Shade of Lust (Episode 1)
I was forced to return to Nigerian for my university education
after high school without caring for my feelings. Yes Nigeria is
a great country but the temperature, attitude of the people and
everything about the country never suited my lifestyle.
I was admitted into Imo state university to study industrial
chemistry and it really was hell for me. The lecture rush, the
intonation of lecturers, the overcrowding of lecture halls, the
noise and the struggles really left a sore taste in my mouth. I
simply managed to pass over to my second year with lots of
carryovers and yes the second year was equally stressful but
much better because I was slowly adapting much to my dad’s
pleasure.
But on my third year when I was finally about becoming a full
time Igbo boy, my dad left me all alone in the world. He
returned to Nigeria on March 1st 2012 for a little business but
never lived to see the next day. You can’t imagine the shock I
had when I got a call from one of my uncles that my father
was dead. That he died in his sleep.
I simply couldn’t believe my ears. It sounded so unreal and
unbelievable but on getting home I found out that the only
person I had in the world was gone. My life instantly came to
a standstill. I just felt like killing myself and leaving the world
as well.
My dad’s burial was quickly organized by my uncles who
didn’t give me any say in the matter since I wasn’t yet
recognized as a man. I knew my dad was murdered but I had
no evidence. I had no money. I equally wasn’t *man enough*
to challenge anyone.
I simply was in a tight corner and all I did was observe and cry
out my heart.
After the burial, I was left all alone to manage and cater for
myself. I just didn’t know what to think or where to start
reorganizing my life. I wasn’t good at any type of hustling.
Menial jobs just weren’t for me and my uncles never seemed
to care.
My dad equally never left much for me apart from the
uncompleted building at home and the little he had left in his
bank account after the burial ceremony.
As I stood before my father’s grave, crying out my heart. I was
at lost. I was so empty and alone. I never knew life could be
so difficult and mean. I badly had the urge to abandon my
studies and return to America but none of the options before
me looked easy.
I felt a strong hand land on my shoulder. I turned to see one
of my senior cousins smiling at me. I looked at him and
swallowed hard. Kelvin was the only person who cared of my
well-being during the course of my father’s burial but then his
father was equally one of my uncles that I was suspecting
over my father’s strange death which made me not to trust his
kind gestures towards me.
Kelvin was around twenty eight years old. He looked quite rich
and had two expensive cars that rolled people’s eyes but then
no one could say exactly the business he was into and he
never cared what people felt about his source of wealth.
‘’I know how you feel right now. I know you think the world is
nothing but hell. I’m here to help you. I’m here to turn you into
something you never imagined you would be. Stop crying for
your dad. He is already done. It’s now left for you to continue
his legacy. You are going back with me to the city and I will
teach you how to survive in a Nigerian way.’’ He said with a
smile while I curiously stared at him a bit confused over his
words.
‘’How to survive in a Nigerian way’’ I muttered over and over
to myself as I stared at him.
Time:
7:15am
Date: 22nd March 2012,
Location: Ibeme village (Imo state Nigeria)
In front of an uncompleted one storey building, stood a boy of
about twenty three years old. He was standing in front of a
fresh grave, holding a candle with his right hand as tears fell
from his eyes.
Date: 22nd March 2012,
Location: Ibeme village (Imo state Nigeria)
In front of an uncompleted one storey building, stood a boy of
about twenty three years old. He was standing in front of a
fresh grave, holding a candle with his right hand as tears fell
from his eyes.
My name is Jude Ibeh, a
half Nigerian, and half American. Yes
I used the term because my mother was a white American
while my father was a Nigerian, however I never got to know
my mum because she died when I was two years old leaving
me solely under my dad’s care who did a good job raising me
up. All I inherited from my mother was her skin color and
smile.
I grew to love my dad with all my heart even though we
disagreed on many things because he was so traditional and
had a sort of old school mentality. He believed a lot in
tradition and wanted me to accept all his beliefs which never
went down well with me.
I used the term because my mother was a white American
while my father was a Nigerian, however I never got to know
my mum because she died when I was two years old leaving
me solely under my dad’s care who did a good job raising me
up. All I inherited from my mother was her skin color and
smile.
I grew to love my dad with all my heart even though we
disagreed on many things because he was so traditional and
had a sort of old school mentality. He believed a lot in
tradition and wanted me to accept all his beliefs which never
went down well with me.
I was forced to return to Nigerian for my university education
after high school without caring for my feelings. Yes Nigeria is
a great country but the temperature, attitude of the people and
everything about the country never suited my lifestyle.
I was admitted into Imo state university to study industrial
chemistry and it really was hell for me. The lecture rush, the
intonation of lecturers, the overcrowding of lecture halls, the
noise and the struggles really left a sore taste in my mouth. I
simply managed to pass over to my second year with lots of
carryovers and yes the second year was equally stressful but
much better because I was slowly adapting much to my dad’s
pleasure.
But on my third year when I was finally about becoming a full
time Igbo boy, my dad left me all alone in the world. He
returned to Nigeria on March 1st 2012 for a little business but
never lived to see the next day. You can’t imagine the shock I
had when I got a call from one of my uncles that my father
was dead. That he died in his sleep.
I simply couldn’t believe my ears. It sounded so unreal and
unbelievable but on getting home I found out that the only
person I had in the world was gone. My life instantly came to
a standstill. I just felt like killing myself and leaving the world
as well.
My dad’s burial was quickly organized by my uncles who
didn’t give me any say in the matter since I wasn’t yet
recognized as a man. I knew my dad was murdered but I had
no evidence. I had no money. I equally wasn’t *man enough*
to challenge anyone.
I simply was in a tight corner and all I did was observe and cry
out my heart.
After the burial, I was left all alone to manage and cater for
myself. I just didn’t know what to think or where to start
reorganizing my life. I wasn’t good at any type of hustling.
Menial jobs just weren’t for me and my uncles never seemed
to care.
My dad equally never left much for me apart from the
uncompleted building at home and the little he had left in his
bank account after the burial ceremony.
As I stood before my father’s grave, crying out my heart. I was
at lost. I was so empty and alone. I never knew life could be
so difficult and mean. I badly had the urge to abandon my
studies and return to America but none of the options before
me looked easy.
I felt a strong hand land on my shoulder. I turned to see one
of my senior cousins smiling at me. I looked at him and
swallowed hard. Kelvin was the only person who cared of my
well-being during the course of my father’s burial but then his
father was equally one of my uncles that I was suspecting
over my father’s strange death which made me not to trust his
kind gestures towards me.
Kelvin was around twenty eight years old. He looked quite rich
and had two expensive cars that rolled people’s eyes but then
no one could say exactly the business he was into and he
never cared what people felt about his source of wealth.
‘’I know how you feel right now. I know you think the world is
nothing but hell. I’m here to help you. I’m here to turn you into
something you never imagined you would be. Stop crying for
your dad. He is already done. It’s now left for you to continue
his legacy. You are going back with me to the city and I will
teach you how to survive in a Nigerian way.’’ He said with a
smile while I curiously stared at him a bit confused over his
words.
‘’How to survive in a Nigerian way’’ I muttered over and over
to myself as I stared at him.
Source: Best online
story
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