The Missing Key

Episode 8

It all started when he started aspiring to be the manager of Dew Luck Nigeria Limited. The news of his promotion had been followed by a joyful celebration, but little had she known that that was a curse that was about to befall on her and her kids. But what was she going to do now? She was thinking. Was she going to continue avoiding her responsibilities? How long was she going to wait for dad to change? But was she being fair to dad? Wasn't the man working hard enough? Hadn't she also been selfish? Well, she must do something about her kids, she resolved. If dad thinks he has no extra role to play apart from financing the home, than that was his business. She was going to concentrate all her energy on her kids from now on. I was getting hungry again. But there was a more serious matter at hand. How do I reveal the fact that I was with the exit door key? I was angry with myself for unconsciously putting myself in the middle of the whole day's crisis. Yet I didn't know when sleep over took my consciousness and I found myself in dreamland. ***12.52pm*** I really needed to eat something. I decided to go back to the kitchen and see if the was anything I could lay my hands on to eat. I was just about to enter the kitchen when I heard mum's bedroom door open. I prayed within me that it shouldn't be dad. My prayer was answered. It was mum. I didn't like the look on her face. She must have been crying or something because her eyes were swollen and her face was somewhat red. I hesitated as our eyes locked. Something stirred in me and I decided to say something. Well, the house situation was so tense that I really wanted to know what will become of the family from now on, especially considering the fact that it was all my fault. "Mum, is dad really going to send Sister Ada and John parking?" "I really don't know, but I pray he changes his mind." She answered "Well, if he does, are you going to allow him?" There was a sudden surprised look on her face, "It depends... I..." "Can I tell you something mum?" "I hope you don't have your own surprise for us again?" she asked, obviously relieved that I didn't allow her reply my last question. "No mum, but that seem to be the only way one gets attention in this house, don't you think?" "What do you mean by that?" she curiously asked. "Nobody notices me in this house, it's like I don't even exist. I feel very lonely and unhappy every time I am home," She was touched because I noticed a facial expression of concern on her face, "that's not true, you are..." "That's true mum and you know it, but you don't do anything about it. I somehow think that you feel lonely too, likewise Sister Ada and John. The only reason why I am talking to you now is because of the situation at home." "You might be right kid, but that is no reason for you sibling to behave irresponsible."Mum replied defensively. "I really might not understand a lot of thing, but you are the adult here, this home is an unhappy one and nothing can go right in such an unhappy state." I replied and worriedly walked back to my room. I suddenly didn't feel like eating again. I didn't believe that I said those words to mum and she had listened without scolding me. She allowed me walk away without saying a word. Honestly, it felt good talking to mum only that I couldn't tell her about the key.
Everybody must have taken a nap. The house was as silent as the graveyard. Something woke mum up. She was hearing a sound; it was coming from daddy's study. Someone was sobbing. Alarmed she stood up and walked towards dad's study. She listened. Yes, the sound was coming from in there in. Mum softly opened the door and peeped in. she was weakened by the sight of dad sitting helplessly on his chair shedding manly tears. Dad was obviously fighting very hard to stop the tears from flowing. His breath was hard as he tried to control himself. Mum couldn't believe her eyes. She was surprised and touched. She immediately understood why dad was shedding tears so she walked in and held unto dad. Dad allowed himself to be held as he leaned his head in mum's tummy while she caressed the back of his head. While everybody was sleeping, dad had taken his time to reflect on his behavior towards his family for some time now. It all started with the desire to be a successful man. There was competition all around him and the fear of losing was the source of his motivation. Soon his efforts started paying off and he had to put in more energy as the days went by and the competition became fiercer. Then the family didn't seem very important, he got carried away and was comforted with the believe that all was going well. The fight to stay at the top was his only motivation and every night and day he had to ensure he had a good plan that would ensure that he conquered. He had been able to build a beautiful five bedroom flat and ensured the children had everything they wanted. We went to the best schools in and we never lacked in anything. What else did we want from him? He had unconsciously learned that one of the best ways of attaining success was by being shrewd, mean and not take laziness or foolishness lightly. And automatically he transformed into a fastidious person to everyone around him even to his family. Mum allowed dad to continue to lean on her. Then she took a seat and sat beside him. They both looked into each other's eyes and began laughing. Her eyes were also filled with tears. "Why didn't you bring me to order when you noticed that I had started derailing?" Dad asked softly. Mum smiled, "You didn't know how scary you became. I was busy trying so hard to please you all these while until I almost became a slave to your presence. I was just simply afraid of you." "Wow. Then my kids must have felt worse than this. I didn't even recognize my own kids. They were both different when I was talking with them. Do you know at a time, I wondered if it was my little Ada and John I was talking to? They are so big and matured; even John's voice has changed." He said, there was pain in his eyes. "Ha ha, they are really growing faster than we think and we have neglected them, thinking they were still kids. I know this is not an excuse, but I gave up when I noticed that Ada had outgrown me. I knew I couldn't handle them alone and instead of asking you for help I got into my shell and allowed things to continue to go bad." Mum said regretfully. "It was all my fault. I shouldn't have left you all alone to handle them. God! I have been a bad father and husband, putting all my efforts in the office while my house was in disarray." He stopped and looked mum in the eye again. "I am very sorry... today I looked at my children from a point of view I had never done before and I realized I was missing in their life. Again, you made me realize I have been selfish all along. Yes, I have only been thinking of being a success and have stupidly been putting my whole efforts in my work place and have neglected my house." He said thoughtfully. "Mmh, where have my husband been all this while?" She bantered, "I am glad we have both come to our senses, I just hope it's not too late. In fact, Linda talked to me this afternoon and I felt like crying after hearing a genuine version of what these kids really feel. I couldn't help but wonder how I allowed things to go this bad. So what do you intend to do now? Do you still want to send them away?" She asked. Mum was glad that they were both on the same page now. Dad remained silent for some time, staring at the wall behind mum. It was very emotional. Mum could sense that dad was really unhappy with the turnout of events a home, his face displayed deep regret. "No, I never intended sending them out... Oh God, I am not even qualified to be called a father. Sitting here for the past hour and reflecting on my behavior all these while had made realize a lot of things, it hurts so much to see what I have done to them. Look at the way I spoke to them, I was like an animal back there." "It's ok honey" She didn't know when the word honey came out of her mouth, it had been a long time. "You can't continue blaming yourself. I even feel worse, but I don't think it is right for us to continue regretting. What's done is done; let's think of the way forward." "Yes, you are right." He took in a deep breath "Well, the first thing I plan to do is to tender my resignation first thing tomorrow morning." "Ah!" mum exclaimed "Do you think that will be a nice idea?" "Don't worry, I don't think the company will be quick to let me go but even if they do, with my qualification and experience, I will be the hottest thing in the market. If my company wouldn't let me go, then I will remain on my terms. I will give them conditions that would ensure that I have time for my family." "Okay, anything that will bring you home more often and not make you be on the edge all the time." "Right now, we have a great task ahead of us. We have to start getting into the lives of our children immediately." Dad said. "I suggest you talk to Ada and find out what is wrong with her, the pregnancy issue is crazy, but we have to figure out what to do together with her. I will talk with John and try to sort out issue with him. Let's do this and see what we can come up with." "Okay," mum stood up and headed for the door, wondering what they were going to do about Ada's pregnancy. All the same she was glad that she was doing this with dad. There seemed to be a new strength in her. "And after that we will do some cooking together," dad said. Mum looked back and smiled, she just hoped that getting into our lives wouldn't be as tough as she imagined.
Ada was lying on her bed when mum knocked on her door. She stood up, looking surprisingly at the door. That was strange, nobody ever knocked on anybody's in this house. Something was wrong, she was sure. She walked up to the door and opened it, not knowing what to expect. Mum was facing her; they stared at each other for some seconds and mum walked into the room looking around the room like she was seeing it for the first time. Ada continued to stare at her even as mum sat on her bed. Mum looked intensely at her from the bed, "Have you been crying? Your face looks swollen." "No mum but..." "It's okay, you just have to brighten up... sit down, I will like to chat with you." Mum quickly said. Now this was definitely strange. How was Ada going to have a mother daughter chat with mum? That would be weird, she had never seen mum from that angle. What will they talk about? This was something she wasn't used to and didn't even know what to say. She would have taken it easier if mum had come to shout on her and call her names for being pregnant. Something wasn't just right, Ada noted. She sat down, looking at her palms. "For how long now have you noticed that you were pregnant?" Mum softly asked This melted Ada's spirit. She looked up at mum and surprisingly could hold the stare. She suddenly saw herself as a child, "I have been late for three days and it has been bugging me." She replied, her eyes pleaded for help. Mum could see it. Mum felt really bad all over again. She didn't even know the dates that surround her daughter's monthlies. What kind of mother was she? What good was she then expecting from them if she couldn't just play her part as a mother? But she was a bit hopeful that Ada might not be pregnant after all. "What has been bothering for the past three days? She asked. "I don't know mum, I ..." "Don't be afraid, I won't scold you," mum encouraged her.