A Tale Of Justice

Chapter 3: Finding An Option Where There's None

"I'm surprised at you, Dad! What has gone wrong with the integrity and faith you once held? The standards you set up!" I uttered in regret and dismay as hot tears streamed down my face as if being hit by a rock.

It was unbelievable.

"How can you allow them to play with your spiritual intellect? Where is your faith, Dad? This is Ash-Shaytan whispering in your heart... Imagine an imam's daughter going for an abortion. Do not give in, Dad, please." I begged in tears.

"I'm tired of this already!" Ibro hissed and stormed upstairs, into his room.

"Then let them go, Dad! He who stands with millions of people without Allah is standing alone! I know you're the imam of the central mosque, it means nothing. Not even your tears will change my mind, Dad! I'm keeping this baby!" I told him my mind.

"If so, then I think you need yourself a new home! Being a Yoruba from a pleasant home with noble birth, Will you disrespect your father? If you have another father outside, feel free and find yourself a new home!!!" my dad completed.

"What?" My heart dropped to my stomach. Invisible doodling blurred my vision and my mouth went speechless. "A child is a blessing from God, Dad! How can I murder an innocent child in the name of what? Wealth? Fame? This is unfair Daddy!"

"I gave you a good upbringing in the most religious way. Leave this house and never come back! I disown the child that would cause my downfall! Don't you even think of your mother's condition?" My spat at me with venom in his thick voice.

"I will not leave this house, Dad. Leave this house to where? Like, are you serious right now? I don't have anywhere to go and you, of all people, know that! Dad please, reconsider!"

"You heartless, self-centered child. You're so stubborn and wicked. Your destiny is so unfortunate... I can't take it any longer."

He stood up and wandered around the room for a while. Then he sat beside me again, reading my confused eyes.

"Ash-Shaytan wants to use you to destroy my 20 years of hard work. They have appointed me the chief imam of this community even before you are born. Today, Alhaji Aliyu said he's so disappointed in me. Someone who out of love and kindness, gave me 2 million naira to build this house we're living in. This 6 bedroom duplex." He pinched his eyes as if holding back an ocean of tears. Instead of dripping, his eyes were sore and red.

It startled me to see my dad in this mood. I wished I could scream for help but, there was no point knowing, after Allah, my dad was the only one I had.

"Many of them like that!" He continued. "There is no money anywhere! Your mum is dying. Ibrahim is in his final year in medical school and you're yet to get admission into university. Meet the doctor and he'll fix a date. Do the abortion, Aisha. My hands are tied now. My colleagues are laughing at me." My dad moved closer, persuading me, more.

"My daughter, I suffered. I saw hunger and starvation. My Hassan and Hussain, your elder twin brothers, died on this journey because of poverty. I held onto my faith... You too almost died, remember? How you survive that sickness due to malnutrition is still a miracle. I'd rather lose you now than go to poverty. PACK YOUR THINGS AND LEAVE!"

"Yaa Allah, this is not my dad speaking. This is not Imam Hussain Akorede. Dad, you can't do this! Where do I go from here? You're making things worsen by listening to them." A single tear rolled down my left eye.

"Dad, it was on that sick bed you made me this Aisha that I am today. We had no money, and the doctor asked us out of the ward. Almost dying, you lay me on the cold floor and Mum developed an eye problem due to too much crying. Your words gave me strength dad, you held my hands when nobody was there with me. Remember when you told me, Aisha, you're five years old? The name of Allah is a five-letter word. You will not die now. With faith, keep saying it to yourself. And I kept saying it 'I will not die now', I kept saying it, Dad. You made me believe in Allah, The One who healed me was Allah, The All Doing. Remember the day when you said to me "Aisha, I'm sorry. Dad has no money, he can't help you. Only Allah has the power to heal you." He explained, close to tears.