15
780 Words
Seven Days
“Madam… your father is back.”
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Sakina froze.
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“…for how long?” she asked slowly.
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The nanny smiled. “Seven days.”
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Seven.
Not three.
Not two.
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Seven whole days.
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Sakina’s heart lifted instantly.
For the first time in a long while—
Hope.
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She stood up quickly, smoothing her dress.
“Where is he?”
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“In the living room.”
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She didn’t wait.
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“Daddy!”
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Alhaji Kareem Rahman turned just in time.
His face softened slightly.
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“Sakina.”
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She ran into his arms.
Held him tightly.
Like if she let go, he might disappear again.
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“I missed you,” she whispered.
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“I know,” he replied, patting her back.
“I’ve been busy.”
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Busy.
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The word still hurt.
But this time—
She ignored it.
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“You’re staying for seven days,” she said quickly, pulling back to look at him.
“Right?”
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He nodded.
“Yes.”
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Her smile widened.
Real.
Bright.
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“Then… we can spend time together?”
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A small pause.
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“Of course,” he said.
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Day One
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They had dinner together.
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Sakina talked more than usual.
School.
Little things.
Even things that didn’t matter.
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Her father listened…
But his phone was always in his hand.
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“Hmm,” he would respond.
“That’s good.”
“I see.”
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Not really there.
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Still—
Sakina smiled.
Because at least—
He was present.
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Day Two
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“Daddy, can we go out today?” she asked eagerly.
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He adjusted his cufflinks.
“I have a meeting.”
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“Oh…”
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“I’ll make it up to you.”
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She nodded quickly.
“It’s okay.”
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It wasn’t.
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Day Three
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He came home late.
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Sakina waited.
On the couch.
Fighting sleep.
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The door opened quietly.
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“Oh—you’re still awake?” he asked.
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She sat up immediately.
“I was waiting for you.”
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He smiled faintly.
“You shouldn’t do that.”
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“I wanted to.”
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A pause.
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“Tomorrow,” he said.
“We’ll go out tomorrow.”
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Her eyes lit up again.
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“Promise?”
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He nodded.
“Promise.”
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Day Four
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The mall was bright.
Lively.
Full of life.
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Sakina walked beside her father, smiling softly.
This—
This was what she had always wanted.
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“Do you like it here?” he asked.
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“Yes,” she said quickly.
“Because I’m with you.”
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He gave a small smile.
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They entered a*****e.
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“Pick anything you want,” he said.
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Sakina shook her head.
“I just want to spend time with you.”
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He paused.
Just for a second.
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Then his phone rang.
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Everything changed.
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“I’ll take this,” he said, already stepping aside.
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Sakina nodded slowly.
“Okay…”
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She watched him walk away.
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One minute.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
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His voice became more serious.
Business tone.
Focused.
Distant.
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Sakina stood there.
Alone.
In the middle of everything.
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The noise around her faded.
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She sat down quietly on a nearby bench.
Waiting.
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And waiting.
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And waiting.
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Finally—
He returned.
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“Sorry about that,” he said quickly.
“I have to leave. Something urgent came up.”
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Her heart dropped.
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“…now?”
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He nodded.
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“But you said—”
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“I’ll make it up to you,” he cut in.
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That same line.
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Again.
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Sakina forced a small smile.
“It’s okay.”
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But her eyes—
They dimmed.
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He didn’t notice.
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“Let the driver take you home,” he added.
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Then he was gone.
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Just like that.
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That evening—
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Sakina sat in her room.
Quiet.
Still.
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Seven days.
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And yet—
It already felt the same.
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Empty.
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Her phone buzzed.
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She looked at it.
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Nii.
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Her expression changed instantly.
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Relief.
Comfort.
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“I’m coming,” she said softly.
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Minutes later—
She was already on her way.
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Because where her father failed—
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Nii never did.
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At least…
That’s what she believed.
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🔥 End of Chapter Fifteen
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