Growing up with very strict parents did not really stop us from doing things other kids do and enjoying our childhood; sometimes we got scolded for not following instructions, and sometimes our parents even went as far as punishing us, but after the punishment, we only needed a few days to get back on track and do exactly what they preach against. Back then we felt like we knew better, but sometimes we ended up wishing we had listened and followed their instructions because of the end result of failing to listen to them.
There are also times when we are happy we did not follow their instructions because we realize how much fun we would have missed out on if we had followed their instructions. There was a very big river close to our neighborhood, but since we are not from the town, my parents warned us strictly to never go swimming in the river since it is believed that if people who are not from the town swim in the river, there is a high chance of drowning or going missing in the river. There have been cases of people going missing in the river, but that river became a favorite spot for my friend, and there is no way I can avoid not following them there every time they bring it up.
"On no account should I hear or see you on the road that leads to that river if you are really my child and want to continue living under this roof." My mom gave a stern warning just after our morning devotion.
"But, Mom, the weather is hot; we can just go there to cool off and enjoy the cold environments. Going there does not mean we must necessarily swim." I responded.
"I said I don't want to see you on the road or even hear from a neighbor that they saw you on that road. What makes you even think I will tolerate you going there all because the weather is hot?" My mom asked with a straight face.
"We have heard you, Mom; we will do well to stay away from the river just as you have instructed." My siblings and I responded.
On my path, it was difficult to actually stay away from the river because it is now a favorite spot for my friends; they want to go there every day once the sun is out. I always abide by instructions given by my mom, but they keep teasing and pushing me.
"Let's go to our usual spot, so we do not have much doing at home." Emmanuel suggested
"Yes, let's go. I have been meaning to say it, but I considered that mommy's boy here will want to convince us not to go." Daniel supported
"If Mommy's boy is not going, let's go without him; we will meet him at the field when we are back." Emmanuel responded, looking at me to see my reaction.
"Okay, okay, let's go, but we will be back before 4 p.m." I responded, giving in to their teasing.
"Yessssss." Emmanuel said as he jumped out of excitement, "At last, I thought you would keep being the boring friend that does not want to do things because your parents said you should not do them." Emmanuel added
"Let's just go to the river and cool off; forget about every other thing." I responded as I led the way.
"He's even leading the way; indeed, today is a good day." Daniel whispered.
"I can hear you." I said, letting him know that I heard what he said.
We got to the river and dived in; it was all fun, and indeed I had been missing out on all the fun and the feeling that comes with the water and the environment, but all that ended within a few minutes when I got to the side of the river where the current was high, and I lost control and found myself flowing with the current. Friends thought I was joking and teasing until they saw that the river flow was really pushing me and I had lost control and was panicking at the same time. Emmanuel, who is a good swimmer, was able to come get me.
I got out of the river coughing and my eyes as red as blood, "Please don't tell my mother or siblings what happened here today; it should be a secret between us, please." I pleaded with my friends.
"We got you." They all responded as we left the river.
A few days later we gathered at ours, and as usual we were teasing each other, and Emmanuel let the cat out of the bag by mistake.
"That is how Kachi's eyes were red while he was screaming for help the other day at the river; when he came out, he was coughing." Emmanuel said as he mimicked how I was coughing.
"What did you say, Emmanuel?" My mom, who we did not know was listening, asked.
"Ma'am, I did not say anything." Emmanuel responded as he put his hand on his head.
"Thank you for letting the cat out of the bag. Kachi, come here." My mom said as she left the sitting room.
