It was Christmas in Granville, the weather was as cold as the poles, everywhere was decorated with trees and flowers to acknowledge the celebration. . The air was filled with a Christmas spirit and of course the jungle bells, what would Christmas be without its music. The town was quite yet filled with strong aura as everyone was reunited to his family members. It was a time of unity and peace where family spent more time together and did something fun like exchanging presents and watch movies. Collins was so happy it was Christmas, his siblings and family were always home and his eldest sister never missed surprising him with a gift, he had asked her for the PS 4 this year, he was sure she was gonna gift him it as a Christmas gift.
Zinnia had travelled to London, she had actually gotten a shirt signed by Central Cee, I couldn't wait to get it from her when we went back to school. It was my greatest dream to have a possession that had his autograph on it. She had actually take pictures with him, I was a little bit jealous of her though. They were gonna be back in Canada that week Friday, Christmas that year was on a Wednesday. Personally I preferred it to be on a Sunday.
At the beginning of Christmas there were usually loud fireworks that were launched, this was my 20th Christmas in Granville and I still didn't know who it were the fireworks can from but it was always launched at 12am on the Christmas day. Most people came out at night to see them. It was a beautiful view with mixtures of different colours and sounds, even though it was noisy and disturbing it was fun for the kids.
I woke up as early as 5:30am that day, mum insisted we went to church that day to thank God for the grace and guidance for having another Christmas alive. I was used to it so I didn't need a reminder to get up early and prepare to go to church that day. I was early up and freshened up and had my blue suit on. Mum never let me wear anything not cooperate or at least mature to church. It was more like a tradition now I did wear either suit or a native wear, grandma was a native from Nigeria, she always made a native wear for you on your birthday, mum had also made a few more for me, she said they looked during on me and so those were the only clothes that I was let to wear to church. It was kinda funny and Collins always teased me about it tho but it was amazing to look different and at same time embarrassing when my friends and mates had to see me all dressed up like some headteacher at a school or an old man from the 90's.
I always tried to get used to it but I never did. Collins was at church too, we always sat together behind our parents at the front seat. Mum and Mrs Josephine always sat in front, Collins dad also sat there, we had been seating there since the church was renovated. Collin and I used to play instruments for the choir but we stopped since our final year in highschool. It was like a conspiracy between the both of us, we had both told our parents that we were giving way for the young to learn. Today was Christmas and the preist said we should help out. It felt good to be back at the drums playing and enjoying the rhythm of the songs the choir sang, sometimes I wonder why I stopped though. I was so enjoying he drums I almost went off the hook. Mass was great on all Christmas days since it was short and full of thanks giving.
After mass we didn't really do much than cooking which I did to give mum a little time to rest. The days cooking was a little bit special so mum had some additional food and spices. Things were going on well until we heard a gentle knock on the door. My heart skipped as I knew it was my worst nightmare. My dad, I had almost given up he wasn't going to come again because he came late in the evening, I was happy he did come late so he didn't make the whole day full of bad energy, Collins had told me to be chill and natured while he was around, he was also shocked why mum would let him come over on Christmas day. I stood up and with courage even though my legs were failing me went to the door.
"Who's there..? " I asked without expecting an answer, and already opening the door.
"It's your father " he said in prediction it would be me. I was traumatized by this statement, in my head I was like did he just say he was my dad...
They were many thoughts going through my mind at the moment but I just opened the door.
There he was with a cold expression on his face and a firm jawline and brown eyes like mine. He was tall with broad shoulders and a heavy body build. He was wearing a designer suit, he looked very well, no doubt he was rich because there was a GLE Mercedes-Benz 300 parked outside, if that was his then he was living well. He had two bags on his hands. At first I was confused and was confused why the hell I took my mum's height, but back to what really mattered was the fact that this man standing at the door was my dad or maybe he was saying he was. The facial resamblance was there but I could still not phantom why this man wanted me dead even before I was born. I stood there staring for like 30seconds before he asked finally "can I come in or your mum say I shouldn't?". At this time mum was already coming towards the door to see what was happening. Mum also stopped by and starred for sometime before she said he could come in. I helped him with his bags, and he followed mum to the living room.
There was a long silence in the room for almost minutes. Mum finally asked" How have you been for 21 years " she said with a sting of pain and anger.
" Roseline, I'm sorry I left that way, I was scared at the moment but we can work this out" he said calmly
" Work what out!! It's been 21years for Christ sake!" Mum burst out with anger, I was seating beside her.
"I know it's hard but you just have to give it time"
" I can't give you anymore time! Wasn't 21 years not enough!?" Mum said still angry.
"I know I messed up but please I would make it up" he said still calm and cold.
" I didn't think you can do that Godwin!... For 21
long years I have been taking care of this child alone and you think you can make that up?!" Mum was pouring out her heart.
"I don't think you understand what it means to take care of a child alone for 21 years, Albert?!" She said almost sobbing.
"Calm down mum, I would always be here for you mum" I said as I hugged her and patted her from behind.
"I don't think we need you here in this house, mum's sick and age doesn't need all these stress Sir" I said to him as mum was crying and still hugging her.
" I know it's hard for both of you but I feel bad for what I did too" he said as if he knew this would happen.
" I don't want you back in my life, Albert... I don't think I can ever live with you again, you never valued me and you left but as for Nubby he's your son, he'll decide for himself.... He's old enough" mum said as she stood up and went upstairs. She had told him to leave when we were done talking and never come back. I've never seen mum as pissed as she was today.
" Norbert, I know life was hard for you, but we could make that up" he said calmly.
" Why did you leave, why did you want me killed?" I asked confused and not even expecting to hear the answers, there were gonna be painful truths.
" I was scared and young and I didn't want a family then, but I can do all that now" he said with a little bit stutter.
" I know you're my dad and I know you want a family now but we are already past you, Sir" I said slowly, " I don't think I want you back either, you hurt mum too bad.... I'm sorry sir you have to leave." I said finally.
"I got you something for Christmas,.." be said as he handed me the two bags, " I hope you could forgive me someday" he stood up and went to his car and zoomed off.
I opened the bags and saw two sneakers in one and a new phone in the other, it was an iPhone 11pro max. I showed them to mum and mum said I could keep these ones but never receive a gift from him again. Mum wanted me to return everything back but she let me keep it because it was Christmas. I was confused and didn't know what to do, he wrote his business card in one of the bags. I was happy for the gifts but I was still sad and angry at what he had done. I thought he was genuinely sorry for his actions but he had come back so he could use mum and he could help him avoid the nemesis of his actions.
The Christmas was full of tension as I always thought of my choice whether to give him a chance or not.
The days passed by fast and I was back in school for my last semester as a student of Carleton University. It was a page flip as the days passed by quickly.