1 AISHA

My name is Aisha, now i am turning into 13 years. I am also the only child of my parent. My mother Hajiya Talatu is a nurse in our local government primary health center, I used to call her Ummi (the name of a mother in Hausa language).

My dream always is to be like my mother because many elders in my community has respect for her. I can remember a night that our neighbor Malam Shehu knock our door.

"Who is that"? Father asked, is Malam Shehu our neighbor answered.

"Malam Shehu I hope there is no problem". father reply.

"Yes it's a small problem my wife is having a labor now, and you know I don't have a car to take her to hospital. I hope you could allowed your wife to help her". He said.

Hearing this Ummi wake up and dress in uniform even before father asks her to do.

"Let me go and help her". Ummi said.

My father always says is not good to work after working hours.

"You know I will allowed you to go only because she is in labor and Malam Shehu has respect to me. You also have to take care don't say you will rush her to hospital in this middle of the night, you know the situation of our country". Father said.

"Yes Mai Gida (as Ummi use to call father, meaning head of the family)". she reply.

At that night if not because of my mother, Laraba the Malam Shehu's wife would have dead. But thanks to Almighty she deliver a good and healthy baby girl, which name after my mother. That is the reason why I wanted to be a doctor to help peoples, because I see how joyful my mother was at that night. And always people of my town has trust her with their family. Their used to call her "Uwar Marayu"(Mother of the orphans).

My father's name is Malam Garba but I called him Baba (father), he is a business man and also a farmer. He never went to school. He believes that farming is his life. He is among the elders in the community, and also Sarkin Noma (heads of farmers).

My father's dream for me is to be a lawyer to save the farmers in my town, because the politicians and wealthy peoples from the city are seizing their farms.

"Yar Baba (my daughter) if you became a lawyer I know you will help us out of this situation, many peoples in this town depend on farming and they don't have any knowledge besides farming". He said

If their lands are seized by those wicked peoples, their have no place to be and some of them may even take their lives and this what I don't want it to happen". He continued.

I can see the anger in my father's eyes but I believe all those things would come to an end one day, but what about saving lives? You can't save live without profession.

I suppose to be in class 1 by 2021, but I would be in class 1 now due to the covid19 pandemic. So, my father decided to take me to a boarding school in the neighboring town.

Peoples of my community doesn't believe in western education, especially for females. For them only those ladies that got married have respect in the society. But Baba never believe in that, and also Ummi says marriage of now a days are no longer lasting because the Men of this days believes that educated women will bright their lives.

In the morning around 8 o'clock, after we finish eating our breakfast Baba decide to look at his farm before sunset and Ummi dress for her work.

Ummi today I want to go with you, to see your work. I said.

"Alright dress up". She replied..

I am happy because I wanted to be with Ummi all the time, especially at her work place. Before we leave Ummi's phone rang, it was aunty Amina the junior sister of my mother. She lives in Kano with her family.

Ummi answered the phone and their talk for atleast fifteen minutes, then Ummi hang up the phone and turns to me.

" Your aunty wants you to visit her since you didn't resume to school. She said.

Yes! Ummi I ask you last time but you refuse, any way i am happy but when am I going to leave?. I replied.

"See you, why are you so hurried"? Ummi said and frowned at me.

Please. Ummi you know I miss Ihsan and whenever we talk through phone she is asking me, when am I going to visit her. I said squeezing my face.

Ok! let's your father first decides, when we discuss with him then I will tell you, but I will convince him for a day after tomorrow". She replied and gasped.

I don't know the time I jump to mother and hug her, give her a kiss in her forehead.

I love you Ummi. I said

"I love you my princess". She replied.

After we discuss a lot, I decided to stay at home and wash some of my cloth. Mother leaves for a work and I stay to prepare for my travel.

At the evening mother return home and prepared dinner for us which is Tuwo da Miyan Kuka (Hausa traditional food).

"Wow this is so delicious". Baba said.

" You have to teach Yar Baba all those traditional foods, you know girls of today their are laziest. Their only prepare to watch TV, and that is why many marriage ends in few times. He added.

"Yes Mai Gida and that is the reason I don't want my daughter to end like that, she will study before she got marriage and I will teach her every kinds of things she supposed to know". Mother said.

"Hmmm! Mai Gida few hours Yar Kano (she used to called her junior sister with it) call me and requested the visit of Yar Baba, I hope you will allow her". She said shyly.

"Talatu you know me than any person, I don't want this girl absence. And i always told you this is not the right time to makes unnecessary traveling, the situation of our country everyday is getting worth. Even today, I heard in the news that bandits burnt "Yar Kwano" (the neighboring town) and takes all of their farm products. just tell her she will go after the peace is restore". He replied squeezing his face.

Ummi look at Baba with questioning face.

"You know Amina is my only sister, and Yar Baba exam is yet to be out. pls do me last favour, i will make sure she didn't spend much time there". She said with smile.

"Alright! than i will think about it". Baba replied.

Ummi continue begging him, Then later he agreed.

" When do you think she will leave". He said.

Ummi smile abruptly.

"what about a day after tomorrow?". She replied.

He looks at her and suddenly they all boost into laughter.

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