SULTAN {Preview}

Chapter Twenty-three

Sultan

I walk to the window and place my head on the louvres, deep in thought. The recent happenings in my life was just so overwhelming.

I had always wanted to be a son to be proud of, a brother whose younger siblings will look up to.

But what happens when that son fails to keep up to his promise, and hurt the sister he was supposed to protect?

My mind flickered back to 17years ago, when Batuul was born.

"Umma! "
A four year old me half walked half ran into Umma's room. I was wearing a white kaftan and cap to match, with my allo *slate* in hand. My Mallam had just written alifi be jimi deli *Arabic alphabets alif ba ta, translated into Fulani* for me that day, I was coming back home from karatun allo *Quran lessons* when Abba told me to run to Umma, for she had a surprise for me.

She was rocking a baby in her cot, if I could remember just three hours ago, her stomach was still big. Abba said she wanted a baby, and for one to get a baby, you had to eat too much, Umma ate too much, that was why her stomach grew so large.

"Na'am Sultan, come and sit here close to me my boy"

I looked at her sceptically, before sitting

"Where did you get a baby from?" I asked

"I promised to get a baby for us didn't I, well here she is" she replied, beaming with smiles

I peeped at the baby, she was sleeping peacefully

"She is beautiful Umma, is she my sister?"

"Yes she is, she will call you Yaya Sultan"

I giggled at the thought of having a baby sister "I love her already Umma, please take care of her for me, so she can grow up and play with me" I said

"I promise, but you have to promise me too"

"Say it Umma, I will do anything for my baby sister" I shyly replied

"Good, I want you to promise me that you will be there for your kid sister, you will protect her and let no one make her cry"

"I promise Umma, but please will you buy a baby brother for me also?" I innocently asked. Umma threw her head back and laughed.

"Babies aren't bought Sultan, they are given to us as gifts from Allah. I will pray Allah gives us a baby boy next time"

"Promise?" I stretched out my pinky finger at her and she held hers out too

"Promise. Now say hello to your sister"

"Hello baby sister" I put one of my fingers in her palm and she held it firmly, not letting go. I just smiled and continued looking at her adoringly.

Umma kept to her promise, and by Allah Will, a year later, Khalil was born.

But it seemed I didn't keep my own part of the promise....

I had failed Umma!

Yesterday after Batuul walked out on me, I stood there pondering over her words when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw that it was Abba.