******Dare to Dream by Abiola Okunsaya

Copyright © 2018 by Abiola Okunsanya All copyright reserved. No portion of this book may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without prior permission from the publisher.

CHAPTER ONE
“You know, nothing can stop you as long as you are determined to become
what you want to become in life. Whether you want to follow an already
created path, or you want to create a new path in life in order to get to
where you need to get to, Ezekiel, nothing can stop you.”
“Mum, I’ve learnt from all you have been telling me, that I can do all things.
Remember the question you asked me last year? I think I found the
answer.”
“Have you now?” Admiration could be seen in the eyes of Ezekiel’s mother
when she smiled eagerly. “So, tell me, what do you want to become in life?”
“A real estate mogul, mum! I want to own estates, I want to build castles, I
want my name to be in every business in this continent when I grow up.
Just like Aliko Dangote and Donald J. Trump.”
“I love this. I am glad that you think wide. You can achieve it.”
“Mummy, I am surprised that you didn’t tell me I dream too much. That’s
what my class teacher told me when I told the whole class what I want to
become. She told me to be realistic and stop dreaming.”
“Ezekiel, never listen to anyone who tells you not to dream. Dreaming and
imagining are essential parts of human life. Never be afraid to dream big.
No matter the hardship, the trials and the realities before you, as long as
you are not dead yet, never let go of your dreams.”
Ezekiel watched in pain as they lowered the coffin of his mother into the six
feet grave. He had cried until he could cry no more. He thought about all the
moments he had with his mother and how he always thought his mother –
who always pushed him to keep working hard and never stop dreaming –
would be with him when he actually achieve those dreams. He sniffled
again.
“You need to be strong for your father, okay? You are no longer a small
boy.”
“Ezekiel, everything will be alright. God gives and takes. No one can blame
Him. We can only live according to what He has written. It is well.”
And it went on and on like that from people who cared and people who just
came to scorn. He watched his father from afar, walking with a certain
woman he felt he had seen before. His head was ducked beside the woman
who had one hand on his shoulder. He wondered what they talked about as
he wiped his nose with his palm again.
Can he continue? His mother had always been there for him, loved and
cherished him in the times his dad was unaccounted for. His mother had treated him like the prince he was not, even in the nights his father hit her
whenever he was drunk. Can life ever remain the same? Can he continue?
“Ezekiel, it’s alright if you are not okay.”
He turned around to see Chiamaka. He was surprised and glad to see her
there. And as if his tears came from where it was hidden all along, he burst
into fresh tears.
“It’s okay.”
He watched in tears as she sat down beside him and drew his head to her
chest. “You can cry all you want, Ezekiel. It is better than bottling it up.”
Thoughts ran through Ezekiel’s mind. He nibbled at the thought of
committing suicide. He knew he was all alone from that point of his life. He
hoped his dad would change, his dad would become the responsible dad he
always wished he was, but he knew that all he hoped for will only stop at
hopes.
He sat up, releasing himself from Chiamaka’s comfort. “I didn’t know you’d
show up.”
“My mum had to sneak me out of the house. We came together.”
Ezekiel smiled mildly as he looked from her to his mother’s grave. He
remembered his little chat with his mother about Chiamaka a year ago.
“So, you are telling me that you like Chiamaka, huh?” He could remember
she had smiled.
“I think so. You remember what you said about how to know when you are
crushing on someone badly? I think I feel that way with her.”
His mum had laughed. “Are you sure? You’ve only known her for six
months. Didn’t they just move into the neighbourhood?”
“Yes mom, but that’s how I feel.” He watched as his mother had laughed at
him and taunted him.
“Mr Lesley, you are only fifteen. Why don’t you relax a little bit? Remember
what I told you about the kind of lady you should get? Someone who would
believe in your dreams, no matter how big; someone who is ready to go all
the way with you in achieving those dreams and will not doubt you, no
matter what happens. Do not be swayed only by what you feel or see,
okay?”
“Okay mum.”
“But, she is respectful and beautiful too.” His mum had added. “When you
think she has the qualities I mentioned, you are good to go.”
Ezekiel looked at her. “I don’t know where to go from here,” he sniffled. “I
feel like my whole world has been buried over there and I just can’t do
anything about it.” He waited for her to say something, but she didn’t. She just listened, and then he decided to continue. “I…,” he swallowed, “I don’t
know what to do. I really don’t.”
He stood up and moved closer to the covered up grave. He thought
Chiamaka would follow him. He was right.
“Ezekiel, I don’t know what to say, really. I wish I, like your mom, would
have the right words to console you, but I don’t. I just came to be with you,
in case you are in need of someone to talk to. It’s going to be alright, okay?
There are people out there who have suffered worse tragedies but still
made it in life. Orphans survive too, and you are not even an orphan.”
“I am as good as one, Chiamaka.”
“Easy, Ezekiel, you still have a Father. What I am saying is that if there is
anyone in this world who could survive out there in the scorch alone, then
it would be you.”
Ezekiel had no idea that Chiamaka thought that way of him, or maybe it
was just her way of consoling him.
“And no, I am not just consoling you. I am speaking the truth.”
“Did you just read my mind?”
“No, I didn’t. I just feel that out of all the people I have met in this world,
you are the one with the most fighting spirit. You imagine nearly
impossible things and it amazes me how sometimes you are rugged enough
to make those dreams come to pass. The way you dream makes me want to
be like you sometimes.”
Ezekiel wanted to laugh, but he remembered he had no reason to do so. His
reason to smile is now in the grave.
“Thanks, but I think you got me all wrong. I am nothing without my mother.
She pushed me to dream. She created the fighting spirit you said I have. The
things I imagine, she pushed me to imagine them. Only if you know how
close I am with my mother. I am as good as dead without her. My dreams
are..,” He sniffled.
“No,” Chiamaka shook her head. “You are still you without your mom.
Ezekiel, your mother might have pushed you to dream, but the owner of the
dream still remains you. Your mother might have been a pillar of support to
you, but I think you are that building that has its pillars already inbuilt.
Your mother might have stretched your imaginations, but you are the
owner of those imaginations, those dreams. It is your choice to dream
again. You can throw all those dreams away just because the person who
always pushed you is no more, but do you think that is what she wants?”
“The dead wants nothing.”
“What about you? What do you want?” Chiamaka stood in front of him,
preventing him from going further towards the grave. “It is time to think
about tomorrow, Ezekiel.