The frequent trips to the village to check on him, was have a huge toll on everyone. In part, the Federal highways were increasingly becoming death traps and the cost of putting vehicles on it on regular basis, was high.
Therefore, we reached a decision to move him over to Benin City. We new it would come with some resistance. My dad wanted to remain in the village and continue to superintendent over his quarter and people for which he was their head.
Shockingly, when we arrived the village that fateful Friday morning in 2017, and announced to him that, we would all travel together to Benin by Monday, the old man didn’t argue.
Satisfied with my dad’s agreement, out of courtesy, I told my uncles and his friends what I planned to do. They were happy with my decision.
By mid day on Monday, we were in Benin. I took my time during the trip. The old man sat at the owner’s corner all by himself. In fact, he slept all through the trip. Otherwise, there were questions he would naturally have asked as we drove on, but non come. Quite unusual though! One fact explained it all, he wasn’t particularly feeling too well.
As usual, there were several police check points on the way. Once they spotted the old man behind, they would wave us on. One particular officer apologized to us for stopping us in the first place. He had asked for my vehicle particulars, and as I reached out for them, he saw my dad. He stopped me and greeted him. He said he would want to attain the age that my dad was. Then, he waved us on.
We helped him in and to his room that, my kid brother had prepared for him. We thought the worst was over. A week after, I took my kids to were they would write their first ever major external exams. On my way back home, my phone rang. I reached to my pocket, it was Williams. My dad had passed, he said.
I was shocked. I had visited him a day before. His death was the last thing on my mind. Now, it has happened. I drove straight to my brother’s house. They were all there. My siblings and cousins. They had bottles of whiskey on the table. I went to my dad’s room and there he laid on his bed. I removed his covering sheet and I could confirm he passed peacefully. That made me happy.
I joined my boys. They were already high. They offered me drink. I declined. That was the last thing on my mind. I needed to be as clear headed as I could possibly get. I made a couple of calls. I told them we were heading for the village straight away. My uncle was waiting. My cousin’s car was a wagon and that suited my dad’s body. I picked my kid sister and four others. Yet another cousin of mine took about five others in his car. Everywhere was packed full of people when we drove in. Bottles of beer littered the compound. My uncle was equal to the task. How time flies! This was six years ago.
