Michael's Proposition

The sun hung low in the sky as Michael Kanu stepped off the old rickety bus that had brought him to Iisha.

The journey from Onitsha had been long and grueling, but his resolve was firm. The news of his younger brother Noah’s death had struck him deeply, not just because of the loss, but because of the mess Noah had left behind. As a kinsman from Onitsha had told him, Noah’s behavior during his life had left scars on his family, especially on the two women and their children.

Walking the dusty path to Noah’s home, Michael couldn’t help but think of his brother’s arrogance and poor decisions. He had always been headstrong, but hearing of his cruelty toward Lila and the betrayal of Amaka weighed heavily on Michael’s heart. “Well,” he muttered to himself, adjusting his bag over his shoulder, “if he couldn’t take care of his responsibilities, I’ll have to step in.”When he reached the compound, the tension was palpable.

Lila and Amaka sat at opposite ends of the yard, their strained silence filled with an unspoken understanding. The children played quietly nearby, unaware of the magnitude of the day’s events.Michael cleared his throat as he entered. “Good afternoon,” he said, his deep voice carrying authority.

Lila and Amaka barely acknowledged him, their expressions hard. Lila, who had suffered years of neglect and verbal abuse, didn’t trust easily. Amaka, nursing her own wounds from Noah’s betrayal, was equally wary of this stranger claiming to represent family.Michael sat down and rubbed his hands together.

“Hmm, I know my brother didn’t do well,” he began, his voice heavy with remorse. “He hurt the both of you deeply, and for that, I am truly sorry.”Amaka scoffed, crossing her arms. “Sorry won’t bring back the years he wasted or fix what he broke.”Lila nodded in agreement.

“Your brother left us with nothing but pain and shame. What do you want now?”Michael sighed. “I understand your anger. Believe me, I am ashamed of what Noah became.

But as his elder brother, it’s my duty to make things right. He may be gone, but his children ,Destiny and Victory, are still here. They are his legacy, and I will take responsibility for them.”Both women exchanged skeptical glances before Lila asked, “And what exactly does that mean?”

“I want to take the boys with me to Onitsha,” Michael explained. “I can train them, educate them, and give them a better life. They deserve more than the bitterness of this place and the shadow of their father’s mistakes.”His words were met with hisses of disbelief. “You expect us to trust you?” Amaka snapped.

“After everything Noah put us through? Why should we let you take our children?”Michael raised his hands in surrender. “I know it’s hard to trust, but think about the boys. Do you want them to grow up here, in the middle of all this resentment? Let me give them a chance to build a better future.”Lila and Amaka sat in silence, their mutual distrust of Michael momentarily overshadowed by their shared concern for their sons.

They had no love for each other, but they both understood the importance of giving their children a chance to escape the cycle of pain.After what felt like an eternity, Lila spoke. “Fine. But only if we both agree. And only if the boys want to go.”Amaka hesitated but eventually nodded. “Agreed. We’ll ask them.”When the women went to inform the boys of the plan, they were met with an unexpected sight.

Both Destiny and Victory were already standing at the door, their small suitcases packed and ready.“You’re ready?” Lila asked, her surprise evident.Destiny nodded with a sly grin. “We heard Uncle Michael talking. We want to go.”Victory, more reserved, added softly, “We think it’s for the best.”The women exchanged glances again, this time with a hint of unease. It was unusual for the boys to agree so quickly, especially given their constant bickering and rivalry.

Back in the yard, Michael stood waiting, his expression unreadable as the boys stepped out with their bags. He knelt to their level, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. “You’re making the right choice,” he said warmly. “This is the start of something better for both of you.”Destiny smirked, a glint of something unspoken in his eyes. Victory remained quiet, his gaze distant.

As the women bid their sons goodbye, Lila hugged Victory tightly, whispering, “Be good, my son. Remember what I taught you.”Amaka placed a hand on Destiny’s head, her voice firm. “Don’t forget where you come from.”The boys nodded, but there was a strange air about them, a tension that neither woman could place.

As Michael led the boys down the path and out of the compound, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. Perhaps this was a chance to mend the broken pieces of his brother’s legacy.