And her name is FOLAKE

My name is Naomi and folake is my sister. Oh well, not by blood but you all do know what I mean . Folake ran away from home at a very young age . She had an abusive step father and a mother who didn’t care about the only child God had blessed her with . Her step father was rich so he had enrolled her in one of the best schools in Benin but, while she enjoyed his wealth, it was a struggle every night .Whether he did this for fetish reasons no one knew …

The first day I took notice of folake was in primary 5 and I was being bullied by Ese and her group. I heard someone hit the desk but I didn’t pay attention to it cos the outcome of my life at that moment Depends on what Ese does next . Before I could make sense of whatever drama was going on folake landed a big slap on ese’s face , leave her alone she had shouted. I fell in love with folake immediately as I felt this warmth in my heart .

Ese and her crew had been bullying me for months I think it had to do with the rival between our moms .

Her mom had been unseated as the chairperson from the PTA planning committee and, my mom taken her place. After auditing it was discovered that Ese’s mom was tampering with funds . This must have been the foundation of my wuarelm with Ese. All my classmates watched as she bullied me .

There were days she would poor my lunch away and I had to stay hungry all day. Imagine what that meant for a pupil that closed 4:pm due to extra lessons in school. I saw the fear in Ese’s eyes when folake slapped her, I was shocked too. I mean who wouldn’t be, Ese was a big girl and could beat up every pupil in our class. I feared for Folake , but then I noticed Ese pull away and then I saw what she saw. Folake had a knife. It was a blunt knife used for eating but it good damage. From that day, Ese never touched me again and I gained a new friend. After so much efforts and cozying up to Folake, she finally accepted my offer of friendship and started to open up to me .we were 9 years old in primary 5 and that was when folake tried to explain to me what her step dad did to her. One could clearly see how difficult it was for her to say the words. I was young, but I understood clearly. Folake made me promise not telling anyone and I agreed although, I really wanted to tell my mom, I was certain she could help .

A strange number called me one Saturday morning we had just finished morning devotion and I was going back to sleep when my phone rang. Naomi I’m going to seize that phone my mom had shouted . Who do you know that is calling you by this time ? I quickly picked up wondering who it could be and, it was musa. Musa was the security man at Folakes house he passed the phone to her . She was crying bitterly and she said she needed my help . I couldn’t make out was she was saying so I asked to talk to musa. “Start dae come our house she nor well” he said. In tears, I told my mom and we left the house tracing the address musa had sent. Eventually we got there and I saw Folake and blood was trickling down her legs ..