THE CARELESS MOTHER

chapter 5

THE CARELESS MOTHER

By ABDULGAFAR HORRY OLAIYA

Chapter Five: The Truth Beneath the Silence

Horry did not sleep that night.

The photograph lay beside him on the floor, illuminated by the faint light coming through the window.

He turned it over again.

"Horry is not who you think."

The words frightened him.

He looked toward his father's room. James was asleep, but his breathing was uneven.

Horry wanted to wake him.

He wanted answers.

But something inside him said to wait.

The next morning, James found Horry sitting alone beneath the old mango tree.

"You didn't sleep," James said.

Horry looked up.

"No, Father."

James sat beside him.

For several moments, neither spoke.

Then Horry removed the photograph from his pocket.

James's eyes immediately fell upon it.

"You found it."

"Yes."

"Where?"

"In the wooden box."

James sighed.

"I knew this day would come."

Horry's voice trembled.

"Father, tell me the truth."

James stared at the ground.

"Some truths can destroy a family."

"And lies can destroy a person."

James looked at his son.

Those words reminded him of the boy's strength.

Finally, he said, "I have never lied about loving you."

Horry's eyes filled with tears.

"But you have hidden something from me."

James nodded.

"Yes."

Before he could continue, Ada appeared.

"What are you two discussing?"

Horry stood.

"I want to know who I am."

Ada froze.

James looked at her.

"Ada, it is time."

She shook her head.

"No."

"He's old enough."

"No!"

Her voice echoed through the compound.

Horry stared at her.

"Mother, what are you afraid of?"

Ada's eyes became wet.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me!"

Ada turned away.

"I can't."

Horry's frustration finally erupted.

"Everyone keeps telling me I'm too young, too weak, or not ready! But I'm the one living inside this family. I'm the one who deserves to know!"

Ada covered her face.

James reached for her hand.

"Ada."

She pulled away.

Then she whispered something Horry never expected to hear.

"You were not supposed to survive."

Silence.

Horry felt the world disappear beneath his feet.

"What?"

Ada's eyes filled with tears.

"I was young. I was afraid. I made terrible choices."

James lowered his head.

Horry stared at his mother.

"What choices?"

Ada couldn't answer.

James finally spoke.

"When you were born, your mother wanted to give you away."

Horry's mouth fell open.

"Give me away?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because she believed she couldn't take care of you."

Horry looked at Ada.

"Did you hate me?"

Ada immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Then why?"

She cried.

"Because I was selfish."

Those words broke something inside Horry.

For years, he had wondered why his mother seemed distant.

Now he understood that her carelessness had begun long before he was old enough to recognize it.

But there was still one question.

"Who is Daniel?"

James became silent.

Ada's tears stopped.

The two adults exchanged a frightened look.

Then James said,

"Daniel was the man who found you on the night you were born."

Horry stared at him.

"What?"

"Your mother left you at an old clinic."

Ada began crying again.

"But James found you."

Horry's voice became barely audible.

"And Daniel?"

James looked toward the road.

"Daniel was there that night."

Suddenly, a motorcycle stopped outside the compound.

Daniel stepped down.

He walked toward them carrying a small envelope.

"I think it's time you heard the rest."

Horry stood.

Daniel handed him the envelope.

"Everything you need to know is inside."

Horry opened it.

Inside was a birth certificate.

His eyes moved across the page.

Then he stopped.

The name written beside Father was not James.

Horry looked up slowly.

"Father..."

James closed his eyes.

Daniel spoke softly.

"James raised you, protected you, and loved you. But biologically..."

He paused.

"...he isn't your father."

Horry's hands began to shake.

He looked at James.

"Is this true?"

James could barely speak.

"Yes."

Horry stepped backward.

The man he had called Father his entire life was not his biological father.

Yet somehow, that truth made James's sacrifices feel even greater.

Horry looked at Ada.

Then at James.

Then at Daniel.

"Then who is my real father?"

Daniel's expression changed.

"I know where he is."

Horry's heart raced.

"Where?"

Daniel pointed toward the distant highway.

"He's been searching for you for years.

Horry stood completely still.

For the first time, the mystery surrounding his birth had opened a door.

But behind that door waited a man Horry had never met.

And that man was about to return to his life.

End of Chapter Five.