GOODBYE

“Goodbye Bro! Good luck," Ahmad whispered....

It was a bright sunny morning and the gargantuan, yet strikingly golden sun was majestically shining, revealing its lofty status to the cosmos. Pearl white clouds started journeying the universe as a chilly, invigorating breeze awakened the slumberous trees.Colourful nightingales chattered in a melodious tone. Bumble bees droned in pursuit of sticky honey. Meanwhile, the old farmer Ahmad Tembo aroused with a startle, for his younger brother Salim touched him gently with his large scarred hand.Today was going to be the most grievous day as Salim was going to be picked up by the Gorilla brothers. “Goodbye bro! Good luck”Ahmad whispered tearfully so as not to awaken the kids who were unaware of the journey.

Salim did not say anything. He tried to fight back the army of tears rapidly colonising his rough tanned face, with a reddish-blue cicatrix. He would never have cried but separation from an inextricable family is impossible. After retiring from the Army, Tembo had wanted to spend the rest of his life peacefully with his family. Fate was not in his favour as his career had destroyed his life.

Down memory lane…

Salim remembers when he first joined the army. Everything seemed so bright then. General Emanuel looked straight in his eyes and looked down. Thereafter he examined him one last time before saying “He is a true macho.Just what we need”. Salim’s eyes shone with hope and he vowed that he would never let the General down. Not in any circumstances. 

“Hey! Wast your name.We ought to be friends” A young soldier with thick blonde hair and piercing blue eyes called out. 

“I’m Salim. What about you?” He asked calmly

“Well! My name izz Tom.I liketh you very much. General Ema izz also liketh you. You look new. I’m sure you wouldn't mind if i showed you around?” Tom replied with a twinkle in his eye. 

“Sure! I’d love that” Salim accepted happily

Instantaneously, the two were best friends and soon enough they were going to be inseparable. They worked together, ate together and they even got into trouble together. Indeed both were  manifestations of double trouble! Salim proved to be a true colonel and quickly gained influence and popularity under the leadership of General Emanuel. 

One day Salim received a letter from General Ema:

Good Morning,

I need you at my office ASAP. Come quickly. Password is operationforestfire25

Regards,

Emanuel Zimba,

5 star officer,

Zambia

He wondered why ‘he’ was wanted. ‘I hope the captain is not going to punish me. Is it a scammer who wants to get rid of me? But WHY WHY WHY in the middle of the night? Maybe he isn’t safe and needs my help? Is he going to take me with him? Maybe there is a mission to complete’ Lost in the ocean of contemplation and rumination Salim anticipated for advice. 

.”I think you izz very special. Go and be good. He izz good man. Remember me and success izz come ” Tom said as his eyes glittered. The kind words reassured him that the right track was chosen

“Salim!” General Ema announced in a loud booming voice

“Yes Sir! At your service” Tembo’s answer had a blend of both delight and fear

“I am impressed with your service to the Army. I would like to reward you with a promotion. Now, remember that the claws of jealousy are everywhere.A jealous soul can obliterate hundreds of people. Be careful never to boast about what happened tonight. For now I want you to keep it a secret” The stout yet sturdy officer explained as he placed his soft plumpy solace-laden hands on Salim’s rough back.

Back in the tent salim forgets the promise made “Tom! I’ve been promoted. Can you imagine! Today is the best day in my life.”

“Y-youu izz get higher ranks from zis general ” Tom Spikes stuttered with surprise. 

“Very soon it will be you! Don’t worry we are always friends, even if I move to another barrack” Tembo reassured the flabbergasted friend. 

“Yeah! I liketh you tooo much. We friends forever” 

"Woebegone," Spikes declares sadly,  

Salim recalls how he and Spikes had spent nights and nights chattering and how he nearly got into trouble in a bid to help his best buddy. His entire life was shattered by the Gorilla brothers, who plotted an army coup against Captain Emanuel. Captain Ema’s assassination was on the headlines as a Draconian era was unleashed by the gang. This was followed by the demolition of the army system.  Uncertainty and unrest was at its peak. The cold blooded Gorilla brothers butchered the Emanuel loyalists. However, resistance was also gaining momentum day by day.  

Salim was in the forefront of re-establishing the army, and named it the Ema front. Tom also proved to be a source of great comfort and assistance. His name was amongst the wanted list in the offices of the gorilla brothers. One night as he was having an important meeting, He was stabbed from the back. Tembo was quick in acting and gave the attacker a karate kick from the back and got hold of him. The man was no weakling and fought tirelessly before giving Salim a blow in the face. Salim sustained injuries and helplessness prevailed. Suddenly, a bullet was shot. The villain let go of him, and Captain Ema’s son appeared from thin air. He smacked the but of the rifle on the rascal and switched on his torch.  

“Tom! It’s you. I can’t believe it. Why the hell were you trying to kill me. My best friend, what has happened to you??? Have you also turned traitor?” Tembo shrieked loudly

“We izz not friends . We izz never be. I hate you” Tom replied curtly. 

“I izz here on mission from zhe  gorilla brothers. I complete before I go. I receive zis mission when you join army!!” He continued spitefully

Salim tried to talk to his friend, but in vain. He was interrupted by a loud bang. The leader of Gorilla brothers had just come on the scene. The Emanuelists tried to fight but they were outnumbered by the robust and powerful gang.The leader Alex Trywell ordered that Tembo be brought forward. 

“You have my respect young man! What caused you to fight bravely when you know that defeat is imminent?” Trywell bellowed

“JUSTICE!”He shrieked.

“I give you a 7 day ultimatum to present yourself in our courts or put your family in danger!” Trywell announced coldly

Slowly Salim paces towards the court…

Salim wished he had told his family that he was going. Alas! He could not even enlighten his kids on how much he loved them. He yearned for a second chance to tell his older brother Ahmad that he was a great man. He felt an urge to encourage the brave Emanuel loyalists to carry on. 

Engulfed in the stream of thoughts, Salim was tapped on the shoulder. WHO was it. The person was not very tall nor was he very short. The silhouette appeared to be familiar. WHO was it. “Tembo Salim” A whisper caused him to jump. The voice was cheerful yet soothing.”It’s me! Emanuel” The voice said slowly and calmly. Salim’s heart leapt out at hearing his Captain’s voice. 

“Yyyou are alive??” Salim questioned inquisitively 

“Yes I am alive. Yonder is my army. We have succesfully defeated the Gorilla putschists” Captain Emanuel answered knowingly

“Bbbut how??”Salim investigated 

“With his help” Captain Emanuel said while pointing towards Tom Spikes. 

“I don’t understand! Was he a spy. Is that why he spared me? Was all this pre meditated?” Salim Tembo interposed dumbfounded.