The Dreamer's Destiny

By Tony Ogwu

Joseph watched helplessly as his only brother was burnt to death by an angry mob for stealing a loaf of bread to quieten his rampaing stomach....he thought the world would come to an end that terrible day at the motorpark...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365773211

Book preview

The Dreamer's Destiny

Title Page

THE DREAMER’S DESTINY

Copyright © 2017 by Tony Ogwu

ISBN: 978–978-8012-94-9

First published in 2014 by

Sibon Books Limited

Fl6, Block 1

F Close, 111 Road

Festac, Lagos

Email: [e-mail]

08033353220

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The Dreamer's Destiny is an outstanding reflective novel of many descriptive triumphs. The writer has really manifested his concern for the plight of the young ones who seem hopeless, and has made efforts to give them hope.

Rev. Sr Ifechi Ibeneme DDL

English Department,

University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The author has presented this work with a rich variety of creativity, and in a reader-friendly language.

Lambert Ihebuzorn Ph.D.,

Dept. of Mass Communication,

Lead City University, Ibadan.

The ability of the human spirit to survive awkward circumstances of life is one of the timeless truths projected by the world of fiction. The Dreamer's Destiny recreates this truth in simple and pulsating language. Steeped in the echoes of the biblical young Joseph, the novel challenges the young reader to listen to the inner voice of self-realization amidst the maze of modem society.

Chigbu A Chigbu (Fr)

Use of English and Communication Unit,

University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Dedicated to Reverend Father Innocent Igbokwe, OCD.

1

The Beginning

At the beginning, Joseph thought that mere beating would end the whole thing. But as things unfolded, he needed to do everything to stop this. He ran out of the park with great speed like a Formula 1 car race driver. He was gasping for breath when he reached under the bridge. His eyes darted from one end of the bridge to another, looking for his mother. But she was nowhere to be found. He quickly yelled, Mother! Mama! He looked into the faces of everyone coming towards him. But she was nowhere to be found. It seemed she had vanished into thin air. He ran all the way to back where he was coming from. He was so confused! He believed in his heart that he was dreaming or that he would never be able to tell what was happening to him. He wished he could pinch himself to wake up from the dreadful nightmare. No, the sweat on his forehead that had gradually turned into a small river and the heavy pounding in his head reminded him that he was staring hard at reality. The heat of the sun was so much on him that he could hardly reason well.

When he got back to the park, the crowd was still very thick at the spot he had left them. He meandered through the crowd to the front again to look at the nightmare that terrified him. The blazing fire was still fuming. It was so intense, you could think that a big building was ablaze. The crowd had not even begun to disperse. They still carried in their hands the clubs and machetes with which they had beaten Bernard. Their angry faces were gradually transcending into contented faces as they felt that justice had finally taken place against one of the numerous hoodlums who robbed their shops at night. They wanted to make sure he was burnt to ashes before they dispersed.

Joseph couldn't stand it anymore. He broke down and wept. He leapt up and threw himself down with a thud and cried bitterly. He refused to notice the crowd. He was sorry for his brother going down in flames but he was more so sorry for himself who would be haunted by this sight in front of him for the rest of his life. What would life look like without Bernard? He sat on the ground and wailed the more, pushing his legs front and backwards, hitting the ground upon which he sat. No one cared to console him. No one even threw a kind glance at him. They had all judged him in their hearts and decided that since he was the brother of a thief, he would be a thief as well. They had even wished that he was caught along with him so that two thieves caught in one day might signify their good fortune. Joseph continued to cry helplessly until the fire began to die down and the crowd began to disperse.

At some point, he paused to look at the sun. What had happened seemed like it didn't happen. Maybe he should just wish it away. But it did not go away. He wished he could blink it away, shout it away, whatever he could do to forget the memory of what happened. Wait, wait, wait, wait… does it mean that after the fire stops, there won't be Bernard?

He bit his lips and sobbed bitterly. He continued to cry but now very softly. He looked around the park. The business of the day had continued as if nothing strange had happened. The traders had got quite busy selling their wares, customers trooping in and out. Business continued at stalls where food was sold and many using the park seemed not to notice the stench of burnt human body that wreaked the air. The passengers boarded their buses and the drivers drove off like any other day. The women and children who hawked shouted on top of their voices as usual, calling for buyers. The sun was at its usual place blazing hot and the motor park was as dirty as always, littered with wraps of ice cream, agidi, empty water sachets and all types of paper wraps.

The world did not come to a standstill, poor Joseph reflected.

***

Father, forgive me for I have sinned, she sobbed. I have committed an innocent soul to death! I have killed an innocent boy!

She was overwhelmed by the gravity of her sin. She felt that if she didn't confess it, she too would die. Reverend Father Osmond listened to her as she wept and confessed. It seemed that she didn't even believe that her sin could be forgiven. After she had gone through the process, she calmed down