My father sold my UNILAG tuition land and showed up at my sister's wedding like nothing happened

Two years ago, my younger sister was getting married in Akure. I had not been home in almost four years. You know how it is, Lagos life swallows you and before you know it, years don pass.

The wedding was at my mother's house. Small ceremony, family and close friends. I was helping arrange chairs when I saw a familiar blue Toyota pull up. My father stepped out.

See ehn, I haven't seen the man since 2016. That was the year he sold the family land my mother had set aside for my UNILAG fees. I almost lost my admission because of that. My mother had to borrow from her cooperative society to pay my acceptance fee.

He walked in like he was coming for a normal event. Hugged my mother. Greeted everyone. Then he came to me and said, "Deji, my son, you don grow."

I just looked at him. The anger came back like it was yesterday. I wanted to ask him how he could sell my future and then show up smiling. But my mother caught my eye. She shook her head small small.

The whole ceremony I was quiet. People were dancing, eating, laughing. I was calculating in my head how much that land would be worth now. Probably ₦15 million in this market.

After the reception, my father pulled me aside. He said, "I know I wronged you. I was in a bad place. I ask God for forgiveness and I ask you too."

I didn't say anything. I just walked away.

Later that night, my mother told me he has been sick. Kidney problem. That was why he came, to make peace before things get worse.

I spent the whole night thinking. The land is gone. The money is gone. But holding this anger for years, it only hurt me. The man doesn't even have a kidney to sell anymore.

Next morning, I went to his hotel. We talked for two hours. I didn't forgive him for him. I did it for myself. Because carrying that weight in Lagos while trying to build a life, it was slowing me down.

He cried. I didn't. But I felt something lift.

Now whenever I go to Akure, I visit him. We don't talk about the land. We talk about football and how expensive everything is. It's not perfect. But it's peace.