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Hidayat Adams

Author and Poet

Cape Town, South Africa

I started work as an English Academic Support Lecturer at the College of Cape Town in 2016, but I resigned in August 2018 to go to Kuwait. It was the worst decision of my life, but I learned a lesson from it. I realised that I valued my happiness far more than money, thus I opted to leave Kuwait and returned to the College of Cape Town in 2019.

I self-published my first short stories anthology, "Mamlambo and Other Short Stories", in May 2018. In 2021, I self-published two books: my first novel, which is a fantasy novel, "The Legend of the Hunter" (August 2021), as well as my second short stories anthology, "Mhlobam and Other Short Stories" (November 2021). I have just self-published my third short stories anthology, "A Beautiful Life and Other Short Stories" (September 2022). I had a book launch at the College of Cape Town on 12 October 2022.

I have an author’s web site (www.hidayatscorner.co.za) as well as a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hidayatscorner) and Profile where I post my short stories. I also write poetry, and my poems are also posted on my Facebook Profile page.

I am single and I live on my own. A colleague once described me as “an indoor plant”, and I heartily agree with this accurate description of my nature. I write not to turn a profit, but to encourage people, especially young people, to read. The stories in "Mamlambo and Other Short Stories" were written for reluctant readers; the stories are arranged from the shortest (300 words) to the longest (just over 4000 words) to help young readers advance their reading skills. The anthology contains 26 stories. "Mhlobam and Other Short Stories" contains 13 tales that could appeal to readers aged 15 and above. "The Legend of the Hunter" is a fantasy tale for adult readers; it is the first of a three-part saga. I have started on Part Two, "Belac and the Staff of Power", but it has stalled on Chapter 4. "A Beautiful Life and Other Short Stories" contains 30 stories that are aimed at readers aged 14 and above. The anthology contains an eclectic range of genres and themes. I am also working on a book entitled "Allergic to Stupidity", which is a collection of factual and fictional accounts of the stupid people who live among us and the stupid things they do. I am currently writing a supernatural thriller, which seems to be moving along quite nicely. Hopefully, I would have completed it by February 2023.

Interests

On Social Media

If you can fill your heart with compassion for friend, foe and stranger alike; if you can out of your soul hatred strike and instead resolve kindness to fashion… If you can embrace with every fibre of your being empathy for each suffering living thing; if your soul can of love and tolerance sing and vow to only the good in all be seeing… If you can sincerely forgive and forget every slight and slur hurled like words of stone darts; if you succeed in mending broken hearts and offer solace to those running in fright… Then have you conquered your nature cynical, Raised your mere humanity to heaven's pinnacle.

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Though he was tall, quite fair in complexion, His cerulean gaze was lowered in humility, For he was filled with the shame of poverty; Viewed he himself as nowhere near perfection. Life was a stagnant river of constant rejection. Dismay gnawed at his sad soul in brutal enmity. Wealth he lacked, but rich he was in sagacity. In the company of peers, he feared humiliation. Yet, in the radiance of dawn he arose with hope, Laughed about the sole of his shoe gaping so wide. ‘Much to be grateful for' was his personal creed. His heart filled with faith that again he would cope, Face travails, shoulder challenges and never hide From anything, as God provided for his every need. Image: Fernando Photography (www.unsplash.com)

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My Dying Granny

Mar 12, 2024 7 months ago

Warrick propped up the soft pillows behind his granny's head as she lay like a gaunt specter of her previous spirited self in her deathbed. And deathbed it was indeed. At nineteen, Warrick knew death when it looked him in the face. He had become all too familiar with it when his mother had wasted away from cancer of the stomach two years ago. “My boy,” Kathy wheezed, fondly squeezing Warrick's hand with the last of her strength. “I'm so sorry you're burdened with me,” she added, tears flooding her faded eyes. Guilt overwhelmed her frail body, making her curl even further into herself. She was grateful that the agony that wracked every part of her broken body seemed suspended for now. “You're not a burden, Granny!” Warrick said , looking into the old woman's watery eyes. He was afraid to sit on the bed for fear of causing her any discomfort or hurt. “You were there for me when Mom passed away, and you've always looked after me even before that, so this is nothing. I can never repay you, so don't think or say you're burdensome to me. You're my blessing.” His words nearly undid the old woman's hold on her emotions. “I'm going to prepare supper now, all right? I managed to borrow a can of peas from Brian's mom. We've still got carrots and potatoes, so I'll make us a stew. I think there's enough rice left for one pot,” Warrick said, hating the fact that they were truly living on the edge of poverty. “Since this terminal illness struck down my granny,” Warrick said to Brian later that night, “I've had to become caregiver, cook, house cleaner and nurse. You know my dad abandoned us when I was only eight, and my mom slaved all her life as a domestic worker to provide for us,” Warrick added. Brian was his school mate; they were more like brothers than friends. “With your granny becoming ill, looking after her fell on you. You can't even look for a job 'cause your granny needs constant care,” Brian commiserated. “Is there any hope for her recovery?” “None. At our last hospital visit, her doctor told me to ‘make her as comfortable as possible' here at home. How can anyone who's dying so slowly ever be comfortable?” Warrick asked, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders hunched forward. “It's bad, bro. I don't know if I could've handled this, to be honest,” Brian said. He reached out to give Warrick's shoulder a long squeeze before going home. Kathy had heard the conversation between the two boys. By some quirk of the night or fay life, their hushed words had reached her clearly as she lay statue-still, imprisoned by her bed. She felt some remnant of fury trying to bubble up from her breast, anger that she had become this weak when before she had been energetic, industrious and a whirlwind of movement. Being this incapacitated often made her feel wrathful, but she swiftly smothered the emotion. It would only bring on the vicious barbs of pain. Her medication sat on her bedside table, within easy reach. Warrick is truly thoughtful, she thought, then she started to cry softly. He doesn't deserve to have his life placed on hold because of me, the bitter thought flitted through her mind, superseding the twisting, torturous pangs running amok throughout her body. As the last rays of the setting sun peeped through a chink in her bedroom curtains, Kathy slowly, painfully, sat up in bed. She reached for the morphine pills. With immense determination, she poured all the pills into her cupped hand. Closing her eyes, she prayed one final time. Forgive me, God. I know I'm damning my soul forever, but I would rather do that than have Warrick sacrifice another day of his young life. With a trembling hand, Kathy gripped the glass of water. She looked lovingly at her bedroom, at the knickknacks on her dresser, the antique wooden wardrobe her husband had made himself ages ago, her rocking chair next to the small, round reading table on which a novel waited for her to finish reading it for probably the twentieth time. She smiled wanly as she recalled the joy she had experienced upon first reading the book; that happiness had only increased with all the other subsequent readings. 'Gone with the Wind', by Margaret Mitchell. I have no regrets, except one. I'll be leaving Warrick sole alone in this cruel world. May he forgive me. Closing her eyes again, tears seeping from under her closed eyelids, Kathy brought the pills to her mouth. A warm, soft touch arrested her cupped hand. Kathy's eyes flew open in surprise, only to see Warrick standing in front of her. His cheeks were moist with his trailing tears. The forlorn look on his face broke her heart anew. “Granny, this isn't the way. God will ease our suffering. We only need to hold on to our faith and believe in His mercy,” Warrick whispered before carefully enfolding the tiny, fragile frame of the old woman in his strong, youthful arms. “My sweet, sweet angel,” Kathy breathed softly.

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For Aaron Bushnell...

Mar 03, 2024 7 months ago

Inevitably, tears of love, of sorrow, tears that stem from my heart, flow whenever I think of your sacrifice, the ultimate payment of a high price. You were a principled, brave man who refused to budge from your plan, one that would shake a nation, the world! Watching the horror left my soul whirled, shattered, shaken, sad. You deserved better than your fate which all unnerved. Thoughtful you are even though you're dead, asking permission to have your ashes spread, if the citizens would allow your last request: in a free Palestine, liberated after conquest.

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This is for You, Beloved...

Mar 03, 2024 7 months ago

At break of another blessed day, No matter how you might feel, Bird song and bright light, I pray, You shall awake, your heart shall heal. My heart beats in gratitude fervently, For my soul is reminded it has you: You offer succour and love patiently, Remind me of many blessings anew. Even in abysmal depths of despair And indescribable moments of fear, Your voice knows how me to repair, How to soothe me, call me “dear”. Dawn brings the lightness of being, For soon, I know, I shall you be seeing.

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