DESPERAME

Eleven years has passed since the devastating news shattered our world. I was only ten when I learned of my father's mysterious disappearance. It was, and still is, a questionable reality I had to accept. My father, Mr.Enerd Fredrick, was a market clerk in the outskirts of Akugu town. Living paycheck-to-paycheck, we had enough to survive but not enough to spurge. Our dilemma was likened to a get-to-eat, but unpretentious lifestyle-a liminal state of survival. For seven years, we lived like itinerants, moving from one location to another, desperately trying to evade the crippling effects of rental inflation, as our father kept applying for better paying jobs. Eventually, we settled in Aska, a shanty area in Akugu town, purchasing a rudimentary hut-like house in a squatter settlement. Our new home was a far cry from perfection, held together by hope and resilience. Despite our financial constraint, school was a must for me and my younger sister. Mady, was five and brighter than most of her peers. In a household shrouded in uncertainty, she remained an innocent beacon of joy, beloved by all-an ethereal aura bellied her tender age. We had every primary support we deserve from our mother, she did her very best to support our father with her bean cake business. We were contented, but our father had bigger dreams, dreams that we didn't bargain for. I'm not a stoic. I believe fate can be altered and modified. The mystery of my father's sudden disappearance still rings a bell in my head. It was April 13th, 2001-an after school sunny Friday, that would forever be etched in my memory. My father burst through the door, a wide smile spreading across his face. He was clustering an enveloped package in his hand, contents unknown to us. As he swept our mother into a warm hug, the tension in his body seemed to dissipate, replaced by an unbridled joy. The atmosphere in our small, rustic home was electric. Our mother's eyes sparkled with curiosity, while my little sister Mady, bounced around the room, sensing the excitement. I, too, felt a thrill of anticipation, wondering what could have brought my father so much happiness. As my father handed the package to our mother, her eyes widened with anticipation. She carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. Her eyes scanned the page, and a look of surprise and delight crossed her face. "It's from Desperame" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. "You've been hired as a casual internal auditor. Expected to resume work on April 16th." My father's face lit up with a triumphant smile, and he wrapped his arm around my mother, pulling her into a tight hug again. I could tell with the look on his face, a relief of betterment and spontaneous change is about to be enjoyed in our home. Desperame is 3mile ahead of Aska, a define jurisdiction on its own, occupying an estimate of 5 square kilometers, in Akugu town. Desperame is a behemoth of a company, its sprawling complex a testament to its dominance in Akugu's industrial landscape. The company's logo, emblazoned on the façade of its headquarters, featured a stylish letter 'D' made up of interlocking gears, symbolizing innovation and progress. As a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment and machinery, Desperame's facilities hummed with activity, as workers busied themselves assembling tractors, plows, and harvesters. The company's products were renowned for their durability and reliability, making them a staple in farms across the region. Desperame's operations were divided into several departments, including research and development, manufacturing, quality control, and sales. The company's internal audit department where my father would be working was responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of Desperame's financial records and operations. With its impressive facilities, cutting-edge technology, and commitment to excellence, Desperame is a source of pride for the people of Akugu, and a symbol of the region's industrial prowess. We were at the cusp of a transformative financial breakthrough, one that would not only bolster our economic stability, but also earn us a new-found respect and admiration from our community. Afterall, Desperame is a paragon of excellence, renowned for its impeccable reputation and goodwill- and to be associated with such a venerable institution was a badge of honour in itself. Our nervousness made April 16th seem incredibly far. The frenzy was palpable, as if the whole family was being employed together. April 16th became a memorable date, significantly etched in my head like my birth date. I could clearly recall the outfit my father wore that day. It was a blue suit, specifically reserved for formal occasions, paired with a stylish black tie, knotted with precision, like a kingsman. I've always admired every aspect of my father's charisma, and had firmly resolved to model myself after him. His charisma is undeniable- the way he carried himself with confidence and determination, his infectious smile and dress sense, and his ability to command respect without demanding it, all left an indelible mark on me. We had a blissful morning reflection, and a hearty breakfast followed, filling our home with warmth, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I and Mady got ready for school, our mother prepared for her beancake business, while our father prepared for his newfound job. As we grabbed our back packs and headed out the door, the morning sunlight cast a warm glow on our excited faces. We all felt a sense of pride and hope in this new chapter of our lives. "Have a great day kids" our father said as waved goodbye, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension as we made our way to school. As the day wore on, my mind began to wander back to my father, wondering what his first day at the new job was like. But as the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, our excitement and anticipation slowly turned to worry. We waited anxiously, anticipating his return from work and eager to learn about his first day at the prestigious Desperame. Hoping to have dinner together as a family, and hear about the exciting experiences of day one. We waited, as we watched the clock tick away, seconds turning into minutes, minutes into hours, and as the hours dragged on, our excitement turned to trepidation. "Perhaps he had to take alot of time to sort out the previous auditor's data analysis," our mother reassured us despite the growing concern etched in her face. "You know how important this job is for him. He must be working late to make a good impression". She implied" I will use IyaTope's phonebooth to communicate with him tomorrow" I couldn't shake off the thought that my father had chosen to stay behind at his office to probably prove his capabilities. The uncertainty lingered, and I went to bed with that thought rummaging my mind. The next day dawned swiftly. Morning activities unfolded as usual, but without the frenzy that typically accompanied them like the previous day, the difference was evident in Mady's gloomy state, even in school. After school, we returned home to a disturbing revelation. Our mother had been trying to contact our father through Iya Tope's phonebooth, but the calls wouldn't connect. As the hours ticked by with no news from him, she became increasingly perplexed. Desperate for answers, she decided to visit Desperame's office. She spoke to the HR personnel, who after searching the employee records informed her that they have no record of employing a new auditor, or anyone by the name Enerd Fredrick. Further enquiries were made from the recruitment officer who implied, that the office of an auditor wasn't vacant by record, two years now. The dawn of a new reality hit us like a ton of bricks. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air. Our father whom had come home beaming with pride, with an employment letter from a prestigious firm, and suddenly, the same firm has no record of knowing him. He had always been a loving and devoted parent, and the thought of him abandoning us without a dire reason was unthinkable. Why, If he had lied to us? What could have driven him to deceive us? The truth seemed to be slipping further and further away from us, the district's police gave little or no help, even after filling a missing person's report. In her words, she said they said the chances of finding him are slim to none, if he is not wanting to be found. The police officer's words echoed in my mind like a haunting melody. "Slim to none"-those were his exact words. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered if we'd ever see our father again. Everything about our father's disappearance had become suddenly shady and mysterious. The more we searched for answers, the more questions we seemed to uncover. Our mother's eyes, once bright and full of life, seemed sunken and haunted. We hoped, and mourned, as days turned month and months turned years, our hope and grief slowly, gliding with time, turned disappointment and hate. With that crest fallen resentment; we resolved our father was dead.