The Land of The Rising Sun Chapter 10: The Call

CHAPTER TEN THE CALL The house remained quiet after Ndubuisi told me he might have to leave. I looked at him, waiting for him to say something else. He didn't. “What does that mean?” I asked. He rubbed his palms together. “I don't know yet.” “But the soldier came here for you.” “I know.” “And he said you might have to go to war.” Ndubuisi looked toward Onwuka. Our son was still on the floor, playing with the same wooden toy he had been holding before the soldier arrived. “He's too young to understand any of this,” Ndubuisi said. I looked at him. “Neither do I.” He gave me a tired smile. “I'll explain when I understand it myself.” That night, neither of us slept properly. Every sound outside made me open my eyes. A vehicle passing. A distant voice. A dog barking somewhere in the darkness. Everything sounded different. The following morning, Ndubuisi went out early. He returned before noon. He didn't tell me much. There were meetings. Orders. Names being written down. Men being called. The country was moving toward something none of us could stop. Then, three days later, the soldier returned. This time, Ndubuisi knew why he had come. He had been called. He was leaving. There wasn't much to take. A few clothes. Some food. A small bag. He moved quietly, as though making too much noise would make leaving more real. Onwuka sat nearby, watching him. “Daddy, where are you going?” Ndubuisi stopped. “For work.” “When are you coming back?” “Soon.” Onwuka nodded as though that answer was enough. Children had a way of accepting things adults spent hours fearing. I stood by the doorway. “When?” Ndubuisi looked at me. “I don't know.” That answer hurt more than I expected. He came toward me. “I'll be fine.” “You don't know that.” “No.” He took my hand. “But I'll try.” I looked at him for a long moment. “Don't make promises you don't know you can keep.” He nodded. “I won't.” Then he pulled me into his arms. For a while, neither of us spoke. When he finally stepped away, Onwuka ran toward him. “Daddy!” Ndubuisi bent down and lifted him. Onwuka laughed. I watched them. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see them together like that. Ndubuisi put him down. He picked up his bag. Then he looked at me one more time. “Take care of him.” “I will.” “And take care of yourself.” I nodded. He walked out. This time, I didn't follow him. I stood at the doorway and watched until he disappeared from sight. Then I closed the door. And the house became quiet again.

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