Chidozie's non-fiction short stories

ATTIRE OF SHAME

There was once a widower who had struggled to get his wealth and vowed to leave it only, for any of his responsible children. He had a  son and a daughter so it had looked settled that there would be no tussle for his inheritance. His son was a white sheep at home and a black one outside. Despite all the father had invested in him, the good thing he could achieve was the tireless deceit he was putting up at home trying to show everyone he was a good son. The father sent him to the same university he completed his education in the USA so he could become better equipped to face life. At least, that was his father's brilliant thoughts for him. But he lavished all he had recklessly, joined cults, raped girls and was finally expelled all behind his father's notice. He continued putting up acts that he was still in school while his father was busy planning for a big final year party since he had the school brochure. The father secretly invited friends from home and abroad to accompany him to his son's graduation celebration with the old man bearing all costs of taking all invited people abroad. He tried reaching his son but couldn't reach him and he thought God had ordained the surprise he had put in place. On the day of the big event, he and his friends gathered with other guests as the names of graduating students were announced, but his son's was not heard. He looked around and still couldn't see his son and went on to the school management to indicate what he thought was an unintentional omission. Then he was given the full story of how his son had terrorized the school and was deemed fit for expulsion 8 months back. He cried like a baby and couldn't face his friends because he was full of shame and regret. He returned to Nigeria with a heavy heart to confront his son who begged and cried with the greatest of tears for forgiveness. He blamed it all on the devil and youthful exuberance. The father reluctantly forgave him and started treating him almost normal as usual and even assisted him in learning a trade. The son had tried all he could to convince his father he was changed and had become responsible.  5 years later, his  father died and the will was read. All his inheritance was divided in half and a part given to his sister while the other to charity. The dead man's son got up in anger and said there was no way his father would leave him nothing. Of course he didn't, assured the lawyer with a grin of mischief on his face while pulling out a box from a corner and presented it to the young desperate man. Smiles returned to his face when he saw the box for he thought it contained the most expensive of jewels, but on opening it he saw one of his father's clothe with a letter which read. "This is the clothe i wore the day you put me through the most humiliating experience of my life. This i leave for you, for it will forever be your 'ATTIRE OF SHAME'."