THE UNSUNG APOLOGY

Sitting by the window on a cool Sunday evening, Lucky tuned his radio to his favourite FM station. Resting comfortably in front of him was a medium sized table, his jotter and pen enclosed in a file, a magazine, a fruit drink brewed from natural sources and a plate of his favourite snacks. This was a weekly routine, a way to clear his head from hullalobo of the previous week, a vision of the one ahead and most times think some things through.

Lucky, a middle-aged young, fair man in his mid-thirties who works at a renowned firm in the country as a wildlife photographer and has earned himself a lot of recognition in a short while through dedication.

He slowly increased the volume of the radio and the voice of his favourite OAP came on live spreading comfort to his ear. The OAP popularly called Chi was addressing a topic on Apology and Forgiveness. Lucky paid full attention as though his life depends on it but nonetheless, it did.

As the presenter continued, he penned down a few points and nodded in agreement to others. "Sometimes you have to forgive yourself for a past mistake... " Chi continued but Lucky got stuck on that sentence as he went back revisiting his past.

He was a bit young, playful and loved by all, living under his parents roof. Being the third son of his parents and he had a Sister named Stellar. His parents ensured that he has everything but was never satisfied but always wanted more. At first, he earned praises from everyone for his hunger for success but as time aged it grew into Greed - he wanted what belonged to others.

On several occasions, he was scolded by his parents, teachers, brothers, respected neighbors and even at times his younger sister Stellar; but he never paid heed, he just grew like a mould on a spoilt food.

It happened that one day, during their Summer holiday, his parents organized a tutorial for him at a reputable alma mater in the neighborhood. He and his Sister attended and made new friends and amongst them was Garuba - a young, dark complexioned guy about the same age with Lucky. They grew fondness for each other and would walk home till they separate at their respective junction.

Garuba brought a game console to the tutorial one day, he shared it with everyone but most importantly Lucky; who held onto it possessively. Garuba overlooked his friends enthusiasm and left him to enjoy the game till the end of the classes.

On their way home, Garuba requested for the game but unknown to him that Lucky had made up his mind not to release it. As Garuba became persistent, Lucky took to his heels. Sprinting like a Gazelle chased by an hungry lion, the other boys couldn't catch up with him and he targeted the exit which was about a hundred metre ahead.

Suddenly, the game console slipped from him and fell into the drainage by the roadside, he knelt beside the drainage and was searching effortlessly; there the other boys caught up with him. At that moment, he realized the magnitude of what he had done and felt terribly sorry. Garuba left the scene quietly and was never seen again or heard of...

From that day, the guilt-stained Lucky's heart and no matter how had he atoned for his mistake, it wasn't enough.

So, advice Lucky... How can he remove this blemish scene from his heart?