The Visitation

I buried my ego, swallowed my pride and lowered my gaze.

"You made a mistake? Fine!

At least it didn't take your life. Correct your wrongs and be a better person. Your mistake shouldn't break you, they should fix you."

These words keeps housing itself in my head, it emphatically placed me in Ayeni's shoes that; "He is just human and he is borne to make mistakes, just like I sometimes do too".

This moment, I totally buried all the hurtful things he has done to me and my family and I rose and walked through the path of his house to go pay him a condolence visit and to let him know that I've wholeheartedly forgiven him.

But I wasn't alone, I was going with Sade. I barely do things without her excluding two conditions; when I follow dad to go see a football match or when I go to work with dad. She ain't a fan of football, but maybe that was due to the struggle of life that surrounded her during and after her birth.

We approached Ayeni's house having a staggering effrontery to address Ayeni, even though we might not be able to meet with his mom.

"That's him, that's him", I said.

"Ayeni, Ayeni", Sade longed.

We cornered him at a spotless surface built with bricks. We sat down with an unrhythmic melancholy. I sometimes ago detest seeing him but this time i forcefully looked into eyes (a sign of love and forgiveness) and I see that he lives and dwells in a state of melancholia.

"I can only imagine how broken he is but I can't understand how broken he is because I still have a dad".

Muteness grows from seconds to minute, from minute to couple of minutes.

Eventually, Sade being the eldest of the gathering found the voice to talk, one which started with the rain of tears wetting the floor and her feet. Despite the fact that Ayeni practically dismantled her heart with a speer of hurtful words in school some months back, still she acted just like my mother would have, that's why I love her. Every time, all I see in her is my mother.

She continued;

"Ayeni, we are sorry for the loss. We wish we could swing back the hands of time and bring your father back to life, but our parents made it known to us that "Death" is a reality we have to embrace. Its so sad that it happened too early to your dad, he was haplessly unfortunate. May his soul rest in peace, stay strong Ayeni".

"Thank you sister". Ayeni replied.

In my mind, I performed a round of applause to her, saying "What an emotional speech".

Now, it's my turn to say something. This time, my lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, velum (soft palate), uvula, glottis, epiglottis and various parts of the tongue were battling with each other. I lost the confidence and articulation to make an utterance. I couldn't imagine that I would someday cower in front of Ayeni.

At last, I stutter.

"A-a-a-ye-e-ni, stay strong. I've forgiven you of everything, you're now my friend."

"Please don't cry, don't cry please." I said.

We all rise up, hugged each other with a battle of tears soaking our cloths like a heavy downpour. It was a great moment, one which I wished was pictured..

"We shall keep praying for your dad, yourself and your family.

You're not alone."; Sade said.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me"; I said.

Even though I'm still out of school because of financial incapabilities. Even though I know that my family is yet to discover what we will be taking for dinner tonight, still I would not hesitate to share anything I've with Ayeni. This time, he needs me more than ever".

We waved goodbye.

If Ayeni turns in to be my friend just like Adam, the boy I met at work then it will make a great formation with the cipher of 'AAA' (Ayo, Adam, Ayeni). I'm the eldest, definitely I'll be the leader of this formation.

"Ayo, its your birthday in two days"; Sade said while we walked home.

"Oh, that almost skipped my mind"; I replied.

"I wish I've money, I wish I've got some magical powers, I would have loved to take you to the mall and buy you ice cream, even though I've never visited one before nor have I had an ice cream too but you deserve it. You deserve all the good tidings of life, you sacrificed all you got just to give us; your sisters comfort. Sometimes I inwardly look into your eyes, all I see is pain, struggles, agony, a broken heart but a 'Never say never mind'. You're a strong boy, I'm so proud to be your sister. I keep on praying to God to grant all my wishes over you, you deserve to be happy. I love you kid bro." Sade said.

These words melted my soul that I couldn't contain the warmth I felt without hugging Sade. It was a very special hug that acted the words - "I love you too".

Birthdays are very special to kids of our decade, we cherish birthdays than festive seasons. But the devastating situation that happened to Ayeni's father had preoccupied my mind and made me forget how special my birthday should be.

Every year, I've always repeated the same wishes for my birthday, hoping that someday my wishes will be met and I'll have a new set of wishes. Every birthday of mine have always been the same of its preceding year.

But that doesn't rule away the fact that 'Birthdays are special '.

I'll be 9 in two days, a part of me seems happy whilst the other seems scared to grow. I still wonder why adulthood baffles me so much even though I'm still a kid. At this age, I'm expected to think and act like a kid, I'm expected to focus on enjoying my childhood age but life always reminds me that being strong is hard.

Myself and Sade arrived home with an eyelid that has been weak and sad.

We sat down thinking about Ayeni and also talking about my forthcoming birthday, even though our plans only homes itself in our minds cause their is no propensity of actualizing it due our financial status. At that same spot was where sleep stole us away. Stole us away with an empty stomach, it has been the usuals.

"Someday soon, the storm will end, the rain will wash away our tears, the sun will shine and we will laugh and dance again. Very soon, we shall overcome - THIS, I BELIEVE!"