Fatherless
Episode one
I got rāpēd as a child, yes you heard me right.
You might probably be asking how it happened, or why a guy should be rāpēd.
People find it odd but boys get rāpēd too.
And you will never understand until it happens to you.
My problem started the day I came back from school.
I had anticipated the day we would close for the term at St. Ann College.
It was one of the best moments of my life because I would get to meet my father, who I loved most in the whole world.
He made sure I attended one of the first schools in Johannesburg.
I packed my bags and arranged my bed, which was the upper bunk.
I neatly folded the clothes into my bag because I knew Daddy doesn’t like it when I’m dirty.
I can still recall the day I played so much and came back from school with my uniform torn.
He gave me the flogging of my life and decided to enroll me in a boarding school
because he felt the school was too close to the house and I would study more in a boarding school.
Here I am, thinking about my dad. When I finally see him, I will give him a hug.
Then I will politely ask him to make my favorite Potjiekos just the way I like it.
He had a special ingredient that makes the food even more delicious, even when I’m already full.
No one cooks it better.
Anyone who wasn’t ready would need to wait for their parents to come and pick them up.
We all had to rush pushing each other out of the way In order to take our baths and get ready to go home.
We were always happy when the school term comes to an end so that we will all go home to our families.
And most especially eat home made food, it was the best compared to whatever they were serving us at the hostel.
My house was an hour drive away from the school and whenever I go home, it always looks like I’m traveling, due to the distance.
It was just five minutes and the driver came back to find us dressed up and ready to go home.
Some people were still struggling to dress up and we that were done followed him outside to where the school bus was and entered the bus.
He drove a little when the rest came running.
I wasn’t ready to carry anybody on my laps because I still wanted my school uniform to look ironed so that dad will be impressed when he sees me.
Soon everyone were arranged in the bus with some students carrying the rest on their laps.
I was fortunate not to carry anyone, because they had observed I was thin.
And they would squeeze me inside the bus if I tried carrying anyone.
Our journey was filled with fun.
At first, we drove past the police checkpoint and saw the officer ordering small cars to stop.
Some cars drove past without stopping, but when our car reached the checkpoint, we slowed down.
The officer asked, “How are you doing, children?” as he closely examined our bus.
We responded in unison, “We are very fine.”
After passing the checkpoint, the driver picked up speed, causing the leaves and the people on the road to move in a faster motion.
I was the first to get off the bus and greeted my friends as I jumped down to press the doorbell.
Mom was the first person to come out, but I wasn’t expecting her because Dad usually comes out to pick me up.
She gave me a big hug. “Where is Dad?” I asked, looking behind her, but he wasn’t there.
She was dressed in all black and looked pale.
I went inside my room and flung my school bag to one corner, then came back to the living room where she was.
“Where is Dad?” I asked again.
She avoided the question for the second time while she went to the kitchen to bring my food.
Shortly after, she came out with plates in her eyes and handed me the food without looking at my face.
“I’m not eating anything until I see my dad,” I declared.
“Nathan, what do you want me to do for you?”
Mom screamed at the top of her voice, adjusting her head tie that was about to fall off.
She said, “Eat the food. When you’re done, I’ll take you to your dad.”
I was excited, so I scooped the food into my mouth, eating noisily, even though I knew I wasn’t observing table manners.
In no time, I finished eating. “I’m done,” I said, giving her the plate.
She took it from my hands and disappeared into the kitchen.
Shortly after, she came back with my clothes and said, “Get up and dress up.
You want to see your father, right?” I nodded enthusiastically.
“Then dress up,” she said, tears dripping from her eyes as she used her hands to wipe them, pretending to smile.
When I finished dressing up, she said, “Come with me,” holding my hands.
“Let me take you to see your dad.”
I followed her happily hoping to see my dad after a long time.
Thessycute Ekene
