WELCOME TO EJIRO EMENIKE UKAUMUNE STORY BLOG(E PLUS The Storyteller)✍

"So, where and where have you searched?" Mr Desmond asked.  Onome pondered for some seconds.🤔  "Hmmmmm, Uncle, many places oh! even one of his best friend's house, he wasn't there." Onome replied.   "So, you people have not informed the police?" Onome's uncle asked.  Onome shook her head. After a while, her uncle sighed.  "Well, I will ask my men to start searching everywhere." Mr Desmond said. Onome dropped to her feet and held on to her uncle's feet.  "Uncle thank you! Uncle thank you!"😢 She cried out.  " if you people carry me along in your affairs, you wouldn't have problem at all." Mr Desmond emphasized..  "Uncle, there is another thing."😒 Onome added quickly.

Onome cleaned the tears off her eyes as she sobbed uncontrollably. By this time, her uncle handed her a tissue.   "I'm listening." He said as he waited for Onome to speak. Onome wiped her eyes with the tissue while buying time to compose herself.   "My dad was with us by evening and I handed over a letter given to me by one man who came to our house. After I gave him the letter, his mood changed but he did  not tell us anything." Onome said.   "Okay? What happened next?" Her uncle asked further.  "He was like that till the following day. We woke up and he was no where to be found."Onome said as she dropped her head soberly. Her uncle was quiet for a while, more like in deep thought.

Onome's uncle took a frantic look at her, like he was contemplating to respond.   "Matthew!" He called out to the young lad. Hurriedly, he answered.  "Sir!" He exclaimed.  "Show her the rest room." He said.   "Okay sir." He responded as he beckoned on her to follow him.     Onome remained in the rest room for a while. Her heart pounded with anxiety. She tried to figure out the best way she could present the family's predicament but was short of ideas.  "Is everything okay?" A voice said behind the door.   "Em.....yes! I'm okay sir." Onome replied nervously realizing it was her uncle's voice.

"So when did this happen? How many days now?" Onome's uncle asked. Onome took her time for some seconds before replying.  "Em..uncle, it is only three days now." Onome said as she emphasized with her fingers.  "You say it is ONLY three days, abi? Una weldone! Anyway, I know blame you ooo..it's your mother I blame!" Her uncle said at the top of his voice. There was an unusual silence. Onome was nervous by this time. She suddenly blamed herself for showing up. She became less enthusiastic about her mission.  "Uncle, can I ease myself?" Onome asked.

Onome composed herself to speak.  "Uncle, my Daddy is missing and we have searched everywhere but we can't find him." Onome answered soberly. There was silence for a while.  Onome thought for a while if her uncle did not hear her.  "See! See what I am talking about!? Efetobor is missing and the family is not aware! See!?" Her uncle exclaimed as he paced about anxiously. Onome watched him and wondered if she had not started something serious.😱

Few minutes later, Onome was woken up by a tap on her shoulder. She hurriedly sat up and adjusted herself. Standing in front of her was her uncle, Mr Desmond!  Torn between emotions, Onome was overwhelmed with joy on seeing him.   "em..uncle! Good afternoon sir." She greeted as she sprang up to her feet.😀 Her uncle beckoned on her to seat down. "Hmmm..You are all grown now oh!" Mr Desmond said with a smile. Onome smiled back, still nervous though.  "You children of nowadays, you just eat and eat and grow like agric." Mr Desmond continued. Onome smiled continuously.  "Welcome, ehn. but I'm surprised oo..your father allowed you to come and see me?" Mr Desmond exclaimed. Onome was dumb struck for few seconds.  "Uncle..actually, it's my father I came to see you about." Onome said with a shaky voice.  "Your father? I hope he is well?" Her uncle asked anxiously.😟

"I'm so sorry." Onome said as she quickly took the drink and hurried back to her seat like a child that was caught in the act.😒  The young lad put on the T.V and left Onome alone. A Drama series was running and Onome's attention was fully engaged. It was a comedy thus she was already getting cracked up by the jokes while she drank. On the other hand, Onome felt why should her and her family be so impoverished when they had Mr Desmond as an uncle? As far as Onome was concerned, this man had what it took to assist.  Onome felt so relaxed that she slept off.☺

"Hmm, okay, let me wait." She replied after careful thought. The young lad had a smile on and beckoned on her to come in.  Nervously, Onome entered the house. It was a big house, even the exterior belittled it.  They passed by so many rooms until they got to one of the parlors.  "You can wait here." The young lad said.  "Okay, thank you." Onome said as she carefully sat on one of the settees.  "What would you like?" The young lad asked. Onome was indecisive for a moment.  "Em...anything sha." Onome replied.  "Okay, just a minute." The young lad responded.  Meanwhile, Onome's eyes couldn't stop roaming round the entire house.  So much luxury, she couldn't help wondering. Abit carried away, she stood up and drew closer to one of the glass exteriors. They were exotic, she thought.  Onome reached out to touch them.  She felt her hands through the frame and enjoyed every feeling that came with it. Onome wa

Onome virtually ran out of her skin at the sight of the Dog. She shivered visibly that she slipped off the stool. Just in time, the door opened and a young lad ran out to hush the Dog to silence.  "Good day, so sorry. I was actually fixing the washing machine." The young lad said.  "Okay, no problem." Onome responded while she wiped away dust off her dress.  "Do you want to see Oga?" He asked. Onome nodded in affirmation. The young las hesitated for a while.  "Em..he is asleep now. He just returned from a long journey. Can you wait for him?" He asked.  Onome paused and pondered. She tried weighing the possibility of waiting for her uncle to wake up and the time she would have returned home.🤔

At last Onome approached the gate of the house and she quickly adjusted herself. She got closer and hesitated for a while. She noticed her uncle's cars all parked in the garage and was delighted that she had met him at home. For some reason, Onome became nervous and tried her best to calm down.  Certain thoughts crept in her head:  'What if her uncle drove her away?'   'What if he shouted angrily?'. She shook off those thoughts and then reached out for the door bell.  It was a bit higher than her so she stretched while her gown shortened. A little embarrassed, she found a little wooden stool and climbed on it, this time making it possible for her to touch the bell.  As soon as Onome pressed the bell, a big ferocious Dog began to bark relentlessly.🙄

The main road to her Uncle's house was blocked due to some road construction thus Onome decided to take another route which was apparently longer.  However, it did not deter her, she hurriedly walked as fast as she could.  Onome became more hopeful that soon, their travails will be over once she is able to open up to her uncle, uncle Desmond as they usually called him.  Mr Desmond was actually well to-do and was very influential in the community. He owned one of the largest oil blocks in Delta state and his family were all abroad while he continued working in Delta state. Every now and then, Mr Desmond visits his family and seldomly, his wife comes around. However, there were rumors that he had another wife in Delta state who he was yet to complete the marriage rites as a result of unresolved issues, though he was making move to address it soon.  What never ceased to amaze Onome was why her dad and uncle Desmond never saw eye to eye!  and if the explanation made by her mum w

It was already Sunday and Onome and her family had just returned from Church service. It was time to eat and head for her errand.   "Onome, make you make sure say dem grind this corn well oo! You hear?" Her mother emphasized.  "Yes mama." Onome replied.  She hurriedly finished her meal and was on her way. While walking, Onome soon remembered that her uncle's house wasn't far from the milling shop thus she quickly dropped the corn.  "Aunty, make you make sure say you grind am well well o! I dey come back nau nau!" Onome said and headed for her uncle's house.

Half of the entire Saturday was spent already and Onome had completed her chores for the day.  They all had Yam and pepper soup for breakfast and her mother was already soaking corn for the preparation of pap.  Onome knew this meant one thing and that is going to the mill the following the day. It was quite a distance and Onome usually felt tired by the time she is back, she dreaded the errand but had no choice!😒  Onome soon began ironing her dress for church the next day. Her brothers had zoomed off to play football. Sometimes she felt like joining them but her eldest brother Kevwe would always say:  "Stay back! I don't want those rascals to rough handle you."😙  " Onome, you know say if you come back from school tomorrow, you go go grind this corn?" Onome's mother reminded her.  She nodded her head to the affirmative.

"Onome, na which suggestion be that again?" Onome's mum responded.  "Okay..why don't we inform dad's elder brother, Uncle Desmond, then he will take this case up." Onome said, hopeful that her suggestion will be bought.  "Hmmmmm...Onome, your suggestion no bad ooo, e just be say that your uncle, im hand no clean." Onome's mother replied. Onome was startled.  "Mama, how?" Onome asked curiously. Her mother hesitated for a while.  "Onome, my pikin, you no go understand, na God make we just dey look up to now, Una hear?" She replied.  Soon, every hand was busy with various house chores. Onome's brothers cleaned the compound while Onome assisted her mother in the kitchen.  Meanwhile, Onome's mind was preoccupied with the mission to find her dad. If there was anything she needs most, it was to find him, despite what her mother had said, she was bent on visiting her uncle, Desmond.  Onome, then had a plan.🤔

It was weekend already and everyone just lazied around. By this time, every child in the neighborhood was still asleep even by 10.00am but it wasn't exactly the same for Onome and her family. They were up early discussing their present predicament.  "So, una see wetin don happen for the house na.  Una papa decide to waka leave house for all of us. Im no even tell us where dey go..."  "....but mama, you no dey sure na! Papa neva behave like this before." Kevwe interrupted their mum.  "Eh ehn! So you know where im go?" Onome's mother asked Kevwe. He failed to respond but was grumbling underneath his breath.  "...so, if you no know where im dey, shut up your mouth make I talk oo." Onome's mother responded.  "So, as I dey talk before this rude pikin commit talk for my mouth, your papa, me, I no see am ooo! I no know wetin to do again."😒 Onome's mother said.  Everyone seemed short of words. After few seconds, Onome

Onome tried to make sense out of what her mum just told her, she thought maybe, her mum might have an idea of why her dad left home but her mum did not reveal anything more.  It was almost sun set and Onome and her family kept their hopes high that their dad would be found eventually.  As for Onome, she had missed school for that day and she knew her friends would be wondering what must have happened. ********************* As Onome laid on her mattress that evening, she pondered on so many things including her invitation to 'Great College'. Even more, her worries grew as she considered the situation at her hand.  Suddenly, Onome remembered her uncle, her dad's elder brother, Mr Desmond. She thought: Just maybe he could help🤔

Once Onome's mother heard Onome mention the word 'Police', she became very hysterical.  "Onome, wetin you talk? Police? Noooo!abeg leave those people!" She exclaimed.  "...but mama, why? We have searched everywhere but to no avail. We can't continue like this oo." Onome lamented. Her mother did not respond for a while as they kept walking.  "Onome, your papa tell you wetin happen yesterday wey dey make am cry?" Onome's mother asked suddenly.  "No, mama, he refused to speak." Onome replied. Onome's mother paused for a while like she was trying hard to figure out something.  "Wait o! Onome! E be like say your papa don enter wahala o!" Onome's mother exclaimed.

The entire day was spent in search of Onome's dad.  Her mother became more worried as possibilities to see him grew slimmer. "Mama, stop crying nau..." Onome said as she pacified her mother. They were on their way back from a friend's house.  "Onome, since wey I marry your papa, at least im neva behave like this before o😒" Her mother responded.  Onome kept pondering on where her dad must have gone without saying a word, then Onome had an idea.  "Mama, make we go report this matter to police." She suggested.

Onome carefully checked everywhere but to no avail...  She was a bit startled, she stood still for a while to see if her dad would sprout up from anywhere but nothing like that happened. Onome decided to return to her mum with the news.  "Onome, why you come tey like that now ehn? You no go go school again?" Her mother asked anxiously.  "em...mama, I did not see papa inside o!" Onome announced.  "Onome, check well oo..papa dey inside." Kevwe said.  "I have checked everywhere, he is not there!" Onome exclaimed. Her mother was a bit stunned.  "...but...your papa neva baff na! Na where im come go this early morning and e no tell anybody?" Onome's mother said frantically. There was momentary silence.

It was morning already and Onome and her brothers got ready for school while her mother prepared their meal.  "Kevwe, remember say you go come stay market today make I rush go collect my load from mama Sarah?" Onome's mother said aloud.  "Mama, I remember but you go keep food for me o!" Kevwe said.  "Hmmm! I know! Mr Food." Onome's mother said teasingly.  Onome was set already. It was her turn to take the early morning prayer at school so she was ahead of her brothers.  "Mama, I don dey go o. If I come back from school, I want make you and Dad don decide o." Onome said with emphasis.  "Onome. You know say I no get problem, na your papa I dey wait for, once him talk, e don finish." Onome's mother responded.  Onome decided to go and see how her dad was faring that morning and hopefully if he had regained himself.  As Onome got to where her dad usually slept, she noticed he was not there!

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She hurriedly ran to her bag where she had kept the envelop carefully.  "Papa, one man came here this evening and asked me to give you this envelop." Onome said as she handed it to her dad.  He dad took the envelop and opened it immediately.  He read it quietly and sighed heavily.  Onome sensed something as she watched her dad react. He just sank to his chair and remained quiet.  "Dad! What's the problem?" Onome asked as she drew closer to her dad.

Everyone was home already and Onome and her family had just finished the Akara and pap her mother prepared for dinner.  "Mama, this akara no reach o." Ese, the second son said. Onome's mother just gave him a stern look that sent him back to a corner.  All along, Onome was anxious to hear her parents' response on the principal's proposal.  "Onome, go bring water for me to drink, abeg." Her dad said as he finished the last akara on his plate.  "Okay sir." Onome said as she hurriedly brought a bowl of water to her dad. She say close to him for a while, hoping he would remember to raise the issue concerning her invitation to Lagos.  "Ehn ehn, Onome, anybody come look for me today?" Her father asked suddenly. Just then, Onome remembered the envelope.

A man dressed in blue stepped out of the car. At first he hesitated for a while and appeared like he was lost. He looked around for a while and then, he noticed Onome was starting at him.  He moved towards her direction.  "Hello!" He greeted.  "Good evening sir" Onome replied. Out of his pocket, the young man brought out a piece of paper and called out an address.  "Please is this number 9, Iye street?" He asked.  "Hmm. This is Iye street." Onome answered immediately. The man had a smile on.  "Please give this to your dad when he returns." The man said as he handed a brown envelope to Onome.  "Okay sir." Onome replied. The young man entered the car and drove off.

As they all continued to walk home that afternoon, there was an unusual silence amongst the girls. The rest of the girls wondered often why Onome chose to be different. Actually, they thought amongst themselves that if they were actually friends, Onome would do things in common with them.  Onome, on the other hand, had so much to worry about, particularly at the home front.  She felt things could be better than what they were already. She worried that her parents may not be able to see her through the university.  Onome got home and managed to save 'the last garri' at home for herself.  Her brothers were not home. As usual, they were fond of playing football after school and they wouldn't return home until they were through.