Chapter Two: Sunny day
*Flashback*
Several years back…
One sunny and bright morning, the whole black race in Country B got up from their beds with bright smiles on their faces. Finally, the rainy season was over. For two months, they couldn't do their daily jobs efficiently, and all their crops got washed away by the constant rainfall. They were devastated, but waking up that morning to see the sun smiling brightly in the sky brought big smiles on their faces. Most citizens of Country B tilled the ground to earn a living and feed the country at large. Country B had a low population. Therefore, it was only normal for an individual to know at least ninety percent of the people in the country.
The country was founded by two couples that emigrated from one country because of drought. As time went by, more people began to join them, and the country grew gradually. The couple named the country "Country B", which means "Country of the Blacks."
'Oh God, thank you for remembering us and bringing back a favorable climate.' A young man in his mid thirties looked up to the sky and spoke.
'And to also think that today is the fiftieth anniversary of our country.' Another man said.
'Our country turns fifty years of establishment today. Is that right, Uncle Mark?' A teenage boy asked the man.
'Yes Matthew, today is the country's fiftieth anniversary. It calls for celebration.' Mark danced happily.
'Dang, a lot of generations have passed.' Matthew spoke to himself and joined the man as they journeyed to the country's meeting hall.
The citizens of Country B started their daily jobs and got around them happily when they heard the resounding jingle of the alerting bell. Everyone stopped what they were doing because they were familiar with that sound, and they looked towards the direction of the sound even though not all of them could see the huge bell. The bell was only rung when there was an important message to pass across to the people. Everyone was entitled to ring the bell as long as the message was of utmost importance.
'Morning to all the citizens of Country B…' Mark spoke into the microphone. 'Today is a very joyous day for every one of us. The traders, farmers, mechanics such as myself, the children, and every other person as well. Today marks an end to the heavy and constant rainfalls that wash away our crops and livestocks, and today also happens to be the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of our country….this is a sign from God himself. So, doesn't this call for celebration?!' Mark yelled.
'It does!' The citizens replied cheerfully.
'Yes it does, so let's all put on our bests and gather in the country's meeting hall this evening to celebrate the birth of our land and also be grateful to God, our protector and to the Carmen couple for founding our land. Today is going to make big changes in each and every one of us' lives!' Mark spoke. '…hurray to the Carmen couple! Hurray to Country B!' Mark chanted, and the crowd followed suit.
The chants died down later, and everyone resumed their works. The atmosphere was filled with joy, cheer, happiness, and anticipation for the evening.
'Wow, uncle. That was so cool.' Matt spoke in awe of his uncle.
'Was it?' Mark grinned, and Matt nodded his head in affirmation. 'One day, Matthew, you'd do this same thing that I'm doing and even better. You'd be a great leader…greater than I am.' Mark crouched down to Matt's level and held him by the shoulders as he spoke.
'I don't think so, uncle. You're outspoken and brave, courageous and bold, and I'm …I'm just a scaredy-cat.' Matt looked down.
'You'd overcome your fears, son.' Mark smiled warm-heartedly and patted his nephew's back.
Matthew lost his parents to a rare infection that afflicted their country when he was around five years of age. His uncle took him in and raised him after the incident. Mark, however, was chosen as the governor of the country because of his meritorious deeds for the country, and he was blessed with a generational title. But Mark had no interest in owning his own family and reproducing. Therefore, he taught Matthew well because when the day came, Matthew would be his successor.
Matthew would be eighteen in a month's time. He wasn't the type that had so many friends, but he does have two friends, namely Laura and Collin. Laura was a year younger than the boys, but they were best of friends. Matthew and Mark were on their way home after the announcement when Matt saw his friends.
'Hey Matt!' Laura and Collin called out as they waved.
'Collin! Laura!' Matt also called out as his friends ran towards him.
'Morning, uncle Mark.' The two children greeted. Even as Mark was the governor of the country, he upheld equality as his number one principle, and he even worked and walked the streets of the country like every other citizen. The people of Country B loved him more for his way of ruling.
'Collin and Laura, hope you woke up steady?' Mark grinned as he ruffled their hairs.
'Yes, Uncle Mark.' They chorused, grinning.
'That's expected. I'd be expecting you at home, Matthew. we have work to do at the workshop. So, don't be late.' Mark spoke as he took his leave.
'Alright, uncle.' Matthew responded.
'Bye, Uncle Mark.' The two children greeted, and the man waved at them, disappearing amongst the crowd.
'Hehehe.' The trio laughed in excitement.
'I can't wait for this evening to come.' Collin giggled.
'Me too.' Laura smiled, and this caught Matt's attention. He always loved it whenever Laura smiled, he knew that feeling, that bubbling feeling in his stomach, he knew he was in love with Laura but….but, he was a goddamned scaredy cat. He had never shown his affections, nor had he ever told anyone about his feelings because he was scared about how Laura would react when he finally told her. This bothered him every time he saw her and when he was about going to bed.
Unknowingly to him because he was lost in his train of thoughts, he had been staring at Laura with a big smile on his face, and she and Collin were now calling out his name to pull him out of his trance.
'Matthew? Matt?' His friends called out shaking him slightly before he jolted.
'Are you okay?' Laura asked, placing her palm on his head because he was sweating profusely. And because of this action of hers, Matt stepped away from her repeatedly. Laura and Collin frowned.
'Matt, are you alright?' Collin asked, pulling Matthew's attention to him.
'Ye-yes, I'm fine. I'd see you guys later.' Matthew said and dashed towards the crowd.
'Matt? Wait….are you coming to the party?' Laura yelled behind him, but he couldn't hear, or maybe he just chose not to reply.
'What's wrong with him?' Laura asked Collin, and he shrugged his shoulders. They turned and went to their respective homes. Laura and Collin lived next to each other, so they walked home together.