Late 2005, I walked to the chief cook’s house, that was the only place students in the boarding house could make a phone call. I called my father to remind him that visiting day was in three days, “okay,” my father responded on the other side of the call. He is a man of few words when it comes to us, and when he says ‘okay’, it's a guarantee that the deal is done.
I wanted to walk away when I thought I should call my mum too, probably if she is in town, she will definitely come to see me. I certainly knew my dad wouldn't call her to come see me because of their beef, so I dialed both of her numbers, none went through. 'As long as dad comes, I will be fine,' I consoled myself.
That Saturday, the visiting day, I refused to go to the refectory in the morning, “my dad is coming in the afternoon, if I eat now, I won't be able to eat the food he will bring,” I whispered to my stomach. Later that morning, parents were already trooping into the school compound. Afternoon came and it was time for lunch at the refectory, I still refused to go because I knew my dad will definitely come with plenty food for me, he had never missed my visiting day. Some of my roommates offered me food their parents brought, I refused them because I needed space for my own food.
About 3pm, hunger began to strike me, I held on, 4pm, I was dying but I still held on. When I looked at my wristwatch and it was 4:55pm, I knew that in few minutes, it will be time to let all the visitors out of the school compound and none will be allowed in any more, I gave up on starving. Some good roommates sympathised with me, they offered me food again even when I had rejected it earlier. I collected the foods and began to savage them one after the other, but I still knew that my dad will come the following day if not that day.
Some minutes after all the visitors had left, I was still eating while others were already preparing, waiting for Angelus bell so they could go to the Rosary ground, a senior student walked into our dormitory. “Who is gifty?” she asked in a cold voice, we sensed terror immediately, what have I done wrong again? I slowly got my bum up from the bed I was sitting to eat, “I am the one,” my voice was quaking as I replied, “someone wants to see you at the gate,” she said so bluntly and didn't even blink at me while walking away. Ha! I dropped food flask, wore my uniform, I covered every 100 meters in five seconds running to the gate (Who Usian Bolt be where I dey for race😜🏃🏃🏃).
When I got to the gate, I was so astonished to see my mum, she stood there and was smiling endlessly at me, we hugged and she apologized for coming late, I told her I wasn't expecting her because I didn't call her to remind her, she drew closer to me, gently moved her fingers over the thick hairs of my head, looked down at me and said, “I don't need a reminder to visit you, I would never forget to come see you today, I care so much that I have you all on my mind always.” If I had tears those days, I would have let out a drop that moment. I felt so loved, those words infused hope into my bloodstream that day. Though she wasn't allowed to go beyond the gate, I was still fulfilled, she brought food which served as late night dinner for us.
About my dad, he still came the following day o, brought plenty food and provisions, when he read in my eyes that I needed an apology for the disappointment, he gave me a huge sum of money for pocket money to soothe my heart, and till today, he hasn't apologized. Moral lesson: Fear men😂😂.