"Someone you probably know" The lady said sharply and arrogantly. Her facial expression alleviating into a smile 
"Excuse me" she added slightly pushing Lati aside to enter into the compound. 
Lati watched her, baffled at her audacity. Normally, he knows how to deal with people who tresspases like this but he did not know why he couldn't show her what he ought to, let her know he is not someone to be toyed with
"Young lady, what do you think you are doing. Are you Crazy?" Lati queried
"Do I look like one who is crazy? You have this letter" she said stretching forward an envelope to him
"What is this?" Lati asked staring at her hands, yet to receive the envelope
"Have it!" The lady said shoving it in his hands. "Oh...what a nice place. I haven't seen a decent house like this except in movies" She said her eyes gazing the entire compound. 
Lati opened the letter and checked the contents.
Dear Mr Soldier,
       I know you are still alive so I know I had to send you this. You may have forgotten me, but I have not forgotten you, not the person that took my virginity away. I no longer live in Siyad province. I now stay in Zerafi, that foetus in my womb, did not die. I did not get rid of it. I couldn't. Thanks to my grandmother and brother. They assisted me to raise this child, and she is grown now, I love Tera so dearly but she is giving me problems! She keeps getting into trouble, joined terrible gangs and stealing people's properties. I have tried to stop her but I have failed and I am tired, her problems are affecting my home, I got married 18 years ago to a decent man, we have a teenage son together, I dont want her influencing my son in any way. She has to leave and where else to send her but to her biological father, you were a military man, I hope you are able to discipline her appropriately."
Best regards
Dorcas
Lati closed the letter with a heavy sigh yet to recover from the shock that engulfed him. "What's your name?" He asked her
"Tera" The lady said still chewing audibly. Lati stared at her, she has a striking resemblance with his late daughter, Mitah.
So Dorcas did not get rid of the pregnancy.The incident that almost destroyed his marriage twenty eight years ago
...........
TWENTY EIGHT YEARS AGO, Lati was returning from an official trip, it was late at night and his car broke down in the outskirts of Siyad, there was no mechanic on site, he couldnt continue the journey any longer, he tried to search for an hotel but the nearest was a 2hr drive away, no motorbike he stopped opted to go that far. After standing on the road for so long, he came across an old woman who would not be less than seventy years, she was returning to her house with basket full of tuber yams and potatoes positioned on her head. She noticed how stressed and fed up he looked and wondered where he was going
"Young man, you can hardly get a commercial lorry or bike any longer, its very late now, the ones that pass, are returning to their homes after a long day" The woman advised. "Where are you headed?"
Lati turned to face him "Uhh. ma, I am trying to get to the nearest hotel. I don't live here. I am returning from a trip and my car broke down, I just need somewhere to sleep until Tomorrow" Lati said with a distressed tone, his grey T shirt  soaked with sweat, tampering with the scent of his strong cologne. 
"A hotel? There are no such places around, though the government is planning on building one here very soon, the closest is in Alluti town and it's miles away"
"Oh God" Lati growled roaming his hands over his head. Why today of all days does his car have to break down. But suddenly an idea came to his mind. "How about a police station, there is one around right, I could pass the night there" 
"You are right, there is indeed a police station, infact not far from where we stand" Lati almost heaved a sigh of relief before the woman added "But they have closed down for a week now and when they will resume duties is unknown"
"Why?!" Lati queried
"Recently, some thugs broke into the station and abducted some officers, since then, they have not opened" The woman replied. She stared at Lati pitifully as he got absorbed in worry
 "If you don't mind, you can pass the night at my place till Tomorrow. It's unsafe that you remain here" she offered
"Uhmm....Ma"am?"Lati muttered not knowing how to respond
"What? You are refusing my offer?..."she said but at that moment she moved closer to him with the torch in her hands and noticed his uniform clearly "You are a soldier? Oh, my house might be too humble for you isn't it?"
"Oh..no, ma"am, I am just...I don't want to be a bother, that's it" Lati replied but in the cockles of his heart, he could really make use of an alternative shelter at the moment. He desperately needed it. 
"You won't. I have a son your age in another town. I wouldn't want him stranded too, infact my grand daughter admires soldiers. She lives with me. She would be pleased to receive you" The old woman said a smile forming on her lips
"Thank you. I appreciate this" Lati said
"Uhm. Follow me now. I am going home. My abode is not far any more" 
Lati nodded and followed her lead. He offered to help her with the basket on her head but she refused and said it wouldn't be considerate to give that to him, since he already strapped his huge bag on his shoulders. 
*******
After few walks away, they were at the old lady's house. A decent and resilient mud building, with no broken or worn out walls. Simply plain. Her grand daughter, a young lady of 19 years welcomed Lati warmly and with admiration. It felt like her greatest dream had come through, she had always wanted to meet a military man. She only heard about them on radio and while she flipped through pages of her history Textbook. .
After a short while, the old lady instructed Dorcas to serve their guest some food. Lati wanted to refuse initially but he was really hungry and the food looked salivating just from mere view. It was Yam and fish sauce. Lati remembered that as his mother's favourite dish. 
Lati thanked the young lady and instructed her to place it on the mat beside him. The young lady, Dorcas did as instructed. She smiled warmly and tried not to maintain eye contact with Lati. She slowly walked away. She did not know why she was anxious. She had come across not only a military officer but a fine one. 
Lati noticed her uneasiness and a brief smile escaped his lips. He shrugged and continued eating. 
An hour later, the Old lady walked over to meet Lati in their living room. 
"I hope you enjoyed the meal" She asked
"Oh yes Ma"am. It was really nice. Thank you for your hospitality. I do not know what I would have done without you tonight" 
"It's nothing young man. I couldn't leave you alone on the streets especially as you do not know your way around. I will tell Dorcas to bring you some thick clothes"
"Oh. Thank you. Have a good night " Lati responded, he watched the old woman as she walked away, what a lovely person, he could almost feel how large her heart is. 
He rest his back and groaned tiredly, he closed his eyes for a bit but then opened it as he felt someone else close to him. It was Dorcas. She was with some textbooks and a lattern
"Oh.."Lati mumbled. 
She was sitted on the chair beside him, with the books on her table. She looked nervous and shy, she tried not to maintain eye contact. She was not sure if she should say anything. She finally uttered;
"Sir, did you enjoy your meal?" She  asked
"Yes. Thank you dear. What's your name?" Lati asked
"It's Dorcas".
"That's a Unique name. I am Lieutenant Lati" He said stretching his hands forward, for an handshake. Dorcas received it and it took a while before she let go. His hands were so warm.
"What are those books?"
"Oh. I am preparing for an exam for teacher's training college in Alluti"
"You want to be a teacher?" Lati asked amusingly
"Yes. But initially I wanted to be a soldier"
"Really? Then why didn't you go for it?" Lati asked with opened eyes
"My Grandma told me that I can't because I am a girl. She said female soldiers don't have enough strength as males and might get easily killed during battle"
Lati gave a short laugh. "Oh. That's not really true. There are many female soldiers performing excellently. Your Grandma is probably terrified"
Dorcas stared down at her fingers placed on her labs and she smiled. "I know. I know she is and I have stopped bringing it up, I don't want her to feel worried anymore. Now I am determined to be a teacher. I already registered for the examination and I am prepared"
"That's fine" Lati said. He looked into her eyes and it was striking and pretty. She has the same eyes as Helena his wife. He abruptly looked away. "I will leave you to your reading now" He added. 
"Thank you"Dorcas smiled and nodded her head. She cleared her throat and focused on her books. But truly, she could hardly focus. Lati's presence around her was making her tensed. 
****** The next morning
The old lady was doing some washing at the backyard outside, when Lati emerged looking all cool, sharp and smartly dressed, his bag strapped on his shoulders
"Mr Soldier, you are leaving already?" She asked quite surprised he would want to leave so early. "Won't you have some morning food?. We are making beans porridge and hot pap. It's almost ready". 
"I appreciate ma"am but I am not really hungry now. I have to hurry up so I don't miss the earliest bus to Liba. I still have some reports to give at the Office today" Lati responded
"Uhh. That's rather sad, I would have loved that you eat morning food with us. But it's alright. I wish you journey mercies"
"Thank you ma"am" Lati said giving a warn smile. "I dropped an envelope on the mat inside. I put in some cash. It's for you. It's just a token of appreciation".
"Owwh.  Really? But you didn't have to Mr Soldier, I did what is expected of me"
"No. I am not actually entitled to your assistance. But you rendered it anyway. A lot of people saw me, and just pass and ignored. You were an angel. Thank you".
"You are welcome. Mr Soldier, I wish you Journey mercies. The Lord be with you" She said solemnly
"Amen. I will leave now. "Lati said but after he took the first step, he heard someone calling. 
"Mr Soldier!"
He turned back, it was Dorcas. She was running towards him and Lati was also walking quickly trying to catch her pace. She stood infront of him and panted slightly before she asked. "You are leaving already?"
"Uhh...Yes. Thank you for the warm reception Dorcas"
"Is that all you are going to say? And you really wanted to leave without saying Goodbye? So much for a lady you were groaning in her arms last night"
"Hush!" Lati silenced her, shocked at her bluntness. "Your Grandmother is just behind us. How could you say this?"
"I have said the truth" Dorcas said sharply folding her arms across her chest.