Form rag to Gold

HUNGER IS MY BEDMATES

📝 CHAPTER 2: HUNGER IS My BEDMATE

If walking barefoot on sharp stones wounded Sekinat’s feet, HUNGER WAS THE INVISIBLE SWORD EATING HER BONE AND SOUL. To Mama Risqat, feeding Sekinat was considered a wasteful investment. She strictly refused to give her any feeding allowance claiming that "The labourer must eat only from the sweat of her brow". Consequently, food became the rarest luxury in Sekinat's life. While her step-sisters Taiwo and Kehinde ate three heavy meals daily with meat and fish, Sekinat survived mostly on dry gari and cold water.

Break time at school was the most painful hour for Sekinat. It was the hour that clearly separated the Rich from the Poor. While Folashade and her clique sat comfortably under the shade of the big Mango Tree sharing delicious dishes of Jollof Rice, Fried Plantain, Chicken and chilled pure water, Sekinat would crawl silently to the extreme end of the school compound. She would sit alone behind the old classroom block, hugging her knees tightly while her stomach rumbled loudly like a hungry lion.

One fateful Wednesday afternoon, the sun scorched the earth mercilessly. The sweet aroma of fried meat and pepper stew drifted directly into her nostrils making her feel dizzy and weak from severe starvation. Tears began to roll freely down her cheeks as she remembered the tender love of her late mother. "Mummy, why did you leave me to suffer in this cruel wilderness?" She whispered in agony. "Am I destined to die in silence?"

Bowing her head in deep sorrow and submission, Sekinat raised her hands towards the Heaven and prayed with all her heart: "Ya Allah Ar-Razzaq! The Great Provider Who feeds every bird in the forest and every fish in the deep ocean. You do not forget the little ant hidden inside the ground. I am Your weak and helpless servant. Do not let me die of hunger. Grant me the strength of PATIENCE."

Unbeknownst to Sekinat, Mr. Johnson had been observing her from a distance behind the staff room. His heart melted with deep compassion seeing this innocent child crying in silence while others feasted in abundance. He saw her purity, her resilience and her unshakeable faith in the Creator. He resolved silently: "Allah has used me as a vessel of Blessing for this Daughter of Sorrow."

Later that afternoon, as Sekinat stood up weakly to return to class, she discovered a paper bag secretly placed beside the tree root. Inside, she found a big loaf of bread and a sachet of pure water with a small handwritten note: "FOR THE DAUGHTER OF PATIENCE — ALLAH NEVER FORGETS YOU".

Sekinat trembled with overwhelming joy. She raised her face towards the sky and whispered: "ALLAHU AKBAR! Truly You are the Lord of the Weak." She ate slowly with deep gratitude, feeling new strength returning to her weak bones.

However, the battle at home intensified after Mama Risqat noticed Sekinat looking healthier and stronger. Consumed by jealousy and wickedness, she increased Sekinat's workload severely. "You lazy witch!" She screamed. "You eat our food and do nothing useful. From today onwards, you must trek to the deep forest to fetch firewood before coming to school!"

Taiwo and Kehinde added salt to her injury. They spat into her food and poured sand into her water pot whenever nobody watched. Yet Sekinat remained CALM LIKE DEEP RIVER WATER. She told herself repeatedly: "They can hurt my body but they can never touch my Royal Spirit. My true Wealth is stored in Heaven."

Through this experience, Sekinat discovered powerful truths: Hunger sharpens the Brain while Suffering strengthens the Soul. She poured all her pain and loneliness into her books, turning every tear into Knowledge and Wisdom. Mr. Johnson continued his secret assistance by buying her exercise books and pens without Mama Risqat's knowledge. Sekinat realized clearly: Being Poor is not a Crime, but Enduring with Patience is True Royalty. She accepted her heavy cross knowing fully well that Gold must pass through intense Fire before it becomes Precious Jewel.