The Republic of ARMY

4. Further North

"How is my Super Girl?!" Raina's mum called as she hugged her only daughter.

"I'm beat mum," I replied as I sat back in her chair. "What are my brothers doing...?"

"Well... They are out fighting. Didn't you pass them on your way here?"

"Was that them in the muddy pool?"

"Muddy pool?!" Mum was instantly out of the room and on her way to the door, while I wondered if my father was home. He tended to stay in the library on the second floor if he heard I was coming home.

Sometimes I thought that maybe I was adopted because he tended to ignore me a lot.

I shrugged my shoulders at the suddenly depressing thought and headed to the fridge. There was food to eat, most definitely. Raising two sons was not easy, but my mother had somehow perfected the art. She looked flawless all the time.

I had just made myself a bowl of cereal when my mother dragged the boys in by their ears. They were howling and making hissing sounds because ears really are sensitive parts to pinch and pull at.

"They're so-"

"I hosed them both down."

"With water from a fire hose!" Ryan eagerly contributed. "This little guy took his beating from water on the grass though," he said as he pointed to my younger brother who still had a few blades of grass stuck on his hair and face.

"It wasn't a fire hose. It was just my garden hose at maximum," my mother replied. "Turns out you are stronger than them Raina."

We all burst out laughing before chatting a little. The two then went on to shower and change into something more presentable. My mum got started on dinner, and I helped her as much as I could. She had sent the chef home early, and so we didn't have many people in the house.

"Where is dad...?"

"He is in the study."

Of course. Where else would he be?

"Is he still mad at me?"

"Over what?"

"Over becoming a singer two years ago."

"You had a successful stint and shifted into song writing. Of all my kids, you were the first to become independent before you were eighteen. I think he is putting up a front, but he is very happy you became who you are."

"You think so? He always makes me feel insecure... He only talks to me to rub it in that I am just a girl, that I have no ambitions, or that I won't go far-"

My mum pulled me close and hugged me. "Sweetie, his generation did not recognize educated women. He has taken you to school. He probably didn't expect too much from you, but you still surprised him every single time. He might not have used the best ways to raise you, but I think with me by his side, we did bring you up properly."

"Awww."

"I am serious," my mum said, looking at me earnestly. "Your father loves you. He just doesn't know how to express it. Otherwise he wouldn't have bragged about you during the SOYA Awards dinner event."

I hugged my mum and she kissed my temple. She was actually much taller than me. She used to model when she was younger. She pushed me in that direction too. She was 5'11" while I was 5'8". My father was 6'3". They made for a cute height difference. My brothers were taller than my mum, having passed the 6'0" mark already. Ryan was 6'3" while my youngest was 6'2". I was dwarfed by everyone.

Maybe that is why my dad didn't favour me...

I was basically a midget in that house.

Dinner was cooked too quickly for my liking. Then everyone was coming down to the already set table to eat with mother and I. Finally, my father was here and I didn't know what to say.

Nick, as usual, pushed all his tomatoes to me. Ryan glared at him before throwing me a pitying look. My mum rolled her eyes at the three of us, while my father blatantly ignored my presence, until-

"Dad, Nana and I have been assigned to one project!"

Nick, my mother, and my father looked in surprise at my brother then me, then him again. Nick excitedly explained how important the mission was. I wondered if it was given within his jurisdiction.

Then it hit me!

This was what my boss had meant!

"Wait... You're coming with us?!"

"How else would he have known?" Nick said as he rolled his eyes. "Duh!"

"Be nice," my mum said affectionately. She smiled over at me.

"You'll fail."

My father spoke out too soon, scaring everyone who turned to look at him. His face showed little emotion, as his eyes were looking right at me. My blood almost ran cold.

"Wh-"

"You will fail. Turn it down and focus on something else."

"Dad-"

"Ryan, that is the truth of the matter. She will fail."

"Aren't you being too harsh?" Ryan replied in my stead. "How many times will you keep telling her? And how many times will she keep proving you wrong?"

"You need to have more faith in your daughter."

"She will fail. That is one of the driest places in Africa. She won't succeed."

"You've been saying this for the last nineteen or so years. Aren't you getting tired? I do not need your approval."

"Then what do you need?"

What did I need? Would he give it? Would I be able to sway him to believe in me at least once? Or would I be wasting my time?

We stared at each other for close to ten seconds before he spoke again.

"I'll prove you wrong dad. Like I always did."

"You'll fail. After all... you are just like your mum. Meek and mediocre."

"Excuse me?!"

"That is final."

"Dad-"

"Final!"