School was finally over. Students were scattered round the school doing whatever pleases them. As usual, I had students following me everywhere I went. Sincerely, it was tiring. They all wanted to be my friend. We joined the school about two months ago. I saw Richard afar off, then I knew it was time to be free from those human-like parasites that refused to let me be. I ran to him calling his name but he was busy talking to this particular girl, Elizabeth. Sometimes, I wonder why Richard liked her. She is fat, (well not that fat), proud and most of all, she is a talkative. I always feel irritated each time I see her. This time, I was determined to get my brother's attention to myself. "Richard!", I yelled. Elizabeth looked at me and pretended she didn't see me then continued the discussion with my brother. I WAS SO FURIOUS!. Who does she think she is? I walked towards Richard, pushed Elizabeth out of my way and pulled my brother away from her.
"What are you doing with her?"
"What do you mean? Can't I talk with my classmates anymore?"
"Pff!", I scoffed. "You and I know that she is more than just a classmate to you".
He stared at me for sometime and I broke the silence. "I want to go home", I said childishly.
"Without Drake? Let's wait a little", he paused and took a glance at Elizabeth. "Moreover, mom is coming to pick us up. So, you see you really have to wait". I knew he just wanted to spend some quality time with Elizabeth.
"Alright. But, don't meet up with that Elizabeth oh". I never had a good Nigerian accent so my"oh" sounded more like "aw". I watched him as he headed to the waiting area where students waited for their parents to pick them up. I saw Elizabeth looking at me scornfully but I didn't mind. I eyed her and left for Drake.
The search for Drake was hectic. I remember hitting a lot of students mistakenly while running up and down the hallways and the stairs. At last, I found Drake. Where? At the basketball court! GOSH! That should have been the first place I should have checked. Drake loves basketball a lot and he's good. I hurried him up and left for the waiting area together. By the time we arrived, Richard stood in front of mom's car and I happily ran hoping to meet mom in the car...
...It was dad instead...
The look on Drake's face showed he was surprised as well. Why dad? It's part of mom's regular schedule to pick us up from school everyday. I grew angry with mom and couldn't wait to look at her with a face of disappointment when we get home.
The ride home was boring and quiet just like the ride to school. Mom would have asked how our days and lectures went and there would be a lot of jokes and laughter. Another question is; "Why is dad with mom's car?". At least, nothing happened to dad's. Mom had been strange since morning and I needed to know the reason. I decided to break out of my shell. "Why didn't mom come pick us up?", I asked dad.
"Is there a problem with me coming to pick you up, Helene?".
"Umm... Course not. You see, it's just, mom does the picking up so, uh.. It's strange not seeing her today ", I said fearfully as Richard stepped on my right foot.
"Ask her that when we arrive", dad replied.
I decided not to say any other word. I looked at Richard to read his facial expression but it read nothing. His face was just blank, not giving any sign. But that of Drake? It had fear written all over it. I giggled to see his face look like that but he paid no attention to me.
Finally. We were home. We alighted and dad parked the car in the parking lot. Without any delay, I ran into the house to bombard mom with several questions. Firstly, I went to her usual place- the kitchen. But, she wasn't there. Then, I went to her room and bathroom, she wasn't there too. I checked the veranda upstairs, the library, the garden, the pool and the basketball court, SHE WASN'T ANYWHERE!!. The sitting rooms were vacant too. What's happening? Where is mother?.
***
Fearfully, I descended the stairs to the sitting room where dad sat. Another question is 'why is dad home?'. He's usually at work by this time of the day. "I CAN'T FIND MOM!", I yelled crying.
"Will you keep your mouth shut? Are you a child? Look at you, crying, because you couldn't find your mother", he responded in anger and hissed. I knew I had to cool down.
"Dad, where did mom go?"
"She went somewhere", dad said less concerned.
"And when will she be back?"
"Oya! Go to your room! Don't disturb my life. Am I God? How do you expect me to know that? TO YOUR ROOM!". Crying, I turned around and saw my brothers below the stairs whispering to me to follow them. Obediently, I did. We ascended the stairs and entered the library. On the table was a book. Richard opened the book and in it was a letter from mom. He opened it and read it out:
"How was school today my darlings? Sorry I couldn't come pick you up.
Please, accept my apologies. Something came up out of the blue today
and I'll be gone for a long time. We might not see each other for quite
some time but I promise that we will meet some time later. Be obedient
to your dad and to the other. If you need to reach me, you can call this
number anytime : 08099423108. I love you babies so much. Take care of
yourselves.
Love,
Mom.
WHAT?! Mom left? Why is all these happening at such short notice? And what does mom mean by 'the other'?. I looked at Richard to see if he had anything to say but he just closed the book and put the letter in his pocket. Drake sat on the ground with his head buried in his palms. As for me, I tried to find answers on the faces of my brothers but none came. I became shocked, confused and full of fear. I needed answers so I decided to ask Richard. "Why don't we call the number in the letter?"
"No one is calling any number", he replied bluntly
"But, we need to know how mom is doing and most importantly, the reason she left", I said with a little frown.
"Yeah, Rich. This is really weird. We need answers", Drake said. I was happy he spoke because I knew how emotional he could be even as a boy.
"I said we are not going to call anyone", this time, Richard sounded irritated.
I was surprised at the behavior Richard put up. Was this part of his plan? He wanted mom to leave?. I knew it was wrong to think this way of my brother but his attitude towards the situation was not helping it.
"We are on our own now", he continued. "Dad obviously cares a little about us, so we really have to be strong. Expect that a lot of things are going to happen starting from now. When the appropriate time arrives, we will call mom. Get ready for the best, yet worst of all times", he sighed deeply and left.
I didn't understand. What is happening?
***
"It was just the beginning of problems for my family. Problems that seemed unsolvable"
- Helene Adebayo.
YOU ARE READING
BROKEN MIRAGE
Ficción GeneralI'm a girl who lives in a world that doesn't seem right... My family is one hell of a family and my life hasn't been the same since my mother left... She left a note and it's my duty to find her and right the wrongs that have taken over my world.
