31/03/2026
The Tale of an Orphan
Chapter Two
Fatima’s heart skipped the moment she saw her brother’s tear-stained face. With a palpitating heart, she walked in big strides towards him
“Farouk, why are you crying?” she asked hurriedly, her voice full of concern. “Who beat you?”
Farouk wiped his face with the back of his hand and looked up at his sister with red, watery eyes. “Ada…” he called softly, and then burst into tears again.
Fatima quickly moved closer and pulled him gently into her arms. “What is it?” she asked, holding him close. “Who did this to you? And why are you not in school?”
Farouk sniffed and tried to steady his breathing. “Mama refused to pay my examination fee,” he said at last.
Fatima pulled back slightly and stared at him. “ What did you say?” She asked as though she did not understand what he said
“Mama refused to pay my examination fee,” Farouk replied, using his shirt collar to wipe his tears away
“Why won’t she pay your examination fee?” Fatimah asked, her voice dropping in disbelief.
She was breathing heavily now, struggling to understand what Salamatu’s reason could be. She worked tirelessly every single day, helping her sell her things, enduring insults, hunger, and hardship, all for the sake of peace and for the sake of her brother’s future and yet she refused to pay as little as his examination fee.
What kind of creature is Salamatu? Why would she refuse to pay such a simple fee? Why?
What was the point of all her suffering if Farouk still could not get the little he deserved?
“She said she doesn’t have money,” Farouk replied softly.
“She doesn’t have money?” Fatima echoed, bitterness rising in her chest. She worked everyday to earn money for her and yet she did not have money to pay for her brother's exam fee
What level of wickedness is this?
“How much is the exam fee?” She asked finally
“Three thousand five hundred naira,” Farouk answered. “We’re starting our exams today, and if I don’t pay, I won’t be allowed to write them.”
“Three thousand five hundred naira?” Fatima repeated, looking closely at his face as though she hoped she had heard wrongly.
Farouk nodded. “ She was supposed to pay the school fees at once but because she will always pay little by little that is why is only remaining my exam fee,” he explained
“Is that how she pays for her three children too?’ Fatimah asked
“I don't know but the school management have never sent them away from school for not fully paying school fees,” Farouk replied
For a moment, Fatima said nothing.
Then, with a quiet sigh, she reached into her small purse, the one where she had kept all the money she had made so far from selling Akamu that morning.
Without a second thought, she dipped her hand into the purse and brought out all the morning that she had made that morning
She counted the notes carefully until they reached three thousand five hundred naira.
“Take,” She said, putting the money into his hand. Her heart ached as she placed the money into Farouk’s hand, yet there was warmth in her chest too. No matter how hard life was on her, Farouk would not be denied his chance.
“Go and pay your exam fee,” she added gently. “And make sure you write your exam very well and pass it.”
Farouk stared at the money in surprise, almost as if he could not believe it. He raised his head and looked at his sister. “ Ada…”
Fatima managed a faint smile and touched his shoulder. She knew what he was thinking…
“All the best.” She said smilingly and then pressed the money into his hand and urged him toward the road. “Go now, before you get more late.”
Farouk stared at the money in his hand for a few seconds before lifting his head to look at his sister for the second time.
“Ada… this money… won’t it put you in trouble?” he asked softly.
Fatima forced a smile, even though her heart was heavy. “ Whatever trouble is going to put me into shouldn't be your problem… and don't disclose what happened here today to anyone… how you paid your exam fee should remain a mystery for everyone,”
“Ada…” Farouk called out with trembling lips
“I’m sure I won’t die,” she said lightly with an assuring smile on her lips. “Go and write your exam and make me happy.” She said, gently touching his shoulder. “This has nothing to do with you. The money is for you, so don’t worry about anything.”
Farouk lowered his head, and small tears began to slip down his cheeks. He was only eight years old, yet he already understood the pain and burdens his sister carried every day.
He knew she was sacrificing her own safety and comfort just for him. He understood more than a child his age should ever have to understand. “I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me,” he said in a shaky voice.
Fatima placed her hand under his chin and lifted his face gently.” Who else do I have in this world other than you… I will do everything that I can to make you successful in this life even if that is to get myself into trouble,”
Farouk raised his teary eyes to look at her. “Ada,” he said, his voice filled with emotion, “I promise you… one day, we will come out of this situation. I promise, by the grace of God, I will become somebody important. I will become something great, and I will help you become whatever you want to be too.”
For a moment, Fatima just looked at him. Then she laughed softly, a real laugh this time, though it carried pain beneath it. “I’m sure our Farouk will grow up to become a great man,” she said proudly. “And he will make his sister proud.”
She wiped the tears from his face and gave him a little push. “Now hurry up and go before you become late for your exam, my boy.”
Farouk nodded, held the money tightly in his hand, and ran off.
Fatima stood there watching him until he disappeared down the road. Only then did the smile on her face fade.
She knew the trouble waiting for her inside the house but for Farouk’s sake, it was worth it.
Fatima sighed deeply and turned toward the house but the moment she did, her steps halted. Her eyes met Rashida’s.
Rashida, her neighbour. They lived in the same compound, shared the same yard. Rashida’s family room was just beside hers. She was Mama Asabe’s daughter… and once upon a time, she had been Fatima’s friend.
They were both fourteen. Yet, they looked nothing alike. From a distance, Rashida appeared older… more mature, more developed.
She carried herself like a young woman, while Fatima still looked like a child, her body yet to catch up with her age.
Fatima’s heart skipped when she noticed the teasing smile playing on Rashida’s lips.
“I saw everything,” Rashida said, folding her arms across her chest as she chewed her gum lazily. “Just from looking, anyone can tell what you just transpired between you and your brother.”
She was dressed in her school uniform, but nothing about her appearance spoke of discipline. The makeup on her face alone told a different story.
Fatima looked at her briefly, then turned away, choosing silence as she always did.
They used to be close. But that was years ago.
Their friendship had slowly fallen apart when their paths, their thinking, and their values began to differ.
“Do you think you’ll go unscathed this time?” Rashida continued, her voice laced with mockery. “Do you really think Salamatu will let you spend that money just like that?”
Fatima kept walking, ignoring her existence
“What are you going to tell her?” Rashida pressed on. “What excuse will you give?”
Fatima stopped. Slowly, she turned back and faced her, her eyes hard. “Why can’t you mind your own business?” she snapped. “Your mates are already in school, and here you are, standing around, poking your nose into something that has nothing to do with you.”
Rashida smiled, unfazed. “Well, of course I’m late,” she replied calmly. “But at least I’m still better than you.” She took a step closer, her smile widening. “Late or not, I’m going to school. What about you?”
Her words grew sharper, more deliberate. “You’ll keep living like this… wasting your life, serving Salamatu like a slave.”
The words hit harder than Fatima expected.
For a brief moment, silence hung between them.
After a few seconds, Fatima lifted her head to respond, but before she could say a word, Rashida spoke again.
“It’s not like I want to insult you,” she said, her tone suddenly calmer, almost serious. “I just want you to understand something.” She paused, then added, “No one in this world is ready to fight for you or give you what you deserve… not even your father.”
The words struck deep.
“If you choose to keep slaving away for a woman who doesn’t care about you, then you’ll only have yourself to blame in the future.”
Fatima stood still, listening.
“At fourteen, you can make your own choices,” Rashida continued. “You can do things your way. You can earn for yourself… even sponsor your own education.”
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Think about it. Think about everything I’ve said.” Then she straightened up, a small knowing smile forming on her lips. “I’m sure by afternoon… you’ll come looking for me.”
With that, she turned and called out to a group of girls ahead of her, adjusting her school bag as she hurried off toward school.
Fatima remained rooted to the spot.
She said nothing. She could only watch Rashida walk away, her words echoing loudly in her mind.
After a while, Fatima turned and slowly walked into the house. The moment she stepped inside the compound, she froze.
Salamatu was sitting right in front of their room.
Waiting.
A smile spread across her face when she saw Fatima.
“Yauwa! Kin dawo, you’re back,” Salamatu said sweetly, her tone unusually calm. “Hurry up, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Fatima said nothing. She simply stood there, watching her carefully.
“And by the way,” Salamatu continued, “what took you so long today? You should have been back an hour ago. Why did you stay out for so long? You did not even finish selling the akamu?”
Still, Fatima remained silent. Her eyes stayed fixed on Salamatu, as though she was waiting… bracing herself for what was coming next.
“Bring the money you made this morning,” Salamatu said, stretching out her hand. “I need it. I have to rush to the market and buy what you’ll sell this afternoon.”
She didn’t wait for a response before continuing with her usual stream of orders.
“Meanwhile, while I am away, sweep the compound, wash the clothes, and do the dishes. Halima’s clothes are inside, take them with Ibrahim and Salma’s own… and make sure everything is properly washed.”
She pointed toward a corner. “My own clothes are there too. Wash all of them before I come back from the market.”
Fatima stood there, silent… unmoving. The air around her suddenly felt heavy.
Rashida’s words echoed again in her mind. “At fourteen, you can do things your way…” And for the first time in her life she wanted to rebel… she wanted to start doing things her way
“Oh yes, give me the money,” Salamatu said, stretching out her hand impatiently. “The soap you’ll use to wash the clothes is up there… don’t finish it. And make sure all the clothes are properly clean. Now… give me the money.”
Fatima looked straight into her face. There was no fear in her eyes. No hesitation. Only a quiet, unshakable resolve.
She was ready. Ready for whatever would come next. “There is no money,” she said calmly.
Salamatu blinked. “ What?”
“The money is gone.” Fatima replied
*****
Credit to 👇 👇 👇
©️ Aisha Bola Badmus
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