THE CURES

CHAPTER FOUR

"Grandpa, why does my mother hate you so much?". Chiboy asked Nzekwe after he had eased himself and both sat quietly on the bed. Nzekwe made no comment but was only staring at the young boy.

"Are you truly the father of mg mother?". Chiboy asked again wanting to know the rest why his mother hated her own father. Nzekwe became speechless as he sank himself in big thoughts wondering where he had offended his daughter. He searched through his mind but couldn't find anything. Indeed, he was a good father to all his children. And never in anyway hated them for any reasons whatsoever. He loved and cared for them all even when their mother died, he still continued to be a strong father to all his children. He never remarried just like other men did, but decided to stay single so that he could take care of his family. To him, remarrying would cause nothing but a problem to his family. He never wanted a polygamous home where he would have more than two wives. Though some of his friends advised him to do so since his wife died earlier. But as a good man and a good father, he never hid to their words but told them that he don't want a wife that would maltreat his own children . But he could do it alone to make sure that his family have peace. He did everything he thought could be the best for his home. He made everything possible for everyone . He only wanted a happy family.

Nzekwe lost his wife in a sickness which claimed her life. And ever since then he had never failed to be a good father to all his nine children. He always provides for them, and always makes sure that everyone was living in peace. He never failed to perform his duty as a father. Si where had he gone wrong? That was his question.

He took his memory back to the days that he was still a little child. He was the only son and only child of his parents. He was known as a respectful child. In all the days while with his parents, he believed that he had always been a good and obident child to them despite being an only child. So why was his own case different?. There was a time Nzekwe was coming back from school, and then an old man called him. The old man was too old that he hardly walk on his own without anyone helping him. At that moment, Nzekwe was so tired that all what was on his mind was to get home and rest. He was not only tired but hungry as well, because he didn't eat anything before going to school that morning. His mother promised to cook his favorite meal which was rice when he comes back from school. In those days, children were always find of rice. They loved it to the very mallow of their heart, that at times they would love to eat rice everyday.

This old man kept on calling Nzekwe but he never gave a damn to answer him, but kept walking because what was on his mind was how to get home and eat rice. He had already planned how he was going to eat it on his mind. And he was already imagining how delicious it would look like, because he knew his mother to be a good cook. This man didn't have up but kept on screaming for help from Nzekwe.

Nzekwe later stopped and decided to know why the old man was calling on him. As he attempted to go something told him not to. "Where are you going? You don't know him. He could be a ritualist. Don't go! ". The voice became louder than he could ever imagined. He remembered the story his father told him.... how his friend was kidnapped and killed for answering a young man who went in disguise as an old man. Since then, his father warned him never to answer anyone he don't know be it man or woman. As he sank thoughtfully about the story, he remembered that in the bible that it was written we should always help our elders. He also remembered how their C. R. S. teacher taught them the rewards in helping people, especially old ones. She told them that there was always a blessing attached to when you help someone who is in need of help.

Nzekwe summoned up courage and went forth to the old man not minding anything that would happen if the old man turn our to be a ritualist. He walked briskly as fast as he could.

"Good afternoon, sir. Please how may I be if help to you? ". He asked to he old man.

" My child, please take me to my house. I'm tired of walking".

" Where is you house, sir? ".

" That hut over there". The old man indicated the direction of his house by pointing to a very small hut. With the indication, Nzekwe noticed a small hut and decided to take him since his house was not too far.

"Okay sir, I'll help you". Nzekwe held his hand and both left to the old man's house.

" Thank you, my child. God bless you and your family. He wm reward you abundantly, and no harm shall be fall you"

" Amen". Nzekwe chorused happily as the old man blessed him.

"You may go now, my child. you must be tired".

"No! Let me take you in".The old man refused as Nzekwe insisted to take him inside the hut. He told him not to worry again that he could manage and that Nzekwe should go home and have rest.

Nzekwe left the house after what the old man had said to him, but something in him told him to look back once more. He did looked back but could not find the old man again. He became scared and began wondering where the old man had gone to. He could not tell if the old man was a ghost or a human. If he was an angel, he could not tell. I. as much as Nzekwe was concerned, he believed that the old man had not gone in. He wanted to go but something told him not to, then he took to his heels. When he got home, he decided not to tell anyone what he saw but to keep it to himself. Though his mother noticed the anxious looking his face but decided not to bother him. Nzekwe was frightful throughout the day and awfully found it difficult to sleep that night.

All these were coming through Nzekwe's mind as though it had happened moments ago Even the time he lost his father. It kept on appearing right before his eyes like a vision. Nzekwe kept on searching his mind and past, but couldn't find where he had gone wrong training his children. He believed he did more than what two parents could have done for their children. Tears kept teeming down out of his eyes. Chiboy could not tell the reasons behind the tears, perhaps, he took it to be a tears if joy.