Just Another Story | Ink Well Prompt #64

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Life in Ajegunle had always been so beautiful, the scent of undisposed waste filled the air, the soothing noise of afro music from loud speakers mixed with little children half naked dancing in the mud laughing happily and market woman calling out to their customers from their little boats dramatically like the igbo men did in Lagos was something to behold.

It was overwhelming, but Tunde loved it here, he got used to being in the slum after his family had moved here six years ago from the Government Reserved Area (usually referred to as big man area) he grew up in. It had seemed so hard for him at first, to get used to the foul smell, overcrowding, flooding and very low standard of living.

But then he realized that he was a lot more happier here. He'd become quite popular especially since everyone discovered that he'd actually lived in the big man's area for thirteen years. His new best friends, Wole and Samuel apart from being knuckleheads were very adventurous, smart and strong too, no one dared to mess with them.

"Your grades have been dropping drastically lately, I've always told you to stop being so playful and read you book but you don't listen!!", his father's voice startled him.

Turning away from the window, he looked at his dad quizzically and then stared down immediately at his own feet with his hands at his back.

"Look at yourself, I'm not even sure you're my child because no child of mine would come third in a public school", he said again with compelling anger.

"I don't want to go to school", Tunde whispered as tears filled his eyes.

"What did you say?, Speak up let me hear you!"

Silence filled the room and none of them moved an inch or said a thing. After a few minutes had passed, his father walked towards the sofa and sat down. He picked up the remote of the old LG television and tuned in to NTA where the 6pm news had started.

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Tunde had never been interested in going to school, he was smart no doubt but he saw it as a waste of time. He'd always wanted to sail around the world like Magellan with the woman of his dreams by his side. It was a stupid child's dream but it was way better than sitting in an hospital attending to weird patients like his father wanted him to do.

He wanted to see the world, explore the dangers of the sea, learn new cultures, and enjoy the wonder of nature. He'd been having regular dreams of being in the middle of the ocean with a sizeable crew and a good strong ship. He had even told his friends about it and they were excited to go along with him. But that dream felt so uncertain now.

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Years had passed and Tunde finally fulfilled his father's dreams, he gained scholarship into the Lagos School of Medicine and became a medical doctor. Life had been a lot better but still uneventful for him. He'd actually had a good pay, enough to move his family out of the slums and into a more habitable area.

I have a surprise for you Tunde!, Sandra, his fiancee had sounded really excited on the phone.

"What's that Sandy?", He replied rather uninterested.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell you, just enter the car I sent over to get you from the hospital, I promise you, it'll be worth it". Then came her sweet laughter that always made his heart melt.

He went out of the hospital, got in the car and immediately he entered, two hefty men got hold of him, amidst struggles they handcuffed his hands to his back, put a blind fold on his face and then injected him with something. He fell into a deep sleep immediately.

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Heavy rays from the sun prompted Tunde to open his eyes. He couldn't see clearly at first but then everything started to clear up. He could feel that he was in motion, when he looked around, he discovered he was in an open sea!, On a beautiful ship sailing to God knows where.

He found himself in the middle of the ocean

Surprise!!!!!, his dad, his mom, Feyi (his sister), Wole, Samuel and Sandra chorused.

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_{Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it or it connected to you in a way, I invite you to drop a comment I'll be glad to reply❤️}