"Amon, why didn't you go to school again? You are already 25 and yet you still didn't finish the elementary level?"
Early in the morning, my Auntie was nagging already. I pretended I didn't hear her because I wanted to sleep due to a party last night until 3 in the morning.
"Hey, don't you ignore me?"
She came near me and shook my whole body by holding my arms to wake me up.
"Ah, so annoying!", I whispered.
"What you just said?!" -She heard what I said and she was irritated by it. She pulled me to raise but as what they said "just joke to a drunk person, not to a just woke up person."
"Will you shut up Auntie! Did you think I didn't know you've been wasting the money of my parents which I own?"
She's embarrassed I guess after what I said even though I didn't mean it. She left without saying anything and never looked back.
You heard it right, I'm a billionaire boy thanks to my parents. Although, it's not that I'm happy about it after my parents both died from plane crash accidents for many years now. That's why I decided not to finish any degrees as long as I can write and read. Why be hard on myself when I can get what I need. I have many businesses that thank my workers for doing their best and making me richer. That's why I'm going to school? I just thought it was pointless since I will just pay someone to be my brain and be my body to work.
That was me a few years ago because after I had an accident on a cruise ship I ended up on this island. There was a storm, a lot of people died on that ship and I was lucky to survive but unfortunately, the island I'm stuck with is remote. No electricity, in other words, no technology, it's completely different from where I came from.
It's Maria who found me at the shore unconscious. It's been a month already but I began to get tired of waiting for a ship to pass. I'm hoping that it can help me to leave this place but I gave up and just accepted the kind of life I'm in.
"Let's eat", Maria called me.
On this island, people rely on their food in fishing and agricultural lifestyles. It's a huge island where people can grow rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits. The people here are like how our place was 100 years ago. I have no choice but to do what they've been doing like planting and fishing. As a billionaire like me, it's super hard but no choice to make being in this kind of place.
"Okay, I'll be there."
I'm wondering why people are gathering along the shore, of course, I join them to learn why. When I arrived there it's the first time I called them idiots. They're ignorant, it's not a surprise since they have no idea what education is. They keep on staring at the books that were found inside the box taken by the waves. I thought I ignored them because, like me, education doesn't interest me. Although, it touches my heart watching children are curious about those books. They love the content through images and drawings and for what was written they never stop asking their parents. What to expect, they couldn't answer it. Before it breaks my heart I left them with such ignorant faces, curious about the drawings and images.
"Hey, Amon?" - Maria called me while having some coffee made from moringa leaves.
"Yes", - I replied.
"Please, teach me how to read. I saw you last night reading those things we found at the shore."
I was confused about what she was referring to but it gave me an idea that she was talking about the books.
"You mean a book?" - She's confused about the words I used. I just showed him the book that I'm holding in my hand.
"Yes, that one. I heard you talking while staring at that thing tightly. I just assumed that you were reading." - She explained.
"That will be troubling", - I whispered.
I know it will be hard since she has no idea of the letters in the alphabet but I have no right to refuse her since I'm indebted. She was the one who found me and allowed me to stay in their house.
" Okay", - Ignoring the trouble and just accepting the task.
The morning has come and I prepared all the things we need. Even though I didn't finish my studies I learned so many things because of the money I have.
"Okay, let's start reading the alphabet first, just follow my lead and repeat the sound a couple of times. We need to make sure you will be familiar with these letters so it will be easier to say the sounds."
Our first day started every morning for just 2 hours and 1 hour in the evening. It's going well because she's very serious about learning even though it's very tiring for a person like me who dislikes studying.
"Good morning Mr. Amon."
"Oh, Good morning."
A group of children and adults startled me when I went outside after waking up.
"Is it fine if we join Miss Maria in studying?"
I remained speechless of what they said as I glanced at Maria while smiling.
"What?" - I muttered as I'm afraid of how to handle this many students.
I became a teacher without finishing a degree course. I hesitated at first of course, but as time passed and passed helping these people to learn. I began to enjoy the kind of job the people wanted me to be. I'm not confident but they taught me how to be proud of being able to teach them in small ways.
"My name is Maria." - Maria read the words she wrote in the flattened piece of wood while using charcoal in writing.
"It's already 1 year, huh." -Said to myself.
I almost forgot home because I was busy teaching the people in our village slowly and it makes me happy knowing that most of them are learning very well.
I'm teaching the villagers when I saw a familiar face walking towards me. I was very surprised and couldn't believe who the person I'm seeing was.
"Auntie?!"
My tears have no plan to stop seeing my Auntie because of so much happiness and hope. Seeing her means she's here to pick me up. I got emotional even though I was attached to the people here. It's really different when you can finally go home.
"Amon?!"
My Auntie came running towards me while crying. This is the first time I realized how my Auntie loves me that much after seeing her pity face as the tears continue shedding. She hugs me very tightly and I can feel how much she misses me.
I decided not to say a word to the villagers because I know goodbye will be hard to do. I said thanks to Maria who took care of me even though my heart was suffocating seeing myself flying while riding on a helicopter.
My Auntie didn't state the details of how she found me but she only said she kept on checking the island that maybe I was there. She didn't give up searching and never thought that I was dead because no dead body was found. I just didn't ask that much because being back to my place is enough.
"Mister Amon?!" - A very surprised face from Maria seeing me in front of her.
Yes, after taking everything in my place I went back to the island bringing a cruise ship with materials to build a school. I decided to go back to help the children in pursuing their dreams to learn. Also, I thought it would be beneficial to me because I was planning to place a power plant where people can use electricity. There are many things in my mind but my top priority is to let the children be educated.
END..
mrnightmare
