Fictional Story Called The Two Ridges - Scholarship Essay Example

The Two Ridges December 30, Cover Letter Dear Sir/Madam I am writing to show you an up on my progress in this course. This course has introduced me to new concepts in English and the use of language to articulate points and pass the desired message. I never knew learning could be this interesting until I enrolled for this course. I have been practicing and writing short stories to facilitate my understanding and sharpen my skills in the field that I have been introduced to in the course. In this piece I will write a fictional story that I have carefully prepared to be assessed and guide on the way forward. I understand that learning is a continuous process and I am always ready to be corrected. Though I am not perfect in writing, I am sure that with a concise following of the concepts you have taught us, I will emerge as one of the best students in the class. I pay attention to everything you teach and my enthusiasm will propel me to get nothing but the best. The fictional story I have prepared will revolve around the society to expose various drawbacks depicted while the youth are being brought up and the ones that can hinder their progress. The Two Ridges James walked aimlessly, often almost stumbling on the few stones along the deserted pathway. He was not sure where he was going, yet he kept walking. Many thoughts crisscrossed his mind. For eleven days now he had remained unsettled. The past one week seemed like a dream to him. Her mother had just noted that he had not had supper for two days, spending most of the time secluded and closed up in his room. He looked at his image in the moonlight, and smiled, sheepishly, life was getting smooth… no not smooth. He crossed the river that acted as the boundary between his ridge and the neighboring one and started climbing up fast. Panting. He remembered the words of his father three days ago ‘son, you are going to the university in two weeks, always remember you come from a humble background, do not allow the ways of the city to spoil you. You are the light of this family. Our energy is not there anymore, we rely on you to support your siblings in the future’, cold tears slowly run down his cheeks. He feared. He knew how serious such a covenant could be, and he had assented to it by promising his father that he would be a good boy and study hard. He had always aspired to be a doctor and the letter to join Johns Hopkins School of Medicine could not have come at a better time. He knew he had the enthusiasm and the mettle to forge through the six hard years and emerge as the only doctor in the neighborhood, a role model, the person everyone wanted to emulate. Yes he was ready. Yes. He almost bumped into someone, and his straying mind came back. He quickly greeted the woman whose well curved body showed a mature lady in her mid-thirties in the tinge moonlight. ‘James, what are you doing over here this late?’ she inquired. ‘Am out to meet someone.’ He answered quickly as he walked away leaving the lady gazing at him. He could now see the home, it belonged to her long time friend’s family-Emma. He wanted to meet her. He knew that she was waiting for him. Having a phone, he quickly dialed her number and confirmed his presence. A few minutes later he saw a feminine figure coming towards him, he cleared his throat and warmed up to talk to. Ah…it was not Emma. Must have been another nightwalker going on in her business. He kept calm… waiting. His mind strolled again to a scene a week ago, when her mother held a special fundraising to cater for the money that he needed to travel to the Johns Hopkins and the tuition and other monies needed. He remembered the speech he gave, assuring all people that he wanted to learn, become the best and change the society. He remembered the applause, the cheers, and the ululations that met his brief speech. He had to take the challenge. He remembered the exhausted, tired, and weary eyes of her mother, who now lived in him. She had spent all the years of her youth dedicated and devoted for the family. And yes, she was proud, her son would become a doctor someday. She knew she would be safe, no more diseases, no more financial strain. All that was hidden in her faded smile. For once James had realized that her mother was growing old. The youthful fragrance was no longer there. She had consumed herself working for him… and his siblings. What a mother. ‘Hello James’ it was Emma. ‘Am fine, how have you been?’ ‘I am still waiting for your answer, this baby am carrying will soon show up through my dress, I want a solution now.’ This hit James again, he had tried to brush the fact that Emma was pregnant of him again and again. This was consuming his flesh, his mind, he was limp. And he realized he still didn’t have an answer. ‘You must introduce me to your parents before you join the medical school, I cannot be an embarrassment to my parents.’ She continued murmuring in what now seemed as a concoction of bitterness and despair. Emma came from a humble family as well. She knew that the information about her pregnancy would be accorded the resistance she had never encountered. She feared. ‘An abortion?’ He uttered in what took forever to come out. He felt relieved. ‘No.’ She stood her ground. She had refused to subscribe to that idea many times and this was not the time she would. She knew the consequences were too much. She had already told her sister who had warned her sternly against it. He was not ready to take that. He tried to convince her. Almost getting hysterical and showing her the limitation of options in the situation. Yet she could not accept. He was now almost wailing. He knew that if his father knew about it, he would not join the medical school. He would be a disgrace to his family, the whole community. He hated knowing her. And remembered the day they spent together after the party. If only he could replay that. But his wishes could not yield. Emma was not the girls who could easily be swayed. She knew what she wanted. And what she did not. ‘I will come tomorrow.’ James said and he departed. He knew he could not take that any longer. He wrote a long message as he walked, to Emma. Then deleted it and walked faster. He could now see the shop. Yes panting he put the few coins he had and bought it. Then hastily walked home. He now had an answer. He could not be a disgrace to the community. He could stand to disgrace his father. As he walked he remembered the good times he had had in life, and the bad ones he had had. His life had been a soaring journey, an uphill task, always fighting against the current. Talk of the supper less nights, the cold nights as he studied, but fortunately he had lived to see this day, and see his end. He would take the poison and end the misery. He was not ready to witness the cold stares from her mother when she learnt that her son had been walking around with peoples’ daughters. Disappointing her was the last option he had. But he was ready to end his life and stay safe. At least not to see the reactions. And he imagined how the news would trend the following morning when it would be found that he was dead. Her mother, would wail and mourn, no one would be able to calm her. His father would sit on the normal stool and gaze on the horizon. Sighing, disappointed and hopeless. His siblings would be confused, not big enough to understand the situation. The neighbors would be confused, no one would be able to explain the turn of events. No one would understand him nor the factors that led to this act. He was a coward. He put the red powder in a cup and added some water. This was the time. He had lived for nineteen years. Nineteen long years. He was fed up. He said a short prayer and then put the cup to his mouth. ‘James! James!’ ‘Will you sleep the whole day?’ He woke up with a start, his frail body drenching in sweat. It was her mother calling her. Oh, today was the day he was travelling to join the medical school. What a dream that was, he was glad he had never had an intimate relationship with Emma. That would have killed him. He started preparing… for this great journey. Read More