A Sweet Bitter Memory: The Unfolding Journey of Bint Hassan.

I

My story is a sweet bitter memory.

My name is Khadija Hassan Ibrahim, known as Bint Hassan. I'm 22 years old, the eldest daughter in my family, born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, where I completed all my schooling.

From junior secondary, my parents had different dreams for my future – chemistry for my mom, nursing for my dad. But I wanted something else. One night, during a family talk, I gathered the courage to stop their arguments and bravely said, "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I want to study something else." And they supported me.

After secondary school, I faced a setback, not getting the required JAMB score, which meant waiting another year. Then, one bright morning, my dad called, asking me to meet him at an internet café. There, he handed me a form for Kano State Polytechnic. My heart sank – "Me, studying in Kano Poly? No way!" But he looked at me and said, "Walida, I want you to join Kano State Polytechnic." It wasn't what I wanted, but I had to agree.

After getting my National Diploma, my prayers were finally answered. I got admission to Northwest University, where I am now studying Law. Life was good, if not perfect, with joy and laughter knocking at our door.

Then, a heinous disease named cancer disrupted our happiness. My father was diagnosed and hospitalized. It was 16 days of back and forth where tears became a friend. I leaned on the walls of the hospital, thinking they might be a comforting shoulder or perhaps a home. Unbeknownst to us, the worst was yet to come. The hospital was never home, and its walls were never a comforting shoulder to me this time.

Can I forget that faithful Monday, when whether I refused to accept it, I had to accept the fact that I am now an orphan? My father died. I can smile and say it's fine, but this longing will never cease.