Fear and terror filled my heart at the moment. What could have happened to my father? Is he dead or alive? And why will my father go missing for over a month? Is he really missing or did he abandon us? This and many more questions where running through my heart but no one could provide me with any answer.
As at the time when this incident occurred I was just 9yrs old while my younger brother is just 2yrs old. My major concern at that moment was if anything should happen to my dad how am I suppose to raise my younger brother who was just 2yrs old and who happens to lost his mother at the time of his delivery. My tears at those moment were mainly because I felt live wasn't fair for my 2yrs old brother.
How is he suppose to grow up with no presence of a father or mother over his life? Indeed it was a moment of deep sorrow. I can still feel the pain in my heart as I am recalling and narrating this incident.
It was already one month and still no information about my father. At this moment all hope of his return was lost. Our house became house of mourning, with different groups of mourners trooping in and out of the house every now and then. At this moment my father was already considered to be dead and all hope of his return seems to be lost . Our relatives far and near were already on ground to offer their consolation to us. At this point it was as if a funeral service was already conducted for my father. But what distinguish this funeral with other funerals is that in this funeral there was no presence of a dead body. And so no actual burial was done.
And it came to pass after this things ( a month later) that one fateful afternoon I and my younger brother were sitting outside our house under a mango tree which faces the road ( that has been my sitting place every afternoon hoping that one day I will see my father coming back home as he usually does from his other travels), and then it was as if a bright light just shone in my gross darkness, my hairs all straight up at the moment ,even my countenance change at the moment. A figure appeared from far away, matching majestically like a star in a midst of thick darkness. His face was like the face of an Angel sent forth to lift up my sorrow. Could this be my father? Is he no longer dead? Or am I dreaming? Up I stood on my foot, running towards him like a lost sheep who has finally been reunited with its shepherd, and so I ran up to him with tears in my eyes. I embrace him so tightly that I wouldn't let go of him. If I am dreaming now please don't let me wake up from this dream Lord; that was my prayer at the moment. And indeed it wasn't a dream, my father was finally back to us after a month of silent. He was back after all hope of his survival was lost. He was back after been considered a dead man.
This moment has remain one which I can never forget. A moment that came with mixed feelings. A moment full with sorrow and Joy. That which was considered dead was brought to life for me. O what a moment !