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.