S
oon afterward, my three other
young siblings were begotten;
Bankole, Chuka, and Audu. Life
was merrier with every addition
to the family, but our happiness
was short lived when my father
announced one morning that
his job as a military man had
come to an end because he had
reached retirement age.
Despite this sudden dismissal, my
father was still a well-built figure who
refuted his five decades of existence.
He could still partake in any activity a
young person could without flinching.
Needless to say, my father came back
home few months later with a fat purse
and few gifts as a reward for his
long-term service to the military
department. In spite of the uncertainty
that lay ahead, we enjoyed life together
as a family. The disconnection we’d
once experienced with him slowly
evolved into a great relationship with
which we drew discipline.
On one particular red-lettered day,
my father came home from the market
with so much joy in his face. We’d never
seen him that happy in a long time, and
as we gracefully joined the unknown
delight, he took his seat and began to
unfold the cause of his ecstasy.
“I am very happy my children,” he
began as he assumed his normal
upright posture on the Uche made
of wood and exposed his set of
brown-tainted teeth.
“I met a group of brilliant young men
today at the market, and they promised
to increase my wealth if I invest my
money with them. The things they said
are real and wonderful. My children, no
more shall I worry about the future!”