I got registered in a Computer college very close to our house, Grandpa had instructed my uncle to get me registered. I was hoping to learn a lot about software development.
JAMB form was out already, I got home after class and informed my Aunt who said I shouldn't tell Grandpa yet. My Uncle and Aunt would have been able to get it for me but they didn't want to get Grandpa upset.
That night, after having dinner, I laid on my bed and was going through the pages of my book. I was trying to get my mind off everything and study, I soon heard some voices from the courtyard. I leaned over the window to see what was happening.
" Not again, everyone is quarrelling because of me" I said to myself.
" Am not telling you what to do, am asking you to" I heard uncle telling Grandpa.
" You can't tell me what to do, she's my responsibility" Grandpa replied.
" Hiqmat shouldn't be treated this way, give her a chance" Uncle said
"You said the same thing when her mother brought her father home, what was the result" Grandpa said "You told me to give him a chance, I did and what did he do to my daughter. He's going to do the same to her" Grandpa added.
" You are still living in the past, I only wanted the best for my sister. I guess i was wrong but this child is innocent" Uncle said
"Am done with this" Grandpa said as he tried to walk away " I can't let her go, she's the only thing Sofiyah left behind" he added.
"She will go to the university, she's going to fulfill her mother's dream. She looks up to you, you've always been there for her and you're turning your back on her just because of her father." Uncle paused
"She's my responsibility as well father, all we need to do is stand by her just as we've always done. Her father shouldn't be the reason why she should be denied anything" Uncle said as Grandpa walked away.
I couldn't understand what was going on anymore, first I was told my mother made a mistake now my father. I really couldn't put the puzzle together because Granny and Uncle words were different.
It was my tradition to sleep after the morning Prayers, I was wrapping myself under the duvet when I heard the door bell ring. I looked at the wall clock hanging on the wall, it was 7:15am.
"who could it be at this hour, It's too early to have visitors" I said trying to get up.
I heard Aunt Baraqah's voice from the sitting room, she was in in kitchen preparing breakfast.
" Subhanallah!!!" She screamed, everyone rushed out to see what had happened.
" What happened" my uncle asked, opening the door to see who was there.
" Iya Ruqayat is dead" she said almost crying
"Inalillah wallahi rojiun" Everyone said in unison
"Her maid said she died this morning" Aunt added wiping off tear from her eyes.
"God bless her soul" I said almost whispering.
The news of Iya Ruqayat death made everyone moody. I saw her some days before her death, she was our neighbour and Granny's friend. She sells Bean cake and pap popularly known as Eko and Akara, hers was the best and she had lots of customers. Most times, people stay in queue just to buy her Eko and Akara.
Iya Ruqayat always gave me five pieces of Akara whenever she saw me going to school. Memories of her and how everyone was going to miss her made me cry. I stood by the kitchen window as I watched people coming to pay their last tributes to Iya Rukayat at her house. Death is inevitable I thought, no one would have imagined she would die that morning.
As I tried recalling the memories I had with Iya Ruqayat, I found myself lost in thought of how my mother had died. I was told she died few hours after my birth, Granny gave me a picture of her which laid by my bedside. There was no other pictures of her around the house as it reminded everyone of her.
I began to think of what she did, no one actually talks my Father and it never bothered me. So many questions came running through my mind, no one was ready to tell me anything. Asking Granny about my parents wasn't a good idea, she has tried to stop thinking about it.
I suddenly felt something warm on my shoulder.
"Hiqmat, aren't you going to school" the voice said, I turned around it was my Aunt. I have been standing beside the window for long.
" What were you thinking" she asked,
"My mother, I was wondering how she was and what happened before and after her death" I said, not sure if I was asking a question.
" Your mother was an amazing young lady, death is unpredictable and inevitable" she said folding her arms
"What did she do, why is Grandpa …." I asked
"Hiqmat" Aunt cuts in " We've promised never talk about your mother in this house" Aunt added
" Why?" I asked hoping she would answer me
"I really wish I could tell you about your mother, but a promise is a debt" she said. I was a little disappointed, but then I thought if no one can talk about my mother at home then someone outside the house can.
Grandpa was going to attend the funeral prayers, she was to be buried at her husband's ancestral home at ilesa.
I hurriedly had my bath, carried my bag and left for my Graphic class. As the class went on,I kept checking my watch. I wasn't really interested in the class, my conversation with Aunt Baraqah was on my mind. I rushed out of the class as soon as it ended, I had to be somewhere, it was important.
I alighted from the cab, and walked into the compound. The gate was painted in wine, there were flowers behind the fences and a dog cage. The house was a bungalow and it was repainted. There hasn't been much changes since I last visited.
I walked towards the house "Good afternoon" I said as I knocked at the door, they don't have a door bell. I walked around the terrace waiting for a response before I knock again, Just then the door opened.
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