Chapter 9

Achsah just laid there, in her bed and stared at her mother in total disbelief, all because of what she had just told her: who her father is.

“ Achsah, please say something.” Bilhah looked at her daughter, with tears in her eyes.

“ What am I supposed to say mother? Right now, am only thinking is, how can you be with that person?.” Achsah rolled away from her mother, as she felt tears come to her own eyes.

“ I guess, I do deserve the silent treatment. Believe me, I really was hoping that I did not have to tell you at all, about your father. If I had to, it would have been when you are much older.” Bilhah reached out and touched Achsah’s shoulder.

“ What do you mean, that you did not have to tell me who my father is? I do have the right to know, who he is mother.” Achsah rolled over and faced her mother. ,P> “ You are so very right. You do have the right to know and the reason why I have not said anything to you is . . . Well, I am hoping that he would die or something like that.” Bilhah looked at her daughter, as a tear rolled down her face.

“ I see. Um . . . Ok, then, why are you even with him, in the first place?” Achsah sat up in the bed.

“ I really do not have much of a choice. The only reason why I am even with him, is because I am part of his concubines.” Bilhah wiped another tear away from her face.

“ Really? You know, I did hear that he has a harem of concubines, but I really never expected that you would be part of it. Mom, why don’t you just leave him?” Achsah reached out and took a hold of her mother’s hand.

“ I wish I could, but it is not easy for me to leave him. You see, there are six of us and well, if I were to leave, he will come after me and kill me.” Bilhah felt more tears coming to her eyes.

“ How can that be? You make it sound like you are a slave to him, Mom. As beautiful as you are, am sure that you can have another boyfriend.” Achsah reached out and wiped away a tear.

“ Well, in a way, I am his slave. Um . . . I would find someone else, but the only problem is, out of the six women, I happen to be his favorite. This happens to be the highest place to be with him, because I get nice places to live, nice clothes to wear and even higher pay than the other girls in the harem. The most important thing that I have, that they do not have, is my freedom.” Bilhah gave Achsah a small smile.

“ Freedom. How is that, Mom?” Achsah asked her mother.

“ Well, the others all live in a dorm like setting, at a small apartment, not very far from his place. As for me, I have my own places and I also have a job away from him, and I can even go other places too.” Bilhah reached out and brushed a stray hair out of her daughter’s face.

“ So, in a way, you act more like his wife, than a sex slave.” Achsah asked, as she began to yawn.

“ You know what? That is what it really seems like, at times. I do go to public functions with him and he does introduce me to the high society people. Well, you go to sleep and we can talk some more in the morning.” Bilhah stood up from the bed.

“ Ok. See you later, Mom.” Achsah laid back down in her bed.

“ Yes, sweetie.” Bilhah pulled the covers back over her daughter.

“ I love you.” Achsah began to drift off to sleep.

“ I love you too.” Bilhah leaned down and kissed her daughter, before leaving the room and going back to her own room.