Episode 5

I felt my bed go down beside me but I did not bother to turn and look. I already knew who it was. Uncle George placed his hand on my back and rubbed it softly.

"Daniel, what will you like to eat? It's almost evening and we both haven't eaten anything. Would you like some Jollof rice?" he asked, while he stroked my back.

I shook my head in my pillow. "I don't want to eat anything. I am not hungry," I mumbled.

"Come on, Daniel. You have to eat something. We already skipped breakfast and lunch. You need to eat or else you will become sick. Then, I will have to take care of you. Please, let me make something for you." he pleaded.

I turned my head on the pillow and faced him. I sighed deeply and nodded slightly at him making him smile at me.

"I will be right back," he said and left the room.

I watched him leave then turned my head again to face the wall. I fell asleep somewhere along the line. Because, I heard a gentle tap on my leg. I opened my eyes and saw my uncle, bending over me. I frowned a bit.

"Hey, food is ready. Let's go downstairs."

I sat up, stretched my body, then, got down from the bed. I straightened my shirt and followed my uncle down stairs. He had already brought the food to the dinning hall. We sat down, me seated at his right side, while he sat on the next chair. That place was my father's favorite position. He dished out the food and we ate silently.

"I called your uncles and they both said they would be here tomorrow," uncle announced after the long silence.

"Mmh," was all the reply he got from me.

Honestly, I was not prepared to see them. I don't think I will ever be prepared to see them. Anytime I see them, I feel very uncomfortable.

"I know you might be feeling like all hope is lost because your parents are not here anymore. But, I want you to understand that, no matter what happens, I will be here to protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you, okay?" he held my hand.

"Okay." True, I was feeling all alone and very depressed, so My uncles words became very encouraging to me. I needed someone who could watch over me and protect me. And that person is Uncle George.

"Alright. Let's finish our food."

When we were done eating, Uncle George gathered the plates and took them to the kitchen to wash them. All I did was to go to the living room and watch TV. I needed to distract myself from all the sadness I was feeling. Hopefully, the TV could do that job. When I turned it on, the first thing that came was a movie. It kind of looked funny so I left it there.

Uncle George was done in no time and joined me in the living room. "What are you watching?"

"Some sort of comedy. It seems interesting."

Uncle George sat beside me. He started laughing when some of the actors began to say something funny to each other. It was totally hilarious yet I could not even laugh. Is this how it felt to be totally depressed? I wonder.

I decided to stay up in my room the next day as my uncles would be coming over to discuss the funeral rites for my parents. I did not want to meet them when they come, so I pleaded with my uncle to help me stay away from them as much as I can. Uncle George understood, and agreed to help me.

It was about 10 in the morning when I heard them talking loudly downstairs. They had arrived and greeting each other. Uncle George was welcoming them. I rolled my eyes at their loudness and laid back in bed, with my school text book in front of me. I concentrated on what I was reading and totally zoned out their voices from my head. I was feeling thirsty, and mentally slapped myself for forgetting to get a bottle of water.

I sneaked downstairs towards the kitchen, hoping they would not hear me. Then I heard something that had me frozen on the spot.

"That boy is adopted. He cannot be the heir to all our brother's properties." I heard Uncle Stephen say.

Adopted? What are they talking about?

"Yes, I agree with Stephen. We can't allow a stranger to take over what our brother owned. No! As far as I know, my brother and his wife died childless. As simple as that," Uncle Nathan said.

Stranger? Who is the stranger? And what do they mean by my father died childless? What am I then? Or, are they saying I am the stranger?

I began to shake and sweat profusely. I was still frozen and I felt like my body was just refusing to move. Then I heard Uncle George speak next.

"How can both of you say a thing like that? Our brother did not die childless. He has a son. And his name is Daniel. Why do the two of you hate him like that?"

"That boy is not our brother's son, let me remind you if you have forgotten. He was adopted as a baby. We all know this, so why are we pretending?" Uncle Stephen spat out.

No, this can't be true. I am adopted. No, it's not true.

Before I realised what I was doing, I was walking towards them.

"I am not adopted. You are lying. You are just saying this because you hate me," I began to shout when I got close to them.

Uncle George was shocked at my outburst. Uncle Nathan looked disgusted while Uncle Stephen had this smirk on his face.

Uncle George rushed to my side when I began to cry out. They couldn't be telling the truth, could they? Uncle George turned me towards him.

"Daniel, I thought we had agreed you were going to stay in your room. Why did you come downstairs?" he looked worried, or maybe, guilty.

I ignores his question and asked him mine instead. "Am I really adopted, uncle? Please tell me the truth."

Uncle George was shocked by my question and was absolutely silent.