A Window of Escape

7.

On a sunny tuesday, Daddy came back from God-knows-where.

All i wanted was, to speak with him, asked him where he had been, What took him this long.
My mind was bombarded with so many questions and the one that needed an answer more was: How do i approach Daddy?

Few hours passed.

After Asr, i wore a pink gown, it was Ummi's, it fitted perfectly and then wrap a blue veil around my hair.

I recited all the possible Dua that came to my mouth before i set foot out of the room.

I guessed where he would probably be at that time, Living-room.
I headed there with no confidence.

He arrived home almost 4hours back and he did'nt feel the need to call me or ask of my whereabouts.

As far as i know, i am AVM Ibraheem's only child. His only daughter. But its like he has hundreds of other children after me.

"Daddy, i want that toy!"
"And the other one up there!"
"Alright husna, i'll all buy them for you"

"You are spoiling this girl" Ummi complained.
"I have to, she's the only one Allah has given me."

But now, it does'nt seem like it.

Daddy was in the sitting room, exactly where i guessed earlier.

I greeted him, trying to figure out his expression towards me.

Null.

He answered without sparing a glance at me.

Please Daddy, just look at me even if its once.

He finally closed the newspaper that he was engrossed in and looked up at me.

Alhamdulillah...
I know he's gonna talk.

After adjusting his sitting posture, he finally opened his mouth.

When an Air Vice-Marshall is of Royal Blood. Royalty speaks.

"Asma'u, hope you are doing okay?"

A question i never expected.

I opened my mouth, my eyes filled with tears.

When last did he asked me this?

"Asma'u what's wrong? Are you alright?" He asked a bit concerned.

"Lafiyar ta qalau..." Asabe chipped in as she fastened her steps into the room.

Daddy completely ignored what she said, descended from the cushion,sat on the carpet and faced me.

"Talk to me, you look pale, what is the matter, please?"

Can't remember when last daddy sat close to me, when Ummi was alive before this witch....

He held my hands in his palms, I was shocked.

"I realized i have'nt been a good father, Asma'u i don't know what went wrong even before her death, i feel responsible for every single thing that happened, please forgive me...."

He started crying.

I could'nt help, I hugged him.

"..I missed you dad" i managed to say between sobs.
"I am sorry Habibty" he apologized.

He called me Habibty, a name Ummi used to call me with, like all the time.

All this while, Asabe was watching us in a shocked and disapproved manner.

"This reminds me of my gorgeous wife, I missed her" He said adoring Ummi's pink gown.

That day, we spent quality time together, I was so happy and wished Ummi was with us.

We had dinner together, That was the first time i felt it was okay to eat Asabe's food.

She wore a fake smile on her face as she served us.

Yes, it was fake.

"Asma'u, I've retired..." He paused and then continued.
"...And we will relocate to my permanent house in kano to stay."

I was quiet..

"Everything will be okay" He assured.

I smiled.

The mention of Kano made me weak, My paternal relatives are all there. Where specifically is father's house.

"Husna...don't think too much! Everything will be fine, And the house is not bad too, your mother and I have been there before you were born."
"Okay Dad" I said.

That day felt like a dream, I Thanked The Almighty for everything and the day specifically.

Not knowing it was 'The Silence' before 'The Storm'.

***************************
Chapter 7! How was it?

Jazakillah khayr Nieemarh

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