Letters from Sambisa

7.

Date: 25th February 2017

Dear Fatima,
The only time I get to use a pen is when I write you. I'm sorry about your Dad, he is a great man. I'm sure he'll recover most people survive more than three attacks so medically speaking he'll be fine. He wants the best for you and every loving father should do so. I am certain he and I believe one thing. YOU ARE THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE DARKEST OF NIGHTS.
My family... Well I miss my Mom. The way I tease her and piss her off then try to calm her before she puts me in my place. I miss my brothers and sisters too. Most of all I miss little Afrah. She barely started talking when I left. I feel like I'm missing most of her early days. I want to tell her all the silly things she did when she grows up and laugh as she hangs her head in shame. Sadly I wouldn't get to witness most of it.
My Dad... I wish was more like yours. Don't get me wrong I love him but we never get to have a friendly conversation. If he isn't finding faults in my actions he's finding faults in my speech constructions. One time I said 'I complimented Isa for a job welldone' then he asked me if I meant compliment with an 'I' or complement with an 'E'. Hoping I would give the wrong answer so he could show me how dumb I was.
The only good memories of him I have was when I was much younger I wish things could be different but sadly I don't see a light.
How are your cooking lessons? I want to know! These days I guess I'm worrying more about food quality because we are leaving our current location. The situation is stable so our unit is moving to another location hopefully to free them of this menace. I'll be back when I meet Shekau :).

Love,
Umar .

P.S. My last line felt cool to write so yeah I do feel like Arnold Scwhazzaneeger! And yes I can't spell his name write.