Anger_5

Today was Sunday, and the second round of fights was to take place. This was the semifinals. Just two matches remaining to claim victory, Timi was beyond excited. In the morning, the new fighting schedule was delivered to all the fighters' doorstep. Timi's semifinal opponent was a boy named Jack, AKA Jackie Chan.

"Why do they call him Jackie Chan?" Uncle Kayode asked as Timi read the details of the schedule to him.

" I guess I'll find out this evening" Timi replied.

"He probably fights very skillfully, like an actual Martial artist, that must be why he's called Jackie Chan"

"Maybe, but it doesn't matter cause I'm going to take him down" Timi boasted confidently.

"Don't get cocky boy, the first rule of battle is to never underestimate your opponent."

"Let's go get ready". They headed to the gym to prepare for the fight.

It was 1:00 pm, which meant time to fight. Timi and his uncle went to the tournament room and his opponent was already there waiting for him. Jack wasn't as big as Steve was, but he looked quick and clever. He was skinny and of average height, Timi was a bit taller than he was.

"Fighters to the mat" the umpire called out.

"Okay boys, you know the rules. I want a clean fight and no funny business or you will be disqualified. Shake hands and let's do this"

The fighting bell rang and round one began. Just as Timi had suspected, Jack was very light on his feet and very unpredictable in his movements. He was a shadow and Timi couldn't hit him at all. He dodged all of his attacks with ease and landed some shots of his, Timi couldn't keep up and the next thing he knew, a foot crashed into his head and knocked him down.

Everything was blurry and there was this pinching sound echoing in Timi's ear. The umpire was already at the count of three when Timi recomposed himself and got back up only for Jackie to launch at him again with open palm chops and flying roundhouse kicks. The bell rang out and round one ended with Timi stumbling back to his corner unsure of where he was.

"What are you doing boy? You're getting destroyed out there," Uncle Kayode was fuming.

"I can't hit him, Uncle. He's just too fast. I can't hit him."

"Just stay on the defensive and wait for an opening, then you Strike."

 'Ding...Ding...Ding'. Round two began. Jackie Chan continued his onslaught from round one, moving quickly and hitting Timi multiple times with different combos. Timi endured the pain and waited for an opening. Jackie jumped towards him with a stretched-out foot but Timi countered the attack by kicking his legs in mid-air and he landed awkwardly on his right leg and twisted his ankle.

He screamed in pain and the umpire ran to his aid and so did the medical emergency team and his adult escort. After a few minutes of attending to his twisted ankle, his escort decided to pull him out of the competition as he would not be able to continue.

"The winner as a result of forfeit, Timi" The umpire announced to the crowd while raising Timi's hand.

This wasn't how he had hoped to win but he was thrilled and now, he could focus all his attention on the final fight.

The other semifinal fight would be underway soon and Timi stayed back to watch the fight to observe his potential fellow finalists. The fight was between two tough-looking gladiators, Solomon and Sadiq, they were big and looked very strong. The fight started and all it took was one punch, one punch from Solomon and he knocked Sadiq out cold. From where he watched, Timi was in disbelief at what he had just witnessed. He hated to admit it but he was scared of this Solomon and the final fight tomorrow was indeed going to be his most challenging.

"Are you okay, Timi? Uncle Kayode asked but Timi didn't hear him.

"Timi? Timi? TIMI?" His uncle shook him back to reality.

"What? What?" Timi asked feeling startled.

"What's wrong with you? You've been acting weird since you watched that Solomon boy win his fight. Are you worried about him?"

"How could I not be? You saw him, you saw what he did? How am I supposed to even hit him talk less of getting him off his feet and on the ground for five seconds?" He was indeed very worried.

"You don't think you can beat him?"

Timi hesitated before he answered but finally said, "No, I don't think I can."

"Why are you doubting yourself all of a sudden? Just this afternoon, you were so confident."

"I don't know, uncle, I don't know. I guess I'm just not ready physically or mentally"

Uncle Kayode looked at Timi for a while, then he got up, picked up his jacket and wore his shoes.

"Get up, we're going out" Uncle Kayode ordered.

"Where are we going?" Timi asked.

"We're going to get your confidence back."

"But, where exactly are we going?"

"Just put some clothes on and meet me in the car."

Uncle Kayode drove for almost an hour, never once revealing to Timi where they were headed. It was late and Timi slowly fell asleep. The car came to a sudden stop and Timi woke up. It was dark but Timi immediately realized where they were; The Cemetery where Ayo was buried.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I brought you here to face your demons, to determine what it is that you want, and to get some clarification on why you're learning to fight and shoot and kill. Tonight, you'll get it all out, to me and your brother."

They stepped out of the car and walked up to Ayo's grave. His tombstone read "Here lies Ayo Adeleke, Beloved Son and Brother, His life was cut short but his soul lives on in the hearts of those he left behind".

Timi stared at his brother's stone, not knowing where to begin or what to say.

"Go on," Uncle Kayode gestured that Timi gets closer to the stone.

Timi walked up to his brother's grave, with tear-filled eyes ready to roll down his cheeks.

"Hi, bro. How, uh, how have you been? This is stupid Uncle. What am I supposed to say to his grave?" Timi asked frustratedly.

"You say it all. Tell him everything, everything you're feeling, everything you're doing, everything you're thinking. Let it all out, it's the only way to truly understand what it is that you really want," Uncle Kayode said harshly.

Timi looked at his brother's stone and then at the sky. He sighed, rubbed his hands on his face and was enveloped in another memory.

It was ten years ago. Timi had fallen while playing with Ayo and he skinned his knee. Their mother had gone to the market so Ayo tended to his wound. He started cleaning the wound and applied medication.

"Ow, it hurts so much" Little Timi cried out in pain. "Please brother, make it stop" he had asked.

"I can't make it stop Timi, I can only try to ease the pain but it has to heal on its own and eventually, it will stop hurting. What do I always say about pain?" Ayo asked.

"It makes us stronger," said Timi.

"Yes, it makes us stronger. In life, we are going to fall a lot and we'll get hurt but the pain is only a reminder of what happens when we fail and it gives us the will and the strength to overcome so we do not fall again. It doesn't matter what you're going through, you stay strong. You fight with all of your strength and you'll come out stronger and better than you were"

"What if I fall and can't get back up, then what?"

"Then, I'll be there to pick you up. Just like I'm cleaning this wound, I'll be there to help with whatever you need because that's what family is for, so always surround yourself with love and support. After all, you never know when you might need it" Ayo smiled at Timi as he finished bandaging the wound.

"Isn't that better?" Ayo asked.

"Yes, it is. Thanks, brother mi."

"Anytime, little bro."

Back at the graveyard, Timi bent over and placed his hand on Ayo's stone.

"You taught me to never give up. You showed me how to be brave and strong. I haven't even begun and I'm already terrified. But not anymore, I'm not going to let pain or fear bring me down, I'm going to rise above my fear and fulfil my promise and nothing and no one will stop me," Timi said to Ayo's grave before getting up.

"Uncle, let's head back. I've got a tournament to win."