It was dusk when the talking feet of his children shambled into the confines of his little hut.

The sight of their mud smeared bodies and dusty feet hinted another bout of local wrestling and football at the village square.

Today, he didn't bother to  reprove their lateness. He was too absorbed to notice they had gone for too long.

Walking around to the backyard, the oldest of the three boys fidgeted. The silence from his father was unnerving and bone chilling than his cacophony of threats and little beatings.

" Papa hasn't said a word," he whispered to the others.

" He might be tired," the youngest, Jachi chimed, his voice a note lower than his brother's.

" Have you seen him tired before?" Rasped the oldest, Emeka.

" Let's heat the food and wash the dishes. Mom would have returned by the time we're done," suggested the younger child, Chidi.

The boys agreed. 

Dutifully, they went to and fro until the chores were done. All the while, the consciousness of their father's presence at the porch felt like waiting on tenterhooks. 

Hours later, there was no sign of their mother. The night dimmed farther into the abyss. It was like none other they had witnessed before. Maybe because they never had to stay awake as dusk fade into morning.

By the early hours of dawn, the boys looked out the window and met the sight of their father rooted on the same spot. Their weary eyes searched one another's for answers they didn't have. 

An hour later, they were out saying their rehearsed greetings. Not even a muscle in his body flexed to the ring of their voices. 

Mustering courage, Emeka drew closer and shook his body. The more he nudged, shook and prodded him, the faster reality engulfed their tender hearts.

" Chidi, go and call uncle Uchenna. Tell him we need him," Emeka ordered, cold and weak. His eyes the weather before a heavy downpour.

Their uncle hurried up at once the moment he received the message. Something whispered the high tides to his ears the minute he saw the boys figure at his wooden gate.

Not long after his arrival, he wagged his head to the dirge that would rise in less than an hour.

"Did he tell you boys about your mother?" He quizzed after taking the body inside.

" He didn't say a word," Emeka replied through clattering teeth.

Their uncle exhaled, and let down the heavy load that completely shattered the boys' world.

“ They brought news today that she and some other traders died in a fire, yesterday.”

Jachi creased his forehead. He had never heard of the word 'death' .

Chidi leaned against the wall and a tear trickled down his right cheek like a lightening bolt.

Emeka stared puzzledly at his uncle. He fought between acceptance and denial.

" I will inform the elders. From now, you must take care of your brothers," the older man said and exited the compound with his shoulders dropped to Earth.

Emeka held his brothers' hands and took a deep breath. 

It wasn't fine, but he had to stay strong as long as he could. Just like his father did...no...just like his parents.