Chereads / The landlord of Mankayane [Novel] / Chapter 26 - Part 5 (1)

Chapter 26 - Part 5 (1)

The landlord Paddy had mysteriously aged and was now an octogenarian.

The heir he thought had disappeared with the mother, blue eyes Tinah, had in light speed grown up and become a young man in his twenties who answered by the name of Johnny.

Though he was deeply disturbed by the sudden advance in time, he was eager to understand what had happened.

So the baron Paddy followed his son Johnny who was going home where the latter said his mother Tinah was waiting for them for dinner.

The night was about to fall in Mahamba. Hence the young Johnny asked his dad to hurry up but the old man couldn't keep up with the fast pace of his son.

And as if the heavens were listening to the baron who spoke to himself: "If only I had my car with me, I would make a lamb sacrifice to thank the heavens."

Then out of nowhere, two bicycles appeared in the middle of the bushes. It wasn't certainly a four-wheeler like Paddy had wished but the two-wheelers were perfect alternatives.

Johnny didn't grasp what had occurred for the pedal cycles to suddenly pop up in front of them. Nevertheless, the youngster was delighted that the bikes would ease their return home.

Johnny rushed to the tree against which the bicycles were leaning, and picked up one that he dragged to the position of his father.

He helped the old man climb on top of the seat and gave him a little push on the back to smooth the first pedal strokes.

Paddy began to slowly ride so his son could catch him up. Johnny then hastened back to the tree and mounted the second bicycle.

After a few pedal kicks, he reached the level of his father and they joyfully rode to the main area of the village and arrived just before the evening.

The yesteryear rural houses were now modern. The wooden material had been replaced with concrete. On top of the roofs were TV antennas. The gardens were watered and nicely green.

The two riders rolled on the roads covered with cobblestones. Along the streets, brand-new solar panels had been installed and were now lighting the way as the sun was setting down.

Finally, Johnny followed by his dad Paddy attained a beautiful little white house whose facade seemed freshly painted. They got off the bikes and went inside the residence.

They found a middle-aged woman that was sitting in the parlor while sipping a cup of coffee. The landlord Paddy immediately recognized her, for she had eyes as blue as those of the only person he knew with the same iris color. And that was his concubine Tinah.

"Hello mom!" said Johnny as he approached the chair of the blue eyes woman, laid his hands on her shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek.

Without saying a word, the woman simply extended her hands and gently patted her son's back.

Then Johnny added: "Dad is here."

The blue eyes woman who had been avoiding facial contact with Paddy was now compelled to look at him straight in the eyes.

Paddy's first impression that she was his paramour Tinah was thus reinforced. Sure of himself, the landlord told the lady: "Hello my love! Where have you been? Because I have been looking for you...for nearly thirty years now."