Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day

To be a man is not easy at all. Appreciating being a boy under one’s parental care, guidance, and provision is something to appreciate because once that stage is gone and you are beyond it, you begin to realize what it means to be an adult.

In Africa, it is common for African fathers to sit outside the home, either in the corridors or under the tree, taking fresh air. Most times, as children, we think they are having a nice time. But they weren’t. I am sure a lot must have been rumbling down their minds and thoughts.

Now that I am not yet in this stage, I am beginning to feel the importance of sitting alone and letting my brain have some rest time, giving more to my thoughts and actions. I guess that's just some inevitable stage of life one has to pass through.

Daydreaming has been a part of me. Most times I don't know if it’s because I get so ambitious or maybe the nature of my job for now at an early and growing stage must have impacted my way of life and have me daydreaming more than ever before.

One thing about my daydreaming is that I don't allow it to negatively impact me. I also try my best to make sure it is something beneficial. But most times I am always caught in the act and being questioned for attention.

Mum has always been the one to catch me in the act. And I should say this is because she spends most time with me. And there are times when she would just walk up to me for some conversation then she would meet me lost in thoughts. As a mother she would have to challenge me, she asks what's disturbing me. But I would tell her not to worry.

Some day last week, she walked up to me again as usual and met me under the coconut tree when I was taking in fresh air and lost in my dreams.

Abdulqudus! Abdulqudus! Abdulqudus!!
She called my name to the top of her voice.. ( I barely heard the last call from a distance)

Ooh Mummy. ( I paused the background music I was playing on the highest volume)

What’s bothering you? Abdulqudus! Tell me.

I nodded my head in response and let her know that I was fine.

Is it because of the lady that refused your proposal? Or the one you told me about? She asked curiously.

No Mum! It is none of the above.

I realized she wanted to pressure me more to speak up. So I had no choice at that moment than to open up to her. She sat beside me and had all of her attention and eyes on me. I couldn’t even look her in the eyes. But smile stylishly.

Mum!.

Yes, she responded with a curious smile that brought a fake smile to my looks.

I have a huge debt on me and it’s weighing me down. It's kinda drawing me back from achieving my goals.

Should I be free of the debts then I will have a free mind and time. I concluded.

She advised me; Abdulqudus, All of these are part of life, and most of the time they seem inevitable. But make sure you stay okay and fine this is the only way to make your loved ones happy.

Okay, ma! I answered with a calm look on my face.

Seems her words got deep down my heart. But that didn’t stop me from daydreaming. The moment I left the sitting room and got to the farm again I started thinking about how and where to position the next tanks I would buy after paying up my debts.

I sat under the shed a little distanced from the coconut tree. It's kinda cool under the shed with suppressed fresh air blowing in.

While I was having a sight of passersby on the roadside adjacent to the farm, I was lost in thoughts again. I started thinking about the lady I met online and how I could make friends with her and not lose her.

I began to see myself with her, but actually, I never met her before. I daydreamed of both of us having a date at the best restaurant in my area, the smile on her face, and the way she spoke.

I began to wonder if i just met my life partner or this is just the stepping stone to another heartbreak. I was confused but lost in thoughts. Not until I heard a loud call again from Mum.

Oluwaseun! Oluwaseun! I smiled. Whenever she calls me by the name then she must be serious about needing my attention. This evening I still had to daydream of how I would get to write this article and not miss out on the prompt.