Oaths

Episode 4

A week after the incident at my place, the third semester examination commenced fully. I spent more time in the library than before, and it led to my breakdown. I became sick.

One way or the other, my dad got to know about it. I hadn’t informed him at all, and I wasn’t planning to. He just took me by surprise on a certain Thursday.

“Dad?” I exclaimed with shock as I la!d eyes on him. He was holding a bag and a briefcase, while Mimi stood beside with a polythene bag and some yam tubers.

She dropped the items in the kitchen and was about leaving when he called her back.

“Thank you my daughter. Have this token to yourself,” he stretched some Naira notes to her but she refused. He insisted adamantly till she had no choice but to collect and thank him before leaving.

I stood up and made to collect the bag and briefcase he held, but he denied me. I greeted him by kneeling also, yet he didn’t respond.
He was acting cold.

“Sit down,” he said, and I sat.

“Fifi,” he called.

“Sir!”

“Fifi!!”

“Sir!”

“Fifi!!!”

“Sir!”

“How many times did I call you?”

“Three times sir…”

“What is wrong with you?”

I didn’t know whether to respond or just keep mute. It was a clearly directed question to me.

“Answer me!” He demanded.
I didn’t know what to say, neither could I look up at him. I just buried my head down and toyed with my fingers.

“Our people say, A toad does not come out in broad daylight unless it is being chased by something.” He began.

That was my father. He always referenced every little thing to proverbs.

“They also said,” he continued, “A child does not know how far the journey is as long as it is being carried by its mother.”
I kept mute and listened.

“Fifi, what is wrong with you?” He asked again.

“Nothing, dad.”

“Do you want to kill me?”

“God forbid it!” I revoked indignantly.

“What is God forbidding about it, Fifi? Was this how I brought you up? Or is it a crime to let me know when you feel strong and when you feel down again?”

“I’m sorry…” I managed to say.

“This is not a matter of being sorry here, child. You fell ill for a whole week and didn’t bother informing anyone, not even your sister.
You just kept to yourself that way. What if your friend hadn’t called to inform me, how would I have known?”

“Dad, I’m sorry… I didn’t want you bothered unnecessarily…”

“Am I complaining?” He cut in. I buried my head down again.

A brief silence ensued between us for a moment.

“Fifi, you and your sister are the only reason I see hope to live in this world since your mother died. Everything I do, everything I am today and everything I work for is for the good of you both. Why then would you hide something this critical from me? Do you have a family elsewhere?”

“No sir,” I replied.

“Then make sure this never repeats itself again, ever! If not, I’ll report you to Lawma and deport you back to Accra,” he joked as we both laughed.

The bag he brought contained various variety of items and beverage like Bournvita, Milo, evaporated tinned milk and many more. He also left some money and spent some more time with me before taking his leave.

I accompanied him to the car park and was on my way back when someone called my name from a distance. I looked around but couldn’t find anyone, so I continued walking.

I hadn’t taken more than two steps forward when a hand blindfolded me from behind and asked me to guess. From her voice, I already figured who it was.

“Ijeoma!” I said aloud as we both laughed. We walked and talked together on our way home.

When we returned, I met Mimi seated outside with a friend from school. I greeted them and walked by when Mimi called me back.

“Fifi, a guy came asking of you.”
“A guy?”

“Yes. He said I should hand these over to you,” she said, handing me a sheet of paper and a polythene bag.

“Thanks.” I gestured to her and went inside.

I opened the nylon and saw my T-shirt and jean in it, neatly washed. An envelope was also beside with some money in it. Then, I looked at the paper and saw a phone number written on it.

I just smiled to myself and went to the kitchen, took out a bottle of kerosene, grabbed the nylon bag and went to the backyard to burn them.