Just a Dream

JUST A DREAM

     Tunji who just stepped outside his father’s house in the early morning of the day was so numbed that he couldn’t recognize his mother who was very busy on the premises of the building let alone tendering a salutation as courtesy requested. The nightmare he had the previous night was, to say the least, the worst of its kind ever since he realized the essence of dreams; his ever loving father was shot dead by one of his male colleagues in his working place.

     “Tunji?” the surprised 51-year-old Madam Ade called as she was occupied with her household chores.

     “Yes, mum.” responded the 15-year-old Tunji who happened to be the lastborn of his parents, walked towards her.

     This time, they were standing about half a metre away from each other. The woman in question tied a single wrapper up to her chest whilst the poor boy put on only boxers.

     “Are you alright?”

     “I think I am.” He replied, scratching his head with his right hand.

     “You think you are?”

     “Yes mum.”

     “What’s the meaning of that?”

     “Mum, I am fine.”

     “Are you sure you are okay?”

      He nodded calmly.

     “So,” she said. “How come you couldn’t remember to greet your mum this morning?”

      He was speechless, head bent.

     “Hmm…,” she sighed. “You can go.” She urged, gesticulating, wasn’t satisfied by the responses though.

      He quickly took his leave, walked straight to his room.

     “No, this boy is not fine.” Madam Ade thought as she watched him depart. “This is not him.”

     No doubt, a mother needn’t be told when her child isn’t sound in all ramifications, and Madam Ade wasn’t exceptional. The encounter kept her wondering what actually could prompt such abrupt countenance. She had known Tunji, from day one, to be a happy and well-cultured chap; in other words, he couldn’t possibly forget to greet his beloved mum at such hour of the day. She stood aloof not unlike a sentry as she wondered.

     “Oh God,” Tunji exclaimed aloud after a few seconds he got to his room having sat on his bed. “Was my dad actually shut dead in that dream?” He said.

     “What dream?” queried Madam Ade, who followed him to the room hesitantly, having slightly overheard his soliloquy.

     He was shocked, never expected his mum’s presence. “What?” He managed to utter.

     She sat very close to him. “Were you not the one who mentioned a dream right now?”

     “Mummy, I have told you,” quoth Tunji. “I am fine.”

     “Shut up,” enjoined Madam Ade. “You are not fine.” She added, paused. “It is written all over you.”

       He kept calm.

     “And if you don’t tell me what is eating you up,” she proceeded. “Your dad will hear about it.”

     “Please mum,” he pleaded. “Don’t tell him.”

      His father Chief R.O. Ade was a no-nonsense man who understood the most accurate way to discipline a child whenever he/she misbehaved or how best to make him/her answerable to, or confide in, his/her parents regardless of the situation.

     “Then, you have to start talking,” she urged. “Besides, are you not going to school today?” She added.

     The time check was 6.50am. Their four children were meant to comprehend the essence of going to school early or on time.

     “Well,” she rode on. “First, tell me what’s bothering you.”

     “I had a dream last night.” He eventually disclosed sluggishly.

     “A dream?’

      He nodded.

     “Last night?”

     Tunji nodded again. “But, it was terrible.” He informed. “Very horrible.”

    “Terrible?”

    “Yes mum.”

    “Tell me about it.”

    “Daddy was shot dead.”

    “What..?” shouted Madam Ade, bemused. “Shot dead?”

       He nodded.

     “Your daddy?”

      He also replied via a nod.

     “By who?”

     “Uncle Alagbo.”

      Mr. Dada Alagbo was the name of his father’s junior colleague who pulled the trigger in the said nightmare.

     “Mr. Alagbo?” Madam Ade said.

     Tunji nodded.

     “Dada Alagbo?” She reiterated.

      She couldn’t fathom the story owing to the fact that the man in question happened to be one of the closest colleagues, if not closest, to her husband – Chief R.O. Ade.

     “Yes, mum.” responded Tunji, head bent.

     “Hmm…” Madam Ade oozed out a huge air. “This is serious.” She thought aloud.

     “I am confused too.” quoth the poor teen.

     “Your father must hear this.”

     “Mum, don’t tell him,” Tunji suggested. “After all, it’s just a dream.” He thought it wise.

     Madam Ade tenderly looked at him. “I think you are right.” She said, nodding. “Please, go and get ready for school.” She urged after some seconds, stood up and took her leave.

    “Okay mum.” He replied, hurriedly left the room for the bathroom.

* * * * * *

     “Where is the money?” One of the three masked robbers, who just invaded Chief Ade’s house, queried the chief as he lied in his matrimonial bed alongside his wife, Madam Ade.

     The couple couldn’t believe their eyes; it was just like a mere dream.

     This was happening at about 12.06am exactly at the moment Madam Ade was still recollecting the ugly story her son, Tunji shared with her in the early morning of the previous day.

     “I said, where is the money?” the baron repeated as Chief Ade coupled with his wife was left speechless.

     “There’s no money in the house.” Chief Ade answered, staggering.

     “Oh,” the other robber said. “You think we are here for child’s play, right?”

     “The money, or …” the third robber who appeared like the gang’s leader added succinctly, pointing his gun at Chief Ade.

     “Please, don’t kill my husband.” Madam Ade stammered.

     “Shut up, woman!” the first speaker ordered.

       Before he could finish, the apparent leader who could best be described as an Iroko tree quickly released the trigger thrice, and the gun’s bullets landed on Chief Ade’s chest.

     He passed away instantly.

     Madam Ade widely opened her eyes and mouth in awe, couldn’t fathom the scene.

     The robbers took their leave in a jiffy.

     The moment they left, Madam Ade screamed and screamed, but pathetically the evil had already been unleashed.

     Therein, her two children including Tunji who were living with the parents rushed out only to meet their father lying helplessly on the bed in cold blood. It seemed, all along, they never knew what was transpiring until their mother’s scream came up.

     They all collectively sobbed uncontrollably right in the room. The other children of Chief Ade - now late, who were in the university, despite their absence, were ostensibly touched by the gravity of the endless gasping, choking sobs coming from their siblings and poor mother.

     What took place thereafter ought to be a story for another day. Or, what do you think? Think about it!

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