A journey of bravery. Short Story

 In the year 2014, the Namibian economy had not declined. However, living in Windhoek was becoming extremely expensive, for the Smith family.

Ed Smith is 20 years old and like every young man, he wants and seeks, a better life.

"Mum! Dad? I am going to Russia, to better myself" says, Ed.

"But, who are you going too and where are you going to live?"

Asks the mother, with a rather pale and shocking look on her face.

Mr. John Smith, Ed's father, was a very quiet man and he rarely ever spoke. Except give you The Eye.

That look that, you know you had to avoid at all costs.

Ed, calmly and convincingly, tries to explain to his parents.

Mom! Dad! I know Russia is far and I know you are worried about where I am going to live and how I am going to get there. I have been saving and I have saved enough for a plane ticket and two months’ rent and beside, cousin Ruth studies in Russia. So I got  this folks, he jokingly says.

'I guess we can't talk you out of this can we", says Ed's mum.

"No mum, besides I will go get a job, study and be able to take care of you. I know how hard you try and even if I don’t say it, I really appreciate all the extras that you give me", says Ed, with tears in his eyes.

The next three months, the Smiths have been preparing for Ed's going away.

They threw him a big farewell party, and surprisingly enough, they also had enough food and drinks to accompany the feast.

 

The next day, Ed got up, with tons of jitters of excitement.

It is the day he finally lives Namibia. and go to Europe.

'Everything will be changing soon', Ed says to himself.

Around noon, Ed's taxi arrives to take him to the airport. The family had to say their goodbyes at home, as the taxi was really expensive.

It took Ed two days to get to Russia and between connecting flights, he was really tired.

His cousin Ruth was waiting for him at the airport.

'Hi Cousin Ruth", Cries Ed.'

"I have not seen you in a little about four years, you are a grown women now", he jokingly said.

Ruth, "Ed you must stop it. you are a man now, you too"

They laughed at that statement. They both grabbed Ed's suit cases and got into a cab that was waiting for them.

It was winter in Russia, and Ed quickly started feeling the harsh cold weather on his cheeks, ears and fingers.

He had not noticed the snow, for some real weird reason. "Ruth!! Look, snow," he cried. Ruth looked at hi, and smiled.

They arrived at Ruth’s dorm room, where Ed would be staying till he could get a place of his own.

The weeks went by really fast, and Ed was always out and about looking for a job.

Weeks later he got a waitressing gig at a local coffee house. The pay was ok. He could afford to pay for his expenses.

He soon made friends with an African girl that he fancied. They started dating. A few days later, exactly three months since he left home,

 his friends and him, threw a party, they drunk Vodka, real Russian Vodka.

In their drunken state, a friend of Ed's decides it a really neat idea for them to dive into the pool.

"Hey Ed, les jump in", he yelled.

"Sure, says Ed.

Ed is a regular swimmer; he competed at nationals back home, so they all knew that he could swim. His apartment is decorated with his awards, no way one could miss that.

But, that day, Ed didn’t swim. he started drowning and everyone at the party thought he was playing

his sick jokes, up until minutes later, when his body started floating on the surface, that's when they realized, that he was not joking after all.

 

"Someone call the ambulance, yelled a friend of Eds.

In the meantime, Ed's girlfriend called, Ruth, Ed's cousin.. "Ruth", she says.

Ed... Ed... Ed.. she could not say anything else apart from. "Ed"... She was sobbing uncontrollably, that the next thing Ruth heard, on 

the other end was a man’s voice.. "Shereen?"

"Where is, Shereen?" She said..

Ruth, I am a afraid we have bad news, your cousin Ed.

"Yes?'" Interrupted Ruth.

“I am afraid he drowned this evening". Upon hearing that, tears started rushing down her face, and she hung up.

Ruth’s boyfriend, who was with her at the time, tried to get her to speak and all she could say was, "Ed, Ed. Why?'

Ruth’s boyfriend dialled back the number and Ed's friend explained to him what has happened and where it has happened.

He rushed over to the scene with Ruth.

Where they found a crowd of people and ambulance gathered.

"Ed, Ed she run to the paramedics that were busy closing the bag where Ed's body was.

"I am sorry m ‘am, but he is gone;, said one of the paramedics.

 

Back at Ruth' dorm, she is still pretty much shaken up and she can’t explain how she feels.

"I need to call home", she said.

"I need to call, E...d's  (shouldn't say his name without crying) mother.

She gathers enough strength and she calls home.

"Aunt Monica?" she said

"Yes" responded a really soft voice.

"Aunt Monica. it’s me , Ruth"

"Ruth my darling, how are you? Aunt Monica said.

"I am okay, aunty she said.

"And Ed, is he behaving?', aunt Monica queried.

‘Auntie interrupted Ruth. I have news'

"Yes, please tell me my child, are you getting married?" Excitingly she asked.

'No, auntie", Ruth said. I

'It’s Ed... He drowned. Ed's went Auntie".

At the sound of this, both females broke down in tears.

"How did he drown Ruth?"

"He went swimming and they were drinking alcohol. and decide to go for a swim, and Ed just didn’t swim, auntie"

 

The next seven days the family spend their time and efforts trying to get Ed's body back to Namibia where

he would be laid to rest, and nothing worked out.

The family did not have money and the embassy was not willing to help either.

So, the family decided to have him buried in Russia instead of back home, a farewell memorial was held.

The family called to say their good byes, as Ruth and Ed's friend gathered to bury him and as the coffin

Sunk into the ground the mother said, "good bye my boy. Why have you gone from me?"

"I am not able to put you to rest, but my son rest now"

"Until we meet again'.

 

On his tombstone was written: Here lays beloved son, brother, friend and cousin. "Cape diem". R.I.P.

Zashinda Hidulika