Chapter 3 — Tears

On one Thursday morning, I was busy searching for my socks when nanny Safiyah bounced in with a salaam. "Breakfast is ready" she said and left without waiting for me to say a word.

I trailed behind her - after finally giving up the search - and drifted to the dining room. I would use the socks I wore a day prior, it wasn't dirty after all.

I greeted Ramadan and my mum as I sat on my favourite place. No one dare occupy that place when I'm around.

"Umaimah" Ramadan uttered.

"Yes, dad" I said staring at him.

"I will be the one to take you to school today" He said sipping from his coffee.

"Really, dad?" I said happily.

"Yes" He winked.

"Okey" I smiled and began eating.

Mum didn't say anything throughout the session, she only called on nanny Safiyah to help her clear the table as soon as we were done eating.

Ramadan cleared his throat. "Go and prepare, I will wait for you in the car"

"Okey, dad" I said as I quickly ran back to mum's room. I wore my previously worn socks and picked up my bag. Thinking if I would mention something like lunch bag? Well, as a primary pupil I didn't need kiddy things like that. After all, mum and Ramadan used to give me money to spend at school.

I ran out of the room to the kitchen where mum and nanny Safiyah were. She was helping the nanny in washing dishes. "I'm going, mum" I announced.

She smiled as she quickly rinsed her hands and dried them using a towel. "Come, my baby" she said widening her hands for me to come for a hug.

I ran to her... thus, she knelt and pecked me on my forehead. "Take care of yourself, okey?" She said smiling.

"I will, mum" I smiled back.

Nanny Safiyah waved at me from where she was. "Don't play too much o" she said reminding me of Ramadan's warning a day posterior to the day I came back home with bruises.

"Okey" I nodded and then bounced away after having waved mum.

Ramadan ignited the engine into action immediately he saw me running towards the parking lot through his side mirror. I ran to the passenger seat and quickly fastened my seat belt.

"Are we good to go?" He asked.

"Yes, dad" I squealed.

He drove me to school and escorted me to my class. I was happy, he never did that until today. By the way, I wondered how he knew my new classroom teacher. That witch, she never appreciated my special ability of singing and dancing. I greeted her and she faked a smile. She was so surprised to see me with Ramadan, she kept running her eyes on us as if observing something.

"Wow, I never knew she's your daughter sir" she said smiling.

"Well, actually..." He cleared his throat and continued. "She's my daughter"

"Nice" she said and gestured me to go and sit down while they talk.

I went directly to my seat. They kept talking and laughing until they were satisfied. He bade me goodbye and promised to come pick me up when it is time. I was happy, now Aunty Zubaidah would no longer be strict to me since...

"Is he really your father?" I heard her voice querying, she was walking to me.

"Yes, he's my father" I replied positively.

"No" she shook her head, and as she was about protesting further I squealed.

"He's my father!"

"Okey" she smiled and went back to her desk. Since then, she never asked me that stupid question again. How could she even ask an 8-year-old me if the man I believed to be my father is really my father? At that age? She even had the guts to protest my response. Seriously, I thought she was trying to steal my daddy from me... Hahaha!

When it was time for home, Ramadan came and picked me up... together with Aunty Zubaidah. She sat in the front with him. They talked and talked until she dropped at a house. They bade eachother goodbye and we drove off.

I was so tired, I threw my bag in the couch and ran to the kitchen for water to drink after announcing to the mansion with my high-pitched voice that I was home. I took a glass of water from the cooler and ran for my mother's room. I was just about opening the door when nanny Safiyah bounced out of the room in haste. It looked as if she was angry or something because she didn't even acknowledged my presence, my own nanny! Well, lets check mum.

"Mum, I'm..." I said halfway as I saw her raised her hands up supplicating.

"Ya Allah, You were the One that gave me Umaimah, please I'm still inneed" she said breaking down in tears.