(Part 3/4) “After he came back he never tried to earn his relationship back with his daughter. The things that I had endured during the 10 years of his absence had already made me lose all hope in him. I never wanted him back. I knew he was not coming back to me. But I always thought he had a place in his heart for his only daughter. She was his blood, someone who he had left when she was in my womb. I was wrong. My daughter goes to a school which is also his village and I know they cross paths frequently. I know that the villagers have pointed out her father to her. On a few occasions, I have too but she chooses to remain mum. She never received any love from him and so she does not know how to love him back. And from her innocent age, she has seen her mother’s tears. And this man has brought another wife. Maybe he is happy but I feel sorry for his new wife. I suppose that are how things are to be. Today, I do not like to sit and mourn in my own stories of trouble. The more I think, the more it hurts. It is thus better for me to keep myself busy. Doing this and doing that. My daughter is 14 now and god willing my brother has taken her under his shelter. Once I had thought of dismissing her from going to school. The school had its demands of books, uniforms, and bags. I had no money. I was single and without support. That is when my brother came to help. Although things are not all perfect today, I am used to being alone. My daughter is soon to mature into a woman. I know she will have a different life than the one I am living. And to know that she can read, write and answer questions puts my heart at ease.”