The day my father called me a disappointment at his own birthday party

Two years ago, I go Port Harcourt for my papa 60th birthday. I carry gift, I carry money, I even buy new shirt for the occasion. I dey happy because I want make we celebrate together.

When I reach the house, my mother she run come hug me. But my papa? He just look at me small and turn away. The man no talk to me for the first two hours.

During the party, people dey ask am about me. He tell dem say I be sales rep for Lagos. The way he say am like say I dey sell pure water for motor park. I feel shame but I swallow am.

Later that night, after people don go, he call me. He say, "Chidi, I plan engineering for you. You leave am for sales. You be disappointment to this family."

I try explain say I like wetin I dey do. I tell am say the money dey come. But he no gree hear word. He say I waste my WAEC result, I waste my life. I feel like crying but I no cry for front of am.

God when? The man never even ask if I dey happy. He just want me follow the plan wey he draw for me since I be small boy.

I leave Port Harcourt the next morning. My mother dey cry. My papa no even come out to say goodbye.

Now, two years don pass. We dey talk small small but e never be the same. I call am every Sunday, he answer but the conversation dry like harmattan leaf. I still dey hope say one day e go see say I no be disappointment. I just be different.