BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest longlist
“He don smile” Mama shouted.
“Sophy, Junior don finally smile”. The excitement in her voice faded into choking stutters with each repetition of those words until she was wailing. I could see why she broke down into tears. It was only 4 months since Pa died, and 3 months since the baby came. Junior never cried or smiled. It was like he understood the situation of the family. But today he smiled and the brightness of his smile resonated with the beauty that was my father.
Mama tried to stop him that day.
“No go dat place Ade, you no dey hear word” were her last words to him. He smiled, his dimples deeper than ever, like they knew they would never have another chance,
“I no be coward, I dey do dis tin for Sophy and our unborn children, you wan make I dey hide for house? No way, I go soro soke“.
He left and never walked in again. He was dogged, he lost his life at the toll gate for that. But my brave and handsome Pa that fought for the future of his children and died for it, na the person I go love be.
My name is Kelechi Praise Alpheaus. I am law student of University of Lagos, Akoka. I am 22 years old. I am a researcher and a writer. I am also the policy manager of a charity organization called Gentle Touch Foundation.
Follow Kelechi on Instagram and Twitter.
