CAPTIVE

CHAPTER 2

 AUTHOR'S NOTE:Thank you all so much for the support. You don't know how overwhelming it has been to see your votes and comment. Thank you so much. Keep reading and commenting! They make me excited to keep writing

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After what felt like 2 hours of crying, we pulled apart and sat on the floor in silence. Umma hasn't said a word to me and I didn't feel like talking anyway.The peace was deafening but I felt if i talked, everything will be brought to reality.

Though I knew I wasn't dreaming and all this was reality a part of me didn't want to know what was happening.

When I started becoming comfortable with the silence, a sudden noise broke it. I knew that noise more than anything. It was the sound of our rusty gate being pulled open. I couldn't even move to check the window to know who came in. I just sat on the floor next to Umma. She too seemed relaxed and didn't care who it was until Amina came rushing in.

Amina was our very agile house maid who couldn't just keep still.

"Umma!Umma! Umma! Baba is back! And he is here with Malam Audu"

Within the blink of an eye Umma was off the floor, cleaning her face and applying make-up.

"Hanni go and change into the new set of clothes on you bed now! Don't ask questions.I'll explain later. Amina help her wash her face. Baba must not know she was crying."

Since when was Baba's return such a big deal? But looking at the look on Umma's face,I didn't voice out my opinions but quickly obeyed.

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My room was just the same as I left it. Nothing had changed. I looked at the new set of clothes on my bed.

A plain looking material, which appears to be sewn into a huge blouse and wrapper. When did I start wearing such plain clothes? Next to it was a huge black hijab. Before I could examine the clothes further, Amina was dragging me into the toilet and washing my face. I didn't even have the strength to complain. After that, she applied powder on my face and lined my eyes with black eye liner.

Without being told, I changed into the "new" set of clothes on my bed. I looked horrible. Nothing fitted right. I didn't even know how to tie the wrapper right. Amina had to give me a hand.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before Umma came in.

"You're dressed" she looked nervous. "Baby I wish I could explain now but I can't. Just promise me you'll be strong and not cry out there."

I couldn't respond. I just nodded.

She pulled me into a tight hug and walked me downstairs.

The commotion coming from downstairs was overwhelming. I could here almost 10different voices. Then I heard baba's laughter. His laughter wasn't the same as I knew. It had this rough edge to it which made it almost unrecognisable. Umma took me to one of the guest rooms.

"Sit on the bed your baba will come in to address you."

Address me? Why is everything so formal? Why couldn't he go up to my room like he used to do?

"Okay"that's all I could manage to say.

After Umma left, I took the time to examine the room. I hardly come into this room.It was meant for guests and was usually locked.

Just then Baba barged into to the room with a stern look on his face.

I looked up at him. Usually when I look into his eyes, I see my best friend, someone who I always looked forward to seeing anytime I come home. This time, I saw someone I've never seen before. I saw the soul of another man. Not the friendly soul that was my father's. Yes in front of me physically was my father, but psychologically, it was a complete stranger. This little discovery scared the shit out of me.