Chapter 12
NARRATOR- BARAQAH
I cried as she narrated her story, I knew it wasn't Sofiyah who was getting married. Usman bewitched my sister!. I wanted to take her away that day but she said she can't leave.
"We are leaving together today" I said
"It's not possible today, his boys are outside.They didn't see you coming, If I go out with you, they might hurt us"
"So what do u suggest" I asked her
"I will call you when the boys aren't around, but I don't have phone" she said.
I gave her my phone, I had just one phone. She had to call my husband and I will be there in a jiffy. I waited for the boys to be distracted, before I left the house.
I called Faiza and your uncle when I got home, I told them what was happening and your Uncle who was in Lagos then said we needed to take Sofiyah out of Usman's house. He spoke with our parents about it and they told us to bring her home. Grandpa was angry, he wanted to get Usman arrested, but we needed to get Sofiyah out of his house.
Two days later, Sofiyah called "Hello, please tell Sofiyah to come over, the boys are gone" she told my husband.
I called your Uncle and we went over to her house and took her away. No one was in the compound that day, we left and No one saw us.
Sofiyah stayed at my place that day, and the next day we brought her home. On arrival, Grandpa took her to the hospital she was six months pregnant. My parents had tears in their eyes when they saw her, Sofiyah looked really bad. In her bed, she cried asking for forgiveness from our parents. They needed to forgive her, she didn't do the things she did on purpose.
When Sofiyah was with us, no one knew where she was. We didn't tell anyone about it and your father didn't look for her. Sofiyah was literally missing for four months and your father didn't tell anyone.
We were aware what happened could lead to something big because of the law so we made things right. I had pictures of Sofiyah taken when she was alive, the scars on her body, the house and everything around her. Her story was recorded and a statement was made in the police station. All these were done with Sofiyah consent and we were safe Incase Usman wanted to accuse us of kidnapping and killing his wife.
Four months later, she gave birth to you. Sofiyah spent two days hospital and then Cesarean Section (SC) was done. She died few hours after your birth, She shouldn't have died but she did. No one could stop death, she died of postpartum bleeding. Grandpa named you Hiqmat because it means Wisdom.
After your birth, Usman got to know Sofiyah was with us. He came to our house with the police, meanwhile, we've reported him to the police before he came. Grandpa got him arrested instead, Usman spent a night at the police station he was bailed out by his sister. Grandpa was willing to jail Usman but Granny said he shouldn't, she said his sentence or death won't bring back Sofiyah, it was best to let him be and let God be the judge.
I tried convincing Granny but she said her daughter is dead and buried. Grandpa gave you his name Hiqmat Ali, but we can't deny the fact that you are Usman daughter Hiqmat Usman.
It's wasn't entirely your mother's fault but Grandpa hasn't let go, he still blames himself. Grandpa is scared you might fall victim to such, not just by going to school, but seeing your father in school. Usman is a junior lecturer in the Engineering Department of the University of Lagos.
NARRATOR- HIQMAT
"Don't cry dear" Aunty Baraqah to Hiqmat
"Dear, I know how you feel about this. We really wish none of this happened" Aunt Faiza
"My father killed my mother" Hiqmat said crying
"Let it go,you need to let it go" Aunty Faiza
"Grandpa doesn't want me in school because of him, he's wicked " Hiqmat
"Your father is back" Aunty Baraqah said "He came some months ago and most recently two days ago. He has been asking about you, he said he wants his daughter back." She paused
"That's why I came home, we needed to find a solution to everything. You told Grandpa want to go to the university to study architecture, that's why Grandpa is angry. He's scared your father might find you there and take you away" Aunt Baraqah
"He said you belong to him" Anty Faiza.
I was cold, my father is back to take me after sixteen years, it's impossible. Then I realized why Grandpa was refusing to send me to the university. My father is the reason, he's the wall between me and my dreams.
"Grandpa is concerned about you, you might think he's selfish but he has to protect the only thing Sofiyah left behind" Aunt Faiza said
"The wall between you and your dreams is your father, he's the reason Grandpa is scared of sending you to the university. There's no way he won't get to know about you going to the university and we don't have to capacity to send you abroad except there's a scholarship" Aunty Baraqah
"A time will come when we won't be there to protect you, he will find you." Aunt Faiza
"What can I do" I asked in tears.
Aunt Baraqah held my hands " you need to convince Grandpa you aren't going anywhere, talk to him and tell him you can do better than your mother. Tell him you know the story and you know why he's scared, tell him you will never leave his side, appreciate him. You need to talk to him from your heart"
...To be continued.
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