I didn't go home, I made my way to the town's hotel. I began my shift there also, I was thorough with cleaning before I went to see the manager.
He was not as sympathetic as the manager at Wilson. He told me to wait until the end of the month.
I waited until the next day before I went home. I searched my parents' room, I know my mom kept a safe, i checked until I found one under the bed. There was enough money in it to clear the outstanding bills at the hospital, if I joined it with my pay from Wilson.
I heard a knock, so I rushed to my door and there stood the landlord.
He looked angry. I went out to meet him.
"Where is your mom?
I know your father is gravely ill, but the rent for two years should be paid at least, even if it is for five months. Now my patience is growing thin.
Speak boy, i want an answer, where is your mom?
"My parents passed, sir."
"Sorry for your loss, but right now I need my money.
"You should go to one of your relatives and stay. I will have new tenants to look at the place," "you have until the weekend,"
he concluded, and then he walked away before i could tell him that i don't have anyone to go to.
I go back inside and sit, my palm covering my face, my mom's safe broken and on the floor, the money on the table.
I relaxed my back and fell asleep. I woke up and everything was dark outside. I checked my time and it was two at night.
I overslept, and now I can't return to sleep. I walked around the house aimlessly, I thought about how to raise more money, when I heard a sound, I walked back into my parents' room, which has its door opened.
Everything was in place and the world was calm, the noise could have been in my head.
I turned to leave when I heard the noise again. I followed the sound, which seemed to last more than the previous one. I walked to the closet and opened the door.
The noise had stopped.
I looked around the closet and there was nothing strange causing such noise.
I closed the door of the closet, and the sound began again. I opened the door fast. and there it was on the floor, shaking violently.
I picked it up and kept it on the bed. I walked to the door and put on the switch by the side and the bulb came on.
I see the box properly now, a white box with beautiful flowery lines that looked more like a map.
I walked back to it, and tried to open it, but the box was locked. I return to the closest to search for a key, but I don't find any.
I checked the drawers one after the other, and then through my father's things, I got busy. I did not know when the morning had crept over, it was exhausting when you don't know what you are looking for. I went back to the box and searched for the keyhole, there was none on the box.
I took a picture of it. I searched on the internet, but there was no result.
I remembered my father saying it was now mine, but what do I do with it? I think the box could be just an ordinary toy, but I could not explain why it was making such sounds.
I put it back in the closet and walked out to the living room. I picked up the money on the table when my phone rang. It was boss Moses again.
I picked it up and he asked me to come and collect my salary. The manager had dropped it with him.
He said.
I am coming, I replied, i went to Wilson's bar after I had brunch, and then the hospital to clear all the outstanding bills. For some reason i was strong, i wasn't as weak as i had thought I would be, losing the both of them, all at once,
Even though I was in pain, I felt the need to fulfill their burial rites as soon as possible.
I missed the two of them, it felt like they had traveled and they would soon come back, i did not feel like they were gone for good.
After the hospital, I had gone to church and father Timothy had told me he would be the preacher in charge of it, he told me he had made arrangements and everything would happen during the weekend.
"Don't worry, Dave the good Lord will take care of you."
I said "amen."
He prayed for me some more before I left.
Before I left for Towns Hotel, finally, the manager had asked me to see me immediately. When I returned, he told me of a seminar that will be held over the weekend. He told me of the bonus I would get if I agreed to work those particular days and then he said he was willing to pay me my salary before then.
I smiled, I knew this guy was crazy, but I did not know he was this crazy, telling me to work on the day my parents were to be buried.
No wonder he did not say a word to me for missing work yesterday.
"I can't do it sir" I said.
I watch his contenance change as he tells me, i am fired, he was brimming with so much fire, could not help but chuckle he looked like i had commited a sin .
But i did not care i was about to turn and leave his offficee when i noticed a painting on the wall, the painting had a familiar pattern on it, i stared at it fixed until it occoured to me that it was the box in my parents closet.
I looked at the manager who was now tracing my eyes to the painting
I will do it sir, i will work over the weekend.
You dont have to fire me , please sir , i said.
Alright , alright you can go, i wont fire you.