Ekaete - S01 E09

1 year ago

Ekaete - S01 E09

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 9

I could hear my father

breathing. He was awake. His breaths were irregular: sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes not there at all. I knew he was still thinking about her. For him, it would be hard to forget. It would be hard to fall asleep.

I tried to comfort him. I pulled myself next to him, lay my head on his shoulder, and curled my arm across his stomach, the way my mother used to hug him. His belly was soft and fleshy. He had just eaten but it felt like his stomach was empty.

His breathing stopped completely, and he froze. I guess for him it was awkward. I had never been an affectionate daughter. I had never hugged him like this. Or maybe it just reminded him too much of my mother.

I understood where he was coming from. But, all the same, it stung: tonight was when I needed him. I held his hand and took him upstairs.

Me: Dad, I’m not going to leave you alone in that room

Dad: Why?

Me: I won’t Dad. Because of your present condition. I won’t want you to commit any suicide just because mom is no more. I understand your situation. That’s why I must sleep beside you on this bed.

Dad: It’s ok my daughter. I will surely be fine

Me: No Dad! I insist

I kissed him on the cheek and slowly pulled away. We lay a foot apart on the bed, and the only sounds were the two of us breathing, trying to fall asleep, to escape the awkwardness.

I turned on my side and faced away from him, closing my eyes. I opened them after what felt like hours. I couldn’t sleep. Neither could my father. He usually snored – big, monstrous snores that could keep people in the next room awake. The night was painfully silent. A buzzing began in my ears and it was deafening.

My Dad felt the stir and how the bed shifted. He could feel the heat from my body as I moved closer to him. He could sensed my arm stretching out behind him. I tried to pull him into an embrace.

I felt tears in my eyes as he pulled away. I didn’t know why I was crying so soon after I had stopped. I tried my best to conceal it. I sniffed as quietly as I could. I pressed my face into the pillow.

Me: Lord! Why me? Why would you create me like this? This is my father I’m about having sex with? This is a big punishment Lord. Why would you create me like this?

I was crying inside. Tears flowing easily down my cheek. My Dad sensed I was crying. He came held my arm and drew me closer

Dad: It’s ok Ekaette. I know you must be missing your mom badly. She was such a rare gem. A treasure hard to let loosen. I love Jessica. Rest in Peace Jessica.

I stopped crying all of a sudden. Didn’t know where the courage came from. I decided to let out my feeling to him. My cry wasn’t for mum but my true feeling for him

Me: Dad?

Dad: Yes my Dear

Me: Can I share a secret with you?

Dad: Go ahead Sweetheart. Remember I’m your father. You should be able to tell me anything that bothers you.