HYPOCRISY

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“This is really disheartening and inhuman. I still find it ridiculous to believe that racism is still a major issue in some of these western countries, and even appears to be on the rise. It’s really pathetic to know that after all these years of basking in civilization, we are faced with such barbaric act.” Papa Dubem vibrated in a breathy explosion of words.

“Honestly, I am deeply pained. I really wonder what makes them feel superior; a skin colour that cannot stand the heat of the sun, and fades away before old age? This is messy!” Mama Dubem lamented like she willed anger out of her voice.

The news report on Floyd’s death which they watched on Channels TV threw them into rows of lamentation. As the news went into details, their grievance aroused. He was reported to have been murdered in broad day light by a police officer. Tears clothed in her eyes as she watched the video of Floyd wailing and calling on his mother, while he made it clear that he couldn’t breathe, but the officer brutally pinned him to the ground with his knee firmly pressed against his neck. Papa Dubem stared fiercely into the television, with his glasses carefully relaxed on the bridge of his nose.

Suddenly, a knock on the door rudely interrupted their moment. Mama Dubem grudgingly walked towards the door to know who the unexpected guest was.

“Ewoooooo! Dube’nwa!!!” She screamed as she hugged him firmly. At the moment, she was too excited to know why he pulled up a surprise visit on them.

“My beloved son, omeka’nnaya- The true son of his father” Papa Dubem eulogized as he firmly patted his back.

Dubem’s appearance changed the atmosphere swiftly, it was hard for anyone to notice that they were thrown into a moment of grief before the entrance of their son. He was their only child, all their attempts to bore another after him proved abortive. They were so happy that he had grown into a full-grown man, and the type they both wished for. It was a long night for them as they couldn’t get enough of him.

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“Dube’nwa, you know, you haven’t said your main purpose of visiting. I sense that it is beyond your usual style of spending a little time with us. Something tells me there is more to this your surprise visit” Mama slowly uttered in quite tones.

“Mama, you haven’t changed oh! Don’t worry yourself, it’s nothing serious. All is definitely well. You are right, there’s more to my visit, I will definitely…”

“Nna, start saying it now. You know I am very impatient, I am glad it is not bad news. So, there is no need hoarding it for long” Papa gently cut in like he had been eves dropping on their conversation.

“Ututu Oma, Nnam” Dubem greeted with a resting nice face.

“Daalu, nwam. I hope you rested well?” Papa asked while he slowly stretched out.

“Yes Papa, it actually feels good being away from work, and spending quality time with you both; the feeling is priceless” he replied with a tone that walked in between the line of happiness and nostalgia.

“Like I said earlier, my purpose of coming home is a good one. I am very sure you both will be proud of me. Well, I have finally found the one my heart truly yearns for and I think I am ready to settle down” he announced with a feeling of pride and certainty.

This sprang up a spree of joy and relieve. Mama danced round the sitting room as she rendered songs of praises and gratitude, while Papa and Dubem sang along with their faces exuding cheerfulness.

“I am so proud of you my son! You are truly the son of your father. As you have always known, I got married to your mother at an early stage in life. I didn’t believe in flirting around and testing different pots of soups before settling for the sweetest. I knew what I wanted, and I went for it without hesitating, and no regrets so far!” Papa appraised himself without a pinch in his voice.

“Yes son, your father is very correct, and I am really glad to see that you are toeing his footsteps.” Mama supported.

“Can a lion birth a sheep?” Dubem rhetorically asked with a beatific expression on his face.

This question sprung up a long-lasting laughter and gleefulness in their midst. Papa strolled down to the past and carefully narrated with demonstrations on where he met Mama, how she never liked him from the onset, and even swore to his face that not even God himself could convince her otherwise. But he was convinced there was light at the end of the tunnel, and this didn’t deter his pursuit. Dubem wondered if his father was ever going to grow tired of always bringing up this stale but funny part of his life.

“My son, you are yet to tell us about this girl that has swept you off your feet” Mama curiously asked.

“Yes mum, I was about coming to that. Well, her name is Aderonke Ajeboye. She hails from the western part of the country, Ogun state to be precise. She is a lawyer, and from a Christian home with awesome parents just like you two. I have met with her family, and they were very receptive. They even extended their regards to you both and…” he paused immediately he caught a quick glance of their sudden facial change.

“Is everything okay? Did I say something wrong? I don’t understand the looks on your faces” he inquired with a quizzical expression.

“Ndi banyi sina Ijiji na-enwghi onye ndumodu na-eso ozu ala n’inyi-A fly that has no counselor, follows the corpse to the grave. I am thankful that I, and your mother are still alive, and we will not allow you make this grievous mistake” Papa bluntly uttered sternly, he didn’t mince his words.

“But Papa, what mistake? I am deeply lost here. Mama, talk to me, what is Papa saying?” He curiously inquired like he tried to overcome a stutter.

“My son, you will not understand. But I can assure you that what I and your father see seated here, you can never have in sight even if you climb the highest mountain.” Mama assured him.

Dubem mopped at his parent in disarray, he wondered what resulted into an out pour of unsolicited proverbs. After several minutes of hovering around the fence, Mama reluctantly spilled the beans. It gave him a cold foot, he knew his parents had always had some traits of ethnic discrimination, but never for once did he imagine that it would play out in a very sensitive issue that was supposed to be devoid of biases and sentiments. He could understand everything at that moment, but not why the tribe a person belonged to should raise dust. No one was born with a choice in regards to this, he attempted severally to re-orientate his parents but it seemed worse than pouring water on a rock. They didn’t give a room for consideration. For all they cared, they had better give up the ghost than watch their son marry a westerner.

Tales by Marvy