.....,.,....
"Dad I promise to focus on my studies but I want to play football as well, I want to travel and play all over the world and dad people told me I have talents" Denim could be seen in a car with his dad, going home after school
" Denim I warned you not to talk about football around me again, you have talent and so what?"
"demin I want you to pay attention in class not on the pitch, after you're done with school you'll get a job and make something of your life" He said in his trademark Nigerian accent
"how many talented players become professionals in these parts of the world eh, none because scouts don't come here, so young man I'll advise you to pay less attention to football and start to focus on your studies"
" But dad if I study like you and get a job I'd be wasting my life, earning wages without being able to save up real amounts , you once said it took you 10years to buy our house and you're still paying mortgage, I don't wanna live like that" Denim retorted with red eyes.
" At least I can feed my family and I pay for your school fees don't I and I send money home to our family in Nigeria. I also have a lot of properties In my country so it's not about the money it's about the stability, you'll understand when you grow" he said while looking sternly at me.
" if I catch the attention of a scout would you allow me to pursue my career " I asked.
" ehn, if you have seen a scout I will meet with him and talk to him and if I see one as well I will talk to him on your behalf but you have to promise to focus on your books okay"
" Yes dad, I promise" I said with smiles on my face
" that's my boy"
" you see everything I'm doing is for your own good ehn don't you want to be a doctor?..."
And then he started his preaching sessions again, and I just sat there looking outside the window with unfocused eyes, lost in thoughts.
After we got home, I spoke with my mom who was more supportive of my footballing career. She was a beautiful white woman and she was not as conservative and pragmatic as my dad, she was the kind of person who believed everyone should chase their dreams.
"Mum I'm going upstairs" I said after we had finished speaking.
" Denim come here" she called and then I went closer to her.
" Take" she said and passed me a card, it was an important football trials card.
" I told some of my friends to help me check on any football trials, this one will be happening at New York city and there'll be important scouts there, it happens every year, we can try it out later okay" she explained.
" Sniff Sniff thank you so much much, you're the best" I said with tears running down my face and she hugged me.
"Now go and freshen up den, food is almost ready" and Denim rushed upstairs.
After he'd gotten to his room he kept the card in his drawer and went into the bathroom.
LAYLA!!!
While he was bathing suddenly he heard a loud cry downstairs, he rinsed his body a fast as he could and went downstairs wrap in a towel, as soon as he got downstairs, he rushed to the and he saw blood on the floor his heart started beating incredibly fast.
"Mum no no no, mum pls wait, mum let's talk" he started crying profusely
he saw his mum on the floor with a lot of blood around her. She could still see him and there was a look of panic on her face, even with her draining life she managed to point her hands to my back and I immediately turned to see what she was pointing at and...
"Gbam!!!" I was hit on the head with a plank and in a corner I could see my dad down and I saw a glimpse of the face of the man who had hit me but it was blurry. I couldn't see his face clearly.
"De...nim,d...en,d,de" I could hear my mum calling out my name repeatedly, tears kept pouring out of my eyes before...
.......
"Argh" I stood up abruptly, it was all a dream but tears was still pouring out of my eyes.
" Are you okay, you were having nightmares, I been trying to wake you up but you kept saying mom while crying as well" Alice said.
" I'm okay I said cleaning all my tears, don't worry about me go rest" I replied and flashed her a smile to reassure her.
I wanted to talk again before I got hugged by someone who wasn't Alicia, it was Alana, she hugged me tightly and said.
" No you're not okay and it's okay not to be okay, stop putting up strong fronts, alright" her embrace was so warm that I started crying, I cried for a few minutes while hugging before I pulled out of the hug.
"So what happened" Alicia who had be looking at us all this while asked.
" I saw my parents being killed in the dream and It was so real, I don't even think it's a dream, I think I forgot everything because i was hit in the head and it must be my memories are coming back" I muttered but it was audible enough for them to hear.
" it's okay Denim you can stay with us for as long as you want okay" Alana said reassuredlly
" Thanks and Merry Christmas" Denim exclaimed and they all laughed.
While they were comforting Denim,Time ran by and it was already 7am in the morning and everywhere was bright already and the snow further illuminated everywhere, it was December 25th, Alice and Alana both went inside to get ready they were going to get cooking ingredients for today. Denim rinsed his face and went out for his morning jogs and he ran for about an hour out in the cold.
Should I trying going there?
He thought to himself.