"Thanks for coming around for the programme" MC Classics said to Bonny, smiling. "Thank you sir." Bonny replied. Unsure of the best way to reply. "When last did you see your parents?" MC Classics asked, catching Bonny off-guard. He wasn't expecting such question, and Infact, he had made his stance clear some days before the interview that he doesn't like talking about his parents. "What do I say about a father I do not know?" He asked himself. Bonny was mute, and it was obvious to MC Classics that the question was below the belt. "So, when do we see you again?" MC Classics asked, trying to lighten up his mood. "It's getting to 5 years now that I last visited my mother." Bonny said, staring at the air. MC Classics was not expecting him to say anything about his parents anymore, and for Bonny to have talked about it willingly, he was not ready to foil the opportunity. So, he kept quiet, expecting more from him. "Although, I know where she lives with my step brothers and sisters, but I don't like visiting them." Bonny added. "As for my father, I never grew up to know him. My mother said he left even before I was born." Bonny added, shedding tears. "I never wanted to live on the street. Everyday, my step-father flogged me for no reason. I still have some of the marks on my body" He said as he tried to raise his clothes. MC Classics signalled to him not to bother raising his clothes, atleast, not at the reception. He felt so sorry for him. "How about we grabbing something to eat?" MC Classics asked. Bonny did not say anything, and it was obvious he would gladly take the offer, but does not know how to accept.
"You go branch for that electric pole" Bonny said, pointing to a pole. "Her house is just after the pole." He added. In no time, they arrived at Bonny's mother's house. Bonny was not sure about how he got to be enroute to his mother's house. He had not visited her in years, even though her house is just some minutes drive away. There were times he saw her in the market, but he never for once acted as if he knew her. "You can park beside that well" He told MC Classics. The whole idea about visiting his mother started out as a joke when MC Classics asked if he would like to visit his mother that very day. "There is no problem with that" He told MC Classics without even thinking twice. He thought MC Classics was joking about the visit, and he decided to play along. Before he knew it, MC Classics paid for their food, and questioned him, "Do you still know the way?" Bonny was stunned. He knew MC Classics was talking about his mother's house, but he wanted to be sure. "Way to where?" He questioned. MC Classics did not reply him, but waited till they both entered the car before he asked him, "which way are we taking?" The rest was Bonny giving him directions, and where to navigate to. He wanted to visit his mother too, but had not been able to gather enough courage to do that.
The environment was not different from what Bonny used to know. It was as if everything decided to remain the same just for his visit. Nothing changed. Nothing, except for a grave that was competing for space with the Mango tree at the end of the house. Bonny moved close to see what was written on the grave. As he took each step close to the grave, his heart beat twice normal. He was not sure of what to think. MC Classics had a clue of what was happening, and for that, he didn't make any attempt to interrupt Bonny. Within him, he was sure to console him the best way he could, if at all Bonny began to cry. As Bonny drew nearer to the grave, his heart raced faster than Usain Bolt. But, the sight of "ELDER" on the grave calmed his nerves. A sense of joy filled his heart. He was certain that his mother was not the one buried in the grave. The memories of the unreasonable flogging ran through his mind. If there was one thing his step-father did well enough, it was flogging him. "That serves him right" He said as he spat on the grave. "Brother... Brother... Brother". Two little girls raced towards Bonny as they jumped on him. "Carry me... carry me." One of the shouted, while the other questioned Bonny about what he brought for them. Bonny smiled as he carried them both. It felt good to be home once again, and with the death of his step-father, he was certain he could visit often. Like a proud peacock, Bonny's mother walked out of the house to see who the kids were happy to see. As she saw Bonny, she halted like a military man. She didn't know if she should shout, smile or cry. But, droplets of water found their way down her cheeks. Bonny dropped the little girls, and went to embrace his mother. "I'm sorry Mama." He said, almost crying too. Mother and son were locked in a painful embrace for a couple of minutes. "Mama, this is MC Classics, he is... " He said, pointing to MC Classics, after breaking off from the embrace. In a quick hurry, Bonny's mother's face wore a very different look entirely. It was obvious she knew the man her son was trying to introduce to her, and from the look on her face, one does not need a soothsayer to clarify things. The look on MC Classics' face also made it clear that he had embarked on a wrong journey he totally wished he had not embarked on. She moved close to MC Classics and stood in front of him like a stumbling block. "So, you have the guts to come to my house?" She said as she awaited a response from MC Classics.
(c) 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
To start with, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate you all for how your showered goodwill messages on me on my birthday. I must say, I actually felt like the whole day could just continue, and never end. How many people do I mention their names? How best do I show my gratitude? I humbly say, THANK YOU. As for the story, I'll like you predict what is happening. Bonny's helper has suddenly become his mother's rival. Hmmmm.... let me hear your predictions. Remember, the story is still MAN ON THE RADIO. I'll come your way again with Episode 8.
It is good to share. So, take your time to share Daily Diet with your friends and loved ones. I'm sure you don't want them to miss out of the fun and lessons. For whatsapp users, you can create a broadcast list to enable you easily share Daily Diet with your contact. If you need help on how to create a broadcast list, message me so that I can put you through. And, if you don't want to create a broadcast list, you can simply give your friends my number to message me on Whatsapp, and I will add them to my broadcast list. For those who would also like to receive Daily Diet via Whatsapp, simple send a Whatsapp message to my number @ +2348072970850. Did you know there are over 20 of these wonderful stories? Did you know that there are over 50 wonderful articles that you need to read? Well, get them all for free on my blog www.tyobstacle.blogspot.com
HAPPY MID-WEEK !!!
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
Inspirational Speaker/Media Consultant,
Swift24 Multimedia Services.
+2348072970850
Mrtackle2009@gmail.com
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