Bleeding inside

CHAPTER 2:A GLIMPSE of hope

Wali lay in bed, her eyes closed, and let her mind wander to a place where she was free to be herself. In her dream, she was a successful businesswoman, respected and admired by her community. She saw herself standing confidently, surrounded by people who loved and supported her.

As she drifted deeper into the dream, she imagined her mother by her side, smiling proudly. Together, they had overcome the challenges of their past and built a brighter future.

But as the dream began to fade, Wali felt a pang of sadness. She knew that this life was far from her reality. Hajiya Hussaina's words still lingered in her mind, making her doubt her own worth.

Wali's eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a start. "Ahh!!! What am I doing? It's already 7:00 am!" She threw off her covers and jumped out of bed. She had so much to do before Hajiya Hussaina woke up.

She rushed to the kitchen, her heart racing. She had to sweep and mop the floors, cook breakfast, and wash her and Baba's clothes. She couldn't afford to slack off, not even for a minute.

"God, please let me finish sweeping and mopping the kitchen and parlour before she comes out," Wali prayed under her breath. She knew that if Hajiya Hussaina saw even a speck of dust or a single stain on the floor, she would unleash her wrath.

Wali quickly got to work, her hands moving swiftly as she swept and mopped the floors. She could hear the sound of her siblings stirring, but she didn't have time to chat. She had to focus on getting everything done before Hajiya Hussaina emerged from her room.

As she worked, Wali's mind wandered back to her dream and the questions she had about her mother's past. But she pushed those thoughts aside, knowing she couldn't afford to get distracted. Not now, when so much depended on her getting everything just right.

As Wali finished sweeping and mopping the floors, she moved on to cooking breakfast. She expertly prepared a hearty meal of akara and pap hoping to earn some praise from Hajiya Hussaina. But deep down, she knew it was unlikely.

Just as she was finishing up, she heard the sound of Hajiya Hussaina's door opening. Wali's heart skipped a beat as she quickly washed her hands and began to lay out the breakfast dishes.

"Good morning, Hajiya," Wali said, trying to sound cheerful.

Hajiya Hussaina grunted in response, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for something to criticize. Wali held her breath, hoping she hadn't missed anything.

But then, Hajiya Hussaina's eyes landed on Baba, who was still sleeping on the couch. "Why is he still sleeping?" she demanded. " Doesn't he know it's Saturday? There's so much work to be done!"

Wali knew better than to defend her brother. "I'll wake him up, Hajiya," she said quickly.

As she went to rouse Baba, Wali couldn't help but think about her mother again. Why had she left? And what really happened between her parents? The questions swirled in her mind, but she pushed them aside, focusing on getting through the day.

Saturday passed in a blur of chores and criticism from Hajiya Hussaina. Wali's only respite was when she was sent to the market to buy ingredients for dinner. She took her time, enjoying the brief moment of freedom.

Sunday was a day of rest, but not for Wali. She spent the day doing laundry and helping with preparations for the week ahead. As she worked, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Hajiya Hussaina seemed more irritable than usual, and Wali sensed a storm brewing.

Monday morning arrived, and Wali woke up early to start her chores. But as she was sweeping the parlour, Hajiya Hussaina appeared out of nowhere, her face twisted in anger.

"You're so lazy, Wali!" she shouted, snatching the broom from Wali's hands. "You call this sweeping? You're just moving the dirt around!"

With a swift motion, Hajiya Hussaina began to whip Wali's face with the broom, the bristles stinging her skin. Wali cried out in pain, trying to defend herself, but Hajiya Hussaina was relentless.

As the whipping stopped, Wali stumbled backward, her face throbbing. She knew she couldn't go to school looking like this. So, she concocted a lie, telling her classmates and friends that Baba had whipped her while she was asleep after an argument.

But the lie weighed heavily on Wali's conscience. She knew she couldn't keep living like this, under Hajiya Hussaina's tyranny. Something had to change.

Let's keep going! What happens next? Does Wali find a way to stand up to Hajiya Hussaina, or does she continue to suffer in silence? Maybe she finds an unexpected ally or discovers a secret that could change everything...

As Wali lay in bed that night, her face still throbbing from the whipping, she felt a mix of emotions. Sadness and pain lingered, but also a spark of self-respect ignited within her. She realized she couldn't control Hajiya Hussaina's cruelty, but she could control how she responded to it.

The next day, Wali walked into school with a newfound sense of determination. She held her head high, despite the lingering bruises on her face. Her classmates and friends noticed the change in her and rallied around her.

As the final exams approached, Wali poured her heart and soul into her studies. She was determined to make a better life for herself, free from Hajiya Hussaina's grasp.

The day of the final exam arrived, and Wali sat confidently, her pen poised. As she finished her last paper, a sense of pride and accomplishment washed over her. She had done it. She had survived SS1 despite Hajiya Hussaina's best efforts to break her.

The results were posted, and Wali's heart skipped a beat as she saw her name at the top of the list. She had made it to SS2, and nothing could stop her now.

But as she walked home, basking in the joy of her achievement, Wali knew that Hajiya Hussaina would not take this lying down. The storm was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning.