to Jackson's house after they alighted was meant to shock if not to confuse George. He knew of stories and realities of what was popularly spoken as the gap between the rich and the poor. Yes he had been in poverty before but what George saw that day was more than his mind ever recorded. It was a dusty and bumpy road that hard meagre and desperate businesses along it. A woman who had at least five emaciated and malnourished children with rented and filthy garbs was trying her best to roast few cobs of corn on the right side of the road . Few hungry men would occasionally stand and buy her products.Another dejected begger who defined with volume, what poverty really meant ,was crying out wildly and anoyingly to the throng of passers by on the left side. Few would turn their heads but majority never got a concern of the noise he made.In front of them was a group of three stinking men who were shirtless and had unkempt and dust loaded hair. Two of them strained to push a cart that was obviously overloaded with dump waste matter while one was in front of it trying so desperately to pull it at the same time to alert the public of the unsual wide load.
George did not want to look behind. Everything confirmed that he was right in the heart of a slum. His dearest friend never minded much of this disturbing environment. He seemed to be perfectly comfortable and familiar with it and only jostled through the throng tactfully. George had to keep up with his brisk strides lest he got lost in this crowded road.
George felt reduced to real poverty even on the thought that he was going to live with Jackson right here in the slam. It touched him when Jackson had to cross a smelly and open sewer line before leading him passed a rusty beaten structure that assumed the function of a gate to an enclosed dwelling. Several compartments made of iron sheets throughout constituted what Jackson and the dwellers here, called houses. Jackson's house was on the far most end of the congested and untidy small compound of this place . Dirty children ran up and down on this minute 'playing ground' . As they passed several houses so that they could access Jackson's house, George was disturbed particularly by two tenants who had the seemed to compete with their faulty sound radios by playing unusually high music that even killed the taste of enjoying it. It sounded to him that the people here were highly ignoramus.
Entry into where Jackson called home was what almost dropped tears to George. The air inside was heavy and uncomfortable that one would easily breath this abject poverty literally. The house had four wooden stools that seemed to cover the shame of a an old brocken tabe at the center. A faded but clean gray sheet partitioned the single room so that it gave the impression of a bedroom just behind it. The kitchen was not hidden. It was visible with unclean but few cutleries and a kerosene stove . George must have seen a mattress laying on the bare floor just below the end of the grey curtain for it was not long enough to hide that. He wondered where he would sleep should Jackson intend him to sleep here.
" Goggy! This is where I live! I think I'm not particularly living but only surviving for people who live are in mansions." Jackson started.
"So this is..." George sighed. Before he could complete his statement, Jackson had cut in to explain more. This time in a tone that suggested complacency rather than despondency for leaving here. " Since your wanted by the police, this would be the perfect place for you to spare your life. Don't worry because I would be leaving for work tomorrow and other days and you ought to stay here all day long." He paused and then lowered his voice to almost a whisper and warned sternly. " Don't dare to tell anybody who you're. Remember you're wanted! Don't interact with these neighbors around. Man guard yourself for my sake also okay?"
" Okay Jackson! I will be extra careful. This is my hideout." returned George now trying so hard to accept the reality.
That evening , Jackson excused himself and went to look for dinner leaving his puzzled friend in the house. Moments later, he came and after a hasty preparation of supper, the men scratched their heads trying to figure out the bedding for George. It was after the last option emerged that Jackson volunteered to offer his old clothes so that George would be spreading them on the floor , to substitute for a mattress and obviously without a blanket to speak of.
Two days later, George felt tired and sick from trying to gather fragments of sleep, inadequate food and the fact that he would stay all day inside the boring housing structure. He had no other options for after all he was a begger who by nature, is not supposed to choose.
They say time reveals everything. This once ambitious and productive man now lived with regrets and pain. The whole account of how he had descended so quickly to the heart of real poverty probed him to face his fears. One can ever claim freedom and peace without confronting outrightly his own fears. A week passed and he seemed to have adopted the circumstances but he never allowed complacency deter him from facing his fears. Days without lunch! Breakfasts that were never enough and evenings that were made of equally unsustaining food. No changing clothes and even people to talk to. George decided this was not him. It was time to face the fear of the police.He was after all living in another prison as well so why fear the real prison? He started going out.
He would wait for Jackson to leave for work and then get out also. Aimless loitering in the streets nearby especially the shopping center that had some kind of lively energy to restore his peace. He hoped to get caught by the police and at long last end up in prison but he never dared to surrender himself before he was found. His still held his favourite old saying that one should never die before he or she dies.
***
One Friday afternoon cought George in his favourite spot just besides a famous bar in the shopping center. Contrary to other days , this one he went empty handed in his errands. He was hungry and desperate almost about to start his journey back to the ghetto dwelling before Jackson retire from work and realize that he usually goes out. Life was proving to be more merciless and ruthlessly giving him hard lessons each and every day.
He watched with admiration how everyone hustled and bustled around with faces of surety of basic necessities like food contrary to him. According to him, everything seemed perfect in their lives .
He must have gotten so engrossed in thinking that he never saw when a resplendent silver Mercedes s class pulled just in front of him blocking his vantage view of the activities that were going around the shopping center. It had dark tinted windows that revealed no one inside it. He could still here the engine rumbling in a low sound and for once he thought of two outcomes. One ,this was a rich man who just decided to have a drink in this local bar or two ,this was his day! Detectives, undercover police or just some suspecting government officials who have accomplished their work by finding him at long last. He fidgeted on the latter thought.
All of his two preconceived outcomes of the reason why the car had parked in front of him were utterly wrong. He dropped his lower jaw when he saw who rolled down the the window. It was the one prettiest face that he had ever appreciated. It was Angela! To the far end next to her was Claire.Both looked at him with pity and mercy and he still wondered whether to stand and move closer to the car or just stagnate where he sat in loneliness. Some words are better felt than spoken. Angela could read all what George was to say while she gathered courage to get out of the car and moved closer to him. George stood also.
Still not having uttered a word to each other, tears started flowing freely on Angela's cheeks. George held his and only watched her crying. He wondered if she was crying for seeing him or crying for what he did to her. It took several minutes of silent tears and finally she spread her arms wide open and moved closer to him locking him in a warm but soft embrace. George had nothing to do but to also complete the hug. He for once felt embarrassed for he had neither taken a shower for days nor changed his grime coated garments. But Angela cared none of those!
Claire who was still in the car, came and added onto the hug as they all let their tears talk. As if George was dumb, Angela gestured him into the car. She made Claire sit on the back seat and George sat next to her as she drove the car away. George was silent. He debated inwardly whether to ask if the car was hers but finally resolved to do what was important. To apologize sincerely. "I don't deserve this Angela! I'm unworthy! Where are you taking me?" George lamented and continued." I don't know how life can change so quickly like that. I'm really sorry... I can't say the words but I'm really sorry! ..."
Before he could complete his apology. Angela soothed him ."George you need not to explain. Don't word it. I can read your words from your face. I forgave you!" There was a brief silence and George viewed through the rear view mirror only to see Claire in the back seat drying her tears with a white handkerchief.
" I don't want to know what you've been through but all this has come to an end.Two months after Claire was found before she was killed, I never saw your name on the report that gave details of all those who were arrested. Nevertheless, your picture still was imprinted all over as a wanted criminal. I took the chance to go and file a case to stop your huntdown. It was agreed but only with one condition that I should present you before the police to prove your innocence."
George was taken aback. He was amused that Angela still loved his so dearly like that to try and protect him. He however was afraid on the account that he would have to appear before the police.
" Angela. Thank you! Thank you so much." George cried.
" It's okay George! Don't worry!" Angela calmed him .
"I forgave you my big brother George!" Claire finally spoke .
It was a one hour thirty minutes drive to Golden Oak Residency in Karen.The car halted at the gate. The two sisters ushered in their visitors warmly and that night, George was chanced to have a fresh and healthy sleep. After dinner, George had explained to Angela how he had strugged through. Angela on her side , updated him on everything including how the Big Blue was smashed down and a enormous group of people arrested. George was shocked to learn that Hussain was shot to death. The following day, they planed to visit the police station and settle George's issues as well as go back to the ghetto to inform Jackson of George's departure.
THE END!
Thank you for reading!