Victory

The heat was extreme.

And I was burning, each moment. Like wax. But nothing appeared outside. Except the blisters.  There were so many of them, through out my body. Covering my whole skin.

** **

“Son, be careful”

I looked up at my father, grinding my teeth.

“I will” I grunted while shoving the venomous teeth of the cobra.

I hated that man interfering with me. I hated his job. I hated him. People believed that he could prevail over a snake’s bite. And he could.

My whole life was among the poisonous snakes. 100s of them. Different types. I had no options but to help my father. The shelves were filled with different types of venoms, which are processed. He believed that the venoms can be useful at some times, to sell. Strong venoms. Future plans, I chuckled.

And the worst part was my brother. Not brother, I corrected myself. Adopted brother. Adopted. Chisoba. I was fuming inside, with rage. I almost lost my life.

“Chisoba will be here in minutes” the old man made a laugh, which irritated me to the core.

He never cared about me, and when it was about Chisoba he was going to celebrate. Chisoba was sent to school. He had everything which I had not. That too, when Chisoba was not his blood. He was adopted. Adopted. I kept telling.

 I could never accept my father taking care of my adopted brother. Leaving me behind.

** ** **

Chisoba was lying over the bed. Father was leaning over him and observing. His body was filled with 1000s of blisters. All over his body.

Father sighed. Closing his eyes.

I looked at him through the small slit of the door. I couldn’t believe I was shivering. Coz, while mixing the venom from father’s room, with Chisoba’s food I was not shivering. I was determined.

** ** **

Father was weeping. But I felt so relaxed.

Adopted son would never be equal to own blood. I was his own blood, but I got very less from my father. Everything.

“Father”

There was no answer. He was lying on his chair, with crossed legs. I made a voice to make him aware of my presence.

“Chisoba died of highly poisoned food. Even I couldn’t help him”

“Fate father” I grumbled.

“Yeah. But only you and me knew about that poisons” he stopped.

I knew I was being caught, but I never cared about it. All I need was to kill my adopted bro, and I did that.

“It was better to live without children. I made a mistake. After adopting you I shouldn’t have done that again”

I felt a chill in my spine. Adopted, the most hated word. I was adopted too.

** ** **

I walked to my father’s room.

The half filled bottle with the remaining venom was still there in his shelf.