Suprise! Suprise!

"I am driving" came the reply. Aunt Sheila looked at her phone screen and shook her head.

"It's no use trying to call first. Let's just stop by and say hello"

"Where are we going again?" Ramses asked impatiently. He had been so eager to see this day and finally, it has arrived.

"We are going to make a stop at uncle Travis's place."

"Oh! True. He is going to be of great help."

His mother grunted a reply and still maintained her focus on the mirror.

"Mum" Ramses began "Thank you for all of these that you are about to do. I know it's difficult yet you don't mind going this extra mile for me. I am really grateful"

His mother nodded. She said nothing. Ramses noticed she had an indifferent expression on her face.

She said nothing. She heaved heavily as she adjusted her hair scarf for one last time. Ramses wondered if she had a flowing dashiki dress and a scarf that loosely covers her hair on because big the visit. He saw her hands jitter and noticed she had become quiet. She had no bangles on. Only her pinpoint earrings. He watched her apply lip gloss and then cologne.

He could tell it was difficult for her but what could he do? He needed to know who his father was and why he had backed out of his life a long time ago. He needed to learn more and mingle with his people. The challenge now was not whether his father was ready or not. Ramses was ready to meet him, he only needed his mother to show him.

The walk to the residence of the Ojongs was a quiet one. Everyone appears to be in a pensive mood. The passers-by and friends of Ramses called out to him. He responded with a wave of the hand and tried as hard as he could to smile. He was struggling. He could see.

He himself could feel butterflies in his belly. His hands began to feel wet. What would his father look like? His mother had told him that he had a little resemblance to him. Of course. He often heard people say "you have your mother's good looks".

As much as he loved looking good he hoped it would not result in another rejection.

Wait... What? There is no need to be worried. DNA test results can always attest to the fact that, to the man in question was his father.

"Finally we are here" his mother voiced. She heaved heavily out as she knocked on the door. As the door swung open, uncle Travis appeared clad in a pair of jean shorts and jacket to match.

"Welcome. We are having breakfast. Why don't you join us?"

"I had mine. I am alright. Thank you. Maybe Ramses might want to join you"

"Oh..I am... I am okay. Thanks"Ramses stuttered.

Uncle Travis nodded and smiled.

"Are you alright? You seem nervous" he noted eying Ramses.

"Oh... I am perfectly fine" came the reply.

"Oh"

Ogar rose from the dinning table and gathered the plates he had used to eat and took them to the kitchen. He bowed respectfully as he greeted aunt Sheila and Ramses.

Uncle Travis had the last spoon. He knew Ramses was watching him. He could feel it.

The young man's countenance made him understand the depth of emotions he might be feeling.

Ogar reappeared in front of Ramses which a newspaper in his hands. The headline read "Summary of events have occured in the last six months of Dr. Herbert Smith's government. "I think you might want to read this" he said with a smile, as he offered it to Ramses who smiled at him back. He could not say no. He simply took the paper and said "thank you"

Ogar nodded. Ramses was pleased that he could divert his attention to something else. As he read he gasped out in shock.

"What are you reading about?" Uncle Travis asked.

"It's the events that have occurred in Nigeria since the beginning of this year. There are more deaths than celebrations"

"Oh that" uncle Travis replied. Ramses opened his mouth in despair.

"You seem unperturbed" he noted.

"Well I am not. I am just soaked in it already. Each month comes with its own death news. Aside the state of emergency declared in Nigeria due to the boom disease, over 200 Chibok girls were abducted from their school" uncle Travis said.

"And the march tagged "a million woman march didn't bring them back" Ramses said in suprise.

Uncle Travis laughed. "What did you expect?"

"Change? I expected the government to do something"

"Hmmmmn" Uncle Travis replied."Well, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon,Benin,Chad have come together to combat Boko haram"

Uncle Travis stood up and walked in his direction with his hands in his pocket. "Let us see how this will end. I hope something good comes out of it"

One look at Sheila gave her away. He could tell she was nervous. He heaved heavily. He thought of what to say and hoped it would suffice. Ramses stood up and excused himself as he walked towards Ogar's room. He seemed to have sensed that the two lovers wanted to talk.

"Sheila I don't know what this might be doing to you but I know it is tough. I just want to put it out there that you are doing the right thing"

Sheila smiled. "Really? Thanks but I think I am fine,"

"You are?"

"Yes"

"Well you don't look so"

"Well I am about to unburden myself of a secret I carried for so long"

"That's because you didn't want to confide in anyone"

"Was there anyone to confide in?"

"If there wasn't what about me?"

"You? I carried the pain for so long and you were not there. You were the first to disappear on me. You ran to the army"

"Wait, did he rape you?" Uncle Travis hands were already trembling and folded in a fist.

"No. I will tell you how it happened"

"Sheila, as much as I know that this is not easy for you, you need to trust me"

"Okay. So I loved him and he said he loved me. We did everything together. Then tragedy struck and I was left alone. His family accused my father of killing his. The youths ran towards my father's compound in fury. They were coming to lynch him. His mother called me a witch and threatened me. She swore that I will never have anything to do with hi---"

"Wait a minute! Are you talking about me, Sheila???" Uncle Travis screamed

He looked at her. Ogar and Ramses rushed in her direction.

"What is happening mum why are you crying?" Ramses looked from uncle Travis to his mother.

"Is he my son???" Uncle Travis asked . His hands were jittering. Ogar ran to his uncle. He was sweating profusely.

"This cannot be. No! Is he my father? You hid him away from me, why?" He asked his mother.

" Why did you walk out on my mum?" He turned to see a shaken uncle Travis fallen to the ground.

"Ramses my son , don't go. I can explain" Ogar could hear aunt Sheila call out to her son. Ramses stormed out of the house.

"Ram-ses, Ram---" uncle Travis called out. Ogar noticed he was moving only one part of his body. It was that incident that was trying to repeat itself again.

"Uncle slow down. Stop talking" Ogar said. Sheila ran towards the door, then turned in Ogar's direction.

"Travis!" She called out

No response.

"Talk to me" she cried"Ogar run go get help, he is not moving!"