Scars of the past

RETURN HOME contd pgs 5 & 6

She had spent four years in the United States. She did not even have time for a proper send forth from her friends, considering the circumstances that led to her spontaneous departure.
She earnestly looked forward to going back home. She had missed Nigeria terribly. Not once did she come home for holiday all those years. She painstakingly packed her belongings into her suitcase and the other items she bought for herself; she also checked the suitcase that contained the materials her mother asked her to buy for her boutique. The other goods had been sent to the company handling the shipment; they would take care of that.
Her elder brother had taken to the United States. He hardly talked about home, much more the idea of relocating back home. So many times, she had wanted to come back, but changed her mind because she had to complete her education. After packing, she went to her valise propped it open, and took a glimpse at her certificates. So, It was all over she thought, and on impulse reached for the picture in the concealed compartment and brought it out. She looked at it, and the incident of years back flooded her memory.
This was the man that saved me from been traumatized with the stigma of a raped girl. With her status in the society, she could barely think of it.
He almost lost his life for me and he barely knew me she thought, the worst of it all was that I was not around to say thank you. She knew he recuperated and was fine, as her father had said.
She did not realize when tears flooded her eyes. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. Was it her conscience bugging her? Or, was it sympathy she felt for the man. Would a wealthy or influential man accept the treatment meted out to his son without fuss? No, she answered thoughtfully
She looked at the picture again and rubbed her palms over it. He was a handsome man, even in his sleep. She put the picture back, closed the valise, stood up and appraised what she had done, to make sure that all was in place for her departure the next day. She nodded her head, before leaving her room to join her elder brother.

Preparations were made for her arrival back in Nigeria. Her parents warmly received her at the airport. Her clearance at the customs was expedited due to her fathers influence, who although was no longer a serving Senator, still commanded much respect in government circles.
A few weeks after her arrival, her dad called her into the garden on a particular Saturday evening, sat her down and asked.
“Tosin, do you know why I called you out?”
“No daddy.”
“Because I want us to have a father to daughter chat.”
“Okay, daddy, I am listening.”
“It is about your future Tosin. You are a fully-grown woman now, and very soon, we shall be hearing wedding bells and …”
“Not now, daddy” she said interrupting her father.
“Please allow me to finish Tosin; I am not particular about your getting married right now, not that I would not be happy if it did happen. What I wanted to know was what you intend doing to while away your time.”
“I have not given it a serious thought yet daddy. Probably I will start writing applications and sending my “CV” out.”
“Tosin dear, I sit on the board of over a dozen corporations both government and private owned, excluding my personal businesses. Actually what I had in mind is for you to take charge of the corporate office and run my companies as the Group Managing Director.”
“Well dad, it is a nice proposition. Daddy I might probably start next week, but I have a question to ask you that has been bugging me for some time now.”
“What is that dear?”
“What became of the man that rescued me?”
“My dear daughter, if I tell you that I had no idea that was what you were about to ask I would be lying. Actually, he got well and I gave him some money to take proper care of himself afterwards.”
‘I know dad, you told me so on phone years back. What I want to know is his present status.”
“I am sorry to say this dear but I never set eyes on him.”
‘Do you have his address or something; I have been longing to thank him personally for year’s dad.”
‘Unfortunately, I do not Tosin. You know I sent my personal assistant back then to take care of that issue. You know I could not afford the luxury of such an incident at that time; my political opponents would have capitalized on it against me.”
“I understand dad. So, you know absolutely nothing about his whereabouts now.”
“I don’t, but I can find out if you want.”
“Don’t bother daddy. The Funny thing about the whole incident is that I doubt if he even knows me.”
“One last question daddy.”
“My daughter, as a father, I suggest you let that be. ‘Vengeance is mine said the Lord.”
“I have not asked yet dad, but since you know what I am about to ask, I will still go ahead and ask. Where is Fred?”
“He is very much around here in Lagos. He runs his fathers company and I think he has also ventured into the petroleum business or so. He is doing well financially.”
Her father’s last statement got her annoyed but she kept her self in check and answered, “thank you dad.”
“I noticed that since you came back you have been indoors a lot, except for when you go to your mothers shop,” her father said
“It is because I got used to being indoors in the States. I had very few friends.”
“That is a change from the Tosin I knew back then.”
“Come on daddy, I am all grown up now. I am a lady,” she said and her dad laughed.
“All right Tosin, but I suggest you go out often. Have fun, make knew friends; you only live your youth ones my dear”
“I will dad, and thanks for brighten me up.”
“You are welcome anytime my dear.”

to be contd.....