Stones and Metals

BY LAWRENCE CHITERI
Published September 20, 2009

The ferry danced and swayed from side to side, shoving the passengers with every movement. There was outright panic, and with passengers deciding that they were endangered, their reaction was all the more contributory to the instability of the ferry. They tried all manner of desperate tactics, shuffling into a maddening stampede, egging onto one another, and clasping onto anything in sight. It was one dastardly scene to say the least. What with cries attaining wailing crescendo, as men, women and children resorted to survival for the fittest antics?

Nobody least of all the daily desperate passengers, had ever paused to realize that this vessel was more than a death trap! It was indeed a mobile grave. The derelict of a vessel, bereft of all standardized safety mechanisms, and equipment, was definitely one ball of disaster waiting to explode. To add insult to an already unfortunate injury, this dilapidated vessel was carrying more than twice its recommended capacity. Someone was obviously not doing their work straight, and innocent humans were the poor culprits.

As if all these were not enough, the doom bound vessel was manned by overtly intoxicated and ill trained personnel. These were people least prepared for the ordeal that was now murkily unfolding, right before their inexperienced orientation, and less than sober minds. The coxswain and his crew are immediately thrust into panic gear; one would be absolutely right to imagine they quickly sobered, from their whole day drinking orgy, only to dive deep into the incapacitation that came with their naiveté.

Several factors had inordinately conspired to make this evening one dark, gleam, and cataclysmic experience. Gofu, an experienced seaman tries to offer advice to the coxswain, “hard right you fool! Hard right,” but this drunken novice on matters of the sea, must have thought Gofu was speaking in Greek. The situation was deteriorating with every passing second, and true to fact, the ferry was going under! The melee is interspersed with myriad survival antics; people who deem it the best option, plunge into the now angry water, and attempt to swim it out.

The water is obviously deep, and added to the panic, scrambling, and the numbers, the ferry has totally lost its stability.Gofu holds tight onto the now partially floating vessel, uses the other hand to hold onto the baby, and urges Therea to hold onto his waist. Therea knows no other savior, and dutifully obeys. Gofu summons all his sailor instincts, and beats the water with his feet; clasps on a wide wooden plank, while letting go of the edge of the sinkinf ferry. He glides it meticulously towards the shore, knowing that time, and tide must be on his side, for this ominous mission.

Soon, the Island is in sight and Gofu orders Therea to sit on the plank, which she faithfully complies with. Gofu then hands the baby to her, and slips under the plank to guide it. As he holds it tight to stop it from wavering and sinking, he beats his feet hard and propels it fast towards the Island. Meanwhile many other people have succumbed to the mighty waters, and have drowned. A few lucky ones, and those with knowledge of the ways of the sea, have swum to safety.

This ambitious move by Gofu has come with mixed results, for he has over stretched his human capacity, lost his energy, and just as Therea and the baby reach safe havens, he loses his balance and lacks the energy to recover. Gofu himself is going under! but he has peace in his heart because of his wife and baby. He amasses what seems like his last breath, to urge Therea,” we’ll name him Au, short for Auni-the support, the lintel, on which we all must rest-you take care of Au for me! Take care of Au for me!” His voice wanes as Therea, and the baby land on safe grounds. Gofu is submerged, and Therea takes eternity staring at the spot where he had been, tears rolling on her cheeks, there is no doubt in her mind that she would never see Gofu again.

These and myriad scenes flash across Gofu’s mind, Zake and Therea together with the children, wonder what Gofu has suddenly decided to do on his knees. Like one in a trance, before they could consider their next course of action, Gofu has been energized by his reminiscences, and he suddenly shoots up on his feet. He makes a decisive and bold turn, and comes face to face with Zake; both are stoic for whatever it was. Zake plucks all courage, and finds his voice first, “This man died,” he bellows as he menacingly moves towards Gofu. Gofu now emboldened more than before, readies himself for the moment of reckoning, and aptly retorts, “This is his ghost.”

To be continued.

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