META AI IMAGE
“Kevin! Get up from your seat and leave the classroom!”
I hate been chased out of school because of not paying my fees. It was still the morning hours and I couldn’t help but imagine what a long day doing nothing at home while my mates were in school learning. Not to mention the chores that would be waiting for me if I arrived home. Luckily, I was not the only one being chased in my class. Solomon and Winner were chased as well. We were pretty close friends and got along well. We all didn’t feel good about what had happened to us that morning. We were all thinking if there was a way we could hang out till the time our school normally closes.
“How about we go climb that rock at that is around that mosque? It is quite a beautiful view from the top, you know”, suggested Winner.
“Well, it’s not a bad idea. But I think we should consider Kevin. Is he up for such an adventure?” said Solomon.
I completely understood what Solomon meant by this statement. This was simply because I was the smallest in size amongst them and felt I wasn’t ballsy enough.
“What do you mean? We all know in any situation if there’s anyone among us three that would chicken out it is going to be you”, I fired back at Solomon.
“Alright, alright. Enough with the tough talk. Why don’t we just head over to the rock already?” Winner interrupted me and Solomon.
And straightaway, we commenced our journey to the rock. We walked the streets with our uniforms on and our bag packs on our backs. We were all hoping not see any of our parents or anyone who knew them so as not to have us reported for roaming the streets when we should have been in class learning.
To be honest, this was actually my first time doing something like this—going on a mountain climbing. I wasn’t even sure I could stand the height, but for some reason I just felt there was nothing really a big deal about it. I mean, if Solomon claims he can do it why can’t I, right? After all, I am older than him. I didn’t know that age had nothing to do with this. I wasn’t even thinking about this, all I was thinking of was proving Solomon wrong.
We finally got the feet of the rocky hill. As we began climbing it felt quite easy. Seems like Solomon was just exaggerating in order to instill fear in me.
“So this was what you were making a big deal out of, like it is a skyscraper or something”, I clapped at Solomon.
Solomon didn’t say a word.
As we began to approach half of the hill, I was as if I couldn’t feel my weight anymore. It was then I began to remember my fear of heights. When we started off initially I was at the middle, but now I was behind the both of them. Solomon wasn’t just saying things. This was a lot tougher than I had imagined. My heart started raising.
“Hold on guys. I think maybe we should slow down a second”, I said out of fright.
“I thought you were a tough guy. Don’t tell me you are planning on chickening out now?” Solomon mocked me as he laughed together with Winner.
Winner was a bit sympathetic with me.
“Don’t worry Kevin. It gets easier as we make it closer to the top, I promise”, Winner assured me.
“Really? If at this level I’m scared to the point of shitting in my pants how can I be less afraid when we are close to approaching the top?” I wondered.
“Alright, you know what? Hold my hand”, Winner generously volunteered.
We already half way to the top for me to return back, I didn’t have a choice. I shamelessly took his hand as he walked me through the top. It was even more unbearable as Solomon laughing at me. Next time, I would know better than to argue with Solomon without thinking.
Some minutes later, the sunlight gradually started becoming visible. We were at the top. Phew! I made it. Hill climbing is not a joke.
“Wow, you made it. I’m proud of you. At least you didn’t pass out!”, Solomon said as it accompanied laughter.
“Come on, go easy on him now”, Winner tried to get Solomon off my back, even though he was silently laughing at me too.
At this point, I couldn’t argue anymore. I was out of bullets. Solomon won. All I could do was to take the time to enjoy the view. Winner was right, it is indeed beautiful up here.