Binta

Chapter Two

My name is Binta Aliyu,I am 26years old, I am the first born with two Adorable siblings Zainab and Kamal, the truth is they are my half siblings, I don't know my father neither does my mom...she was raped when she was sixteen...to cut it short I am a child of a Rapist, Subhanallilah! 'the Bastard Child" So I was called by families of my step-father. But nevertheless, my step-father was a great Man he brought me up like his very own I never knew the truth about me until his death, he loved me so much to let me bear his name as my surname and allowed me call him daddy, I was his favorite girl, he calls me 'Sugar' even my mother and siblings gets jealous sometimes. He was not a rich Man but he strived so hard to make sure we don't lack the basic necessities of life. He loved my mom dearly and that's another reason why I love him so much even at his death he was full of praises for her, he pleaded with us to please take good care of our mother his beloved wife and never give her trouble.

I flashback to that fateful day, I sat beside his sick bed he held my hand, he was so fragile like a broken porcelain doll, he gave me a weak smile 'Sugar! What I am about to tell you, I don't want it to break you but make you stronger", he was searching my eyes for an assurance and I nodded with a smile though inside I was already broken. "My condition doesn't seem to improve and the doctor said I have limited time" "liars!!! The doctors are just bloody liars they are not God" I cut in abruptly now fighting back tears. "..Listen! I want you to be strong for your mother and siblings, you are my first child, please when I am away promise me you would take good care of your mama and siblings and you would always be the good girl I'm proud of.

"Daddy my call to Bar is next week you know that and how much I need you to be there it's going to be one of the best moment of my life without you there daddy, I honestly don't know what I would do, dad I own everything to you...I love you so much dad, please be fine and don't go away, I don't think we can handle it." I pleaded now unable to fight back the tears I let it flow down my cheeks mercilessly.

"Shhhh...! Why are you talking like the unbeliever child? We shall all die someday, if I have a choice I won't want to die now, I love my family so much and I would miss you all greatly but please be strong and keep living and making me proud. Now go put on your wig and gown let me see my Lawyer" he smiled.

I came back neatly dressed in my suit, wig and gown, this time around my mother and siblings were all seated and when they all saw me at that moment nothing matters again, no more sorrow, they were all very excited and I caught a glimpse of my mom and dad tears of joy, they were indeed proud of me. We took some family photos.

Three days to my call to bar my dad passed away quietly in his sleep, if tears could bring the dead back to life my dad would have been alive now. To make matters worse my dad family denied my legitimacy, they called me "Bastard, the Rapist's daughter, Bad Luck" I ran to my mom heart broken

"Mummy can you hear the names they call me..."Bastard" "the Rapist's Daughter", I cried bitterly as I stammered, "just because my father is dead"

"SHAMELESS girl! who is your father? GOD Forbid that you are my blood" said my dad's elder sister. She pointed a finger at my mother "useless woman! So you never told her the truth about her father? Better tell her now because she is not inheriting my brother's property"

"Mother please what is she talking about? Please tell me the truth" I found myself pleading helplessly, my mother couldn't talk she kept on crying and pleading with my aunty to please stop talking. But my aunt had let the cat out of the bag...my true identity was exposed. My life was doomed, I fainted.

My call to bar ceremony was a mess because I was a walking shell I couldn't even fake a smile, and neither could I stop the tears rolling down my cheeks. my mother couldn't attend because she was mourning her husband so she delegated her elder sister and husband to represent her, I didn't want to go for the call to bar but my mom and siblings pleaded with me that if I don't go my dad would not be happy in his grave. So I did it for him I went cause of him and I hope he is proud and happy in heaven I prayed.