AN AFRICAN PRESIDENT'S SON

My performance in primary school was exceptional, but father took me to a private school instead of a public national school for which I had won myself a sponsorship. At school, I found a club similar to the one I had joined in primary school. The only difference was that in this one, there was involvement of weapons. The weapons included arrows, daggers, spears and stars. The trainer wanted me to join the arrow crew, but I was not good at it. He changed me to dagger crew, but I didn't fare very well. Finally, I was placed in the star crew, which involved throwing small gear-like metals. In this one I emerged the best. I became a sharpshooter. By the time I was done with form four, I was almost perfect. I missed in a whisker but this really annoyed him to a point that he would slap me. It was a great loss when I left the club. I remember the day I went to pick up my certificate accompanied by my father, 3rd of March 2009. On this day I proved that I really was the best. He gave me the biggest hug ever. Dad held my hand and for the first time we went to a hotel together. He told me to order anything I wanted. I wasn't a heavy feeder, so I asked to have rice and beef stew. After that, we drove home. I was very surprised to find the door open, but father didn't even realize it because he was extremely happy. "Father, I think something is terribly wrong." "Why?" asked father. "Didn't you shut the door when we were leaving for school this morning?" "Yes, of course." "Then why was the door open?" "Listen to me, son, nothing wrong has happened. I may have forgotten to lock it. "Boy, I am older than you; I have seen things happen; bad things. There is no need for you to worry. You are smart but I am experienced. And just in case trouble comes knocking, face it you're a grown man, right?” I didn't answer that; I went straight to my room. On reaching there, I found my ever clean and neat room in a big mess. I went over to dad and told him: "Father, go and check my room." Dad went straight to my room. He looked, smiled and said: "Clean up your room, boy!" I wasn't comfortable at all. Something had happened in our absence, I was sure of it. I went back to my room and started picking up the scattered books and clothes. As I bent down to retrieve a fallen lamp, I noticed a faint, I went to him again, This was our first conversation in a long time and I knew it wouldn’t end well. “Father, my room has never been in a mess, and you know that because you go there when I am not in. You know what? I will not get dragged into your mess. I must find Mum and Helen! You have never told me the reason behind your separation anyway. I don't even know where you work. You have never told me anything about yourself and the reason behind your imprisonment. Yet you call me your son. I'm tired." I could feel him throw his fist in the air as I left. It must have hit the door hard after I shut it behind me.