13 Shattered

Uncle Travis watched his nephew closely. His bottle he dropped on the floor. He heaved heavily as he placed his hand on Ogar's shoulder.

"Son, wipe your tears. I am not going anywhere anytime soon"

Ogar wanted to believe that but he had seen the twine and the cardboard with aunt Sheila's name on it.

He continued to sob quietly. What would happen if uncle dies? How will he survive? He had these fears but he had been suppressing them for a long time. He knew a day would come when he would have to deal with it. He didn't know it will be this soon.

"Why would you think so son?" He inquired as he turned in the direction of the parlor where he heard footsteps Sheila has invited herself to the party.

He hoped she could understand if she was completely ignored due to the situation on ground.

"Take it easy Ogar" Ramses patted him on the back, as he headed towards the parlor.

"What's happening here?" Aunt Sheila inquired

"Mum? You are here!" Ramses started.

"Yes I am. What's the matter?"

"Well it's family business" Ramses shrugged hoping his mother would understand and keep away.

On the contrary, aunt Sheila asked

"What do you mean family business?" as she walked on.

"Travis, is everything okay?" She asked. No response.

"What's going on here?" Still no response.

"Ogar are you okay?" She asked. Ogar said nothing. He watched her through his tears wondering if she really meant what she was asking.

He wondered if she genuinely cares for his feelings. He wondered what would be the fate of their relationship and how uncle Travis will be affected. He saw her lips move but did not hear a word she said.

Aunt Sheila frowned in disbelief. She had never seen Ogar in such shape. No matter what the situation was, Ogar always opened up to her. Even when he lost his mum. He walked home daily with her daughters from school and many times he stopped by their house where she had his favourite meal prepared for him. His mother was a senior in her secondary school. She had a good reputation. Their family was one of the most reputable in Nkpanjen.

Ogar told her his fears and began to see her as a mother figure. At the moment she felt all the anger in him was directed to her. Like she was the cause of the drama. She didn't like the feeling especially as things were not actually what they seem to be.

Soon the truth will be known. Everyone will realize that she was not actually the devil.

These days whenever she walked by, she could hear people mumbling and gossiping about the lovechild she got from her careless living as a youth. She could feel eyes judging her as she took each step. She could see contempt glaring on the faces of tons of people. She could not go about explaining herself to everyone. She didn't like the idea of them glaring at her disapprovingly.

Sometimes she felt like the ground should open and swallow her up. She once overheard one of the female traders in the market say " See am. E be like say she play very rough play, when she be young girl. Na I'm make she no fit born pikin for her oga. Who Sabi whether she no adopt the ones wet she later get" - (" Look at her. She was so reckless as a young woman. No wonder she could not give her husband a child at first. Who knows if those children she later claimed to have were not adopted")

She shut her eyes briefly as she heaved heavily.

"Okay. If that's the case. I really thought I could talk to you though that's not the main reason why came. I wanted my son to meet one of his relatives." Aunt Sheila knew she didn't enjoy explaining things in such a manner but what choice did she have anyway? He already gave her a cold shoulder from the moment she walked in. She expected it. She knew he was still sulking. She stood, her hands folded in front of her as she waited to hear him respond.

Ogar looked at his uncle. He already knew what his response will be.

"I am all ears" uncle Travis replied without looking at her. Aunt Sheila heaved a sigh.

"Actually I was thinking we could talk in somewhere more private"

"Whatever you want to say to me, feel free to say it here. There is nothing to hide or is there?" That infuriated Aunt Sheila. Ogar could see that. He felt good about it. It's was payback time. She deserved that response and more. She was about to destroy his family. It was the least uncle Travis could say.

Aunt Sheila stared in suprise. Her mouth remained agape. Now Travis has joined the bandwagon of those who think she has many dark secrets or is he just taunting? It's not the right time to taunt. She understood his stance anyway. She could not blame him for being the way he was.

"I can understand that you are deeply offended by my action. I believe that anyone in your shoes will react in a similar manner. I want you to know that I will explain everything in due time. In the mean time, I really need to speak with you in private"

He turned to look at her. He stared at her face emotionlessly. He wondered what he had done to deserve that. At least if she had said something, they would have had an understanding. On the contrary, she decided to hide it from him. Now this is the repercussion they have to face. He wondered if he would ever bring himself to accept the situation. What if there are more omissions? What if she had not been completely honest?

" I heard you the first time and I will repeat my response. Go ahead and say what you have to say. I am listening" he replied adamantly.

"Do you have anything to hide?" He mocked.

"You know what? Forget I said anything. Just assume this discussion didn't occur. I thought I could talk to you but I have realized I cannot. This is why I was reluctant in the first place"

"Reluctant? Of course you would be. You were supposed to let me know something but you didn't and you think it's okay?"

"Now I am the bad person here. I see that. I am the only one with mistakes"

"At the moment I can say you have made a big mistake. Yes you are the only guilty one" Ogar was stunned to see aunt Sheila smile at uncle Travis as she called out to her son that she was ready to leave.