All shades of You

I: 28 and useless

Chapter one

Hameed

I was falling, deeper and deeper into the abyss. An abyss was supposed to be dark but this pit was illuminated with a bright light, so bright my sight was almost distorted. I couldn't see anything but the bright light and yet the speed at which I was falling only kept growing faster. So fast it was getting hard to breathe.

Faintly, I could hear someone call my name as if trying to save me from falling. Like magic, the speed grew slower as the sound of my name became louder. I still couldn't answer to the call. It grew slower and slower until I stopped falling and it felt like I was floating on air. I had realised that everything had become pitch black. Where did the light go?

"Ya Hameed if you do not wake I swear I will beat your ungrateful ass out of that bed!!!" An Angry voice spoke.

My eye jolted open. Damn what a pointless dream!

"What is it this time Amira?" I answered lazily from under the sheets.
It was December and the harmattan had set in so, the morning was cold. I guess I overslept and missed breakfast again but well, I am unemployed and lazy after all so sleep is what I do for a living.

"Baba ya dawo and he wants you at the table so be ready." She sneered. I could imagine the look on her face.

"Hmm..." I muttered in reply and ignored the rest of the information I had received. I closed my eyes in attempt to go back to sleep before it runs away.

"Whaaaaattttt!" I suddenly sat up an yelled out causing Amira to shake her head in disappointment.

She said Baba was back. Damn that old guy, he's back. Now my life won't be the same again.

"Be ready in five." She said before walking out of my room. I quickly got out of bed, wore a black T-shirt that was lying on the floor along with some other clothes that I dumped the night before. My room was always a mess.
I rushed to the bathroom brushed my teeth and washed my face then picked up a brown shorts and hastily wore. I flung myself out of my room and zipped up the trousers as I ran down the stairs.
My heart kept thumping. The insults I was going to receive today. Oh what a morning.

I slowed my pace when I walked into the dining room. Everyone was already seated. It was awkward and unusually silent.

I cleared my throat and took my seat at the table next to my five year old son. Yes... I have a son... And no I'm not married, Haha long story.

The food was already served, Friend yam and egg sauce and a beautiful looking cup of tea next to it.

"Good morning Sir... Welcome back." I tried to break the silence. It was too annoying to deal with.

I was opposite him, that was how it was every morning if we ever sat at the table.

Baba glared at me, none the less replying to my greetings.

"Good morning Hameed, thank you."
He's always Mad. Not that I don't take responsibility but... He should loosen up a bit.

"Good morning Mama." I greeted my mother. She only laughed and gestured for me to just eat my food. All the other siblings just ate in silence stealing a glance at me and not sparing a second more.

I was in deep shit.

"Daddy." My boy called.

"Yes Mubarak." I replied smiling down at him.

"Happy birthday." He smiled.

"Huh?" I flinched awkwardly.

Suddenly the whole table became a round of laughter. I was the only left out of course.

"I told you he'd never remember." Sadiq said. Sadiq was the younger sibling After me.

"It's 12th December Ya Hameed for crying out loud. Stop looking lost." Amira teased.

"Hahaha. Is that so..." I chuckled awkwardly again rubbing the back of my neck.

"Thank you then." I grinned.

"He's 28 and yet he has no Sense of responsibility or direction in life. He prefers to wallow in his room and not do anything at all. What a waste of life. I will kick you out soon. Sadiq has a job, even Nurudeen is doing well and he's only 22. How long will you be a disappointment Hameed? None the less, Happy birthday." Said Baba in his own way.

Ah this man loves me too much.

"I will get a Job before the year runs out Baba. I promise." I sighed.

"Sure... That's the same thing you said three years ago. I've had enough. I got a Job for you. And you will not run away from this. It's either you do it or you go homeless and I am not joking about it." He frowned.

"Wh.. aa..t?" I flinched.

"You will go for the interview Hameed and this is final." He deadpanned. I guess it's stamped.

"Yes sir." I sighed sadly.

I really didn't want to work. I kept messing up my interviews and messing up with doing everything job related. Hence, Baba kept sending me to school. I had just completed my PHD program last month and, the minute I get to breathe, Baba gets me a job.. great. Just great.

The rest of the morning went well.

I think.

★★★

Hello there beautiful people. Welcome my new book. And this is the first chapter. It's quite short I know but, I couldn't help it, I was too excited to write a new book after a long time.

So tell me what you think.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Happy reading.💕