Chapter 1
Falling in love
Lana’s POV
I woke up restless as if I had been running a marathon in my sleep. The sun had already risen and I got frightened of my mother’s scolding. She would definitely scold me because I had once again broken her rules. She would always yell at me that the foundation of being a good woman is knowing when to wake up in the morning and when to go to sleep in the evening. I knew by heart what was expected of me as I was growing up. Each scolding from my mother meant building me up, but there were times when I deemed her methods old. I was of the new generation and the new generation had this thing called freedom. However I knew that as much as I wanted my own freedom to do whatever I liked, I needed to move out of her compound first, either have a job somewhere or get married. Getting married at my age was out of question, and all I had to do was work hard in school, get myself a job and then achieve the so much yearned freedom.
A knock sounded on my door and I knew that was my Mother. I had Just written my Secondary School leaving Examinations and was awaiting to go to college which meant staying some more time in her house. It was not as if I was so eager to leave, but I could not wait to finally have that thrill of staying on my own. She entered my room and sat beside my mat. We were not well to do, but my parents made sure that food was on the table, and put me in an affordable school. I appreciated my parents for not sticking to the traditions of my people in my society. Most of my age mates were married off and fortunately for me school had saved me from encountering the same fate
“Lana!” my mother called in the softest voice I have ever heard her in. I wondered if that day was going to be different and that she would not scold me. I wondered if she wanted a favor from me.
“Mama, I am so sorry I woke up late, I was going to actually wake up but then It was not deliberate,” I had to say.
“Child, stop talking already, I come in peace. It is not always that one will manage to wake up. We are not machines. We get tired at times. Today I understand why you have been late. You helped a lot on the farm yesterday. I wanted to check up on you. I thought you were not feeling well and probably so sick.”
That was a first in millennia for my mother to ask about my well-being. She was overly excited that morning and I wondered what the old couple had discussed earlier that morning.
“Mama, I am so well. I will wake up in a minute and I will go about my chores in the house,” I had to say.
“That’s my child. Hurry up now, your father is waiting for his breakfast.” She told.
I watched as she left my room and I quickly dressed suiting the weather outside. The compound was already swept and all I had to do was cook porridge and then wash the plates from the previous evening. The reason I slept late, I was thinking of Jack, the choir vocalist in my local church. He had an amazing voice and was so handsome. Jack had been occupying my mind lately and I wondered why. No matter how much I tried to push him out of my mind, he kept own appearing. He took my personal space and I couldn’t even remember a single moment I stayed alone without him taking control of my thoughts. I liked him a lot and I wanted him to ask me out. In my culture, it was a man who was supposed to propose to a woman. It was a taboo for a lady to do so and would be regarded as a prostitute. I was actually writing Jack a love letter, telling him how much amazing I found his voice and that I wished he was my man. I had tones of them, but I never gave them to him. After church, I made sure I stayed behind, so I could listen to more of his singing. If the choir was getting out, I would rush forward so I could walk next to him.
I tried so hard for him to notice me, but it seemed it was not going to work. I often gave up on us being a couple. It seemed we were from different worlds. My determination to stop thinking about him would only last two days at most and I would go back to thinking of him. I was hopeless and helpless.
I finished my chores and I went to chat with my agemates. This was also a lesson my mother taught me. “A young girl ought to play around with her fellow young girls. She should not be among women.” I made sure I was never seen with older women except for my grandparents, they were an exception. Rhoda called my name and she run after me. I stopped to wait for her.
“Your ears can no longer hear your own name,” had to say Rhoda while taking her deep breath.
Rhoda was Jack’s sister and she was also my friend who I never told that I was secretly in love with her brother. I thought she would tell our other friends and then they would make me a laughing stalk. I was not sure if I could handle the rejection and embarrass myself as well.
“Hie, Rhoda. How is everyone doing at home. Your Mother, Father, Jack and then just everyone,” I had to say.
“Everyone is fine and Jack gave me this English notebook to give it to you. He said you borrowed him.”
I recalled the English notebook. I had given him during one of my holidays and he never returned it. I did not mind because I was so in love with him. I wanted him to appreciate how good I was at the subject despite being a foreign language. I was just desperate to be noticed.
“Thank you, Rhoda, extend my gratitude to him. Don’t forget please,” I had to say.
“Of course and another thing,” Rhoda said. I turned and looked at her. My heart lipped anticipating something like news of Jack or a message from him directed for me.
“Never mind,” Rhoda told.
I realized the sigh I kept and turned to leave the book at home and then go on ahead to meet our other friends with Rhoda. I left the book under my pillow.
When the sun was over the horizon, getting ready to set, every girl would be expected to go back home and start preparing for the evening meal. I bed my farewell much earlier because I was afraid of my mother. I had to draw some water from the well and then prepare supper which was some dried mushrooms, Nsima and Black jack leaves as vegetables mixed with groundnuts floor. It was my Fathers favorite meal. I saw Jack building the house. It was surely big for a starter. I had the urge to talk to him, but I just passed by without even looking back because his group of friends were whistling and I was pretty scared.
Soon after eating, I rushed to my room. I had not taken a good look at the book from Jack. I hugged it to my chest and somehow, I was able to put a distinct smell to it. All in all, I was happy to have something that came from Jack. I started going through the pages of the book and I saw a letter in a male handwriting directed to me. My heart leaped and I could hear it thumping. I was afraid and the same time excited to read the letter.
here…
