A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY

They were waiting for Mummy.

We were.

I paused outside their door.

The laughter that emanated from their room was so infectious. It began as a silent chuckle, then slowly it turned into a mirthful but stilted giggle. Few minutes, it transformed into a full fledged chortle. Their discussion seemed to be something related to their school experiences. I stood outside to listen. My plan was not to eavesdrop, Godforbid that I should be that kind of father who surreptitiously listened on his children's private conversation. But I got bored waiting for my wife's return, and somehow their discussion became intriguing.

Khadijat, my five year old daughter, dressed in a sky blue pyjamas, her dark short hair brushed neatly, appeared to be the narrator. She was telling her sister how she stood up to the meddlesome bullies in her school the previous week. The narration was so vivid you could actually visualize what transpired.

"This particular girl in my class, Rajiv, always believed she knows everything. She began narrating. She thinks she knows a little bit of every subject, especially french which was the subject we found strange. She always does it to impress the new blonde boy in our class which they all think he's cute. She paused, her expression suddenly changed. But I don't, I think he's not the cutest. Matter of fact, he resembles a monkey." She stressed the last word and they both burst out with laughter.

From where I stood, I had to bite my lips to hold my laughter.

"That's not a very nice thing to say Khadijat." Her sister joked, still shaking with laughter.

"I know, but he's over hyped and always tries to maintain his status by doing cool stuff. Listen let me tell you. She wedged herself by the end of the bed. You know I'm new in the school right? She asked, and without waiting for her sister's response she continued, and french is an optional subject in our school. One day, the new kid was trying to impress everyone by asking french questions."

..."who can tell me how to say good morning in french? He asked gazing at us like some illiterate kids." Everybody was silent in the classroom

After some minutes he spoke." I'm disappointed, you mean none of you knows how to say good morning in francàis?" He asked stressing the last word with pride

Hesitantly, I raised my hand. He then pointed at me. I stood up a little shy and said "Bonjour. Look sister, she moved closer, and smiled with sparkle in her eyes. The kid was surprised, everyone was surprised also."

"So what did he say?" Her sister asked, giggling a little.

"That's very good. Khadijat added dryly. I turned my back and saw the look of envy on Rajiv's face. I felt triumph other kids began clapping for me. Then I felt like I should make use of the opportunity. Khadijat chuckled. And how do you say that's very good in french? I asked him."

"Oh my God, that's so evil of you sister" her sister said. Khadijat smiled psychotically and bit her lips.

"I had to show those kids who is the boss. Let me tell you. He suddenly jerked his head and asked me to repeat it again, which I did. Standing for a couple of minutes, he couldn't respond to my question...."Err.. I don't know he finally said at last." "Then with his head bowed, he returned to his sit. Then Rajiv, with her long dark hair and perfect eyebrows thought she could embarrass me. She got up and threw the question at me. Suddenly I had cold feet and felt the entire class stare at me. C'est tres Bien. Rajiv, that's how you say that's very good. With my head held high I replied her, staring at her eyes".

"Suddenly, the class began clapping and laughing at the same time. Rajiv followed the new kid out and didn't come back until after the break time was up. Meanwhile, the whole class surrounded me and started clapping and chanting C'est tres Bien. I got them, I really got those meanies" khadijat narrated excitedly to her sister.

Still standing outside, I found myself laughing silently. Before I got carried away, I let myself unobtrusively into their room. My children were already used to my impromptu barging. One reason I used to go in unannounced was to keep them on their toes where issues of personal hygiene were concerned. Another reason was that we were used to each other's company. I seldom missed the opportunity to chat and play with my girls. We are so close to each other that my wife often gets jealous and call me a ladies man. That it seems I'm no longer married to her but our little girls.

I agree, and I love my wife so much. But for the fact that I'm so attached to my children is because since my wife got her dream job as a doctor in one of the biggest hospitals here, she's barely around. And it seems day by day, she gets so attached to her job, and barely has time for both of us. It hurts me, it hurts me so bad. But she's a hard worker, and hide my flaws by providing for our family when I can't, as I'm a local middle school teacher in my children's school.

"I'm so proud of you Dija" as she was fondly called. I smiled as I got in and wedged myself between Khadijat and Amira, her immediate elder sister. Amira was an epitome of beauty. She had a long dark hair,flawless smooth skin, and perfectly curved beautiful face that complimented her hour glass figure. Well, that's the gift you get from marrying a preety woman

As I got in they seized their discussion as if my intrusion had all along been anticipated.

"Thanks daddy" Dija said as she nestled even closer to me. She was my last child and consequently the sweet heart of the entire family. My first child was Akashi, fondly known as Kashi by his close friends. He was the first child and only male. Between Kashi and Dija there is such bond and affinity that no one dared scold at her no matter how great the offense when he was around.

And all of them called me Daddy. They didn't call me Papa like every other child in the community used for their father. They could call me kimi, whenever they wanted to sweet talk me into doing something for them. Which was incidentally the pet name my wife used for me. So I was Hakimi to everybody else, and Daddy and Kimi to my family, except Akashi who insisted on calling me Dad. I was never particular about how I was addressed, what I always insisted in my family was love and respect for each other.

"Listen ladies, all the new kid was trying to do was a little practice, maybe trying to practice his french thereby trying to perfect it, you never know. You should give him a break." I tried to point out

"Yeah right. Dija scoffed and rolled her eyes. He was trying to show off, and I put him right in his place." She concluded proudly

"You know it is not also fair to push people beyond what they know" I said rubbing her hair

"They're the ones who act as if they know everything daddy. Especially my biology teacher." Amira chipped in, pouting a little.

When our conversation gets deep, my children seemed to forget that I was also a teacher. But I never bothered reminding them. As I opened my mouth to speak I paused.

Just then, there was this loud knock on the door.

Before I could ask who is there, the person pushed open the door and jumped on me.

"I made it dad!, I got in!"...