The Night Shifts Episode Eighteen
Binta flagged a taxi. It was getting late in the night but some taxis are still running. She flagged a taxi and told the driver the street she wants to go to. The driver engaged the gear and within a few minutes, they were in the street where Binta’s father lived. She came down from the taxi, paid the driver and then walked into her father’s compound. The security men at the gate knew her, so none of them suspected anything or even tried to stop her.
“By the time I finish with my father this night, he will never seek to destroy the lives of his children in his next life. If there is a next life, he will try to be a good father to his children.” Binta said as she quickly dashed into her father’s master bedroom which was not locked. Her father had just gone to bed and was about sleeping when he saw Binta walking in like a shadow.
“What happened? Are you people done with the mission? Did you succeed? I hope you were able to eliminate the man and his proposed wife? He should not be alive to enjoy his new marriage. I cannot be alive and another woman would snatch my daughter’s husband. That woman would have to pay a huge price for messing around with my family and my children. I hope you made them to cry?” Binta’s father asked.
“So you were happy that I was going to destroy another person’s happiness? Why didn’t stop me? Why didn’t you tell me that the step I was taking was wrong? Why didn’t you let me know that it was wrong to try to make another person unhappy? It was your responsibility as my father to give me moral guidance but you obviously failed in your duties. Why?” Binta asked her father who was surprised to hear the question.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Your question is a bid surprising my dear daughter. I have always guided you on how to rule your home with an iron fist. I made you the queen in your husband’s house. I made sure he respected you. I taught you how to treat him so that he will be under you. I taught you how to be on top and your husband will be down. What other kind of guidance are you talking about?” Binta’s father asked.
“I mean the kind of moral guidance that good fathers give to their children. What you gave to me and my sisters were bad upbringing. You taught us to hate our husbands and to treat them badly like pieces of trash while you used them as your money making machines. You used me to milk my husband dry. I put it to you that you are a bad example of what a good father should be.” Binta said tearfully.
“How dare you speak to me in that manner? After all I have done for you? I made sure you were respected in your husband’s house. I made sure he gave you all the respect you deserved. I made sure you had all the money you wanted. I made sure he gave you everything you deserved as my daughter and you are here talking to me with disrespect? I should never have helped you. I guess I made a mistake by trying to create a queen out of a mere pig. I helped you and this is how you pay me back?” Binta’s father was embittered as he was talking to his daughter.
“You did not help me, instead you destroyed me. You ruined my life. You spoilt my home. My children cannot even be with their father right now because of you. You used me to poison their hearts against their father. You are such a wicked man.” Binta said. Her voice was getting louder and louder.
“I was just trying to protect our interest. I was protecting my interest and the interest of my home. You know that I did not give birth to a male child. I have four children who are all females. Your mother is d*ad. All of you were leaving me and getting married. I felt sad that other men were taking my daughters and enjoying the fruit of my labour. None of you were here to make me happy again. That was why I had to devise a strategy that would make you come back to me and live with me, and not with your husbands. Don’t you like it? All of us will be together as family again. And to make it more beautiful, all of you have given birth to male children. I now have male children in my compound and they will answer my name when I’m gone. What else are we looking for as a family?” Binta’s father said. Binta was so sad as she listened to the reason given by her father.
“So you destroyed our homes so you could have us back in your compound? Simply because you did not have a male child and you were lonely?” Binta asked.
“Exactly! And we are now together. What you should do is to bring your children home. Let us live happily ever after. Forget about your husband. He is of no use. He has served his purpose.” Binta’s father said.
Binta brought out the g*n from her handbag.
“You deserve to d*e. You do not deserve to see the light of another day. You are such a bad person. I have to put an end to your life so that I and my siblings can live our lives free from your wicked interference. From today, you will never be able to control us again. You will never be able to harm anyone again.” Binta said as she drew closer to her father and pulled the trigger several times. It was over for Binta’s father. He closed his eyes and transcended to the great beyond.
To be continued……
