BROKEN MIRAGE

CHAPTER FIVE

"Goodbye, dad", Richard said to dad who sat on the couch staring at the ceiling. He turned around slowly and I took my gaze away from him and stared at the ground nervously. He took a deep breath and said. " Don't forget, I didn't send you all out. You  decided to leave yourselves".

"It started from you", I said. After the statement, I opened my mouth wide in disbelief. Was I the one who said that?. I thought I was in for some trouble but surprisingly, dad said "I know Helene, I know".

Now, it was obvious. Dad was really having a bad feeling of guilt and regret. All I wanted him to say was I'm sorry but it wasn't forthcoming. Just two words, I'm sorry and we would get out of the mess.

He brought out his wallet and gave Richard some money. I couldn't count it. "Find your mother and start afresh with her. She needs you more than I do".

Really now? He doesn't need us?, so, we are better off without him too. I was convinced that we had to leave. But, just as we were about to leave, Tinuke stopped us.

"Hold up!", she ordered and walked towards Richard. "We need to talk now"

Drake and I stared at each other and back to Richard. It never occurred to me that Tinuke and Richard talked to each other. Now, it looks like there is a familiarity.

"Richard, we have to leave now", Drake angrily said.

"Just a minute please", Richard said and dropped the bag on the floor. He and Tinuke went out of the house and walked towards the garden.

                                                                    ***

Some minutes later, Tinuke's voice was heard. "You see. You really have to stay". And as they were approaching the house, her voice became louder and clearer. " You have a responsibility now. You can't just forsake it and leave".

"I know".

"Better".

Then, they arrived at the front porch. Richard's face was gloomy and really sad. What happened? I hurried to meet Richard. I looked at Tinuke suspiciously and went over to Richard.

"What's the problem, Richard?", dad asked to my surprise. So, he cared?.

Richard looked at I and Drake and said,  "I think we wouldn't have to leave anymore".

"What do you mean?", Drake asked angrily.

Richard kneeled in front of dad and asked for forgiveness. "Dad, I'm sorry. Please, don't send me out. I've realized my mistakes. I agree I behaved childish. Forgive me please".

"Richard, what are you doing?", Drake asked silently.

Dad was obviously confused too. He looked at our faces searchingly and sighed. "Why  the sudden change, Richard?"

"I've done something terrible and I'm going to take responsibility for it".

I watched as Tinuke's rage grew and she spoke out loud.

"So, that's how you refer to something as precious as a baby, something terrible right?".

All eyes focused on Tinuke as she hisses and retied her wrapper.

"O o gbudo lo o (You musn't leave)", she said angrily.

Drake fell to the ground in shock. "Richard, why?. It should have been someone else, not her".

For the first time in my life, I witnessed dad grow soft and cool tempered. He lifted Richard and gave him a hug. Then, he helped us with our bags to our rooms. I sat on the couch and my eyes wandered off to mom's picture hanging loosely on the wall. Then, it occurred to me that dad didn't really hate his family much. If he did, then there wouldn't be any trace of mom in the house. All I knew was that mom loved her children so much and she would do anything to make us happy. Dad on the other hand, was a disciplinarian. He scolds us for almost everything we do. I wished she was with us.