Lunar's Fate (Nigeria themed)

CHAPTER 1

I am Chioma, a young and vibrant eleven years old girl and the fifth child out of six children which my parents bore.

I was my parent's favorite kid as I was smarter than my age.

That early morning precisely on a Saturday, I followed her parents to the farm while my older siblings stayed back at home to do the chores. My parents loved me following them to the farm because I always put myself to good use there.

There was cold that morning as there was an outpour the last night. I usually loved cold weather like this.

At the farm, I helped in gathering the cut grass as my parents were clearing the farm to enable them plant some crops.

By noon,they already cleared half of the land so my father suggested we cleaned up our tools and left for home since the sun was out.

On our way home, we met some other villagers who were also going home and joined them.

Life at Udu( My home town) was an easy one because all inhabitants of the village knew each other. Sometimes, two different families will come together and prepare meals for themselves after which eat together. There was no envy or evil thoughts amongst them.

Night time was always game time for the children as they go out under the moonlight to play hide or seek or wrestling for the boys. Sometimes, whenever an adult was around, they'll request for a moonlight tale.

I was in primary five at that time so I didn't spend much time playing. Instead, I read because the next year I was going to write my First School Leaving Certificate examination which would take me to a Secondary School. Although my parents were not financially capable of training me up to the secondary level, I still had hope.

I didn't want to end up as a "lady meant for cooking and bearing children".

Thus,I read wide and was always inquisitive both in class and outside classes.

***

Time flew into days, days into months and months into a year.

I was already in my last year in primary school and was prepared for my First School Leaving Certificate Examination but there was a problem.

I had not enrolled for the exams because my poor parents were not able to pay for the exams.

This left me so sad so I had to think of way to support my parents. Alas! a thought came to my head.

I went into the bush and gathered woods so I could sell during evening time at the market square. I did that everyday and with this,I was able to save up money and pay for my Exams.

My actions marveled my parents so they decided to lift some chores off my shoulders to enable her read and concentrate fully for my exams as it was around the corner.

***

It was a bright Saturday morning and I was already awake before dawn. That was the day for my exams. Saturday was chosen by the Government so as to allow the parents opportunity,to see their children off to their exam centers as most of them were still Little.

My case wasn't an exception. My center was located outside Udu town as the primary school there wasn't well equipped for the exam.

My father followed me to the neighbouring village where I sat for the exams. Few hours later, I was out of the exam hall with a soft smile spreading through my mouth as I saw my father waiting for her.

"Nnem (my dear), how was the exam?" her father asked.

"Papa,the exams were so easy. I'm glad all what I read was what I saw" I replied still grinning.

"Okay,thank God o"

"Let's start going back home so you could eat. I'm sure your made must have prepared a nice meal for you" My father said.

With those last words, they headed towards the gate.

On getting home,I took my bath and ate a meal of pounded yam and Egusi soup(Melon soup)-my favorite meal and went to sleep.

My eyes were still closed but I was awake. I was feeling too lazy to stand up.

I knew it was already night because I could hear the insects of the night making their usual sounds and I could also hear children voices from a distance as they were singing the traditional moonlight songs.

I knew I wasn't alone in the room when I heard my parents speaking in low tunes. They must have thought I was still asleep.

"My husband, now that Chioma is done with her primary school, what next?" Mother asked.

"Hmm, I don't know. Owing to the fact that Chioma is the brightest of all our children, I would have loved her to further her education but money is the only barrier" My father replied with a sad voice.

This words were followed with silence.

I could hear the sadness in his voice as he sighed continuously.

My eyes were already opened by this time but I could barely see my parents as the light from the lantern was too dim. I also knew my parents couldn't also see me as I also made no movements at all.

Mother stood up and went to the only window we had in the room and placed her hands on the local louver.

"The only thing I can think of, is to send her to the city either as a house-maid or marry her off like we did to her elder sisters" Mother said.

This statement of hers made me sad and I made loud sounds to announce my awokeness.

My parents were shocked and asked if I've been hearing them. I sure answered them in negation because I didn't want to make them see me as a bad child who eavesdrop on her parent's conversation.

The next day, I wasn't my self but it seemed as if no one cared. It was like, I was watching my dreams slipping from me right before me.

Later that day, my parents sent for me.

"Chioma nwam(Chioma my daughter) I called you to discuss a very important matter. I and your mother were thinking on what to do about your case and we came to a point that you'll have to choose. It's either you get married or you will go to the city and work as a house maid" My father stated.

Having heard that my parents were bent on those decisions, I made up my mind to choose the option of that of going to the city as a house maid.

When I told them, they said "okay"and added that my uncle will be coming from the city and will help me out. I was glad at heart that at least I won't be married off to an old man.

CHAPTER 2

The early morning breeze blew and our zinc roof made a rustling sound showing that the roofing was worn out and needed to be changed but my parents weren't able to do it due to lack of money.

Today came with a different feeling as it was the day my uncle, Mr. Amadi will be coming from the city. He works as teacher in a secondary school in Lagos state.

The whole family was up and we said our usual morning prayers after which we set to do our different chores.

It was around 2:30pm WAT when our old rusted gate opened and we saw our uncle coming in with his bags.

"Uncle!" we all shouted and ran to welcome him.

The children were happy to see him but I was the happiest of them.

Although I wasn't sure of my leaving for the city,but I had hope.

Uncle Amadi settled down, and gave us bread- this was a usual tradition for travellers to get bread from wherever they were coming from.

His food was served and he ate till his satisfaction.

By evening, when the rest of the children had gone out to play under the moonlight, I remained at home because I wanted to hear what he has to say concerning my going to Lagos with him.

That was not the only reason I stayed back, I stayed because I was already grown too big to play like under the moonlight. I was thirteen already.

"Amadi, how is work and the city life" Father started.

"My brother, Work is going well and the city is fine"My uncle replied.

"Well, there's something I will like to tell you concerning Chioma. We decided to send her to the city as a house maid but we don't have any one there except you. So what do you have to say to it?"Father asked.

"Ah! why would you want to send her there alone. Lagos is not really a safe place to keep your child alone. There are a lot of traffickers out there" My uncle replied with surprise shown all over his face.

This didn't go down well with him, but we had no choice.

After much pleas and talks from my parents, he agreed to take me with him to the city and also help me get a job there too.

I was so glad when he agreed. I was already imagining my self as a 'big girl'. I couldn't wait for dawn to come so I could tell my friends that I was going to the city.

***

It was morning already and I woke up with a lot of happiness.

I had several dreams of my travel last night.

I told my friends about it and that gave me respect because I was going to be first amongst us to go to the city.

The next day, Mother took me to the market and got me some new clothes and also bought me a travel bag. I requested for story books and she also got them for me.

I got home and arranged my things because we were to leave for Lagos in two days.

Thursday came so soon. I was to leave for Lagos today.

It was 6:00am WAT and we were set to leave. Tears and waves of goodbyes set in as I carried my bag on my head. I was going to miss family and friends. I was also going to miss the quiet but peaceful life in Udu.

*************

Our journey was a six hours one and by the time we got to Lagos, I was already very hungry. When we stopped at the motor park and alighted from the bus, my uncle bought us food from local food vendors in the park. After eating, we boarded a tricycle to my uncle's house.

He lived in one room apartment in a compound of twelve flats.

I was going to stay at my uncle's till I get a job.

The next day, my uncle prepared and left for school because his break was over. I was left alone but I wasn't the only one in the compound.

I saw a lot of children my age and size all going to school and I felt left out.

It occurred to me that I wrote my exams and was expected to resume school by September after our results were released.

I later got to learn that those most of the people I saw going to school that morning were in their secondary level. It then occurred to me that school in my village was slow.

I already stayed in Lagos for one week now.

One evening, my uncle came back and told me to pack my bag and get ready that he already got me a job and I was to start work the next day.

***

The next day saw me at new work place. It was a mansion.

My boss was a young man. He looked too young to build or own such a mansion.

When I got inside, I was speechless by what I saw.

it was so beautiful and I was glad that I was going to be working here.

I got confused when I saw two ladies who wore uniforms and I got to learn that they were also house keepers and that got me thinking what services I will render to my masters as they already had helps.

While I was already settled and shown my room,my boss' wife sent for me.

She told me my job was to look after her children who I learnt were in boarding school.

I was thrown off balance at first because I wondered how was I going to take care of them from home. As if she read my thoughts, she added,

"I'll enrol you in their school. That way, you can be able to take care of them properly"

Her words sounded like bomb to my ears because I didn't imagine my job was going to be this easy and I didn't even think my schooling will be taken care of by them(my boss).

I didn't know when I knelt in tears and was thanking my boss. She made life look so easy for me with what she just told me.

August came and schools were on holidays. The children came back from school. They were three, two were in primary schools while the eldest which was my age was in Junior Secondary School one(1). They were all lovely kids except for the youngest. He was spoilt and was so disobedient but I didn't beat or maltreat him. Rather, I always did things to find favour in his eyes which I succeeded.

Chapter 3

It was almost time for resumption. My boss took me with her to the market. I expected her to buy me few things for School because I wasn't her child but I was amazed when she got me lots of books, clothes and other things. I felt blessed.

I didn't understand the kindness they were showering me but I made my mind up to repay her.

***

My first day in school was a day to remember. I was assigned to my hostel and was shown my room. It was my first time seeing a bunk bed and I was so glad that I was taking the upper bunk.My roommates had not come so I was still alone for the moment.

Soon, the door opened and a girl walked in with her bags. She looked pale and I wondered why.

I said, " Welcome. My name is Chioma and you are?"

My question was left unanswered and I felt bad.

The other girls ( two of them) came later that day. It seemed as if I was the only new person in that room because they all knew each other. I felt left out.

Later that evening, I decided to take a walk. I walked alone since my new roommates wouldn't talk to me.

During the walk,I saw a lot of buildings in the school and also saw a lot of students. That made me remember life in Udu Primary School. At Udu Primary School, everyone was happy but here, things were a bit different because everyone minded their business.

While walking, I saw a girl sitting alone under a tree. I could remember seeing that face at the school's admission office. Then it dawned me that she was a newbie like me and so didn't have friend.

I have always been courageous and friendly and so I walked up to her.

"Hi" I said to her while smiling.

"Hi" She replied back.

I saw she didn't like to talk but I still tried to make her talk.

"Uhm, I'm Chioma, a new student here and I was posted to Junior Secondary 1A, What about you?" I asked but this time, I was not sure if she'll reply because she didn't look interested.

"My name is Valerie and I was also posted to Junior Secondary 1A too" she said.

I was happy though I didn't show it.

"Can I sit with you?" I asked.

She accepted and the rest of the evening saw us talking together.

I wasn't able to see my boss' children because I wasn't allowed to go into their hostel to see them.

***

Classes began in ernest. We were introduced to new and more difficult subjects. Some students weren't new to the subjects because they attended classes during holidays.

I was lucky on my part because my new and only friend, Valerie, attended classes and she was very intelligent. She helped me to understand the subjects and their topics.

Exams came and we wrote for a week. I was confident of my results.

I knew that even if I didn't take the top in class, I would at least get a good grade.

Holidays came and students travelled. I was going to miss Valerie and also the times we spent together in school.

This holiday was a Christmas holiday. The smell if Christmas was already in the air and harmattan breeze blew recklessly leaving us with dry and in some cases, broken skin. Our lips weren't an exception to the injustice, we had to suffer dry and patched lips.

Our results came and my boss was impressed with my result. I did well, so she promised to see me through secondary school but that was if and only if I continued doing well. I promised her in return to keep doing well.

I felt so happy and her promise was enough for my Christmas gift.

I thought my stay in my work place was going to be horrible one like the ones I read in novels and story books but instead, I got the opposite of my thoughts.

I was really grateful to God for this blessing.

Christmas celebration came.It was actually a Christmas to remember. It was actually my first Christmas without my family but I didn't really feel their absence because my boss' family was now my new family.

Second term resumed and school works began. This new term was different from the first one.

It was really memorable.

I can fully remember one evening when two seniors asked me to submit my food stuffs to them.

Normally, Senior students usually maltreated the junior ones either by punishing them for little or no reason, taking their food stuffs or even sending them on risky errands. I haven't been shown those treatments but on this particular evening, things were different.

I was walking alone. Valerie was reading her books but I was too tired and decided to stretch my legs.

"Hey You junior, come here" A female voice shouted.

I turned and looked at her. She gestured me to come. She was with another girl.

The girl she was with looked mean and her looks instilled fear in me as I approached them.

"My friend, how are you?" the girl who called asked me.

"I'm fine senior. Good- Good evening seniors" I replied while stuttering.

She gave me a reassuring smile and that calmed my nerves. The other mean looking one left and that made me more calm.

"Now my friend, Go get me your food stuffs. Your new friend is hungry" She said but this time with a wicked smile.

"...and my dear, do not fail to bring it because if you don't want to incur my wrath" she added.

I went to my hostel sadly and opened my locker to get my beverages and stuffs.

I handed them over to the senior with my ears already swelling with tears.

I didn't believe she could do this to me without mercy. I then knew that a boarding house is not a place for the weak.

I ran back to Valerie my friend with tears in my eyes. She consoled me and promised to share her food with me. I felt relief a bit.