Whispers of forever
Summer had ended, and the town of Eges was buzzing with the start of a new school year. Children in fresh uniforms ran about, their excitement filling the air. Cars honked at each other in the morning traffic as parents hurried to drop their kids off. In this small Gambian state, life moved at a steady pace, yet for Becca, today felt different. She hesitated at the school gate, her fingers nervously brushing over her ears.
Were they really that big? Mummy always told her they were perfect, but the stares from the other kids said something else. *Maybe if I keep my head down, they won’t notice me today*, she thought, trying to push down the growing knot of fear in her stomach. As she stepped onto the playground, her hope quickly faded.“Haha, look at her ears! They’re huge!” a group of children jeered, surrounding her like a pack of wolves.
Becca’s heart sank, and she instinctively pulled her arms up to cover her ears. The words stung, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that they didn’t.“No, they’re not! Mummy said they’re beautiful!” Becca’s voice trembled. She fought back the tears, her small body stiffening as she tried to defend herself. But deep down, the doubt crept in. What if they’re right? What if I really am ugly?
“Beautiful?” one of the boys sneered, stepping closer. “That’s why no one likes you. You don’t even have a single friend here!” The others laughed, their cruel giggles filling the space around her. Becca’s eyes darted to the ground, searching for an escape, but the group tightened around her.
Desperate to distract them, she pulled out her new teddy bear—a soft, baby-pink plushie with a delicate bow tied around its neck.
“Look! My mummy got me this! Isn’t it cute?”
Her hands shook as she held it out, hoping—praying—it would make them stop. But instead of admiring it, the kids snatched it from her.
“Give it back!” Becca cried, reaching for the bear, but they were taller and stronger, easily keeping it out of her reach. Her heart pounded in her chest as they tossed it between themselves, the bear’s soft fabric stretching until—Rip. Her precious teddy fell to the ground in tatters. Becca stared at it, her body frozen in shock, before a sharp push sent her sprawling to the floor
. Pain shot through her knees, and finally, the tears broke free, streaming down her face as the children’s laughter echoed around her. But then, a voice cut through the noise. “Hey! Leave her alone!”The group scattered instantly, like leaves in the wind. Becca, still crying, wiped her eyes with trembling hands, looking up to see a woman with long, brown hair and soft, dark blue eyes kneeling in front of her.
She had a gentle but concerned expression, her voice soothing as she spoke.“Oh no, you’re bleeding,” the woman said, brushing Becca’s tear-streaked face softly.
Her presence was warm, almost like a protective shield.Becca’s voice wavered. “They… they tore my teddy.”“I see that,” the woman replied, frowning as she glanced at the broken toy before returning her attention to Becca’s scraped knees.
“Let’s take care of this, okay?” She gently lifted Becca and sat her on one of the classroom chairs.
As the woman retrieved a first aid kit, Becca studied her through red-rimmed eyes. There was something familiar about her—something comforting.
Her mind buzzed with questions, but the ache in her knees and the pounding in her chest made it hard to think straight.“What’s your name, sweetie?” the woman asked as she knelt again to clean Becca’s wounds.
“I… I didn’t tell you,” Becca replied, confused but curious.The woman smiled warmly. “Well, would you like to?”“My name’s Rebecca,” Becca said quietly,
her voice shaky. “But… everyone calls me Becca.”The woman paused for a moment, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “Rebecca, huh? That’s a beautiful name.
But why Becca?”Becca bit her lower lip, glancing at the floor. “The other kids… they make fun of my name. They make fun of me.
I thought maybe Becca would be better.”The woman’s expression softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “You know… my name is Rebecca too.
”Becca’s eyes lit up, forgetting her pain for a moment. “Really? Just like me?”“Just like you,” the woman nodded, her smile growing.
Suddenly, Becca’s eyes widened as she noticed something. She stepped closer to the woman, her gaze focused on her rounded belly.
“You’re pregnant!” she gasped, quickly grabbing a chair for the woman to sit. “You shouldn’t be kneeling! Is the baby okay? Does it hurt?
”The woman laughed gently, touched by Becca’s sudden concern. “The baby is fine, I promise. Would you like to feel?”
Becca nodded eagerly, placing her small hand on the woman’s belly. Her face lit up with wonder as she felt the baby kick beneath her palm.
“Hello, baby! It’s me, Rebecca. Not your mum, but we have the same name! Can you believe it?” she whispered excitedly.
The woman smiled, watching as Becca chatted happily to her unborn child. Something stirred within her—a strange, unexpected connection with this little girl.
She didn’t know Becca, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths were meant to cross.After a few minutes, the woman stood.
“I have to go now, Becca. I came here to drop off my daughter, but I need to see the doctor. Will you be okay?”Becca nodded, though a part of her felt a pang of sadness.
“Will I see you again?”“I’m sure we’ll see each other again,” the woman smiled before waving goodbye, leaving Becca alone with her thoughts.
But even as Becca watched her leave, something lingered at the edge of her mind. The way the woman had carried herself—the way she had smiled—reminded Becca of something. Or someone.
Two hours later, it was lunchtime. The kids who had bullied her earlier were back, standing behind her in line.
They started whispering again, pushing and pestering her. Becca’s heart raced, and she wished, with all her might, that someone like the kind auntie would come to save her again.
But no one came.At least, not yet.“Hello, students. We have a new classmate joining us today,” the teacher announced, and Becca sighed. New kids always ended up joining the bullies.
The door opened, and in walked a boy, around her age, with dark, messy hair and deep, thoughtful eyes.
He scanned the room, his gaze landing on Becca. For a moment, their eyes met, and a strange warmth spread through her chest.
He didn’t look away until a girl named Melissa called his name.“Amani, come sit with me!” Melissa said with a smug grin.But the teacher shook his head.
“Amani, there’s an empty seat next to Becca. Please sit there.”Becca’s heart thumped in her chest as Amani approached, sitting down beside her.
She couldn’t help but blush, turning her head to hide her smile. Amani glanced at her but said nothing, his eyes focused on the lesson ahead.
Yet, Becca felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time—safety.
School was finally over, and Becca hurriedly grabbed her bag, eager to escape the building.
Her leg still throbbed from the injury, slowing her pace as she tried to make it to the door. But before she could get far, the bullies intercepted her. The hallway was eerily empty, the echoes of their laughter bouncing off the walls.“Hey, Amani is my friend, okay? He’ll never be your friend,” Melissa spat, her face flushed with anger.
Becca kept her head down, trying to avoid eye contact, hoping they’d leave her alone if she didn’t react.“Let her be,” a familiar voice said from behind them.
Amani stepped forward, placing himself beside Becca. His presence made her heart race. The group fell silent, stunned by his intervention.
“That’s not a nice thing to do,” Amani said, his tone calm but firm. He looked directly at Melissa, causing her to shift uncomfortably. Then, without another word, he took Becca’s hand and began walking away, his grip gentle but protective.
Becca blinked in surprise, her wide eyes fixed on Amani’s face. He smiled at her, his gaze soft as he briefly glanced back at the bullies, who now stood frozen in shock.
Becca turned her head to see them, unable to believe what had just happened.Once they were outside, Amani stopped and looked down at her,
concern etched on his face. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” he asked, his eyes flicking toward her injured leg.Becca shook her head, though the pain still lingered.
“I’m okay,” she whispered, trying to reassure him.“Be careful next time,” he said softly, his voice tinged with worry. “You have to stand up for yourself.
“Becca nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. Emboldened by his kindness, she blurted out, “You’re so handsome.”
Amani’s eyes widened, and a faint blush spread across his cheeks. He looked away, momentarily flustered.
Becca giggled at his reaction and quickly covered her face with her small hands, embarrassed by her boldness.“You’re beautiful too,” he said shyly, his cheeks still tinged with red.
Her laughter grew louder, and she peeked at him from between her fingers. Then, as if the thought had been lingering in her mind all day, she suddenly asked,
“So, are you going to marry me?“Amani’s eyes widened further, clearly caught off guard by her serious question. “What? No!” he exclaimed. “Are you crazy?“Becca’s face fell, hurt flashing in her eyes.
Her lower lip quivered as she tried to make sense of his rejection. “But why not?” she mumbled, her voice small. “You said I’m beautiful, and I think you’re handsome...
My mummy said if you find someone beautiful, you like each other and then get married.“Amani sighed, seeing how upset she was. “Stop crying,” he said gently,
wiping her tears with his thumb. “I didn’t mean it like that. We’re just... too young. Only adults get married.
“Becca sniffled, looking up at him with teary eyes. “So... are we getting married when we grow up?” she asked, a spark of hope returning to her voice.
Amani didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pulled her along toward the school gate. “Come on, let’s go,” he said with a small smile.Becca didn’t mind the lack of a response.
Her aunt had once told her that when someone doesn’t answer a question, it means they’re thinking about it. That was enough for her.They walked the rest of the way home, hand in hand, as if they’d known each other forever.
Despite the earlier tension, Becca felt safe. Her heart swelled with the possibility that one day, maybe, her innocent childhood wish would come true.
But somewhere in the distance, a shadow watched them—its expression hard and furious. The words whispered into the wind, unheard by the children:
“No... They will not get married.“The shadow moved silently away, its presence growing heavier with each passing moment.
Something was coming—a storm that neither Becca nor Amani could yet see.
As Becca and Amani left the classroom that afternoon, a figure stood in the distance, watching them with burning eyes.
A silent, tear-streaked face peered from behind a tree, fists clenched tightly by their sides.
They will not get married, the figure thought bitterly, jealousy twisting inside them like a storm.
