THE CARELESS MOTHER

CHAPTER 6

THE CARELESS MOTHER

By ABDULGAFAR HORRY OLAIYA

Chapter Six: The Man Beyond the Road

For several minutes, nobody spoke.

Horry stood beneath the mango tree, staring at Daniel as though he were looking at a stranger from another world.

"My real father is alive?" he finally asked.

Daniel nodded.

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

Daniel glanced at James.

"That is a question your father should answer."

Horry turned toward James.

"Please."

James lowered his head.

"I never wanted you to grow up believing that blood was more important than love."

"But you knew?"

"From the beginning."

Horry's eyes filled with tears.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

James looked toward Ada.

"Of losing you."

The words silenced Horry.

James continued.

"Your biological father disappeared before you were born. Your mother was young and frightened. When I found you, I decided that whatever happened, I would raise you as my own."

Horry wiped his eyes.

"Who is he?"

James hesitated.

"His name is Michael."

Ada suddenly turned away.

Horry noticed.

"Mother knows him."

Ada said nothing.

"Mother!"

She finally whispered, "Yes."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

Daniel stepped forward.

"I do."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"Michael has been living in another city for years."

Horry stared at the address.

"Why didn't he come for me?"

Daniel's expression became serious.

"Because he believed you were better off without him."

James looked surprised.

"How did you find him?"

"Through an old friend."

Horry folded the paper.

"I'm going to find him."

James immediately shook his head.

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Because you don't know what you're walking into."

Horry's voice became firm.

"I deserve to know my own story."

James looked at him for a long moment.

Then he smiled sadly.

"You're no longer the little boy who waited for me by the window."

Horry stepped closer.

"And you are still my father."

James's eyes became wet.

Horry embraced him.

"No matter whose blood runs through my veins, you are the man who raised me."

James held his son tightly.

Ada watched them from a distance.

For the first time, shame overwhelmed her.

She realized that the boy she had neglected had grown into someone capable of understanding the people who had failed him.

That afternoon, Horry prepared a small bag.

He packed two shirts, a pair of trousers, his school books, and the old photograph.

James handed him some money.

"Take this."

Horry refused.

"Keep it. You need it."

James smiled.

"Your journey is important."

Before Horry left, Ada approached him.

"Horry."

He turned.

She struggled to speak.

"I'm sorry."

Horry stared at her.

"Why are you telling me now?"

"Because I finally understand what I almost lost."

Horry's expression softened, but he did not immediately forgive her.

"Mother, forgiveness isn't something you demand. It's something you earn."

Ada nodded through her tears.

"I understand."

Horry hugged her.

It was not because everything was forgotten.

It was because he refused to carry hatred into his future.

The journey began the next morning.

Daniel accompanied Horry to the bus station.

James stood beside them.

"Call me when you arrive," he said.

"I will."

"And remember what I taught you."

Horry smiled.

"Hard times build strong people."

James laughed softly.

"Exactly."

The bus horn sounded.

Horry climbed aboard.

As the vehicle pulled away, he looked through the window at James.

His father raised one hand.

Horry raised his.

Neither knew when they would see each other again.

Hours later, the bus arrived in the distant city.

Daniel led Horry to a quiet neighborhood.

They stopped before a large iron gate.

Horry looked at the house beyond it.

"This is where he lives?"

Daniel nodded.

Horry's heart pounded.

He walked toward the gate.

Before he could knock, the door opened.

A tall man stood there.

He stared at Horry.

His face changed completely.

For several seconds, he could not speak.

Then he whispered,

"Is it really you?"

Horry looked at him.

"Who are you?"

The man stepped forward with tears in his eyes.

"I am Michael."

Horry stood frozen.

The stranger looked exactly like him.

Same eyes.

Same smile.

Same shape of face.

Michael reached toward him but stopped before touching him.

"I've waited eighteen years to see you."

Horry's heart raced.

Then Michael said something that made Horry's blood run cold.

"But there is something you must know before you call me your father."

Horry stared at him.

"What?"

Michael looked toward Daniel.

Then back at Horry.

"Your mother didn't leave you because she was careless."

He paused.

"She left you because someone was threatening to kill you."

Horry's eyes widened.

The story he thought he understood had just changed again.

End of Chapter Six.