BORN A NORTHERN DAUGHTER

CHAPTER EIGHT

I looked up at my father as he wipe away sweat from his forehead and pulled off his clothes, he increased the speed of the fan and sat on the bed as he asked me to open the sack. I looked up at him as we locked eyes and stared for few seconds as I was not sure if I heard him right, he repeated himself once more because he understood why I stared at him, "open it and bring them out" he said.

"okay sir" I whispered.

I untied the sack and opened it, my eyes became wild as my body shakes because I have never seen such amount of money before, I started to think since when have my father been saving this plenty money. I started bringing them out in bunch. The money was so plenty and each bunch is up to hundred thousand naira or more. I brought out ten bunches and my father Said that's okay for now. He asked me to tie the sack and count the bunches of money, I counted as my hands shake vividly and my father noticed and asked me to calm down and count well. He started speaking as I listen to him because I still don't know why I was called to his room or why I'm asked to count money.

Listen to me carefully Nafisa, I have been doing a side business apart from my provision shop at the market which you all know of. I bought a land and hired someone else to work on the land for me, I farmed rice on the land and God blessed it for me the year I started, I kept this as a secret from everyone and it is only known to me and my farmer, when I sold those rice I bought more land and used all to farm rice and whenever I sold the rice in bags to big companies I collected my money in mint and cash. I always bring them home in that your brother's school bag I always borrowed from him while travelling. I have seven lands currently and intend to buy more but it's all going to be in secret. I know you will be wondering why I'm doing all this, I know you are wondering why I have this wealth you all are suffering as my children, you wonder why I allowed you to go to government schools, eat twice a day and wear old clothes. I am so sorry for all that you have suffered so far but I did everything to protect you and wait for the right time to tell you. I can assure and promised you that you won't suffer any further. I first of all reveal some important secrets to you which you need to know, I don't want you to hate me as your father because I know you already resent me for always listening to your stepmom and step siblings and doesn't give you or your brother a listening ear. You and your brother have no idea how we got divorced with your mother, I know you all thought I sent her away because I wanted to marry again but that's not the real story.

I met your mother while I was very young and I instantly fell in love with her, No one forced me to marry her, I loved her dearly and I still love her. He said this with sadness and tears in his eyes as I listen to him attentively to know what happened between them.

I loved your mother and showed her so much care, I never wanted any woman in my life again as your mother was very much enough for me as a wife, I spoiled her with everything I had back then, I was willing to go extra mile to see her smile, I remembered her father alway praises me because of the way I take good care of her. Nafisa you grew up into this our culture and family and you understand clearly that men are not allowed to do house chores like sweeping, mopping, washing dishes etc. It is seen as a taboo for a man to do such chores, our people see it as if the woman has used charm on him. I loved your mother so much that we do house chores together and I only leave her to do the chores alone when we have guest in the house, your mother gave birth to only two children for me, that's you and your brother, you both are the only memories of her that I have, especially you nafisa, you looked exactly like your mother in her young age. I cry at times when you laugh or talk because it's reminds me so much of her.

So why did you divorce her when you love her so much like this. I can see and feel the genuine love you have for her.

My father smiles and continued his story, let me explain something to you my daughter, people usually say "bring friends close but bring your enemies closer" your first enemy is your family, they can get to you easily because they already know you, you can't predict who is who because they all show care and pretend to be your lover but they are jealous of you and don't want you to surpass them in anything. My own siblings were the enemies I did not recognise. I allow people come between your mother and I. I will tell you how it happened, your uncle in Abuja who asked you to marry his son loved your mother too when we were young before I married her, but she never told me he asked for her hands in marriage and she refused until she saw him after our wedding and realised he was my elder brother. She told me that he usually comes to see her father and plead with him to marry her to him but her father loved her so much and told him that he can't force her to marry who she doesn't love because he can't break her heart.