The Fire Within

“Bin, we're off to school, love you!”, Kamara shouts excitedly, she's starting her junior year, and she's really excited about the fact. I haven't seen anyone as excited to attend school as she is, she's a cheerful spirit despite her medical conditions. “Take care and don't forget to take your medicine”, I turn towards the silent twin, “Kamsi I trust you will take care of your kid sister, will you?”, I ask him. Kamsi murmurs in reply. “I will, brother and for your information, am not a kid anymore, I am starting high school today,” Kamara says rolling her eyes dramatically. Ever since she started going out with Bianca and her group of friends, she rolls her eyes over almost anything. They both walk out the door, Kamara skipping like a little girl she is, “be careful!”, I shout. I worry about her a lot, she's a fragile being. “Bin always the worried mother hen”, Gozie took a bite from the pancake on the plate, with his mouth full, he resumes talking, “relax for once and enjoy life”, he takes another bite. “You know It's not healthy to talk with your mouth full”, I caution. He waves me off,“ forget about that, nothing is.....” he starts coughing, pointing at the water on the table, he holds his throat. I almost restrain myself from giving him water, but being the doting mother hen as he jokes, I offer him the water. He gulped the water in two swallows. “Take it easy, you might choke again,” I light pat his back. Removing my hand, he glared at me, “if it were to be Kamara that choked, you would have given her the water before she can ask for it”, he accuses poor old me. “If it were to be Kamara, she won't have talked with her mouth full, moreover you are not Kamara and you will never be.” I frown. He stuck his tongue out at me, “someone is practicing Favoritism. You're always saying you love us equally, but we know it's Kamara you love most”, he pouts. Sometimes I have hard time believing Gozy is an eighteen years boy and not a seven years old. His behaviour makes a person confused. “ I love you all equally, it's just that I give special attention to Kamara based on her health issues.” I sigh. He sobers at that. He gets uncomfortable whenever her health issues are brought up. “ You're dressed up today, where are you heading to?” he raised a brow at me. I know he's trying to change the topic, but I let it slide, “I am going for a job interview”, I smile, readjusting my tie for the umpteenth time this morning. “Which company? Last I checked, you've gone on all the job interviews you submitted an application to.” He has a point there. I wrote the application letter last two months, and I've forgotten about it, until I got a mail from the company. I didn't make my siblings aware of it, as I don't want them to be disappointed if I don't get the job done. We're in dire need of cash, and it won't help to get their hope up. The company have been my dream for as long as I can remember and getting an appointment was like a dream come true. “I forgot all about it since it's been almost two months I sent the application, until I got their mail”, I check the time on my watch, and saw it's currently 7:30, and I need to be at the company by 9:00 on the dot. “I've got to go, make sure to attend classes, it wouldn't pay to skip school”, I narrow my eyes at him. “I will, I promise”, he raised both hands up in surrender. “ Better.” Leaving the house, I walk to the bus station. We live in the poorest area in our city and the company is located at the heart of the city, an hour drive from my current location. The bus was almost filled, but I managed to squeeze myself between two plump females. I would have waited for the second bus if not for the urgent task in hand. “Boy, why are you wearing a business clothe on a school day?” the pink lipped lady ask. I blush at her question, “gods!, you look more handsome when you blush, red's a good color on you,” the red lipped lady comments. People have always regarded me as a high school student based on my petite frame, if you don't know better, you will mistake me for a female. Most have commented on the fact I can easily pass as a girl if I were to wear a dress and no one will be none the wiser. “ I am going for a job interview,” I smile politely. “Is it for a play at school, darling?” the other ask. Are you deaf, or should I say blind? I said I am going for a job interview and for your information, I am not a high school student!! I wanted to shout but couldn't instead I said, “I am going for a job interview at Hearthrow cosmetics company.” The red lip woman placed a palm on her heart, “bless me, I actually thought you to be a homeschooler, you don't look older than seventeen!" she exclaims, causing the other occupants of the bus to turn towards us. “ So I've been told”, I murmur in answer, blushing hard at the attention I was attracting. “Your mom must be proud of having a handsome, intelligent young man as you're. If I had a son, I would have paired you with him, you will make a beautiful bride.” I blush harder, my cheeks hot from exertion. “ My mom's now among the angels”, I whisper. Not wanting to spoil their joyful mood, but it was no use, as they book shared a look. “Am so sorry, dear, we weren't aware.” She gave me a look of pity. I hate it when people apologize for something they didn't commit, why would they apologize for my mom's death?, are they her murderers? “It's okay, it happened a long time ago”, I force a smile, “still dear, losing a mom is a painful thing and for someone as young as you're”, red lip lady says. Luckily, they didn't engage me in another conversation for the entirety of the ride.