***

I sat comfortably on the large carpet, folded my legs and spoke with a high pitched voice

"Baba..." I started "When Umma died, I wasn't the only one devastated, you also were. You gave my step mother my responsibility, so I could have a mother's love and care which I had lost forever, but instead she did the exact opposite. I've received only hatred from her. Pure hatred.

You traveled very frequently, so you gave Mama Saratu my full responsibility. You gave her Amana(responsibility) Let me tell you today...taci maka amana( she took down your trust) She never ever took care of me. She would always beat me up until the neighbors came to my rescue. I couldn't get water to drink in this house, talk less of food to eat. She would hurl insults at me. She hated me to the point that my mere sight disgusted her. I was a burden on her, she always says. "I said looking straight into his bulged eyes.

"I was skinny and malnourished as a child. I would eat from the leftovers of her children's food, and sometimes, I won't even get leftovers, I would eat from the garbage to survive. I was very scared of her. Her yes was yes and her no was no."

"I developed asthma, because she once threw me out at night, while it was raining heavily. It was Anty Yagaji that took me in, at dawn. I had already fainted and she took me to a hospital. Mama Saratu denied throwing me out, she shed her crocodile tears and convinced everyone, including you. But I never said anything"

"Then you married Maa Fatima. The angel, who I thought was given to me from Allah. My savior. She would fed me, bath me, cloth me, she does everything a mother does to her child. I grew up with a mother's love, that one I had lost. And it's not from the person you think it is. Mama Saratu instigate you against Maa Fatima, and you always believe her. You'd always shout at her, for the crimes she never committed, and she'll take in all you scoldings without uttering a single word"

"I lived in this house well fed and happy. Maa Fatima even convinced you to let me, a girl child, go to school, which is like a taboo in this society we live in."

"Don't think this is all, I haven't told you anything yet." I said as I leaned back on the hard brick wall and continued.

"I finished primary school, and Mama Saratu instigated you yet again, She asked you to take me to a boarding school. She had you under her palms then. I don't know what she did, but you won't take a single decision without consulting her." I spoke and Baba bowed his head down in guilt.

"Boarding school was really hard for a twelve year old. The seniors were harsh on me. It came to a point that I didn't have time to read, I was always on seniors errands. I later found out that Mama Saratu was the one, who'd shower the seniors with gifts and money, just for them to maltreat me. My stepmother. She hated seeing me happy, for a reason, I'll never know"

"I finished junior secondary, in hardship, but I passed with flying colors nonetheless. You were very happy with my results, you said I should ask for anything I want, and you'd fulfill it. Do you remember, I was sitting right here that day, when I asked you to transfer me to the local school here, so I could complete my senior years, and you said yes. Mama Saratu felt like she was about to explode that night, she beat me up so harshly, Maa Fatima wasn't there to save me, she had gone to her mother's place. She beat me until she got tired, and for once, I never raised my hand in surrender, the scars of that dark night are still engraved on my body" My voice rose rapidly in pitch.

"If I'm to choose between boarding school life, and the hardship I experienced afterwards, I'd prefer the boarding school. She turned my life into a living hell. She'd tear my uniforms and books, use my sandals as wood for fire, to cook. She used to burden me with chorus, that I'll always arrive at school very late, and then get punished by the labor mistress." My voice was getting louder, I didn't realize when the whole house gathered. Shocked mama Saratu and her three children, and Maa Fatima, who was trying to stop me from talking, but I still continued.

"Maa Fatima's first child was a still born, do you know why, because someone had hit her stomach so hard, that she went into labor early. She had three miscarriages in the past, because she accidentally slipped. And today too, she 'slipped'. Don't you think there's an explanation for why all this is happening. Let me not talk in riddles baba, Mama Saratu is the one responsible for all these. Maa Fatima is just too innocent and kindhearted, she'll never say a word against Mama Saratu, she takes her as an elder sister"

"I decided on telling you because I've had enough, enough of all the calm Halima, you've always advised me against losing my temper, that's why I stay calm and watch every injustice against my mother, but that's it"

"Even my umma...." I wanted to yell and tell him everything, but then he would never believe me...he never believed me thirteen years ago too. "Thirteen years ago, when I was crying over losing my mother, I had told you something, and you never believed me. What lies can a seven year old probably cook up? That's why I never told you anything again. I endured it all"

"If you decide on believing me, and taking action, then fine it's your choice, and if you think I'm telling lies, it's also your choice, I won't force your decision. But remember, the Halima that have never told a single lie before, why would she break her principles and lie today...and that too in the holy month of Ramadan?"

I stood up and scooted out of the room, leaving a very shocked mama saratu. I could hear Baba's roar as I walked to my room. His loud voice was always heard in this house, he was always shouting at the wrong person. He gives his verdict without hearing the second party.

I prayed Isha'i and slept off after checking on Maa Fatima's health. I had no appetite for food. I was already used to staying hungry in my childhood, that I can now spend days without eating, and I'd be fine.

As I laid down on my bed, I couldn't help but think, during all my hardships, baba never noticed, he never noticed when I was hungry, or when I get beaten up, or when I stay all night washing clothes, not even for once have I told him. But he should have noticed.

I'd be really surprised if he believes me

*****

Short chapter😬

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Husnah_Hussain🌷