Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 45: A beautiful beginning

FINAL CHAPTER - The Light in the Darkness

Christmas morning came quietly.

I woke to the smell of fried chicken, freshly baked bread, and the unmistakable aroma of my mother's jollof rice drifting upstairs.

For once, I didn't want to stay in bed.

I sat up slowly and looked around my room.

Christmas decorations hung around the house, and a small artificial tree stood in the corner, covered in gold ornaments and tiny lights.

I smiled.

This was home.

But something still felt unfinished.

I got out of bed, slipped into my slippers, and walked downstairs.

Mum was in the kitchen, humming softly as she moved between the stove and the dining table.

Dad was sitting in the living room with a book.

Our eyes met.

Neither of us spoke.

The argument from the previous day still hung between us like an invisible wall.

I looked away and headed towards the kitchen.

"Doyin."

I stopped.

"Yes, Mum?"

"Come and help me with something."

I walked over.

She handed me a plate.

"Take this to the table."

I did.

When I returned, she was watching me carefully.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Doyin."

I sighed.

"Mum, I'm fine."

She smiled sadly.

"No, you're not."

I looked away.

She waited until Dad left the living room and walked into the hallway before speaking again.

"You and your father need to talk."

I sighed.

"I've tried."

"No."

She shook her head.

"You've argued. That's different."

I looked down at the plate in my hands.

"Mum, he doesn't understand me."

She gave a small smile.

"Neither of you understands the other."

I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

She pulled out a chair and sat.

"Do you know why your father was so hard on you?"

I laughed bitterly.

"Because he thinks I'm useless."

Her expression immediately changed.

"He never thought that."

"Then why did he always compare me to everyone?"

"Because he was afraid."