Father's Love & other Stories

Father’s Love Written by Charles Okere He was irritated by the constant witticism from his friends. He was tired of them calling him “daddy’s pet” all because he always seek his dad’s approved almost in everything he does. They make jest of him whenever he turned down their party invites. Danny the second son of a multi billionaire was infused by his friends advised to leave his father’s multi-million naira mansion, to an apartment of his own or get his own mansion and experience the sweet aroma of freedom. They told him he was better off staying alone, than living under his father’s domination. At first he resisted the urge to give in to their advice. But after weeks of continuous persuasion and wisecracks from his friends, he finally gave in. One day he approached his dad and told him of his intention of relocating to his apartment of his own. The father was startle by his son’s sudden decision, “Danny, is there anything you are lacking here? The father asks “nothing dad, I have more than I need. “then why the sudden decision of leaving here to an apartment of your own, when you have everything here? “Vho does that?” “dad, the thing is that, I don’t want to be under your shadow. I am sick and tired of seeking your approval before I get anything done. “for crying out loud”, am a full-grown man, who’s wallowing in his father’s house. I want to be on my own, I want to be independent and experience what it means to be free. I want to go to parties with my friends, do things young men of my age do, without any restrictions or you and Michael poke nosing in my personal life. The father stares at his son, pondering what could’ve made his darling son, to be acting this way. This a son he loved and cherish so much and would give the world to him. Danny’s mum died an hour, after giving birth to him. Before she died, she begged her husband to take good care of her boys, he should never let them out of his sight. They should always remain in his custody . But most of all he should ensure he love baby Danny and shouldn’t get angry at him. From that day, he made it a priority to always put his boys first in everything he does. “Danny, you know you just insulted I and your elder brother right? “am sorry dad, but… “shhh, don’t try to justify your silly behavior okay. Lets pretend we never had this discussion, as far as I am concern, you have nothing reasonable to say. So go back to those bad friends of yours, who are infusing you with negative advice and tell them that they failed woefully okay. Now get out of my sight. Danny glares at his dad for a while, before walking out of his sight. But that didn’t stop Danny from persuading his dad to move to an apartment of his own. He persuaded his dad for weeks, his dad got feed up and granted his request. Days after he granted his son request to move out of the house to an apartment of his own. Mr joel (Danny’s dad) was shocked when Danny came demanding for the sum of “fifty million naira” (#50,0000000). To enable him move out of the country. “for crying out loud, who are those corrupting your mind with all these suggestions and ideas huh? “dad, no one is corrupting my mind, this is a decision I took myself. Come on dad am an adult, am old enough to take and make decision on of my own. I am tired of staying here with dad.. “hmm, so you are tire of staying with me? “yes, dad. “thank you so much danny, now get out off my cloud “so when am I getting the money? Just then Michael walks in and ask “what money? Dannny hiss, “ I wasn’t talking to you Michael, so just shut up and mind your business, “poke noser”. “excuse you, boy you better watch your tongue or I skin you alive. “you can’t do more than a dead rat, MMichael you are fond of poke nosing to matters that doesn’t concerns you. “Danny!!!! Mr joel scream “yes, dad.. “enough of your rude and insensitive behavior to your elder bother, you owe him an apology now. Are you deaf? I say, render an apology to Michael. Danny, glares at his dad and Michael for a while and reluctantly apologize “Danny, am not giving you a dime! I want you out of my sight now. But Danny scruple, feigning not to hear his fathers words. “are you deaf? Get out of my sight! Danny grumbles as he walks out of his dad and Michael. After some days of persuading his dad for the money to no avail. Danny gave up and decided to focus his attention and energy on something else. Since his demand is not forthcoming. For weeks he was on self-isolation, he didn’t talk to anyone or eat. He only goes out to see his friends and locked up himself in his room whenever he is around. Mr joel became worried about his son and was touched to give him double of the money he demanded. On the day he intends to hand him a cheque of “One hundred million naria,” (#100,000000). He received a call from his bank account officer, informing him of a fraud in his account. Investigation reveals that his son “Danny,” swindled one of his companies out of fifty million naria and moved to an account in “South America”. Mr joel, was deeply hurt by his son’s act, he never believed his precious son would sucg a thing to him. The police tracked him down at ‘’Accra Ghana’’, where he and three of his friends booked a flight to ‘’Caribean island’’. Apparently he is the one sponsoring the trip. Mr joel, called off the chase and told them to step off. He didn’t want the police to hurt his son while trying to get him arrested. ‘’Danny, lived an extravagant life, he spent his money on women, drugs and clubbing. Three years later he was arrested in Brazil for drug trafficking and was sentence to ten years imprisonment. All his friends abandoned him, they never paid him a visit. Whereas they were the ones who infused the idea of drug smuggling to him. When he was running out of cash. He was all alone and heartbroken. He was treated like one with a deadly skin disease, as no one wants to associate or be close to him. All because he’s a Nigerian. His days in Prison was hell, he regretted everything he did to his loving father and brother. ‘’if I had know, I shouldn’t have listened to my friends. Oh God please forgive me and help me to survive this torture, pain, humiliation and inhumame attitudes from this people. Daddy am so sorry for my silly attitude and behavior, please find a place in your heart to forgive me. Dearest brother, am so sorry for been so disrespectful, please forgive me brother. These were Danny’s remorseful words he always rehearse in his days and years of agony in prison. When it was time for him to be release something happened. There was a jailbreak in his prison cell where three of the inmates escaped, but were caught immediately. During interrogation the three lied that Danny was also an accomplice. Danny tried to defend himself of their false accusation to the prison authorities, but no one believed him, because he’s an African and a Nigerian. He was given another five years term, with hard labor. When he was done, he was deported back to Nigeria. On getting to Nigeria, he was marveled when he discovered that his lovely dad is now the ruling president. He was overjoyed and also ashamed of himself. He thought of going to Abuja, to apologize to his father and brother. But he was scared, ashamed and lacked the courage to face his father and brother. He hustled in the street of lagos like a commoner for weeks, but it wasn’t easy for him. At times he feels he came ‘’out of the frying pan into the fire’’. When he could no longer continue with the suffering, he made up his mind to travel to Abuja to see his dad. But he didn’t have enough money that will take him to Abuja. So he planned on taking a transit to Edo state and the rest of the journey will be on foot. One fateful morning he was getting ready for the day’s hustle, he pause for a while when he heard sirens and people’s voice chanting and singing joyful praises. Out of curiosity he came out of his wooden apartment to see a massive convoy, accompany by a large crowd of people coming towards him. The convoy surrounded him, alongside paparazzi, journalists, and social media influencers. Danny heart suddenly starter beating fast, as he stares at everyone open mouthed. An elderly man step out of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-class, the moment Danny set his eyes on him, he kneel down and burst into tears. But the elderly man rush towards him and helped him up on his feet. They embraced for a while, their eyes filled with tears. “Daddy, I know am no longer worthy to be called your som, I have sinned against God and against you. Please forgive me, I am so sorry for everything I did to you. Please I am sorry daddy, please I am deeply sorry. Danny said in a sobbing voice. “I forgave you Long Time ago son, I hold no grudge against you. I can’t believe I will ever see you again. Everyone thought you were dead, you have been away for twenty years. I am so happy to see you son. The news of their reunion went viral on all social media, news papers, TV and radio stations. They were the talk of every states, cities and towns. Danny, was taken to Abuja where he met with his brother and apologize to him. Some days later while they were having their breakfast, Danny ask his daddy how he located him. “A controversial video on twitter concerning police Brutality, was brought to my attention by one of my media aid. I saw you in the video washing a car beside a gutter. At first I thought it was a figment of my imagination. But the bond I felt while watching the video was something supernatural. I showed the video to your brother to confirmed my curiosity and he confirmed you were the one in the video. So I sent a search party after you, after 48hrs of non-stop search, they found you. When they called me of the good news, I decided to come to lagos and see you for myself. Danny, face curves with a smile, “thank you so much dad. He said with a sobbing voice. “All thanks be to God son, if not for him I wouldn’t have seen that video. “I promise never to hurt and steal from you again daddy. “is okay son, at least you learnt some life lesson from your mistake. But I thank GOD for keeping you alive for me. I never believed I would be alive to see you again. But here we are talking and eating as one big family. The End ©OKERE CHARLES N2022