Someone's back

‘Madam, Madam we’re here’ my caucasian driver said as I drifted from my day dream. We had arrived at the airport. He took my luggage as we headed to the Departure as the flight number was being called for passengers to board. I boarded the plane, located my seat and waited for takeoff. I couldn’t help but think about home. Nigeria, after so many years abroad, I was finally going home, to my father, my mother and my sister. I just prayed for everything to go well as I finally gave up to sleep.
The flight from Frankfurt to Abuja lasted 11 hours, when we landed I was exhausted and jet lagged good thing I carried my anti nausea medication. At the airport, I saw my sister holding a sign with my name on it like in the movies as soon as I came out from the arrival booth and I was filled with joy. Jamie, always so dramatic I thought. As we hugged I sobbed a little she had grown so much, a full woman. She was in her fourth year as a medical student, she bragged. Dad always wanted a doctor, I sighed. We entered the car and the driver drove off. I looked at the city I grew up in with new eyes, nothing much had changed except the administration. As the electronic gates slid open, my heart stopped beating. I was so scared, happy and uncertain at the same time. I heard my mother shout “They’re back” and my knees buckled. My mother glowed in a beautiful Ankara gown her light skin was a little tainted, I thought. I stood, legs fixed unable to move. She advanced and hugged me. We stood there, in each others embrace crying like children. My father came out in his denim shorts and Polo Ralph shirt, looking like a bag of money. He hesitated and then put his arms on me, my sister joined in. One happy family I thought, finally.

Seven years had gone by since we last saw, I mean there’s only so much Skype can do but nothing beats being with them physically, holding them, and seeping in their cologne. Seven years since I had applied for fine arts in my JAMB, I mean that’s what God told me to do. My father, being the domineering man he is never wanted to hear of it. Well, my mother paid my school fees for a year, then I won a scholarship on one of my art work to school in Italy. I never knew I was that good. Growing up I loved painting, but my parents never encouraged it. So I stopped for them. Now sitting in their living room, I thought about how God had blessed me. Many of my art pieces in school was put in museums and sold out. I had gotten many Honours about my pieces. They called it ‘The African Revolution’. It got many reviews from top magazines worldwide. I’m comfortable to say that in 3 years I was making twice my parents salaries combined. I graduated with Honours from school, started my own Art Company and 4 years later I’m the most sought after artist in Africa. My Parents ofcourse knew all these things, but my father never spoke of it. Now I’m back home to open a branch of my company and to encourage young artists.

‘Eh emm, so how was your flight’, my mom tried to break the awkward silence as we sat in the same room that father had disowned me. It looked so different now, looks like they got an interior decorator to amp up the place. ‘It was fine mum, long, exhausting but fine’ I managed. “So, how’s Paris, City of love and everything. You know your father and I wanted to come there sightseeing”. “You mean rekindle that old flame” Jamie said and we all laughed. “I hope Afang is still your favorite because we’ve been slaving in the kitchen since” Jamie added. I laughed at the thought of Jamie pounding anything, she was so feeble looking. “Ofcourse it still is, but no one makes it as good as Mum, I’ve searched near, and far but mum’s is always the best in my memories”. I noticed dad was quiet in this conversation, probably thinking of how much of a mistake it was to disown me, yeah right. “you’ve grown so much” he finally said, “I almost didn’t recognize you”. “well, in my defense it’s been 7 years” I snapped. He looked stung but didn’t say anything else. ‘Good’ I thought. I wasn’t ready to forgive him, not yet. I just told them how much I missed them and about all the goodies I got for them. “shea you got the 7 for me” Jamie beamed with her puppy dog eyes. “ofcourse”. “Oh thankyou thankyou thankyou” she jumped up and down round the parlour, hugging me each time. There was laughter again. She had asked for an iphone7 the last time we skyped, when I told them I’d be coming back, and looking at her jumping like a child who just learned how to use feet, I couldn’t be happier. I took a deep breath before I started, “…Jamie told me you still play golf” I said looking at my supposed father. I wasn’t about to call him ‘dad’ after all these years. “So I got you new clubs, she mentioned yours was a little old”. “oh, how thoughtful of you” he said, showing no emotion, as always. I laughed inwardly. “and guess what I got for my momma” mom was elated, she looked so beautiful as she said, “what is it my daughter” “don’t worry mom, I’ve got you covered” I laughed. It felt good to be back.

As Jamie walked me to my room I asked her something I didn’t want to ask in my parents presence, something I’d noticed in the sitting room. “When did mum frame and put up my graduation picture” she laughed “immediately when we got back from Spain” by ‘we’ she meant herself and my mum, dad didn’t even bother to call. God, I hated his guts. “hmmm, what did dad say when mum put it up” “Oh, twas really funny, mum didn’t put it up, infact we met it hung up when we got back” she said. “ha, then who put it up”.
“It was Dad” she said and paused as if for dramatic effect. Thank God we got to the room because I needed a seat for that major bomb. “He said he took the picture off your Instagram page” “He checks my Instagram page now?” she looked startled “sorry, it’s a lot to process” I added. I was grateful I had no obscene pictures on my Instagram, that’s if you’re not counting the ones I had bathing suits on. What if that gave him more reason to spite me “Its okay, I understand. I’m just glad you’re back”, Jamie interrupted my thoughts “we all are”. “We have so much to talk about and only 24 hours each day, but first let me microwave your food”. “Okay, I’ll just be in the shower, gotta wash off this plane germs” I answered and she smiled “Thank you for not giving up on him”…. “He needs you, he’ll never admit it, but we all know he does” she said as she opened the glass door and left the room.
He needs me? I thought. Memories of that fateful day flashed in my mind as I let the showers fall on me, praying for strength.

Does Hanniel forgive her father... Does she let 7 years of hurt and neglect go by.

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