Must Read: The Lost Key - Season 1 - Episode 16

6 years ago

Must Read: The Lost Key - Season 1 - Episode 16

Everybody must have taken a nap. The house was as silent as the graveyard.

Something woke mum up. She was hearing a sound; it was coming from daddy’s study. Someone was sobbing. Alarmed she stood
up and walked towards dad’s study. She listened. Yes, the sound was coming from in there in.

Mum softly opened the door and peeped in. she was weakened by the sight of dad sitting helplessly on his chair shedding
manly tears. Dad was obviously fighting very hard to stop the tears from flowing. His breath was hard as he tried to
control himself. Mum couldn’t believe her eyes. She was surprised and touched.

She immediately understood why dad was shedding tears so she walked in and held unto dad. Dad allowed himself to be held
as he leaned his head in mum’s tummy while she caressed the back of his head.

While everybody was sleeping, dad had taken his time to reflect on his behavior towards his family for some time now. It
all started with the desire to be a successful man. There was competition all around him and the fear of losing was the
source of his motivation. Soon his efforts started paying off and he had to put in more energy as the days went by and
the competition became fiercer.

Then the family didn’t seem very important, he got carried away and was comforted with the believe that all was going
well. The fight to stay at the top was his only motivation and every night and day he had to ensure he had a good plan
that would ensure that he conquered.

He had been able to build a beautiful five bedroom flat and ensured the children had everything they wanted. We went to
the best schools in and we never lacked in anything. What else did we want from him?

He had unconsciously learned that one of the best ways of attaining success was by being shrewd, mean and not take
laziness or foolishness lightly. And automatically he transformed into a fastidious person to everyone around him even
to his family.

Mum allowed dad to continue to lean on her. Then she took a seat and sat beside him. They both looked into each other’s
eyes and began laughing. Her eyes were also filled with tears.

“Why didn’t you bring me to order when you noticed that I had started derailing?” Dad asked softly.

Mum smiled, “You didn’t know how scary you became. I was busy trying so hard to please you all these while until I
almost became a slave to your presence. I was just simply afraid of you.”

“Wow. Then my kids must have felt worse than this. I didn’t even recognize my own kids. They were both different when I
was talking with them. Do you know at a time, I wondered if it was my little Ada and John I was talking to? They are so
big and matured; even John’s voice has changed.” He said, there was pain in his eyes.

“Ha ha, they are really growing faster than we think and we have neglected them, thinking they were still kids. I know
this is not an excuse, but I gave up when I noticed that Ada had outgrown me. I knew I couldn’t handle them alone and
instead of asking you for help I got into my shell and allowed things to continue to go bad.” Mum said regretfully.

“It was all my fault. I shouldn’t have left you all alone to handle them. God! I have been a bad father and husband,
putting all my efforts in the office while my house was in disarray.” He stopped and looked mum in the eye again. “I am
very sorry… today I looked at my children from a point of view I had never done before and I realized I was missing in
their life. Again, you made me realize I have been selfish all along. Yes, I have only been thinking of being a success
and have stupidly been putting my whole efforts in my work place and have neglected my house.” He said thoughtfully.

“Mmh, where have my husband been all this while?” She bantered, “I am glad we have both come to our senses, I just hope
it’s not too late. In fact, Linda talked to me this afternoon and I felt like crying after hearing a genuine version of
what these kids really feel. I couldn’t help but wonder how I allowed things to go this bad. So what do you intend to do
now? Do you still want to send them away?” She asked. Mum was glad that they were both on the same page now.

Dad remained silent for some time, staring at the wall behind mum. It was very emotional. Mum could sense that dad was
really unhappy with the turnout of events a home, his face displayed deep regret.

“No, I never intended sending them out… Oh God, I am not even qualified to be called a father. Sitting here for the past
hour and reflecting on my behavior all these while had made realize a lot of things, it hurts so much to see what I have
done to them. Look at the way I spoke to them, I was like an animal back there.”

“It’s ok honey” She didn’t know when the word honey came out of her mouth, it had been a long time. “You can’t continue
blaming yourself. I even feel worse, but I don’t think it is right for us to continue regretting. What’s done is done;
let’s think of the way forward.”

“Yes, you are right.” He took in a deep breath “Well, the first thing I plan to do is to tender my resignation first
thing tomorrow morning.”

“Ah!” mum exclaimed “Do you think that will be a nice idea?”

“Don’t worry, I don’t think the company will be quick to let me go but even if they do, with my qualification and
experience, I will be the hottest thing in the market. If my company wouldn’t let me go, then I will remain on my terms.
I will give them conditions that would ensure that I have time for my family.”

“Okay, anything that will bring you home more often and not make you be on the edge all the time.”

“Right now, we have a great task ahead of us. We have to start getting into the lives of our children immediately.” Dad
said. “I suggest you talk to Ada and find out what is wrong with her, the pregnancy issue is crazy, but we have to
figure out what to do together with her. I will talk with John and try to sort out issue with him. Let’s do this and see
what we can come up with.”

“Okay,” mum stood up and headed for the door, wondering what they were going to do about Ada’s pregnancy. All the same
she was glad that she was doing this with dad. There seemed to be a new strength in her.

“And after that we will do some cooking together,” dad said.

Mum looked back and smiled, she just hoped that getting into our lives wouldn’t be as tough as she imagined.