BROKEN MIRAGE

CHAPTER 7

The day was tiring and I was sweating profusely. I had never ran such a long distance in my entire life. The inter house sports was fast approaching and I was a representative in the junior category  of my house - orchid house.

I was waiting for mom's  arrival with my brothers and there... she arrived.  We all jumped  into the car happilly and she drove off.

"Hello kids", a strange voice said.

Who was that?  It was a very deep, unfamiliar voice.

" How was school? "

I never knew mom had a visitor in the car. My brothers replied while I kept staring at the man sitting beside  mom.

"Hey, Helene. You didn't respond. Are you fine?", he asked.

"Yes I am". I took my glimpse away from him to my mom. "Mom? "

She completely understood what I meant by just calling her. 

"He is an old friend, Helene, from England".

"Oh, did he just arrive too?"

"Yes. I went to pick him up from the airport before arriving at your school"

"Okay". Then, I decided to ask the one question I wanted to ask.

"Does dad know about him?"

The look on mom's face showed she wasn't expecting such a question - from me. I looked at the man and he was smiling. His smile put a frown on my face.

"Helene, respect please".

"No, that's okay, Melrose. It's normal for her to be bothered", he said smiling

My brothers gave a disgusted look to the statement he made. I decided not to ask questions anymore as all I could do was to frown.

We arrived at the house. I and my brothers alighted, the man did the same. Then, I was able to view him completely. He's white just like I and mom. He had a jean on and a white shirt which was tucked into the jean and held by a black belt. I stood at the car's trunk staring at him when his eyes caught mine.

"Uh... Helene", he said moving closer while I took a step backwards. "I know you don't appreciate my presence in your home but i'm sorry, I know no one here but your mom. I'm not forcing you to accept me but please, don't hate me, okay?"

His words found its way into my heart and I had no choice but to nod in the affirmative. He smiled and opened the trunk to bring down his bags. I helped him out and brought his bags to the sitting room. What welcomed us was the clashing of an object.

"What's happening?", he asked.

I looked at him and ran upstairs where the sound was coming from.

"Mom, dad?...." I got to the entrance of their room and stuck my ear in the tiny space beside the door knob.

"How dare you, Melrose?!. This is my house and I decide who comes or leaves".

Mom scoffed. "Shola, I've explained this already. He is my cousin from England".

I gasped. Mom was lying to dad.

"Cousin heh? Melrose, I've met all your cousins already. His face doesn't ring a bell at all".

"You can't know him Shola. He is a distant cousin. Infact, I don't expect you to know all my family members. He has no where to go. For Pete's sake, he's family. Do I throw him out?"

I didn't hear dad anymore. I guessed he had a rethink. I descended the stairs and met the visitor staring at the pictures on the wall.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?", I asked.

He turned around and smiled. "Yes, they are. But who is this?", he asked pointing to my sister.

"It's my sister, Marilyn. She.. died".

"I'm so sorry".

"Don't bother". I sighed and went to sit. "What's the name?"

"Oh, Christ. I'm so sorry. I should have introduced myself. My name is Benjamin Claws".

"Claws?"

"Yeah. Claws"

"Okay. I'm Helene Adebayo"

"Nice to meet you.", he said chuckling.

"The pleasure's all mine"

                                                                  ***

Dad's knock woke me and I jumped in fright. I realised it was just a knock. I gathered myself together and went off to answer the door.

"Good afternoon dad", I said yawning.

"I see you were asleep", he said with a smile.

"Huh... Kinda".

He nodded and tapped me.

"Grandma is downstairs".

I became instantly conscious. "Grandma? Your mom?"

"Your mom's mother. Come down. We'll be waiting". He smiled and left.

I shut the door behind me as my mind became blurry and I couldn't think straight.

Grandma? She hated us right?