COMPLEX

It had been a hectic day and the walk back home was added stress.

But he must, hopeful that his favorite meal would be ready before his arrival.

No one’s home but certainly, there will be food in the kitchen.

Nothing’s there, nor in the fridge.

Why’s there no food? Where is everyone?

A pot of anger was set on the stove of his mind now,

With that, rationale is bound to flee, that he knows.

“They are probably in the market with Mama”, so there must go,

He must meet them in the market, which is his only guarantee of an instant meal.

He can’t wait for dinner, which would take another four hours.

He must be fast, “it is almost six, the market’s official closing time.

Though most traders linger afterwards to close their books,

Food sellers and restaurants often sell out before the hour.

Sweating and stressed, he passes through the streets,

On arriving the intersection leading to the open square, two streets away from the market,

He sees them, the guys he grew up with, regarded by all as his friends,

But they all know that is not true, he was the 'smart kid' in class, and they were the 'haves',

He feels they look down on him because of his background (being a ‘have not’),

They feel he looks down at them because they are not smart.

Against his first impulse, he replies the "hello" directed at him,

Without lifting his eyes, as if under duress, he murmurs "Whats up guys".

Upon lifting his eyes, he sees her, the epitome of elegance,

The definition of class and the theme of all his dreams since he was twelve.

“But she’ll never be his”, he knows better than to raise his hopes,

“She was and still is out of his league”, or so he thought.

Though, she has always been nice to him, she never got close,

Or was he pushing her away?

Almost forgetting his hunger, the sight of his other 'friend' holding her hand reminded him of his mission,

He quickly walks past them, almost at the speed of light.

“He always acts like that towards us”, one 'friend' said,

"Why does he always make us feel small?" another asked,

"Because he feels he’s the best, and we’re dumb, or do you have a bright future like him?" a third interjected.

"Not like that, he feels we depend on our parents fortunes and don't strive to make something of our own" the first added.

The only female amongst them concluded with "he might be shy", to which all kept mute.

They know she holds a 'thing' for him.

They all wish he could just say “hi” more often,

“Possibly hang out with them once in a while,

He could help them improve”

“Perhaps, it may lead to something” she added.

If only they knew how to go about it.

He meets his family at the market intersection,

All packed up and discussing what to cook for dinner.

He curses the moment he answered those guys, 

Because he stopped to answer a greeting, he has to wait for dinner,

The most painful part is, they are the same guys that intimidate him.

They don't want him rolling with them, now they have cost him a meal.

Somewhere in his mind, he wished he was with them,

At least he won’t have to wait for dinner, he could, maybe start something with Pat.

If only he knew how to go about it.