I heard dad's car hoot, but I wasn't in the mood to talk. I heard mum open the gate and greeting him. He asked about me and mum said I was in my room. I just adjusted on my bed to pretend I was asleep when my mom came into my room.
" katiya. ... Katiya" she called " katiya, wake up. Come and have your dinner, your dad is around" she continued. Seeing I wasn't budging, she came moved closer to tap me. I moved and she said:
" stand up your dad is back."
" Okay ma" I pretended like I was just waking up.
" Come out now, you know you've not had dinner" she said moving away from me and heading out.
I grumpily moved out of my tiny bed and headed to the sitting room. Dad, was sitting on the chair.
" Welcome home sir" I greeted bending.
" Katiya... Yaya aiki, yaya macaranta" he asked innocently, not knowing the wounds he had opened up.
" School was fine" I lied all the same, looking at my mum." How was work" I asked.
"Work was fine" he replied.
I left him, heading to the kitchen. My chat with my dad is an occasional one, we only had topics that interested the two of us once in a while. That's how it is in this part of the country. The father or husband is like the king, you just don't approach them anyhow.
" That reminds me, Katiya who is this Rabbiyatu" I heard my father ask, I stopped and turned immediately. " She says she is your friend".
Now, I do not understand where she did say? " Daddy which Rabbiyatu?"
" She says she stays in Lagos"
" How did you meet her?" I Asked, cutting him off.
" She met me, she actually called me. But you have not answered my question"
" Rabiyatu, the girl that got married last month. Have you forgotten" my mom came in. She could be a life saver sometimes.
" Rabbiyatu..."
" Rabbiyatu, baba Kabiru's daughter, you can forget things easily" my mum said very irritated "oh! That one" He exclaimed.
" So what did she say?" I asked, rather impatient.
" She says she has been trying to reach you and your mother, that your lines haven't been going through and knowing I was busy, she do not want to disturb me. She also said you could call her back and that she was fine" Hearing that from my dad, it was like saying I won a lottery to own the whole world, not that I would be interested but I would be happy.
"Really... We thank God" my mom said. " can I have the number" my mum asked.
" Can I have my food?" My dad countered. Mum left for the kitchen while I went to get my phone. The phone could be an headache, the battery is bad and so it goes off like every minute and daddy won't buy another one. I got Rabbiyatu's number and we talked for a while.
Actually, she did the calling because she kind of called back after she knew I was the one. She said her husband was very kind to her and even gave her time before they did it. I asked what they did but she Said I wouldn't understand. She also said Lagos is a nice place and her husband likes her plan to further her education and he has enrolled her in a school. She says her husband is really proud of the fact that she relates well with his customers and the business has been moving well during her stay. In all, she is happy, God answered our prayer and she is looking forward to meeting me soon.
Mum was really happy, it was like a weight was lifted off her shoulder. I am really happy for Rabbiyatu but her case seem like that of one in a million. Amongst every ten Northern teenagers ward off to marry, we have like eight Sefiya's and one Rabiyatu. It is really sad. I pray Sefiyatu's soul rest in peace and that Rabbiyatu happiness is not cut short.
Still, I think there is a need to educate our parents to stop selling their lives off and train their children so they can have a nation they will be proud of.