chapter 10
818 Words
Promises and Pretences
It didn’t have a name at first.
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They just… kept seeing each other.
Every day.
Same place.
Same quiet conversations.
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Until one afternoon—
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“What are we?”
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Sakina’s voice was soft but serious.
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Nii looked at her.
Didn’t answer immediately.
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She smiled nervously. “I mean… we see each other every day, we talk, I help you and—”
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“We’re together.”
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The words came out simply.
Flat.
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But to Sakina—
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They meant everything.
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Her eyes lit up instantly.
“Together… as in—?”
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Nii held her gaze.
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“Yes.”
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That was all she needed.
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A soft, shy smile spread across her face.
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“Okay…”
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She looked down, almost blushing.
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“Okay.”
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From that moment—
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Sakina gave herself fully.
Without hesitation.
Without understanding.
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Two days later—
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The house changed.
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“Madam, your father is back.”
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Sakina froze.
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“…he’s here?”
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The nanny nodded.
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Sakina stood up quickly, her heart racing.
For once—
Excitement.
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She ran downstairs.
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“Daddy!”
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Alhaji Kareem Rahman turned just in time before she reached him.
He smiled.
Tired… but warm.
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“Sakina.”
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She hugged him tightly.
Like she had been waiting for years.
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“I missed you,” she said softly.
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“I know, I know,” he replied, patting her back.
“I’ve just been busy.”
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Busy.
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That word again.
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She pulled back slightly, still smiling.
“You’re staying this time, right?”
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A pause.
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He adjusted his watch.
“I’ll be around for a few days.”
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A few days.
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Sakina nodded slowly.
Hiding the disappointment.
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“That’s okay,” she said quickly.
“We can still spend time together.”
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He smiled. “Of course.”
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Day One
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They had breakfast together.
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“So, how is school?” he asked, scrolling through his phone.
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“It’s fine.”
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“Good, good.”
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Silence.
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Sakina watched him.
Waiting.
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“Daddy… can we go out later?”
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He nodded absentmindedly.
“Sure, we’ll plan something.”
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He never looked up.
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Day Two
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“I have a meeting,” he said, already dressed.
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“But you said—”
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“I’ll make it up to you, okay?”
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He kissed her forehead quickly and left.
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The door closed.
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Sakina stood there.
Alone again.
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Day Three
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That evening, he finally sat with her.
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“I’m proud of you,” he said.
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Her eyes lit up slightly.
“For what?”
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“For everything.”
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She smiled.
Soft.
Hopeful.
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“Will you stay longer this time?” she asked quietly.
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A pause.
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“I have to travel tomorrow.”
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Silence.
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The same silence she had always known.
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“But—”
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“I’ll call you,” he added quickly.
“And when I come back, we’ll spend more time. I promise.”
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Promises.
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Unfinished.
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As always.
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The next morning—
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He was gone.
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Just like that.
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Sakina sat on her bed later that day.
Quiet.
Empty.
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Then—
Her phone buzzed.
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Nii.
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Her face changed instantly.
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“I miss you,” she said softly the moment he answered.
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A pause.
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“…come,” he replied.
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That was enough.
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Minutes later—
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She was on her way to him.
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Not thinking.
Not questioning.
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Because where her father left emptiness—
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Nii filled it.
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Even if it was built on lies.
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That evening—
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They sat together in silence.
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Sakina leaned slightly closer to him.
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“My dad came back,” she said quietly.
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Nii didn’t respond.
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“He left again.”
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A pause.
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“…I know.”
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She looked at him.
“How?”
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Nii shrugged faintly.
“People like him don’t stay.”
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That hurt.
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But it felt true.
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Sakina rested her head lightly on his shoulder.
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Nii went still for a second.
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Then didn’t move away.
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“I’m happy when I’m with you,” she whispered.
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Silence.
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Nii stared ahead.
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His mind wasn’t quiet.
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She trusts you.
She depends on you.
She’s yours now.
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“…hmm,” he responded softly.
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Not a lie.
Not the truth.
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Just enough.
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🔥 End of Chapter Ten
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- Writer
