The Reunion (Nigerian Themed novel)

🌹27🌹

Kemi's POV

And so we had driven to a small cemetery. Parking the vehicle just some distance away, we stepped out simultaneously. Every other person held flowers too.

Red

Pink

And a rare blue color from victor.

Mine was red.

“I was told her favorite color used to be blue.” Victor whispered tipping his head lower to my ear.

Does he read minds now too?

How the hell did he get an insight about my thoughts?

“You were staring.” He stated boring his eyes to mine. I looked away embarrassed and unable to speak.

“I…I… I wasn’t staring at you.”

“Not me. I meant the flowers.” He countered and I flushed.

Not now please. Not here atall.

He walked away leaving me behind while I followed the others behind.

Maybe I feel better now.

 We walked in and everyone halted on impulse. I  stretched my neck standing on my toe to see why we had stopped.

We had arrived, the spot we wanted visiting.

It was a beautiful cemented grave with withered flowers on the base. Atop the grave was a large inscription sculptured with the name.

Our dear sister and mother. Late Mrs. Anna.

Victor is the first to move. We all stand and watch him walk slowly to the. Sculptured cemetery.

Gently he lowered himself staring downwards. His head is bent low with his fingers brushing over a portrait.

I can’t be sure if he is crying. But I hear low stifles and I pray silently that he turns his gaze to mine.

I am not been selfish or seeking for some sort of attention. I am just too inquisitive to see if his faring well.

Is he sober?

Bitter?

Or maybe…..

“There you are son!”

There is total silence. I am so confused. I follow the sound of the Masculine voice and  I shrunk back.

A very tall man.

Burry eyes.

Shabby hair.

Smoking a goddamn cigarette.

I feel alarmed. Maybe, he is some sort of pickpocket. A beggar or some sort of psychiatric patient.

Shocked faces is what I see when I turn my gaze to the family. Although a more confused expression written on the siblings faces.

“Ah..An.. Anthony? My goodness.” Their mum stammered with widened eyes.

“I can’t believe you still came. I warned you not too.” Aunty Ireti had seconded. Leaving me to drawn in more confusion.

Oh, wait! It can’t be.

Jesus Christ!

In a fluid motion. I snapped my head to his direction. He hadn’t bulge. His fingers were balled into fists and I watched in awe as his shoulders tensed. Yet, He refused to look back.

Victor was visible trying to ignore his presence.

His legitimate father. The shabbily dressed man.

“We shouldn’t start this now. You should leave.” Mr. Kehinde spoke slowly  with a tone of command.