When will you be back Dad?'' Shola asked with a tearful voice and sure enough, his eyes showed signs of be moist and seems to be heralding the slipping of a tear or two. his dad who had promised to take him out for his thirteenth birthday was leaving home for a business trip to Oyo. Shola had been looking forward to this outing for the past two months but just about six days away, his dad was suddenly leaving home on short notice.
I truly don't kow son" his father replied. ''I am sorry I won't be around to take you out as I promised. But your mum is here, she will fill i for me, okay?''
"Okay'' Shola replied but the tone of his voice betrayed his emotions. He was not happy with the plan but he had to accept it anyway.
Now, gather yourself up and be a man. Take good care of your mum okay? You are now the man of the house and I leave everything in your care. Remember you are now a big boy and also the boss, and big boys don't cry" his father said in abid to lighten his heavy mood.
"Okay dad. I will do as you say" Shola replied while trying to force a smile.
"Good boy! Now get my things, am running late for my flight!''
Shola ran into his father's room to get his bag and suitcase. He took them down to the car, threw open the boot and put in the stuffs. He waved to his dad as he drove out of the house.
Shola was not happy for the reminder of the day. He had promised his friends that his birthday was going to be fun and he had spent many hours a everyday for the last twenty or more break and recess period in school and out of school to brag about how fun his birthday was going to be and how his dad will surprise him but it seems this year was going to end as the past three years had been. It will just be the usual going out for ice cream with his mum and then back home again. His mum had been trying her best to fill in and he appreciated her but this year, he had bragged a little to much and naturally, it would not have made a difference if he went out for his birthday with his mum or dad but he needed to protect his pride, and that was only possible if his dad did the taking out. But it seems he will lose out after all.
This is not right, he thought.
"Hello Shola!''
Shola who was just walking into the school heard his name being called and he recognised the voice immediately, it was Remi, One of his friends Remi had also been looking forward to the birthday too. During his last birthday, his father had taken him and his friends to the beach and Bola's father had taken them to the zoo, so it was Shola's turn and he needed to know where they will be going.
"Hi!" Shola replied half heartedly.
"Has your father told your you where we are going for your special day, yet?"
Shola's heart skipped a beat. He knew this was coming. He tried to comport himself and appear confident.
"Not yet" Shola replied, trying so much to hide the croak in his voice. He felt a lump forming in his throat but he was determined to brave it out. "He told me he wants to surprise us and so he will only tell me on the way" Shola pressed on. He was determined to hide the truth from them till they find out on their own. By then, it will be a bit late. But oh! The shame! How will be handle it!
"Alright then. You told Bola already?'' Remi asked.
"Not yet. I will when I see him".
"Alright. Let's hurry to the assembly hall".
Shola kept tossing on his bed. It was around 11am in the morning on a saturday but he was not feeling happy enough to run out to play. It was his birthday and he knew his friends were waiting for him but he also knew he won't be going out with them as planned because his father was not around. He may go out with his mother for the usual ice cream and other junks later but that won't make him happy because he knew his friends will scold him on Monday for slighting them. This is not fair! he thought.
Piiiiiiiiip! piiiiip! piiip!
Shola jumped up from bed and sat up. What was that? He was certain he heard the sound of a car horning. Who could that be? He knew it can't be his father, he was not due home until three days time. Maybe it was one of their relatives calling for the weekend. Well, if that was the case, his day was completely ruined because any visiting relative never leaves until it's late and that means his mother cannot go out even for the usual ice cream walk. "What a day for a birthday!'' shola sighed, almost crying.
He made up his mind he was not going down to see which relative it was, he will remain in his room.
Few minutes later, he had a knock on his door. He felt angry because he knew it was his mother coming to let him know that his relatives were around but he knew he was not in the mood to see anyone. He will tell his mother that.
He got down from the bed and made his way to the door. When he turned the key and opened the door, his eye balls nearly fell off from their sockets. Was he dreaming? But he could not remember sleeping.
"Happy birthday son!" his father said.
His father's voice jerked him back to reality. He ran straight into his father's outstretched hands. In the warmth of his father's embraced, Shola new his birthday has been saved.
His father bent down and put his lip close to his right ear. "Hurry up and tell your friends,we are going shopping!''
