THE COST OF ABSENCE

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Money is not the only need of a family, and Ben, a man of integrity and a loving husband and father, realised that the hard way. He was always out looking for provisions for his wife and children, working two jobs to make ends meet. The sweat and the stale smell from his shoes were gradually becoming what his family recognised him by. He worked hard because he was taught by his father (a poor farmer who had very little) that the way to show love to your family and have them love you in return was to ensure you always provide for their needs. He barely has time for his family. He dozed off during family gatherings, church meetings, and each time he sat in front of the television was the only time his heavy eyes could stay open. Weekends were his time to rest, and because of all the stress, he was not active in raising his children or being there for his marriage as often as he needed to.

The economy after years of marriage kept failing; he was not earning more, but his expenses kept increasing. More kids meant more responsibilities, more clothes to buy, more mouths to feed and one he could not escape was their fees, which had a timeframe for payment. With what he was earning at the moment and the economic conditions, he was unable to meet all these alone. His responsibilities, which were meant to be driven by his love for them, had gradually become a burden.

Ben and his wife were a lovely couple; everyone admired and wished to be like them. The love they showed was not just in words but in their actions too. Mr Ben’s love for his wife and children was portrayed by how he provided for them. He knew it, his wife, children and the neighbours knew this as well. How could he show his love if he lacked his core ability to make provision for their needs? Would his presence alone portray his undying love for his family? how they also love and respect him in return.

Ben was slowly finding it difficult to care for their needs; he was late on the light bill, allowance for food and clothing, and it became terrible when his kids, Philip, Daniel and Daniella were chased from school because of school fees. This was it, they thought, he wasn’t present like Mr Paul, who also worked hard but always made time to play with his kids, and he couldn’t provide for their basic needs. This became a routine, and his wife Mary, became furious at him, seeing him not in the light they once saw him.

Time passed, Ben was not always at home; he was finding ways to make more money, but it was not fruitful. He could not look his wife in the face, and the bill kept piling up. She had to go and beg the school for her children to stay in school, and her husband was not there to assure her all would be well. He was out there trying to figure things out, but his home did not need money alone. They needed a leader and companion. His children were becoming wayward, staying out late and having bad friends in other communities as the father figure was not present, and his wife felt abandoned.

Daniella was different; despite all the events, she cherished him even more. One fateful day, as she returned from school, she heard noise and an unfamiliar voice in the bedroom. She became scared and confused, and her instinct led her to run to her mother. As she opened the door, what she saw had made her even more confused; her mother was in bed with Mr Kunle from the next street. He had come around a few times to help fix some things around the house, but now this? When did this transition happen?

The next morning came, Ben had returned, Daniella ran out to welcome him only to see that Mary was already standing outside, as usual Mary will stand outside waiting for Ben, knowing the exact time he returns every day, Daniella looked at Mary and noticed that it was a usual day for her, it was as if nothing had happened the previous day, all loving and Huggy. It was at this moment that she knew that love itself was all lies and pretence, and only when you are lucky, you never know what you are in for.

Daniella lived with this realisation all her life. As she grew, she turned into a woman who had struggles with trust, seeing every "hardworking man" as a victim and every "happy home" as a lie. She was damaged, not knowing that love can be right when the right one comes along, one who knows that provision is a duty and being present is a gift.

Thank you for reading through my post. My name is@rishagamo, and above is my response to the week’s prompt “THE LIE”.

https://ecency.com/hive-170798/@theinkwell/the-inkwell-combined-writing-prompt-24--fiction-or-creative-nonfiction?referral=rishagamo