The Unseen Tears

*Chapter One*

*Bismi'llah*

*Qiyyah*

Concentrating on the bowls that am washing

*Ousainatou* : Qiyyahhh

*Qiyyah* :(jumping up from my seat) ye.. ye...yes... Mom

*Ousainatou* : what are you still doing here? (With a frown on her face)

*Qiyyah* : am washing the bowls

*Ousainatou*: you must be kidding me, since morning you still on this small bowls, I can see you trying my patient.

*Qiyyah* : am sorry mom

*Ousainatou* : don't make me come back here or else you will regret it, unless child

Going back to my seat crying, My life has always been like this since I know myself.

Sorry I didn't introduce myself, my name is Qiyyah, 7years old  and mom last child.

Like any other kids my life is different, I am subjected to so much cruelty, maltreatment and hearted from my own family.

I couldn't figure out the reason why all this, all they make me feel is like am not part of the family.

It hurts a lot, everyday is nothing different from all the days. Week days I wake up early to do my chores before going to school and come back with a lot chores waiting for me.
Sometimes I will go to school hungry, will only eat when I come back home and that too when am done with my chores.

*Aisha* : hey lazy kid what are you still doing here?

*Qiyyah* : Am sorry sister Aisha just completing this bowls

*Aisha* : not like I care, anyway my clothes are in the basement, hurry up and launder them, Make sure is clean and iron them too, I will be needing them tomorrow.

*Qiyyah*: yes sister (with tears flowing on her face)

*Aisha* : owwww we crying (saying in a mockery tone and touching my face) .

Wiping my tears with my hand, she slaps it

*Aisha* : did I ask you to stop crying or wipe it off, with your this ugly head (pushing my head)

Fresh tears escape my eyes again and she smiles.

*Aisha* : perfect I love to see you cry, it gives me joy.

She walks away smiling satisfied, I break down cry but then I stand up going back to what am doing because if mom finds me here, she will starve me for a whole day. At least am grateful that I have left overs to eat better than staying hungry.

*Some minutes*

I walk in the kitchen to prepare lunch, while Aisha is busy in her room, Khaddijah is nowhere to be found, roaming seem to be her second name.

Getting the ingredients out of the freezer, I feel there is someone behind me, looking back it brother Abdalah

*Qiyyah*: Bro (feeling excited)

*Abdalah* : hey princess how are you?

He is the only one that cares for me, and always stand by me, thanks to him I was allow to even eat the left overs instead of giving it to the dog.

*Qiyyah* : still alive and kicking, what about you?

*Abdalah*: (smiling and coming closer to her) am fine too princess, eaten?

*Qiyyah*: yes (nodding)

*Abdalah* : great, was just checking on you, I will be in my room okay

*Qiyyah*: okay and thanks.

He smiles and walk away.

Mom actually has four kids, Khaddijah the eldest, then Abdalah, Aisha and follows by me but I just can't understand why she loves all of them except for me, what wrong have I done for her to decid treating me like this, why all this cruelty?.

I didn't realize when tears started, I wipe it off quickly and take my full concentration on what am doing, I don't want her burning my hands.

*Horeja*

Getting home excited from school, I love school but the same time boring too.

*Horeja* : Mommy am hungry (I shout as I enter in the house)

*Mother(Fatima)* : where are your manners?

*Horeja* : sorry mom, good afternoon, you know am just hungry

*Mother(Fatima)* : go to the kitchen and eat then go take your bath, I have put a dress on your bed, wear it

*Horeja* : why is something happening?

*Mother( Fatima)* : yes, we having a visitor

*Horeja* : who?

*Mother (Fatima)*: enough with the questions, you will find out later

I sigh and walk to the kitchen to find something for my precious stomach.

*Hours later*

*Horeja* : Mom are they here yet

*Mother (Fatima)*: Patient child

*Umar (Father)* : princess I know you in a hurry to see them but don't worry they will be here soon

I look at them and wander which them they are talking about.

Someone knock at the door

*Umar(father)* : come in

Ismailah walks in with his parents Uncle Alpha and Aunty Fanta.

With all the greetings and small talks which is getting me fed up already, Dad finally speak up.

*Umar(Father)* : Uhmmm Horeja I will just go straight to the point, this man here (pointing at Ismailah) find interest in marrying you, and we know he.....(I cut him off)

*Horeja*: Dad, how can you even think of telling me about marriage when you know am still schooling?

*Mother (Fatima)*: you will have to stop schooling, the little you know is enough, a woman is known for marriage.

*Horeja* : but Mom am not even interested in marriage nor him

*Umar(Father)* : we are not asking for your opinion, we are just informing you to get yourself set

*Horeja* : No dad I can't (with tears threatening to leave my eyes

*Mother(Fatima)*: you don't have a choice young lady

*Horeja*: this not fair

I run to my room and lock it, crying on my bed.

This not fair, they have no right to decide what to do with my life, I can't let them do this to me, I have to do something.

Tbc
      Bint Uthman

First episode, please your comments are needed

Jazakallahu Khayran ❤️❤️