Norther Nigerians are known for handwork and innovation and plateau state is not left behind, as the indigens of plateau sate will always improvise. Mr zakka(my father) was not left out, he will always put in the work i mean hard work.
My dad does all kinds of menial jobs to survive, aside farming which he is very good at; but that can no longer be possible cause my maternal uncles have stopped him from going to the family land to farm, having a sick child and a family to fend for leaves him with no excuse that to find another alternative.
Rock blasting is a thing in the norther Nigeria and since there is no technical know-how on how to do it in advance technology; manual labor is the way out, so people mostly men work on those sites; blast rocks and break it into smaller gravel sizes used in building; foundation laying, making pillars of story building, road construction e.t.c.
"I somehow feel this man is caused" said a man that was suppose to be my fathers friend, he was having the conversation with another colleague of theirs "ahhhh no now Dara Noro don't say that please" (he replied) everyone goes through hard times and if you cant encourage him, the least you can do is pray for him at a distance" a third man replied, the two men giggled at each other and continued making mockery of my father. At this point my dad was aware they were talking about him but they hadn't realized it, the first man continued "Every bad thing is this life has happened to him, first it was him losing everything, then to him moving into his wives village, like how! that's an abomination" hahahhahha the two men laughed, "i heard Alhaji Bature is sleeping with his 2nd daughter" the second man who had barely contributed to the conversation said shhhshshhshh "dont say that" the man that was defending my dad said " please consider the pain this man is going through and keep quiet please", "ehhhh pastor who is talking to you leave us alone we are only stating the obvious here" the man that was refered to as Dara Noro said with a smile and looking at his gist partner to agree with him, At this point my father stopped what he was doing and buried his head in shame, he was almost at tears when the man that was defending him walked up to him and try to have a conversation with him "please Dara simi don't take any of the things he said to heart they are not being reasonable", "are they lies?" my father ask the man " no! they are not my father continued, its the story of my life" almost in tears, " don't cry! the man cuts in " you are a man, all will be well please" the man assured " have you heard of the H3 foundation?" the man asked my father, my daddy looked up with no hope and excitement " No" he replied, this was so because since the attack we have had more that ten different agencies and NGO's come to us for questioning, some even take pictures of us and all but after that nothing so this wasnt such an exciting news for him, "Nooo listen i heard they are legit ohh, they have helped a lot of displaced homes and even paid for peoples medical bills, please don't give up; give them a chance, here!" handed him a flier " please call the number on it". My dad reluctantly collected the flier, it is safe to say he'll not make the call.
One thing about my parents is the way they love each other, the play, gist about everything or almost, the cuddle yes! the cuddle right before us, my father will kiss my mom right before us still remind us " she is my wife" hahahah its always beautiful to watch them do this this especially now in the mist of all this problems.
It was late in the night so they were whispering but i can still hear them, "at this point i think we should go and meet my brother, he'll insult us yes! but he'll help us out" my mom said, my dad shake his head in disapproval " noooo i'll not allow you do that nooo never! honey! do you remember all he said to us the last time? no I'll do everything in my power to take care of you and the children please", "i know" she cuts in "and i see all that you do for this family, i don't take it for for granted but please let him help us please", "we are going to be fine my dear, i promised" he said and he kissed her on the lips; "my beautiful strong and hardworking woman you know i love you right, you my biggest source of encouragement, i love how you handle things and take care of the children with almost nothing, no worries when i blow" "ill take verrrrrryyyyyy goooood care of you" the chorused as its something they tell each other very often and the laughed. My mom usually say my dad has a sweet mouth and that is how he was able to convince her to marry him and i am force to believe that because i mean! everything was just beautiful.
In my heart i said a prayer for my parents that they should keep holding strong for each other, aside the strength that comes from the beautiful love and understanding they had for it each other, it made the struggle so easy for both of them, its in how they looked at each other, how they held each others hands in the mist of all the pain, how they assured each other that every thing was going to be fine at end of it all is beautiful and its something i have learnt and i am definitely taking this lesson on life's journey.