Night Runs – chapter 10 -Family

Chapter 10

Family

“Oh my God, baba Ramota just entered my car.”

“Calm down, he doesn’t know yet that you are the one driving.”

”What am I supposed to tell him when he finds out who is driving him about town this night?”

“You will have to keep calm and behave professionally.”

“Professionally ke! How? He knows me like the palm of his hands. The last time I was at the village I told him I had started work in an international blue chip company and that I would be posted to Europe for a year. This is the worst thing to happen to me right now Don.”

“Do you have a face cap you can put over your head?”

“Yes, but it is in the car boot.”

“Then you must get it?”

“Oh my God, what kind of a mess is this?”

“Is this not Adio omo Morenike?” came the elderly voice from his backseat. “Adio! Oladotun!”

“Busted.”

“I think you must be mixing me up with someone else Baba.” Adio tried to refine his accent as much as he could.

“Adio! Please turn your face to me, let me take a good look at you properly. There can not be two of your person.”

Adio fiddled with the knob of the car stereo to distract himself. He knew that the less he spoke, the better.

The old man fiddled with his mobile phone for a bit and soon enough Adio noticed the vibration of his phone in his pocket. He was suddenly very grateful for always having his phone on silent mode.

Not satisfied, the man elderly man, drabbed in flowing white agbada and a cap to match, leaned forward to take a good look at his face.

“Adio.” he whispered. “It is indeed you.” The man concluded.

“I am sorry sir, my name is Jonathan Akporie. I grew up in Asaba. This is such a coincidence sir.”

“Where did that even come from. Nice one.”

The man looked confused. He removed his cap, dumping it in the backseat.

“Listen, Jonathan…Adio, is something wrong? Why have you taken up a new identity. Let me see your forearm.”

Adio promptly wrestled his arm from the old man. His birthmark would have instantly given him away. He was grateful for the long sleeve shirt he had on.

“Please don’t touch me.” He protested weakly.

“You even smell like him.” Befuddled, the old man slowly sank back into the chair. “How could this be?”

Adio welcomed the silence between them. He stepped harder on the accelerator pedal to eat up the distance till the old man’s destination.

“That was close. But you are not in the clear yet.” Don added.

“The boy Adio.” The old man started a soliloquy. “He is the only son of my late younger sister. The shining star of the family. We prayed for his success since he was a boy and hoped he would someday become a great philanthropist and a proud export of Kajola Village.” He heaved.

“He started well.” he continued. “Passing all his secondary school final examination in flying colors and gaining admission into the state university. He is the pride of the village. It took a thrift contribution from a good chunk of the villagers to pay for his four-year stay in the university. We truly struggled for this boy. We did!”

It sounded like the old man spoke through clenched teeth with a hint of regret.

“He is a good son of the soil.” Adio imagined the old man nodding his head in affirmation.  “He gave back to the village by contributing generously towards the purchase of seedlings for the farming season. He showed gratitude.”

Silence filled the space in between thoughts, punctuated only by the wheezing sound from the old man’s weakened lungs.

“Stay true to the game Adio. Don’t flinch or give in.” Don warned.

Adio remained silent. The less he spoke the better. Nothing was going to change that.

“He is currently sponsoring two of my children through secondary school and I hear he also pays the fees for some of his relatives. We haven’t stopped praying for him. He is a good son.”

Adio cleaned off the tear pooling in his eyes, using two of his fingers, as he turned the car into the street where he hoped that this nightmare and heartache would end.

“Ha! Adio.” The old man wails. “What happened to my Adio?”

“Stay true buddy. Get a grip.” Don encouraged.

“What did you say your name is again?” The old man asked as he pulled the car to a stop in front of a motel.

“Adio….sorry Jonah…sorry Jonathan.”

“Fuck up!”

“Adio, I know it is you. My son, there is no shame in whatever you have to do to support yourself and your family. No shame Son!”

The tears rolled down his cheek freely as he listened to the old man.

“We are praying for you dear Son. We are praying for you. Be humble in your disposition and focus on your goals. Everything good will happen in due time.”

The man then handed the fare to him in cash before easing himself out of his car slowly.

Just as he stepped out of the car, the old man leaned in for final words.

“I came to Lagos for the burial ceremony of your great granduncle. You never met him. I will leave tomorrow. Take good care of yourself.” He paused for a few seconds before shutting the door with parting words. “Adio omo Morenike, May God be with you.”

Adio remained silent all through. Not a word uttered in affirmation or in denial.

Through the inner rearview mirror, Adio watched as his uncle waved good bye the further he drove away.

That night, he cried. He cried for a really long time.

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