On the day they left Cameroon for Nigeria, Doris got sickly and sad because she was going to miss a lot of friends and the memories she had built all her life and that she would have to start school all over again in an English-speaking country. Since she spoke French fluently because she was born and bred in Cameroon, all together made her sad the more.
Her Father, Mathias had become old, hence the need to retire to old life in Nigeria. This is necessary because it was believed that after dawn, comes dusk.
Mathias was a cocoa farmer who had become the head of the cocoa farmers thrift who exported cocoa seeds to Canada and other parts of Europe. Doris enjoyed staying with her father because he provided everything she ever needed.
She was hardworking too. All the farmlands owned by Mathias are known by Doris. She single handedly see to the sale of the last production that was made before Mathias decideed to return to Nigeria.
As the ship honked, announcing it departure from the harbour, tears gathered in her eyelids. She bade farewell to her friends, Claris and Derney who accompanied her to the harbour.
It was a three days journey on the Atlantic ocean. It was her first time to return to motherland, Nigeria. She knew that their are greater facilities and opportunities in Nigeria but Cameroon was home to her.
When the ship docked at Oron in Calabar, it was nightfall of the third day. So, the decided to lodge in the hotel at the harbour at Oron. With their many luggage, Mathias and Doris had to get to different rooms so that they could keep the luggage close to them.
The next morning, Doris sought for a chartered taxi that conveyed them to Arocbukwu, their home town.
It was a glamorous homecoming party for Mathias. His kindred we're already waiting for him at his massive compound where he had erected a mansion from the profits he made from cocoa business.
Things soon settled and Doris started a normal life like other ladies in Arochukwu. She could speak Igbo language but her English wasn't too fine.
She decided to continue her schooling at Arochukwu but found no school where she could offer French as a subject. Since she doesn't want to be far from her father, Mathias, being his only child, she decided to study from home.
This she did with all her strength a fight. Other girls in their neighbourhood would wake up early in the morning and dress up in school uniforms but Doris would attend to Mathias first. She'd make him breakfast and clean up the house before considering reading for fee hours.
Mathias' sight became dim. He could barely see some of the letterings in the documents he had to sign for cocoa business transactions at Cameroon. He soon handed over everything to Doris who left no stone unturned.
Exactly two years after they had returned to Nigeria, Doris sat for the college final exams that had studied for from home with those who attended school. She came out as the best in Economics and Management Science.
With gladness from the exams, Mathias asked that his lawyers writes all will in favour of Doris, she has proved to be capable to handle it.
When his step brother, Akogwu heard of the step that Mathias had taken, he put up a serious resistance on the will but Mathias stod his ground that his heir apparent to his conglomerate was Doris and that his final decision.
Dede Mathias, what is this I heard about you assigning your will to a woman.
Mathias was astonished at what Akogwu was speaking about. He replied him.with caution not to raise issues.
She is your daughter too. I am sure she would handle the company having followed my tutelage all along.
In the long run, Mathias had his way.
To show how brilliant she was, Doris expanded the scope of the business by opening an office at Arochukwu where all proceedings that would be handled at Cameroon were brought over to Nigeria, Arochukwu precisely.
She went as far has employing Akogwu son and the marketing manager and together they sailed the ship to a cape of good hope.
Right before his own eyes, Akogwu saw Doris doing better than he ever could have thought.
She is just like her late mother. Dogged, hardworking and brilliant.
All these for Doris. What a brilliant lady she is.