Chapter 1 ———>>>>>The community tap.
The sound of water gushing out from the short tap embedded on the muddy ground is so loud that I could hear it from my line.
I was the middle on the long everlasting line of fetching water, I turned behind me and was not shocked to realize that more people have join the line.
"kije gaba (move forward)" the girl behind me said as she nudge her head signaling me to move forward as the one infront of me has moved, meaning the person fetching water is done, so we keep moving until it's your turn.
I carried the two rusted metal buckets and move forward slightly.
I sigh in relief when I realize that I'll be next after the lady fetching the water now.
I tapped my foot getting impatient with the whole scenario.
The lady infront of me carried her bucket and left after it was full.
I happily put mine underneath the tap and waited for it to be full.
After the first bucket is done, I dragged in the second one and put it beneath the tap.
I waited patiently for the bucket to be full, after which I carried them both and headed home.
The community tap has always been the major source of water to the less privileged.
They are countless community taps but the rest got spoilt and that was the only current one that's properly functioning.
It's serves as a major supplier of water to the people.
Bakwai area was once an area full of life but everything changed with time.
People change with time.
Laila dropped the two buckets on the muddy ground as to adjust her wrapper.
Retying it, making sure it's firm.
She carried the rusted hands of the rusted bucket and continued her journey.
Her long tattered hijab kept falling over as she struggled to carry the water.
She sighs in relief when she sighted the door of their home made of a very rusted metal which looks tattered and about to fall off at anytime.
She entered the house pushing the door gently as not to tamper it any further.
"Laila kin dawo (laila you're back)" Jamil said as he heard the sound of water being emptied inside the drum.
"Eh baba (yes dad)" laila replied her father as she kept the two buckets aside and went to sit near her father on the mat sprayed on the floor.
"Where's Lila?" Laila asked her father of her twin sister's whereabouts.
"I have not seen her since morning" Jamil answered as he stared at his daughter.
Sometimes Laila wondered wether her father can really see or not.
Jamil lost his sight serving in the army many years ago.
"Hope you have eaten the food I prepared?" Laila asked her father although she knows the answer as she saw the empty plate near him.
"Naci nakoshi Alhamdulillah (I have eaten)" Jamil replied his daughter.
"I should go and freshen up then" Laila said as she picked herself up and entered the room she shares with her twin sister.