Finding Contentus

Chapter 83: The Long Walk (2)

"I saw injustice, right before my eyes. The type, in which no one intervened. The type, that slowly started to open up my eyes. But before we get there, I suppose, I should start with myself. Well, in all honesty, from what you have seen with Ramoth's memories, there is not that much for me to add there."

As Musa spoke, Neosa felt herself traveling with him on his back, in going back to his origins, and the originating roads that took him to the roadblock of the present.

"My childhood was rather simple. From the time I could walk, to the time I could speak, I have always had this strong drive inside of me, and I have always had this dream of self prosperity to be free. Truly free. Mai would always say that even as a toddler, to a young boy, I would always want to work towards whatever it was, that I set my mind to."

"I've always been the type, to keep myself busy, constantly. If I saw someone that needed help, I would help. Even if they never asked, I would just help and offer up my services voluntarily. It is something, that has always been a part of me since the start."

Musa smiled faintly. "Baba would say that it had to do with my name. He is the one that named me. In our language, my full name is Musawenkosi, which means 'The grace of Mwari.' I was never the religious type in my youth, nor did I put stock in the meaning of my name or things such as fate, destiny and specialty, but I noticed that I worked harder than everyone else around me. Those younger, my age, and older."

"It made me feel good. Unique. People complimented me constantly. Those compliments encouraged me to work harder. I'll admit, I desired words of encouragement as much as I desired food. They warmed my heart immensely."

"Everyone would get worried by how I would put in extra hours and utilize the most of every day, pushing myself. Mai would joke in saying I would look older than Baba by the time I was in my adolescent years. Baba had no idea where on earth I got this stamina from. Certainly not me, he would say. Though I know he was just modest, for I would often copy him each time he came home late from work."

"Sometimes it sounded like my parents wanted to say more when it came to my work ethic, but, they were very shifty. They had secrets, you see. They kept secrets. I was aware, back then, but I never pressed them. I let them have their privacy and focused on my duties. I knew how to take care of my body to be in top shape as a warrior. I ate healthy, and was well provided for. I never really played like all the other children."

"Instead, I worked and only allowed myself to play in my free time. Sports mostly, like disci, consisting of two teams, two goals and one ball to be played using your feet. My favorite position was a striker. I scored the most goals in the leagues amongst the elites. They say I struck hard like a black mamba to rattle the goal net, and dribbled like a black jaguar to power through the opposition."

Neosa's eyes sparkled like rare jewelry.

"I never thought about how or why I was like this. I just was. When I spoke, others listened, young and old. I have Baba's striking voice after all, he was the same, but much more reserved. His voice was full enough to fill a room. I also have Mai's flourishing voice that helps me project."

Musa chuckled, going back to earlier times.

"I feared Mai more than Baba whenever I got in trouble, the same with my sisters even though I trained with Baba and did the heavy labour with him. But, I understood the merit of discipline with my mother, and knew not to make things worse when she got upset. I never complained. Not once. Mai would often say that I was a very strange child, for I never cried when she beat me, nor did I struggle, fight back or throw temper tantrums like other children. I would just stare at her oddly, take my punishment calmly, and carry on with my day like nothing happened."