A FATED LOVE:win the challenges, earn a husband

--

" Hi my name is Hajarat, I am fifteen years old, I am in the second year of my senior secondary class and I am the first born of my parents.

Let me tell you a little part of my story for the past fifteen years of my life. thou I might not remember the things I did when i was a baby. come on, is that even possible (smile)."

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three years old me.

" slap. " I heard and look at my mom and dad who are involved in their violent fight like every other day.

"yeah, I know, you might want to ask how would a three year old would be able to tell, you know when experience had you growing more than your age (sighs). "

"so back to the story. " I walk over to cover my mom, from my dads harsh treatment.

"dad please stop. " I said in my tiny voice but as though he would hear me especially when those hormones are working. if you know what I mean. I was dragged away violently from my mom who I was trying to protect with my little body, by dad. feeling myself loose balance and stagger back. unable to keep my balance yet, I felt my butt hit the floor as I landed on the floor butt first. when I realised I couldn't do anything to help with such little strength.

I ran out of the house to the neighboring houses living in the same compound as ours. I knocked with my little fist as hard as I could. a not so old woman who I know well opened the door and looks down at me. " Hajarat, what is wrong. " she asked.

"oh, I forget to tell you, it was late at night when all these violence started." "please help my mom. " I said with my tiny voice and sniffs finally realizing I was already tearing up. " she lifts me up and head towards my house and calls some neighbors along just in case of emergency, but to my advantage it was just what I needed. "

--

Reaching our house my mom is still being beaten up by my dad. the woman along with the neighbors who had came with me moved closer to help my mom by pulling my dad away from my mom and that is, after putting me down.

After my dad was pulled away from my mom, I moved closer to her and hugs her as she cries and I also cry along with her.

suddenly, I don't know how it happened I felt myself being yanked away from my mom and carried out of the house, the next thing I know was that a large amount of liquid was poured on my head indirectly, I look up to see myself in my dads hold with him also soaked In the liquid . I take a deep breath and smell the liquid making my eyes to widen " petrol. "

" I am going to kill myself and my daughter. " he said and my mom stood up with a new energy I could sense as mothers instinct.

I cried louder. " am I going to die now. " I thought within me.

our neighbors tried to calm him and talk to him but he just kept throwing insult to them all.

--

After a while of dragging the arguments and trying to appease my dad. I felt myself being yanked from his hold by the former not so old woman, as the men held my dad down.

My mom and I were taken along with the not so old woman to her house to spend the night there. --

In the not so old woman house. my moms wounds were taken care of, as her daughter takes me along with her to her bedroom after being permitted by my mom to do so.

I hugged my mom, and she nods to me as she rubs my back and told me to go and sleep as well as reassuring me that she would be alright.

the daughter of the not so old woman held my hand and lead me towards her room which I followed her.

getting to her room.

She lifts me up and place me on her bed. she climbs on after, wrap me with her blanket as she wraps herself as well. " good night," she said to me as she pets me by patting my back gently as I was facing her.

" good night. " I replied back.

--

The next morning, my mom came to wake me up, she takes me to the woman's daughter washroom and cleans me up, she dressed me with a new set of my clothes making me surprised as to when she got those. " ah moms, they never seems not to amaze you. "

--

After being served with breakfast by the woman and advised, my mom told me that we will be heading to my grannies house .

" and oh before I forget, I finally got to know how to address the not so old woman, as her daughters name was Oyin, so I had to call the woman "mummy Oyin".

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At my grannies, I was free, got friends to talk to, I play. (you know I am still a kid, I have to live like one).

--

It has been few days since the incident and we haven't heard much about dad. though at least I know mom is OK.

Until one morning, I heard his voice while sleeping. I thought I was dreaming and tried to focus more. I could hear the muffled speech he was giving. frowning a little, I open my eye to confirm whether I am just dreaming or he really did came.

After a little while, I confirmed that it wasn't really a dream, he really did came. I stood up from the bed and head to the living room. then I saw him on his knees begging mom about how wrong he was, how foolish he was and giving out promises, that I am not so sure of myself.

--

After a while of begging and promises, from my dad, and my grandma advising my mom to forgive him and go back home with him while giving her an old say that goes thus " a marital house is always a place of lesson, so she have to accept and ignore the negative part and focus on the positive ones. " and finally my mom accepted his apologies and accept to go back home with him. though I am happy that they are getting back together but I was scared of my dad.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For the past two weeks now, things have been going smoothly with my dad being lovely and all by taking us to the mall, taking us shopping, being playful and also helping my mom.

but it was only a matter of time before we begin another episode of his trouble.

--

Well the cycle kept on going with the fight and reconciliations down the year till another year.

Until my mom got pregnant with my younger sister and just like magic he became gentle like never before and caring. (yeah made me wonder a lot about things).

--

He continues this action even after my younger sister birth, Aliyah. I was still at the cliff of his mountain of unexpected trouble but to my surprise it wasn't so.

though there were little couple fight but not violent as before.

I was happy and glad that it was all coming out smooth, until six years later when my younger brother was delivered and things started getting worse.

--

It all started with him making these friends from the new neighborhood we moved to recently.

"at first."

he will have mini fights with my mom calling her a witch and all kinds of names, you can name it. and those words all came from the stupid friends he has who call themselves shamans. "

" what shaman, shaman my foot, they couldn't even solve the problems in their family yet want to solve others problem or should I say add to it "

--

"hmm hmm. " clears throat.

" yeah sorry for the bad words, it is just that, thinking of those people make me want to puke. "

"so as I was saying........."

" the conflict continued for it to only start getting worse to the point that he doesn't sleep in the same room as my moms anymore, he moved to our room and made us change to our moms giving some incoherent reasons, and he, I mean my dad started doing things that only intensify the bad image he was already creating. "

" hmm. " I sigh.

" the funniest part of the intensity I talked about was that when he started I didn't believe my mom when she told me things that weren't even sensible to the ears."

" I remember, my mom calling me one night when we were just getting ready to sleep." " Hajarat, you know you are my first daughter, " my mom started looking at me with such intensity I can't decipher.

" yes," I said as I look at her in the eye giving her the attention she needs.

" do you believe that your father was doing some black magics in this house. " she said.

" ridiculous." I thought as I imagined myself rolling my eyes internally.

" and how did you know this mom. " I questioned.

" because he was planning to use me as his sacrifice lamb. " she said with serious face.

"oh come on. " I said within myself and thought

" is their conflict not enough. where is this heading to.

" and do you know that he smokes recently" she said and I look at her like really.

" mom I am sorry but I don't believe think I can believe that. " I said to her politely

" what do you mean you can't believe me, will I lie to you " she said giving me a strict look.

" mom, it is not like that I just don't believe that he would do that, but if you can prove it to me. "

" prove it to you " she said with anger evident in her voice

"Come on I understand that he have been acting violent these days but please do not let him hear you say this about him because we won't be able to contain his trouble " I said trying to make her understand me.

She shifts in her bed and turns off the bed side lamp and didn't speak to me after that.

I shook my head and shift in my bed to find a comfortable position and welcome the beautiful land of dream to take me into its embrace.

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The next day I woke up early just like every other day and do the home chores.

I entered the bedroom and look at my sister who was still sleeping.

I took off my clothes and head to the bathroom to wash up and prepare for school.

--

After washing up, I head back to the room and get dressed for school after dressing up I look at my sister who kept on sleeping despite the noises going on.

Well let me tell you a little about my sister, who knows how to make me go crazy and loves to annoy me.

She is dads favourite and one annoying brat and typically spoilt, we both have a bad past history though we are trying to develop a good one.

Plus she have the stupid behaviors that make my blood boil, for example, after waking up as early as possible to make sure to make it to school as early as possible by doing my chores as fast as I can, I wake her up early enough to get herself ready for school only for her to start he annoying episodes of wanting to use the toilet just when dad was ready to drive us to school and she wouldn't hurry up with her business therefore making us late for school and I get punished every day but who am I to complain after being reprimanded for many times.

I remember two years ago when we had a fight and I kinda beat her up a little.

"And why was that? "

she threw at me a metal padlock which hit my head giving it a bump and a tear, I was bleeding and annoyed, I lost a little control of myself and beat her.

Only for my mom and dad to come back home and side with her and please don't get me started on the harsh punishment I received, I was punished for the whole night with no wink of sleep.

It was crucial and unfair but who do I give my complains to.

And do not remind me on how they left my wound untreated that night only to notice it the other day.

You might wonder if they are my birth parents, I also did thought so before but the fact is they are indeed my birth parents with so many undeniable clues that proves our blood relation, for example I remember seeing my dads mom and we look so much alike the similarity is irreplaceable except for the difference in complexion.

(sigh )

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Back to present. I walk out of the room and head to the living room with a napkin I grabbed when heading over.

I clean the furnitures off the dust and rearrange some things back to its normal place.

--

After cleaning the living room I head to the bedroom to wake my sister up.

" Aliyah. " I called as I shook her slightly.

" leave me alone. " she said.

" Aliyah. " I called as I shook her again.

" are you crazy, I said leave me alone. " she cussed at me.

Yeah that's how she does, one of her daily episode.

I shook her a little more hard and she jolt up and sat down on the bed looking at me with a murderous glare.

" oh I love when she give me that look, make me feel accomplished.

" Like come on, if she could make my blood boil up a few degrees, then I won't waste any opportunities for me to annoy her .

"go and take your bath and get ready for school. " I told her and walk out of the room.

I head to the kitchen to see my mom almost done with cooking, I stood with her and watch her do some finishing up.

After cooking, I help my mom with serving the food and setting the dinning table for breakfast.

I watch my dad come out of his room and walk over to the table took his seat as he greets mom. Now look who, mom said was doing some unbelievable things last night.

Mom replied to him and sat down as she carries my brother in her lap and feed him his food. "good morning dad. " I greeted

" morning, how are you ? " he asked.

" I am fine. " I replied.

" where is my princess ? He asked and I guess you know who he was referring to.

" she is inside. " I said.

" go and check if she is awake and tell her to come out to have her breakfast. " my mom said strictly.

At least she doesn't take nonsense from my sister but still care for her.

"OK. " I said as I head inside to check on my sister. She should be ready by now, I thought.

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In the room.

I saw my sister still sleeping on the bed with only her underwear on.

"arrgghhh, she does knows how to annoy me. "

I walk towards her and woke her more hardly this time.

" are you crazy, leave me alone. " she scolds and sit up.

" mom said that you should get yourself dressed up and come out now. "

I said as I walk to the corner of the room where her uniform was nicely hanged on the cloth hanger, I pull it from the cloth hanger and head back to her side. I drop the cloth on the bed next to her and head out.

--

I sat at the dinning table beside my mom and look at my brother who kicks me trying to get my attention, oh I love him so much.

I held his hand and swing it a little playfully and smile as he speaks in his cute gibberish baby language which I respond back with the same gibberish language because it makes me happy.

He laughs showing his little teeth which is still growing.

I gave him a kiss in the forehead and compose myself as I settled down to eat my food.

I picked my spoon and scooped some rice and beans mixed with stew and a piece of plantain which I cut small and put it in my mouth.

I savour the mix of taste joyously but without showing much emotions as my dad doesn't like me doing that but it is OK when my sister does that.

Aliyah walk out of the room and greet my mom and dad which my dad replies more lovingly and guides her to sit beside him as always.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - After breakfast I packed the dishes to the kitchen and put them gently in the sink to prevent another punishment of broken plates.

I picked a napkin hanged on the kitchen door and head to the dining room, clean the table as I watch my sister go watch TV while dad went to dress up so as to drop us off at school when we are ready to go while my mom went to rest with my brother who was already yawning after eating.

Actually mom was on maternity leave so she is free at home taking care of my baby brother. After cleaning the dining room, I look at the wall clock attached to the wall opposite me and saw that I have more time. I head to the kitchen to get the dishes washed.

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After doing all the necessary things I know could hold me back from going to school as my mom is strict enough to do that to me.

I heave a sigh of relief and told dad that we are ready to go as my sister was just sitting idly watching a cartoon movie.

Dad picked the car keys and leads the way out of the house only for my sister to start her crazy episode like other days.

" dad I want to use the toilet. " she said and I turn my head to her like seriously.

I remember going to her a while ago when I was almost done with the home chores that she should go to the toilet and to her business only for her to reply me rudely and said.

" leave me alone, I am not feeling the need to go to the toilet so go away you are disturbing my show. " she said.

--

" I asked you to go to the toilet a while ago. So why are you feeling the need to now, why are you being so unreasonable and stupid. " I said in anger.

" watch your speech, Hajarat. " dad said and I was like seriously.

"Arrghh." I hate this girl, I groan within me.

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Finally after finishing her business, dad drove us to school and we were fifteen minutes late. They are already having class.

--

After a while. I felt a burning sensation from the back of my leg where I was flogged with five lashes of cane.

I look towards my sisters class and saw my dad walking out of there.

Right my sister never gets beaten.

" Why ? "

Because he always beg the teachers not to, which they comply with.

While I suffer from her irresponsibility.

" I swear I won't allow this to happen to me again. " I vowed to myself that day.

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Closing time.

I walk to my sisters class to meet my mom because that is the normal routine. My sister close an hour before my closing school time because of the grade level she is, so my mom wait for me there so as to pick me along at once. --

Reaching the class I saw my mom talking to my sister homeroom teacher.

I greet my mom and the homeroom teacher who is also a woman, I look at my brother who sleep nicely in my moms arm and went to sit beside my sister who ignores me and I return the attitude to give my mom time to talk to the new friend she made I guess.

--

After a while, they end their chat and my mom lead us to her car which was packed at the gate of the school but at a side to prevent blockage. We entered the car, she placed my sleeping brother in the baby can sit and buckled the belt go keep it in place and she drove us home.

Finally at home.

I do my normal chores, my brother woke up from his sleep and I played with him and my mom has slept a long time ago after being assured that I will take care of my brother.

After some while of playing together, he slept off again in the evening.

I sat on the chair looking at a movie with my sister, all of a sudden she moves closer to me and whisper to me

" do you know that mom was talking bad about you to my homeroom teacher this afternoon." she said

" and what did she say ." I asked with my brows lifted up.

" she said that you are callous and an unreliable daughter and you do not care about her. " she said and I rolled my eyes.

" like seriously, you want me to believe that. " I said as I fold my arms.

" I swear, and you know when I swear I never lie. " she said.

I wave her off and told her to go and sleep as I face the movie I was watching

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It has been few days now and the days goes on just normally as every other day would but with the exception of me deciding to walk to school from the day I made the vow to myself not to get punished unnesssary and to spice it up, my sister finally experience what it feels like to be punished in school with her stupid episode and now she is trying her best to change because dad has travelled back to his work place which was far away from home in another city and now my mom does the driving. I still think of what my sister told me about my mom because she does act somehow hostile once in a while. I thought back to the day she told me about dad which I told her not to think much into as I can't seems to imagine dad doing that because it looks childish and crazy.

"Could it be that she was angry that I didn't believe her, was that why she said I was callous. " I thought to myself.

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It has been five months since dad left the city to his work place, things have been just as it always been.

Finally we have finished the section for the school term and we have been given a vacation of three weeks duration.

- -

Night on the third day of vacation.

I was sitting in the living room with my mom.

It was already midnight, we were waiting for dad.

He just called mom a while ago that he was already near home.

My sister and my little brother are sleeping inside.

I can't call my brother a baby anymore because next week he is turning a year old.

- -

" honk honk. " we heard and my mom opened the door and orders me to open the gate after heading outside together.

I did as I was told and dad drove in while I close the gate as fast as possible as it was cold outside and I am only on a light cloth.

" welcome, " my mom hugged my dad .

And I was like look who was telling some bad things about dad some time ago.

" welcome dad, " I greet him and he replies well to me with a smile.

I wonder what is in the air tonight.

Talking about the weather I was reminded of the cold out here by the cool breeze that blew my clothes slightly and I shudder a little.

I made myself useful by helping dad to get his stuffs into the house along with mom.

- -

After settling inside the house, mom and dad sat in the living together almost ignoring me.

" mom i am going inside to sleep. " I said.

" erm where is my princess. " dad asked.

" she is sleeping. " I replied.

"you may go inside. " mom said.

I left the two couple and head inside to sleep.

Getting to the room, I walk over to my brother Adam side gave him a peck on his head and lay down on the other bed beside my sister.

I pull some clothes on top of me to cover me and warm me up from the cold and allow myself a good night sleep.

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The next morning, I woke up like every other day, pray by performing ablution and obtaining morning prayer obligation after that I do all the necessary home chores after that I helped my mom with little things in the kitchen while she was cooking and then later she told me to leave the kitchen which I did and watch her dominate the kitchen.

After cooking, I help my mom to set the table and serve the food.

I watch my dad walk out of the room and sat down on his usual spot.

My mom carried my brother who just woke up to the bathroom clean him up and bring him to the dining table to have his breakfast.

" where is my princess. " dad asked.

" she is sleeping. " I said.

" go and wake her up. " mom orders me

" OK. " I said and head to the room to call her .

In the room I called her and shook her awake slightly and like always, she gave her usual episode of cussing me but I made sure she is wide awake.

" dad is home and he is asking for you. " I told her and she ran out of the room to greet dad.

" daddy. " she called

" how are you ? "he asked .

" I am fine. " she replied.

" you can't greet me huh. " mom asked her and dad look at her with a sharp glare that says "why would you interupt us ".

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