The Second Path

Chapter 35

NOTE: The town name has been changed from 'Barnawa' to Mansur.

Song: Say Love by JoJo

Other songs: Run to you by Lea Michele

Chapter 35

It was one day to the end of Easter holiday. And I could hardly wait anymore. Honestly, 24 hours felt like 24 years. That was how bad I wanted to go back to school.

After church and small resting, Kauna and I decided to play Ayo in the parlor. We were not able to get the actual material itself, so we decided to use a tray and small stones from the compound. It was dead stressful because the stones kept messing up sometimes.

And most of the time, Kauna kept breaking some of the rules because she didn't understand.

"No don't put it there!" I groaned and picked up the stone she just dropped in one of the slots, "Remember, you cannot put the stones in the slot where you got them from."

She looked confused and just stared at the tray, "Why?"

I sighed while dropping the stone to where she was supposed to put it, "Because nobody deserves to go back to the same place they were before."

"But I want to. With ummah."

I left my hand on the same position of dropping the stone and stared hard at the tray. If Kauna called inna Hauwa one more time, I was going to kill myself.

"I want ummah to come back so that we would go back and sleep in our home."

"You're not comfortable here?" I asked, becoming uncomfortable by her words.

She shook her head and looked down, "I is always alone with no one to play with. You and Kaka is always busy. When ummah were here, she will always play with me."

I moved my hands back to the ground and looked at her. I understood where she was coming from but what was I supposed to tell her about her mother now?

"Kauna, we're not trying to do any of this intentionally. You see... Kaka is doing all she can to get food on our plate." I said, "And as for me, I'm not going to sit down here and lie to you that I can replace your mother in your heart because I know I cannot and never will. But... I promise to try and be there from now on. Everyday after school and all day on weekends. You hear?"

She just nodded while staring at the ground. Now how was I going to reveal about inna Hauwa's death? I should just spill the beans and break her heart this minute?

"I want to ask a question." I sat up straight and cleared my throat, "Uhm... how would you feel if she doesn't come back? Would you be angry?"

"She's coming back. I know it." She argued.

I felt my tummy twist at her response. Kill me now please.

"But what if?"

Kauna looked at me, "Why is you asking? Did something happen to her?"

She's dead.

I quickly looked down at the tray and shook my head, "Nothing. Let's just get back to the game."