I stood beside him and all the memories of him and I started flowing back; like
a kaleidoscope of memories………………………………
That night, I sat on a chair in the veranda enjoying the cool breeze; I had
nothing to gain, nothing to lose. Sitting down was all I wanted to do, I had
taken my supper and was hence a bit heavy. That night, as if I had the powers
of clairvoyance, I knew something bad was going to happen but I just didn’t
know what. That night, I tried listening to music to sooth my soul and it
seemed that that very action rather irritated me the more. I just didn’t want
know what was wrong.
Then I saw my father coming from outside. He had this kind of “something
bad is happening to me” countenance. He looked so frustrated, like the heavens
was crushing down on him. I had known my father for all my life and with all
the honesty I can master, I had never seen him this worried before. However, I tried
not to add to whatever was annoying or worrying him.
“Where is the television remote” he greeted me after he had totally ignored
me and gone to the living area.
“I don’t know where it is. I think you should ask –“
“Do you think I have time for that? Why can’t I have peace in my own house?
Why can’t I always find anything when – “
“But daddy –“
“Don’t you dare interject when I’m speaking to you”
Before I could composed myself and my thought, he slapped me across the
face and just left the house again. I held my hands over my face to sooth the
pain that was coming from the affected area. I just couldn’t believe it, my
father was behaving unconventionally erratic and this action really hurt me. I made
up my mind not to talk to him for the rest of the week and this wouldn’t be the
first time I would have done that. I had refused to talk to him on countless
occasions and more often than not, I had gotten what I wanted.
My mother came into the room and asked me what had happened. I chronicled
to her the event that happened and she seemed extremely agreeable and
sympathetic. She told me to go to my room and relax because everything was
going to be okay. She also had this kind of “worried” looks on her face and I didn’t
like it, I however obeyed.
Minutes later, the door opened and my father came near my bed. I recoiled
and he smiled at me. He sat right beside me and passed his hand over my head.
“I’m sorry for what just happened” he smiled. I however made no response.
“You see, I am not perfect, I might be erratic sometimes but then just know
that I am only human and your daddy. I always want you to remember me as a
lovely father and your mentor. Always love me when I am around and when I am
not. Always believe that I will always have you in mind no matter where I am. I
bought you some chocolate, look in the fridge”
He said and left to his room. I began to smile and thought over what he had
said. Sure, he was indeed a lovely father……………………………..
The next morning, I woke up and my father was dead.
