Chapter 5 FATHER'S WOUND

Maya had grown up to be in one of the most prestigious high schools in the city of Laos. She left Neverland few years before the death of Mary, She moved in with her foster parents that lives in the suburbs of the city and made a name for herself by doing various campaigns that tackles the use of hard drugs and as well as dependence on alcohol. The story about the death of Maya's real parent has been one with lots of controversy as speculations around the death was that the couple had been overdosed and both lost their lives in the process even before the car accident took place.

The forensic report clearly showed that her parents were on drugs and ever since Maya learnt of this, her whole war on drug abuse stems from the fact that drugs took the two most important people in her life, her goal is to see to it that perpetuators or peddlers of hard drugs meets their loo.

Sam was happy to see Maya perhaps the first time in years he had smiled about anything. He was totally blown away by her beauty that he was unsure of what to say, how come after all this years he still had a crush on her. Sam then introduces Troy to Maya as the two exchanged pleasantries, then Troy excused the two of them and while making his leave, he gesticulated a sign that signified he was proud of Sam and he should go for the hot girl. Then, the pair took a walk down the streets, Sam asked Maya what she was in Laos for and Maya filled him in that she has been staying in Laos for about 5 years now, and she came over to this area today to run an errand for her foster parent. Sam was so relieved to see Maya finally smiling as opposed to her gloomy days in the town but even that was not enough to hide her immaculate beauty.

What about you, Sam, why are you in Laos, how is Mary? As Maya bombarded Sam with series of questions, his eyes went vacant and immediately had a resurgence of pain as he took a long pause before telling Maya that his mom died 2 years ago and they moved over to the city with his sister to stay with their uncle actually; I'm on my way to pick her up from the kindergarten, it is not far away from here if you wanna meet her. Maya felt so bad for Sam and she was so eager to meet this Anna. The day is still young, why not, Maya thought to herself. She then looked at Sam for a while before asking him, how are you holding up? Sam replied fine so fast it rose a suspicion in her that Sam was in fact not fine after all she knew this because she shared a similar trauma that made her hate the world and was usually defensive when faced with questions regarding the death of her parents.

In the dead silence, Maya studied Sam face and his countenance had changed almost like he got upset about it. Maya broke the silence by saying Sam I understand you are a man now and if you are abiding by the social custom that has taught men to hide their pain and suffer in silence, it really doesn't make sense because even as a man you are a human being with blood coursing through your vein Sam. So, Sam it's okay to cry, it's okay to ask for help, I can see just from the few minutes we have spent together that there a lot of emotional baggage you carry perhaps pain from childhood still holding on to you, I know this because I have been here you are Sam. True masculinity comes from being able to express your pain and owning up to them so if you have ever need a listening ears remember you have me to talk to, okay. Sam was silent now all through the trip as though Maya had him all figured out, he felt naked by the truth the words carry. They arrive at Anna school shortly, Maya finally met Anna as she smiled with her teeth out wide, and Maya carried Anna for a while and took a closer look at her and can see striking resemblance with Mary as she smiled. They went to Sam house as Maya escorted them to the gate and bade her farewell to them with promises to visit soon.

And as the sounds of daytime waned and curtains settled for the night, Sam saw a figure at their house lying on the couch, alas, it was Uncle John, coming home so early at night. Then John struggled out of the couch reeking of alcohol as his body was pressed down from exhaustion took a look at Sam as he rushed to the toilet to puke, retching his bowels out with sounds that echo round the whole neighborhood. This is the first time he would see his uncle drunk and coming home this early as early as 8pm, Sam wondered what had happened. As John came to and was speaking gibberish for a while, he then told Sam. Listen boy, something bad happened to me today and I don't think I was that brave enough to break the news to you being sober son, I have been sacked Sam. My boss relieved me of my duty he said that there was need for cut down of employees and as the company cannot afford more employees. Sam stood there like a mannequin and unsure of what to make of the news.