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Flashback
As the world incessantly revolves around the sun, we are met with the undeniable truth that life is a compilation of complexities, many of which are self-inflicted. Despite our penchant for weaving intricate tapestries of existence, one might argue that the essence of the world can be encapsulated within three simple phrases;
'There is no such thing as a perfect home'
'There is no such thing as a person without a problem'
'No matter how rich you get, your wealth can't fetch you a life without problems'
My name is Aisa Ahmed, and I am my father's pride. You might want to call me Daddy's girl. My father, Mr. Akilu Ahmed, is a truly wonderful man, and I consider myself incredible blessed to have him in my life. He has an undeniable passion for sports; he enjoys soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, cricket, and even the more rugged version of football that resembles rugby. I could go on if I needed to
"Aisa!" my father called me one hot weekend
"Yes, Daddy!" I replied, hurrying from my room to join him in the sitting room
"Who's playing today?" he asked, eager to discuss the latest sporting events
"There are many games today," I answered, "but the most significant is the soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF"
My father seemed surprised. "Really? I hadn't heard about that. When does the game start?"
"Tonight at 9pm," I informed him
He sighed, disappointed. "That's a long wait. Are there any other sporting events happening right now?"
I turned on the television and said, "Manchester City is currently playing against Crystal Palace, and Manchester City is leading 4-1 with just 20 minutes left to play in the game"
I know what you guys are thinking in your minds. He's so into sports but yeah, that's my sweet father
My mother, Mrs. Nana Ahmed, however is supportive in her own unique way, which often seem harsh to others. She has a different parenting style compared to my gentle and loving father
One afternoon, my mother called out to me from the sitting room. "Aisa!"
"Yes, mother," I responded, rushing to meet her
"Deaf and dumb" she snapped, clearly irritated. "How many times must I call your name before you answer?"
Trying to explain myself, I began, "But mother, I di…" Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a stinging sensation across my face as she slapped me.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back, not wanting to make the situation worse. "I'm sorry, mother," I apologized meekly
"Sorry for yourself!" she retorted. "Why haven't you tidied up the kitchen?"
Fearing another slap, I quickly said, "I'm sorry, mother. I'll tidy it up now." I made my way to the kitchen, feeling the weight of the disappointment heavy on my shoulders
Though, my mother's approach might seem harsh and unkind to others, I know that she does it for our own good. Still, I can't help but wish she loosen up a bit. Her method of support, though different from that of my father, is no less important to me, and I strive to make her proud in everything I do
Kafayat, the little princess of our family, is my sweet, adorable, cute younger sister. Though she is four years younger than me, she possesses the wisdom and intelligence of an old lady. Her ability to learn and absorb information is extraordinary, allowing her to pick up new concepts quickly just by observing or listening
One Saturday morning, as I was preparing to leave the house with my bag, Kafayat spotted me and asked in her endearing, sweet voice, "Sister Aisa, where are you going?"
Smiling, I bent down to gently poke her nose. "Oh, Kafayat, I'm going to school."
Her surprise was evident. "School? But today is Saturday"
I chuckled softly. "Yes, but I have training today"
Her curiosity piqued, as she inquired, "training? What kind of training?"
"Basketball training" I explained patiently. "My school team usually has practice on weekeds.so that's where I'm heading now"
Kafayat's frustration was visible. "Oh, just when I thought I'd get to play with you today"
Trying to console her, I said, "Aww, don't be upset. We'll have tomorrow all to ourselves, and we can spend the whole day together. What do you think?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Is that a promise, or are you just saying it to make me let go of you?"
I smiled confidently, knowing I would keep my word. "It's a promise"
Still skeptical, Kafayat asked, "What should I do to you if you don't keep your promise?"
"Anything. You can do anything you want." I replied, feeling sure of myself. "Because, just for you, I'll never go back on my words"
Satisfied with my response, Kafayat said, "Okay, then, you can go and play your jumping ball or whatever." She turned and walked back upstairs to her room
I called out after her with a grin, "It's called basketball!" My heart swelled with love for my smart and adorable younger sister as I watched her disappear up the stairs
At the time, I was only eight years old, but even then, I knew that I would do anything for Kafayat. She has always been more than just a sibling to me; she is a cherished part of my world, and I treasure every moment I spent with her
In our family, we share an unbreakable bond. No matter how tough the situation, we never abandon one another. When a family member faces challenges, we rally together to provide support and assistance. That's how strong our connection is
At the tender age of four, I discovered my passion for basketball. Watching an Olympic game between Nigeria and Spain captivated me. It was a close match, with Nigeria ultimately emerging victorious. In that moment, I knew basketball was my calling, regardless of any dissenting opinions
"Father, please buy me a basketball," I requested, my young voice filled with determination'
Surprised by my unusual demand, my father asked, "What for?"
"I'm going to be the best basketball player someday, so I want a basketball so I can start playing," I replied, unwavering in my conviction
My pregnant mother, however, wasn't supportive of my ambition. She preferred that I pursued more traditionally feminine activities, "Aisa, are you a boy? You should try something girls excel in," she advised
"No, Mother, I want to play basketball." I insisted
My father simply laughed without offering a verbal response
Undeterred, I dedicated myself to honing my skills and making my dreams a reality. My father recognized my passion and became my staunchest supporter. He'd assist me with my training whenever he was home
"167, 168, 169, 170." My father counted as I did sit-ups
"Huff, huff, huff," I panted, exhausted
"At 170, you're still a long way from 200 sit-ups," My father pointed out
For two years, I'd been striving to reach the 200 mark but kept falling short. I'd managed to surpass 100 sit-ups at the age of six, but my progress since then had been slow
"Father, let me try to make 100 shots from the free-throw line. My highest score is 56," I pleaded
"Nope. You need to rest now. Rest is essential for athletes. Besides, your mother will need your help in the kitchen any moment now," my father said
As if on cue, my mother called for me from the kitchen, "Aisa!"
"Yes, mother!" I called back, my expression shifting
My father smiled knowingly, "I told you"
The warmth and love of the Ahmed family had been a blessing to me. I cherished each moment spent with them and yearned for our happiness to continue indefinitely. Alas, fate had other plans, and my mother's health took a sudden and distressing turn
It began with a nagging cough, which we initially dismissed as a minor inconvenience. My father sought to alleviate her discomfort with cough remedies, but her symptoms only worsened, evolving into stomach discomfort and bouts of nausea. It was then that my father made the decision to take her to the hospital. At the tender age of nine, I was tasked with watching over my younger sister, Kafayat, as our parents navigated this unknown territory
Upon meeting the doctor, I could sense that something was amiss. The grave expression etched upon his face instilled a sense of dread within me. My father, Akilu Ahmed, exchanged pleasantries with the doctor before being ushered into the privacy of the doctor's office. My heart was heavy with apprehension as I awaited their return
"Good day, Mr.?" The doctor asked, offering a handshake
"Akilu Ahmed, sir." My father responded. "Doctor, how is my wife?"
The doctor's face was solemn as he replied, "Mr. Akilu Ahmed, can we go to my office?"
My father turned to me, "Aisa, look after Kafayat, okay. I'd be back"
As the doctor ushered my father into his office, I hoped that my bad feelings were wrong. I stayed with Kafayat, but honestly, I was scared. What seemed like a lengthy meeting between my father and the doctor soon came to an end and my father emerged from the doctor's office
"Aisa, let's go home." My father said quietly as he carried Kafayat. From his mood, I felt I shouldn't ask him any questions for the time being. I could tell he wasn't happy. It was a quiet ride back home
As soon as we entered the house, I summoned the courage and asked, "Father, what about mother? Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she's fine," my father said
"Then why didn't she come home with us?" I asked
My father paused, his face etched with pain, "Aisa, your mother has…"
I couldn't bear to see the tears in my father's face. It was already soaked in tears as if he had been crying since we left the hospital
"Your mother is suffering from breast cancer," my father finally summoned the strength to speak
The words I just heard were like a huge rock that had shattered my heart. I couldn't take it. Deep down, I had wished it was a dream
As I navigated the uncharted waters of my mother's illness, I couldn't help but feel like my world was crumbling around me. The once-vibrant colours of my life had dulled, and the excitement of playing basketball, my passion, had begun to wane
My mother, the pillar that held our family together, was struggling to stay upright. Her illness had taken a toll on her, and our family's dynamics had begun to shift. My father, however remained a steady presence, a rock that held us together
One day, he gathered my sister and I together, his eyes filled with a deep sense of determination. "Girls, everything hasn't been going well since your mother fell ill," he said, his voice low and soothing. "let's work together to keep the family going. I believe that someday, Allah will heal her."
In that moment, I felt a surge of hope. My father's words were like a balm to my soul, soothing my fears and calming my doubts. I knew that as long as we stood together, we could face anything that came our way
From that day on, my father took on the responsibility of caring for our family. He cooked, cleaned, and worked tirelessly to ensure that my sister and I lacked nothing. He'd take time off from work to visit my mother at the hospital, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement in her ear
As the days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, my mother's condition continued to deteriorate. She grew weaker, her body ravaged by the illness that had taken hold. But despite the odds, we continued to hold on to hope, praying that she would recover, that our pillar would stand strong once again
Two years passed, and my mother's condition showed no signs of improvement. She had lost weight, her once-rounded face now daunt and pale. But even in the midst of such uncertainty, our family remained united, bound together by our love for each other and our determination to weather the storm
As our family adapted to the ever-changing circumstances, we found solace in the small victories that graced our lives. My father's business flourished, and both my sister and I excelled in our academics, driven by the unwavering determination instilled in us by our parents
"I'm so proud of you both," our father would say, beaming with pride as we shared our accomplishments with him. "Your mother would be overjoyed to see how far you've come,"
My basketball career also began to take flight, as I found myself representing the Rose Mary High School Female Basketball Team in the nationals. Each time, I stepped onto the court, I could feel my mother's spirit cheering me on, her love and support propelling me to new heights
Despite these triumphs, the shadow of my mother's declining health loomed large over our family. With each passing day, her condition worsened, and the pain in my father's eyes deepened. As a last resort, my father decided to uproot our lives and move to the United States of America, in pursuit of better medical treatment for her
"Girls, we must do everything in our power to help your mother," my father explained, his voice resolute. "This move will not be easy, but we must have faith that it will bring us closer to the miracle we've been praying for"
My sister and I, though apprehensive about leaving our friends and the life we had built, knew that our mother's wellbeing was paramount. We vowed to support our father in everyway we could, ready to embark on a new chapter in our lives
As we prepared to leaves, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I was excited for the opportunity that awaited us in the United States of America, yet my heart ached for the uncertainties surrounding my mother's health. Nevertheless, I held onto the hope that our love, coupled with the advanced medical care available in the United States of America, would bring us closer to the day when our beloved mother would be restored to health
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Back to the present
As I sat in contemplative silence, I couldn't help but ponder the intricacies of our world. And yet, the more I think about it, the more I realize that the world is surprisingly simple. It's we humans who choose to complicate it
The world, I thought is a place that's easy to understand. We're the ones who make it hard. We're the ones who add layers of complexity to its simplicity. But if you take a moment to pause and reflect, I believe you'll find that the world can be distilled into three profound phrases
I thought about the struggles my family is facing, the imperfections that has made my home a little less than perfect. I thought about the problems that plagued every person I knew, regardless of their wealth or status. And I thought about the futility of trying to buy one's way out of trouble
As I sat on the Rose Mary High School Female Basketball Team bench, lost in thought, I realized that the world could be summed up in three simple phrases:
'There is no such thing as a perfect home'
'There is no such thing as a person without a problem'
'No matter how rich you get, your wealth can't fetch you a life without problems'
As Coach Tunde addressed the team, I couldn't hold back any longer. I interrupted him, my voice urgent. "Um…. Listen up, guys. I'm sorry, Coach, but this is important. Guys," I said, paused and sighed. Then I continued, "This game… it's going to be our last together as teammates"