CHAPTER ONE: FAMILY

When we are born, our parents have different hopes and expectations for us, but as children we also have our own dreams as we grow up. Every man’s dream is to find a woman he’d spend the rest of his life with, while a woman’s dream is to meet her prince and live happily ever after. Sam and Bel are not exceptional, they met, fell in love and had a dream of starting their own family.

During their struggle as new couples, which was filled with obstacles, they lost their first child, a year later the Heavens gave them an opportunity to be parents again. When Bellah was born, Mr and Mrs. Kikoy were the happiest parents ever, her life was so great she was showered with everything that this life could offer, they were one happy family, both parents having great careers. Many children of her age were envious of her.

As fate has it, Bellah’s mother became sick, she was diagnosed with cancer of the Colon, as time went by, she had to quit her job to concentrate of her treatment and on getting better, the man who promised to take care of her started to change, he’d come home late and when his wife asked, he wasn’t willing to give an explanation since he was the man of the house and he was allowed to do as he pleased.

“Baba Bellah, can you at least come home early and spend time with your daughter considering my situation?” Mrs. Kikoy told her husband. “Why should I come home early when I have to take care of both of you, pay the bills and feed you all in this house? In fact I was thinking since you’re home we don’t need a house help,” replied Mr. Kikoy. Taking care of all the house work is a woman’s responsibility and despite your condition you should make an effort to fulfill your duties, Mr. Kikoy complained. His wife looked down, she was heartbroken and the thought of her one day dying and live behind her princess, her world was broken into pieces, it felt like she has just been stubbed with a knife in her heart, it ached for her daughter, her husband had the typical African attitude where women are meant to do everything and now since he was the only one contributing he felt overburdened.

The Sam’s attitude changed a lot, sometimes he’d not return home yet he knew his wife and daughter were all alone, since he dismissed the house help. Bellah looked at her mother with teary eyes and all she could say was “ Mom don’t worry, I’ll work hard in school and when I grow up I’ll take good care of you, I’ll cure whatever disease you have that’s why I need to become a good doctor in the future” the girl who had everything, her world started changing slowly and with her mother’s condition worsening, she still hoped that things would get better, she prayed every day that God would not take her Mom away, Bellah was only six years at a time. With everything that was going on, Mrs. Kikoy still wanted her daughter to have the best childhood, continue to be the princess she was born to be, so with her worsening condition she seek help from her in-laws, who somehow were living a good life thanks to her help.

Mr. Kikoy’s family were poor and because of that Bellah’s grandparents didn’t approve her mother’s marriage to her father so they disowned her and she couldn’t go back to ask for their help. Bellah’s mother was not getting any better at all, their family doctor had advised her to seek better treatment abroad but it was impossible since she wasn’t working and her husband was not willing to help with her medical bills, in fact he had even removed his wife and daughter names on his company list and replaced it with his mistress’ name and her son Julian. This was his new family, when Mrs. Kikoy discovered what her husband has done, she was so hurt, she knew her husband was having an affair but she didn’t mind because she knew her condition and couldn’t fight with him.

Days turned into weeks, then months and another year was already over, mum this year I don’t want to celebrate my birthday but I only have one wish that you get well, Bellah told her mother. My princess I know you’re sad, the past two years haven’t treated you well. Today is 4th of April and it’s your birthday and no matter how bad the situation is, we’ll still celebrate it, I want you to remember this day always, her mother replied back. Why should I remember this day and yet we’ve always celebrated my birthday? Bellah was young but very intelligent so she became curious, are you planning to leave me? No silly, your mother is not going anyway, it’s the first birthday without your Dad. Her little princess smiled and nodded her head to say she understood what her mother meant.

Mrs. Kikoy, knew she didn’t have much time left in this life so she wanted to make sure that her daughter had everything, continued with her education, she called Mr. Richard who was her lawyer and a changed her will to make sure that her daughter had shelter, education and to one day fulfill her dreams when she grow up, this was the least she could do as a mother. She transferred the house in Bellah’s name, paid school fees in up to High school, Bellah’s school was a private institution that had from baby class till high school and since she’s been in the same school it was easy to plan her daughter’s future. She even took up an education policy to cater for her college education. She opened a fixed account and deposited money that her daughter would access when she reached the age of 25 years.

Her lawyer was somehow confused because he has never had a client who was preparing for her departure from this life to the next one, he sat in his chair and listened to Mrs. Kikoy’s instructions while she typed it down herself, she knew lawyers were canning and wouldn't want to leave her daughter in this cruel world to suffer. Mr. Richard intercepted and ask her if she was OK, in a calm state, she raised her head and starred at her lawyer and asked back, why would you think I’m not ok? You and I both know that I’m not getting any better so let’s do this before my princess comes back from school. Her plans were flawless , no room for mistakes or errors, this sent cold chills through Mr. Richard’s spine, but he was a man so he had to behave like one, after they were done a smile appeared on Mrs. Kikoy’s face that was cold and icy before, Mr. Richard became more confused.

She stood up from her chair and said to the lawyer, get those copies to the notary today and come back tomorrow at the same time so that we finalized everything.

Mrs. Kikoy was a very intelligent woman and could not even be compared to her husband, who had quickly forgotten about his family and was living a happy with another woman, that day she cooked her daughter’s favourite meals which made her wonder why her mum was treating her with extra care and attention than before. She looked at her and said I know you’re surprised by my action, we’re just two of us now and you’re growing up so fast, your birthday is already coming up, if your mother can’t love you and treat you like the only treasure who will? I’m sorry mum I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings Bellah responded when she saw both happiness and sadness on her mother’s face, she walk up and went to hug her, they cried in each other’s arms for a while before the sat down and continued to eat their meal.

After dinner, Bellah asked her mother if it was okey to sleep with her, but her mother turned her down and told her “I want my princess to be an independent and courageous woman when she grows up that’s the reason I want you to learn to sleep alone,” being young she believed everything her mother told her and had no reason to doubt her words. Bellah’s mum never had good nights and haven’t slept well for a very long time, her pain was increasing and yet there was nothing she could do she didn’t want to risk spending everything on her treatment and leave her daughter without anything to take care of her in the future. She endured the pain and also fought to have more days just to see her princess grow up, but time was not on her side.

At 9 a.m. the following day Mr. Richard was standing in the Kikoy family living room. He was known to be on time, they called him a white man in a black skin because of keeping time, Africans are known to be poor when it came to time management. Mrs. Kikoy led him to the study room to finalize what they had started earlier. Besides Mr. Richard’s copies, she had 3 more copies notarized and told him that she would give another lawyer not known to him same documents so that in future if Mr. Richard decides to betray her, the documents will be evidence to everything that took place. He was an honest man but in a corrupt society people tend to change. After they finalized everything, she recorded herself in a video that she had installed in her study which had been recording everything that went on, then another video which had instructions of what Bellah was to do when she turns 18 years old and the final copy when she turns 25 years old. She put the copies and video recording in a deposit box that can only be accessed by Bellah after she turned the agreed age of 18 and left the key with the other lawyer.

What a woman, most people would never spend their last days on earth doing what Mrs. Kikoy was doing. Finally her mind was at peace, she didn’t need to worry anymore. The only regret she had was not being able to see her family and going against them to marry the bastard who was her husband. The years she spent with him only one good thing came out of that marriage and that was her daughter Bellah,. Thinking of her brought many mixed emotions, she felt that life was unfair and was never given enough time to take care of her princess.

Mrs. Kikoy was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and since it had progressed and her husband was not willing to help her out, she chose to save all the money she had so that one day when she’s gone her daughter will not miss anything until she was old enough to take care of herself.

Every night she tacked Bellah in the bed and read her bedtime stories. Mrs. Kikoy realized that she wasn’t able to do everything on her own since she was getting weaker by each day, she employed a house help to take care of all the households and make sure Bellah gets to school on time, 

Her condition was deteriorating so fast than before and she had not finalized her family affairs. She called the family lawyer Mr. Zak and her husband and asked them to come to the house, her husband was not happy with her summon, and neither did he feel sorry for his ailing wife, when they reached the house he started his usual arrogance but his wife told him that the meeting wasn’t going to take long,

“Now that we’re here can you tell us what’s so urgent that couldn’t wait,” Mr. Kikoy lamented with a disgusted voice, his wife was more than calm and just staring at him then she asked, “how many years have we been married?” After hearing this question Mr. Kikoy was so furious, he couldn’t believe his ears, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Is this the reason why you called me here and waste my time? Did this disease make you stupid or what?” He asked, the family lawyer was confused but stayed calm and watched the two couples, one was calm and the other one was on top of his voice.

Mr. Kikoy answered with a frowned face, “You know we’ve been married for 10 years, what other rubbish do you feel like asking, you can ask everything you want so that you don’t have to come back and look at your pathetic face, you make me sick.” That’s OK Mama Bellah responded back, she was hurting inside but she didn’t want to give her husband an easy victory. “don’t worry I won’t be calling for you anymore, I know where I stand in your life and I’m sorry you feel that way.”

She then turned to the family lawyer and apologized for the scene he’s just witnessed. Now let’s get back to business, she continue, but her husband intercepted by asking which business she wanted to talk about while she was in a pathetic condition, with a mockery smile on his face.

Mrs. Kikoy didn’t mind and continued. My daughter is only 8 years only and by any chance I leave this world I want the company to continue taking care of her, plus also I want my company shares to be transferred to my daughter’s name that way she’ll never lack anything. After hearing this her husband was so furious, in his choked voiced he asked, “Woman, are you determined to ruin my life even with your one leg in the grave? Our daughter doesn’t know anything about shares so why would you take back your shares to give to an 8 year old child?” His wife smiled at him and asked back, “just because I mentioned the shares in the company I built with my own money to give you everything you have, you’re now mad at me? I gave up my family status just to marry you, now that I’ve made you someone, you’re looking down on me, you’ve turned your back on the only people who loved you. Who gave you that right?”

Mrs. Kikoy, please don’t get angry, don’t forget that you’re not well. The family lawyer interrupted the couple, don’t worry I’m OK Mrs. Kikoy replied back politely. She handed over the documents she had in her hands to the family lawyer and a copy to her husband and requested the family lawyer to meet the company lawyer and formalize everything.  She stood up and left the study, leaving two men still seated and looking at each other in a confused state.

Mr. Kikoy did not believe what had just happened. For his wife to protect her daughter, he left her husband as the administrator to the shares until she turned 20 years old which made the bastard happy and that would guarantee Bellah’s safety. She felt that her husband was greedy and would even get rid of his own daughter just to have it all.

All the documents were notarized and just like the last time, she gave them to different people to protect her daughter’s future.

Finally I can rest in peace, Mrs. Kikoy said to herself. My princess will not have to suffer in the hands of these mean and cruel man who calls himself his father. As a tradition between the mother and daughter during bedtime she would drag her tired body and put on a smile to go and read a story to her daughter before they called it a night. She kissed her goodnight and went back to her room.