Father is a Drunkard

Ayo!

Ayo!!

Ayo!!!

(Sade longed her voice from distance.)

"How has your exam preparedness been?

I hope you ain't slacking on it?

You know the entire community is counting on you to make them proud. Remember that you're on their sponsored scholarship. This is the promotional exam, you and Layo must top that class. Let's make momma and papa proud", Sade said.

"Yes, I know.

I'm placidly determined, just that I'm finding it hard to meet up with the entire syllabus of this term. You know I resumed 3 weeks late while I was waiting for the approval of the scholarship.

Nevertheless, I'm fervid and undeterred. I will do all I can to ensure that everyone is proud of me, even if it will make me to compete with Layo, she has also vowed to take the first position. That doesn't mean I won't share my textbooks with her". Ayo replied with chuckle on his face.

"Sade"! Ayo said..

"I'm all ears Ayo", Sade replied.

"I'm not happy, I heard the heated argument between mom and dad yester night, I only pretended to be deep in my sleep but every exchange of words they had yesterday is all in my head.

I'm not happy,

I'm not happy Sade", Ayo said

"Oh, I was actually deep in my sleep but their brawls and strong voices woke me up and I only pretended just the way you did.

Although, I wanted meddling into their argument but that will only be when its getting beyond an argument.

Its so unusual of them, perhaps, there is an unsettled issue"

No!

No!

"I heard it all, its not just an argument that can be mitigated by us. Mom alleged dad of spending the little he earns from the farms he manages and the menial jobs he does on alcohol. She said dad is becoming a drunkard,"

Ayo mumbled.

"Perhaps, all I heard was the sound and not the words.

Wow, I'm gutted!

Are you sure this was what they argued about?" Sade asked.

"Yes,

I'm very sure!"

Ayo replied.

"Perhaps, I've been stolen away by sleep during this time of exchange of words between them.

Ayo, what do you think we should do?

Where is Layo? we need to discuss as a team. Oh, she is in the library, I saw her earlier. I remember.

Do you think when we get home we should go and talk to mom about this?

Say something, what do you think?", Sade iterated..

The sound of the bell rang with the words "Break Over", this means their 30 minutes midday break in school is over. Everyone heads and returns to their respective classes. As Ayo was about entering his class, sade hurriedly reminded him of informing Layo about the discussion they (Ayo and Sade) had and she should spur her opinion on the next step we should take.

Before the arrival of the next subject teacher gets in, Ayo moved to the table of Layo, narrating the discussion he had with his elder sister - Sade.

"I also heard their exchange of the heated argument, I thought I was the only one. Also, a part of me thought i was dreaming", Layo recounted.

"Good afternoon class", Mr Ben the assumed tough teacher said.

"Good afternoon sir, you're welcome to our class, God bless you", the students chorused..

"Layo, we shall talk later, you know how strict Mr Ben could be", Ayo said with a panicking and unrest face.

The same bell rang to signify the end of academical session for the day, and every student should pick their bags and go home. The security men at specific spots loitering around so as to confirm the safety of the kids knowing that in recent times there has been series of kidnap cases, although Ayo's school wasn't the victim.

The last kidnap of two sisters of the same mother alerted the call for reinforcement of security officers in the community.

Its becoming an habitual of the country, anytime a change of power approaches there are always list of missing persons..

The election is in few months, now the same practice that surfaced 4 years ago is already become a ritual for this year's presidential, senatorial, chairmanship and governorship elections.

"Where is Aduke?", Layo asked Sade.

Oh, here she comes with Ayo.

"Small father and big daughter", Sade jokingly said as they all laughed and went home..

They all meet up together even with Aduke the youngest amongst them after undressing themselves off their school uniforms and sheltering themselves with their usual house wears.

"I suggest we should talk to mom about it when she wakes up from her short rest, we shouldn't just pretend like nothing happened. What if it escalates beyond just an heated argument next time?", Sade the eldest said.

"Yes, we should", Ayo and Layo chorused.

"Mommy and daddy were fighting in the midnight, mommy was crying", Aduke recounted her experience.

Ayo drew Aduke closer with a pat on her head..

"Mom is awake", Sade mumbled.

They all in four numbers approached their mom on the sofa where she was having a siesta..

Sade begins;

"Mom, we heard the heated argument you and Dad had...."

Aduke interrupted; "Mommy is it true that dad is now a drunkard?"

"No, my daughter. It was just an adult argument. Same to you all, everything will be fine. We just had an exchange of indifferences. Is that why you all came to me like I am pregnant"

Mrs Biobaku jokingly said.

Mother, we know you to always pretend like everything is fine. We heard everything you said, we heard everything!

We are no longer kids, we know what is right and that which is wrong.

Talk to us mother", Ayo advocated.

"Everything will be fine my kids. Worry not!

Your dad and I will work it out, I promise", Mrs Biobaku claimed.

"Alright ma'am, if that's it.

We hope you both keep up to your promise", Layo said.

"I was informed that your exams begins in a week time, I hope you all have been preparing for it?

Ayo, please look after your younger sister. Ensure she is acquainted with everything she is being taught in class.

Make her ready for the exams and don't forget to make yourself ready too.

I will check on you all later, I hurriedly want to get little things from the market. I made a little profit today during my morning hawkings. Stay focused!

Love you all."

"Love you too mom", they all chorused.