FRACTURED BONDS

PART ONE

'Good morning Ma'am',the children greeted in collaboration respecting the presence of the Headteacher.

Today I'll be calling out the ones who are here to get free education thinking that the school belonged to their Ancestors or so! The Headteacher uttered sounding a bit harsh with words to the students. If you hear your name please kindly take your bag and return to your parents till your debts and balances are settled. She added, taking out a small paper out of a book next to her, standing confidently to list the names of the pupils owning the school.

Umar favours, Abdulwahab Sani Aliyu, Muneera and nafisa Abbas, Mohammed aminu, Joseph kehinde, Bolu Tijani,and lastly Micheal and Mike Benjamin. The rest of You kindly return to your various classes Now!! The Headteacher concluded.

Sister, Are we going back to our house simply because we haven't paid our school fees? Muneera asked Nafisa holding her hands. Didn't you hear the Headteacher well, Yes we are returning back to meet Papa and Mummy, Nafisa angrily answered. They both left the school premises and on their way back home, Let's meet Papa to tell him why they sent us back, Nafisa Said pulling her younger sister's hands and going closer to their father's shop where he stays.

Why are you here and not in your classes? The father turned to ask his children. Papa, we were sent out of the school cause we are still owning. And so! What is my concern or don't you have your mother at home? Why are you two here telling me these? My friend 'go meet una mama for house abeg'. He answered sounding irresponsible and in an impolite way to talk to your kids.

Ahhhhhhh! Nafisa, are you sure that's what your father said to you or have you perhaps misunderstood him? I asked my children for an honest answer and to be sure of what I'm hearing After they narrated Abba's actions towards them at the shop.

Yes mummy, Muneera answered.

He said 'make una go meet your mama for house' Nafisa added.

Don't worry, let me go in to get my Hijab, I entered the room feeling disappointed in what those two told me about their father but anyways I wasn't amazed because I've been the one providing and paying their school fees and charges. Also clothing them, but what got me puzzled was how he spoke to his children in a mannerless way, what was the children's fault in these? The children only sought for their father's love and help.

I reached the school hurriedly,

Madam please, I beg you with whatever you hold dear, I beg you Ma to please let my children stay and I promise to settle the school fees 14 days from now. So please, let them stay. Standing with folded hands in her office begging for my children to be pardoned with a promise to pay When I have gotten the money I'm expecting fourteen days from now.

When I left the school after which the Headteacher had agreed to let Nafi and Muni stay for classes, on my way back home a lot of questions started roaming in my head, where's the Man I married? Who's this Man? I begin to ask myself? I didn't know where I went wrong with my children But let's see to what extent this will continue to go on.