Today, as I came out of the bathroom and ate my breakfast of hot tea and bread, Mum sat on the couch watching an early morning diet show on the TV. I can't remember the name of the show but I know it has something to do with eating fruits everyday. Maybe it is called: Eating fruits with Damian John. If you are wondering why I came up with that name, it is obvious that the lead presenter of the show was Damian John!
Today was like any other morning— boring, almost as if the big heavenly beings in the sky were hearing my cries everyday and making it worst. The time I spent with Sarah didn't change anything. All I could gather was that Dad was still keeping in touch with her even though he had angrily sent her out of our home in the name of preserving his name in front of me. Well, as far as I knew now, I can't say if he is cheating on Mum. I will have to fix another meeting with her before the end of this week if I were to figure out that.
"Perer," Mum called me and instructed me to get her medications that was lying on top of a table, just close to her.
One major problem with staying at home with a jobless Mum who is not pregnant is how you are called for stupid reasons. Mum's medications were on top the table and all she needed to do was to stretch her fingers a little bit and stop. Even my little brother, Danny, could do that without pulling the whole roof down.
"Take your medications," I said to Mum and she smiled at me and told me to get her some water.
Danny was in the kitchen so it was easy for me to get Mum's wishes granted without moving a muscle. So I decided to call Danny to help me get Mum some water for her to drink and he purposely refused to not answer me. Mum said I should ignore him and go and get the water myself. And Dad said I was insecure to ask Danny to get the water for Mum. Only if they knew how secured I was about being sent useless messages that I didn't ask for.
"We pay your bills remember? You wouldn't be in school if Dad and Mum refused to go to work," Dad said as if in answer to my thoughts.
"Mum don't work, Dad," I reminded him. "She is always taking maternity leave even though she is never pregnant."
"Don't talk to your Mum in that way or else you are grounded for good," Dad warned.
This is the second time in a month that Dad has threatened to ground me. Although the first threat did go to some harsh extent but I wasn't really bothered for another process.
Anyway, I am starting to wonder why Dad haven't asked Mum to get a job like him. In this modern age and time, it is pretty difficult for a man to be providing for everything in the family.
Besides, Mum has a nursing degree. I remember a week ago when I reminded Mum about her degree, she stared at me like an old woman with many years of bad experience and said, "I can borrow you my degree if you can use it to find a job." I didn't ask her about her degree again since then.
Chibuzor Victor Obih was born in the southern part of Nigeria. Delta State to be precise. His writing includes essays, poetry and short stories. He likes to play soccer, read, study and above all, write. He is currently a fourth year student of a renowned public university in Nigeria. The University of Port-Harcourt is where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger is his second book and his second attempt to explore the beautiful world of a novelist. To stay connected with him and his works, you can follow him on Instagram using the account name, Chibuzor Victor Obih or follow him on Facebook using the account name, Author Chibuzor Victor Obih.
The pathway to heaven is rough. The streets are not tarred. The bells are not ringing. Where is God?Apart from the sound of the water dripping from the tap in the bathroom, I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't even hear my heart beating inside my chest."This is going to be my last attempt," I said to myself.I tried to turn around as I felt the impact of the drug I took. I tried to move my limbs but I couldn't. I closed my eyes and saw myself dying. It was terrible. Then, suddenly, I saw Jesus Christ looking down at me. His feet, white as snow. His hair, colorful as gold. He took my arm and told me to get up."I will give you another chance, Perer," he said."Why?" I asked, confused."Because you deserve it."I didn't know what else to say. I just stood there, shocked. I stood in front of the son of God I had condemned most of my life and I couldn't say anything. All I could think about was my book. The diary I had writt
"The first time I have ever thought of killing myself was in Port-Harcourt. I wanted to make my death quick. Less painful! I wanted to pass any sharp thing through my body and bleed till I was dead. I didn't realize how painful it was until I grew older," I said to the therapist."Where were your parents when you were going through all of this?" The therapist asked."What can I say about my parents," I said, thinking. "Dad stayed with us until he divorced Mum some months ago. Then I was sent to live with my uncle here as if I was the cause of their divorce. Dad was always thinking about life. He constantly joked about God. For your information, Dad hates God. I don't know the exact reason why he hates God, I only know he hates God. Anytime someone mentions the name of God, he gets pissed.""Do you think your Dad's hatred for God is the reason why you hate God too?""I don't think so," I swallowed hard. "My case is different from Dad. I only want answers t
For days, I have been pondering about the meaning of my life and I can tell you that I haven't been gripped by the fear of it even if it is the slightest bit of it. Have you ever been scared of dying and as well feel you are not afraid of living? Only two days did I hear a preacher speak of eternal life and it resounded in my ears for as long as I could remember. It was the first time a person read a bit of my mind without knowing me. Do you think I am slowly turning to God?For so long I have dreamt of Clag and Danny. And for so long I have demanded an answer as to why I was brought to this life, but yet, there haven't been any answers. For some reasons, I reckon, I am but only a roaming lifeless mustard seed enclosed in a showcase and packaged in a nylon called life. To prove my point, think of an empty space with an empty sack lying downwards. Can you imagine that?I left home today to visit Goodness. A newness of
"Thank you for coming today," the therapist said. "I was afraid you wouldn't come because of the way you sounded when you left my office the other day.""Can we continue from where we stopped. As you can see, I am already getting tired of this introductions.""I understand. I understand, Perer."The therapist turned my file to the next page."I thought I would never say this about you but you are an incredibly smart person. You deserve a good life.""Almost everyone does," I replied."Some, more than others. Those who set goals, work very hard, stay out of trouble and complete their education deserve a better life.""Can we get on with this, ma? I am trying hard not to freeze to death.""Are you cold?""No! But I am freezing yo death inside of me.""Give me time."I watched as the woman looked at my file, raised it up, turned it over and placed it back on
"Seven children?" Miss Bisi repeated. "I am sorry, you want us to have seven children.""Yes!" Uncle Max smiled."And you mustn't apologize all the time. It is permitted for couples to share diverse opinions on children. As long as there is love, there is unity.""And you want us to have peace in a home filled with seven children?"Uncle Max didn't mind having lots of children even if it was a dozen because he had spent most of his whole life being alone. The fact that Miss Bisi wanted less than seven kids was not going to change his mind."I was thinking," I interrupted, "with the rate of inflation going on in Nigeria and with the way jobs are getting fewer, how are you guys going to raise seven children in an unstable mixed economy?""God will provide," Uncle Max smiled."Yes! God will provide," Miss Bisi added, supporting his statement. "What is on my mind is not giving birth but being referred to as a married woman. I want people to start