It was 2 am, I kept tossing and turning on my bed and with every second that ticks, I got closer to making that decision that I have always feared I thought to myself, it is time” I stood up carefully from our soring bed to avoid waking my other siblings. I slowly opened the door, worred the hinges might creak, I gently lifted the loose boards to avoid the squeak. Then I walked hurriedly along the corridor, I checked for a few seconds to see if there was no one roaming around the compound, then headed straight to the gate of my house, I peeped outside the gate and of course there was no soul within miles, just faded streetlights. I had no destination; I just knew I needed to run. But why was I running away from home?
In the early hours of yesterday. I rushed to the toilet to pee around 1 am, but there was someone else in the toilet, and since everyone shared the same toilet, I had no choice than to go outside I rushed outside, but to my greatest shock, someone had just tossed a horribly stained wrapper filled with blood at the entrance of my house. I had walked into my neighbor and my mother doing something despicable I suddenly didn’t feel the need to pee any longer on closer inspection, I felt like I had walked into a local surgical theatre. I saw knives and blades in a bowl on the floor. I rushed back into the house like I have seen a ghost, they just circumcised my best Amina. Intisar, but to what end.
This morning, I woke up early and did my chores to avoid my mothers usual whine of me
being lazy- Then I asked her about what I saw during the midnight, she said it was important
because it would help reduce the urge to have sex in teenage girls. The same people that believe
this is meant to be enjoyed. I thought to myself, why are these rules downright contradictory,
who made these rules in the first place. The same evening my friend died from excessive bleeding and loss of blood. This could be my faith; the future is not far. The future could be the next 24 hours. I could be the next victim I needed to escape.
This is explicit yet beautiful. I love how the story is relatable; this could have been me and I would have done what the author did – RUN!
Also, I love how this is written, starting with an action then incorporating the reason behind it. I was wrapped in from the very first sentence. Well done! #endfgm
This is a very spectacular piece.
This is an intelligent write up!
Female Genital mutilation is very hazardous and it needs proper campaign to enlighten the ignorant sect. It needs to stop!!!
Female mutilation should be discouraged at all cost, in Nigeria, and the African continent at large. It is such a barbaric and inhuman act.
Laws should be put in place to guide against the act and serious disciplinary action should be taken anyone who engages in the act.
Good write up!