FEATURE STORY
I don’t remember you joining the
military force, or, have you?”
Embarrassment skimmed through
my mother’s face as she gazed
squarely at my father who’s back
was turned against her. Days gave
birth to weeks, and my father grew
resentful towards everyone. He’d
get up and make for the market,
only to return at sunset but on one,
unforgettable day, my father left and
never came back.
On that day, something was
particularly peculiar about his trip
to the market. Unlike the other
days, he persistently assured us of
the good returns he’d reap from
his investment and of how grateful
we would be afterward. My mother
begged him to stay home that day,
saying that she had a bad feeling
about his investment but as usual,
he wouldn’t listen.
That was the last time I saw my
father alive.
The men he had dealings with
abducted and murdered him
instantly so that they would have his
money. Then, without shame, they
came home and demanded that we
leave in silence before they killed
all of us and we hastily packed our
belongings and headed out of the
village.
We moved to another village where
my great grandparents lived and
without further explanation, summoned to keep quiet about what had
happened because my mother and
great grandparents were terrified of
what could happen if the matter was
reported.