Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Months passed Valor was still jobless. Looking for a job was very tough, especially in his field. As a first-class graduate with years of experience, a small private hospital refused to employ him. They said to him, “You're too qualified, we won’t be able to pay you.” Not even a job as a paramedic or a nurse to employ him. He did not know what to do. Not being able to take care of his daughter and infant son was his fear. His savings were getting exhausted from the people he paid that promised him employment. Sometimes he trekked with his mind absent, as several persons greeted him on the way without him noticing them. His thoughts were far and fear had clouded his mind. A man with respect beginning to lose his dignity.

He could not bear being jobless and decided to join the military. He thought of enrolling into the army with his certificate and becoming a doctor in the army, but Instead he was placed to serve in the infantry division.

After the training and recruitment, Valor became a man again, he started collecting his salary and began to care for his family. One off-duty he came to meet Mboutidem cooking, and the baby was behind her back crying. He expected a calm house, but the crying went on and on that he went closer to take the baby. He realizes that she was cutting onions and unknowingly to her it was affecting the baby. Valor shouted at her, “do you want to kill my baby, those onions are disturbing him.” He pulled the baby out from the mother’s back and puts him in his arms. The baby ceased to cry, Valor said to her, “See, he has stopped crying.” She frowned and refused to respond to him. Valor asked her, “what is it?” “can't you see how nice I am trying to be and you accuse me of wanting to kill your son.” Valor was surprised by her words, he said, “That’s not what I meant. It’s just a figure of speech. Don’t take this too far.” “I know you mean what you said.” Valor was angry and spent a lot of time apologizing. He then went closer and tickled her as she began to smile. “stop it, so that I won’t cook salt for you,” she said. He left her to pick his daughter from school.