Guilty Conscience

Picture generated by me using OpenAI

It was chaos as usual on the roads of Lagos. Chukwuma held tightly to the steering of his Toyota Corolla trying his best to manoeuvre the traffic that had kept him on a particular spot for hours. The hot sun burning with the same intensity as the secret burning in his heart. He adjusted his tie and took off his suit; he was sweating profusely inside the hot car. He wondered how long he was going to keep up with the lies.

His phone buzzed loudly again. He looked at his phone. It was the seventh call from his mother in the space of one hour. He already knew why she was calling but needed to be clear of traffic before he could answer the call

Finally, out of the traffic, he turned to a nice quiet street and parked. Then he answered his phone

"Hello, Mama", he said, trying to hide the frustration in his voice.

"Chukwuma, where are you? Don't tell me you're no longer coming for your father's birthday dinner" his mother's voice yelled from the other end of the phone.

"Mama, I'll be there, don't worry. I just have a lot of files to clear at work before I make my way there " he lied, guilt creeping up his chest.

"Okay o. We'll be expecting you" his mother added and ended the call.

Chukwuma sat there in his car; he banged hard on the steering wheel and let out a loud yell. Then he looked around him to make sure no one saw him do that.

He got out of his car to take down the Taxi sign at the top of his car. He wasn't going to drive home with that at the top of his car If he needed to maintain his lie to his people that he was working in an office instead of a taxi driver.

He got back into his car when he heard a loud knock on the window. He jolted and turned to see the familiar face of Mr Okoro, a close family friend, leaning into his window. He felt his heart lurch.

"Chukwuma", Mr Okoro called, opening the car door and getting inside without being invited by Chukwuma. "I knew it was you when I saw the car plate number. But I was confused because this car had a taxi sign at the top. Not until you came down to take it off. Do you also rent your car out for taxi services like my son?" He asked, clearly unaware of what was going on.

Chukwuma sat there speechless like a cat got his tongue "Uh.. I.. the thing is.." he stammered without making a full sentence.

"All these young boys, you people know how to utilise every second to make money. While you'll be in the office working and making money from that side, you'll just rent your car out and be making money from this side, too, instead of leaving the car idle." Mr Okoro continued.

Chukwuma had known Mr Okoro to be one who talked a lot. He thought of how to get out of this. Because if he didn't, Mr Okoro must relate the incident to his parents, and he knew his parents to be fast thinkers, unlike Mr Okoro, who only thinks from his mouth. They will unravel the secret he had been keeping for over six months now in minutes.

"I'm a taxi driver" he heard himself say, his face pale.

"Stop joking son." Mr Okoro, who couldn't believe it, said. "Okay, after work you drive it around to make money for fuel. I know that...."

Chukwuma cut him short "No, there's no office job; I lied to my parents", he confessed.

Mr Okoro sat there with his mouth wide open "What did you say?" He asked, his voice a mix of disappointment.

"Sir it's complicated". Chukwuma scratched his head.

"Uncomplicate it. Because your mother goes about proud of you and what you've become" Mr Okoro demanded with a firm voice

Chukwuma's face was filled with shame. "I know sir. Somehow the job I got didn't fall through again. I didn't know how to tell them when they had already told everyone that I was working in a big office. So I started driving this car pretending each day that I was going to work just to make ends meet" he explained

"You should have told them," Mr Okoro said in a soft voice.

"I did not know how I'd handle the disappointment in their face"

Mr Okoro reached out to hold Chukwuma by the shoulder. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, son. Back in my own time, it wasn't easy for me after school either. I job-hunted for years. I had to hawk bread in the streets to make ends meet. Just like you, nobody knew"

Chukwuma looked at him. He was surprised hear such a story from Mr Okoro.

"Surprised right" Mr Okoro asked

Chukwuma nodded.

"My point is life isn't easy for anyone. But hiding something like this from your parents wouldn't help you. Eventually, they'll find out one day. Tell people the truth so they'll know how to help you."

Chukwuma knew Mr Okoro wasn't lying. He needed to tell his people the truth. "But how?" He asked, he couldn't imagine the look on their faces.

"Well, tell them at your father's birthday dinner tonight. You were driving there now right, because that's why I jumped into your car o"

Chukwuma nodded, turning the ignition on. "Yes sir"

---

They got to the house and it was buzzing with a handful of people. Chukwuma's dad did not really love the crowd at his parties. According to him, it was better to celebrate with a few who loved him than with many who pretended to love him.

Chukwuma could hear his father's coarse laughter from the garage. He walked through the door with Mr Okoro into the house, the smell of delicious Jollof aroma and other delicacies filled his nose.

He had one thing in mind, telling his parents the truth.

"Oh, finally, you came," his mother called as she saw him enter the house.

"Good evening, Mama", he greeted.

"How's work, big man?" his father said, walking up to him from behind, pride etched on his face.

Chukwuma's eyes caught Mr Okoro who gave him an encouraging nod.

"About that, I need to tell you guys something", he said, looking from his mum to his dad.

His parents looked at themselves. "Hope all is well son?" His father asked.

Chukwuma swallowed hard. Summoning much courage, he confessed "The truth is, I…I don’t work in an office. I'm a taxi driver. That’s what I’ve been doing these past months. The job I told you about…it didn’t come through."

There was silence and one could hear a pin fall.

“I… I’m a taxi driver. .” he repeated as if his parents didn't hear him the first time.

"You should have told us the truth," his mum said in whispers.

“I was scared. I just didn't know how to say it without you guys giving me the exact disappointed face you're giving me now", he explained in pain.

"No, son, we're not disappointed with you. We're just shocked you lied to us. We trained you to be better" his father spoke, trying so hard not to be hard on his son.

“Exactly. Being a taxi driver might not be what we want for you now, but we're proud that you chose it rather than to be idle or steal," his mum said, rubbing his shoulders.

Chukwuma couldn't hold the tears as it dropped from his eyes.

"Come here, son", his father said, opening his arms to let his son in.

Chukwuma hugged them back, grateful to have relieved himself of such a great burden. Now he didn't have to lie going on

The rest of the night was filled with merriment. Having confessed he felt a little lighter and ready to face the next chapter of his life.