Aisha's Dreams: Part 1

“Aisha! Put some more wood in the fire and fan the flames.” Halima called from where she sat rocking the baby with one hand and picking stones and husks from a tray of beans with the other hand.

I dropped the book reluctantly and hurried to the outdoor kitchen. The last time I disobeyed Halima because I was engrossed in a book and honestly did not hear her call, she seized the book and I nearly got in trouble with the association. The association has many unwritten but binding rules; three strikes and you will be expelled for three months. I already had two strikes thanks to Halima and Gambo and shuddered at the thought of being unable to borrow a book for three months.

The only reason I did not have three strikes already was because the last time Gambo seized my book and locked it in his portfolio, I figured out the combination password, stole it while he was at work and returned it. My back still hurts from the flogging I got that day and now I am very careful not to read around Gambo. He has no problem with my regular school books but frowns at the novels and magazines, and it is no use hiding the novels between my school books or wrapping them in old newspapers because he is on to all my tricks. If I get bad eyes in the future, it’ll be Gambo’s fault for making me read under the covers with the aid of torchlight.

I miss Mama’s reading days. I remember when I did not have to borrow books because Mama always had new ones. She blames the books for her big mistake; she never should have married Dan. Dan the actor formerly known as Danladi came back from the city without most of his name and morals but with a lot of charm and sweet-talks. Mama was swept off her feet, literally. He reminded her of another Dan, a character in one of her novels; tall, dark, athletic and street wise. She was enthralled. After Papa died, Mama gave up on marriage but Dan made her change her mind within a few weeks.  Mama was smiling again and excitedly planning the wedding.

One Thursday, Dan did not visit at his usual time. By evening time, everybody knew why; Dan had gone back to his wife and two children in the city. Mama did not even know that he was married. The following day, mama burnt all her books and there were two heartbroken people in the house. Mama was heartbroken because Dan had deceived her, and I was broken because I had only managed to hide a few books before mama burnt them.

I made a vow that day; I will never allow any man break my heart.

I put some more wood in the fire, fanned the flames and carried the baby from Halima’s arms. I returned to my book and continued reading the story of Maryam, the young woman who became the first female doctor in her village against all odds.

I am going to be a doctor when I grow up.

Image :https://pixabay.com/en/sunset-island-mar-dusk-brain-485016/