5 years later
In the morning
SUMMAYAH (POV)
The kitchen was warm, but not in the way a home should be. Heat rose from the pot on the stove, steam curling into the air, yet everything still felt cold inside me.
My mom and I stood side by side, preparing breakfast. The only sound between us was the clatter of plates and the quiet bubbling of pap.
From the other room, I could hear Dad moving around, getting ready for work. Even the way he walked carried weight… like something bad could happen at any moment.
Ever since he found out I was his daughter, he stopped my education. Just like that.
Five years now.
Five years of watching life move forward… without me.
I became my mom’s shadow. Her helper. Her support.
Nothing more.
In those same five years, Dad never stopped making my life miserable. Not even for a single day. His words… his looks… the way he spoke about me like I wasn’t human.
But somehow… instead of breaking me, something inside me grew stronger.
Or maybe I just got used to the pain.
My sister was preparing for her JAMB. Books everywhere. Dreams still alive.
My brother was already in higher institution.
And me…
I stood there stirring a pot, watching the steam rise, pretending this was enough.
My mom tried to pay my school fees several times. Quietly. Secretly.
Dad always found out.
And every time he did… things only got worse.
So I stopped hoping.
Hope began to feel like a dangerous thing.
That morning, as we cooked, my sister’s voice tore through the house.
Summayah!!!
She shouted again, louder.
Ehh! I’m coming!
I wiped my hands quickly and rushed out.
The moment I got there—
A sharp slap landed across my face.
It came out of nowhere.
My head snapped to the side. My ears rang. For a second, I couldn’t even breathe.
Summayah: Yeehhh! Why did you slap me?
My mom ran out immediately, her face filled with panic.
Adewunmi: What happened? Who slapped who?
Aunty Suliyah slapped me… I said, holding my cheek, my voice shaking as tears gathered in my eyes.
Adewunmi: Suliyah! Why did you slap her?
Suliyah didn’t even look sorry. She stood there, bold, almost proud.
Suliyah: Mom, I have warned everyone in this house not to wear my fine palm. It is too beautiful for ugly people. I wash it every day. Look at it now! How dare she wear my beautiful shoe?
My mom’s face tightened with anger.
Adewunmi: Is that why you slapped her? Tell me!
She stepped forward—
Dad’s voice thundered from behind.
Bolaji: Don’t you dare lay your hand on my beautiful daughter!
The whole house froze.
He walked in slowly, his presence filling the room like smoke.
Bolaji: What she did was right! How dare she wear the palm I bought for my daughter?
Silence fell.
Heavy. Suffocating.
My mom swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm.
Adewunmi: Is this how issues are settled? Summayah, why did you wear her palm?
My throat felt dry.
Summayah: I… I wore it because mine cut yesterday. I don’t have any other shoe to wear…
Suliyah: And so? Can’t you find another shoe apart from mine?
Dad let out a small laugh.
Bolaji: I’m so proud of you, Suliyah. You are indeed my daughter. Keep it up.
He turned to her, smiling… a smile I had never received.
Bolaji: Anyway, I’m off to work. Come, let me drop you at school.
Suliyah smiled back happily.
My mom stood there, anger burning in her eyes, but her lips stayed shut.
She couldn’t say anything.
Not with him standing there.
I turned and walked away quickly before my tears could fall in front of them.
By the time I reached my room, they came rushing out.
Hot. Heavy. Painful.
I cried until my chest hurt… until my breathing became uneven.
The door opened softly.
My mom stepped in.
She didn’t say anything.
She just came to sit beside me.
And somehow… that silence said everything.
The next day
SUMMAYAH (POV)
The sun was already out, but the day still felt dull.
I walked to my mom’s shop quietly, my face blank, my steps steady.
People stared.
They always did.
Some whispered. Some laughed. Some just looked… too long.
I didn’t react.
I had learned not to.
If I reacted, they would enjoy it.
If I didn’t… at least I could pretend I was strong.
As I got to the shop and tried to open it, I noticed someone walking past.
A girl.
About my age… maybe older.
She was crying.
Not loudly. Not dramatically.
Just… broken.
Her clothes looked rough, and she carried a Ghana must go bag that seemed too heavy for her tired body.
I couldn’t look away.
She was beautiful.
The kind of beauty people turn twice to look at.
And yet… she looked completely lost.
I found myself wondering…
How can someone like her be this sad?
Then a quiet thought came to me.
Look at yourself.
I walked up to her before I could stop myself.
Summayah: Hello?
She turned slowly.
Strange girl: Hello…
Her voice was weak.
Summayah: My name is Summayah. What’s yours?
She looked at me… really looked… then suddenly burst into tears again.
My chest tightened.
Summayah: Why are you crying? Did I scare you?
Strange girl: No… you didn’t. I’m just in pain.
I quickly opened the shop.
Summayah: Please, come. Sit down.
She hesitated for a moment… then followed me in.
Summayah: Take this water first.
Strange girl: Thank you… I’ve been thirsty since morning.
She drank like someone who hadn’t tasted water in hours.
Summayah: You’re welcome… if you don’t mind, why are you crying? And where are you going with this bag?
She paused… her fingers tightening around the bottle.
Strange girl: My name is Alia…
Her voice broke again.
Summayah: Please, talk to me. I won’t hurt you. Don’t make me cry too.
That was all it took.
She began to talk.
And as she spoke… the air around us grew heavier.
The abuse.
The hunger.
The loneliness.
Then…
Alia: Yesterday… my aunt’s husband tried to rape me again…
My body went still.
Alia: But this time… I fought back. I hit him with a bottle… he fell… I ran…
Her voice shattered into tears.
Alia: I’ve been walking since last night…
Tears filled my eyes immediately.
I moved closer and held her.
Summayah: It’s okay… I’m here now…
She held onto me tightly… like she had been waiting for someone to say those words.
Alia: Thank you…
Then she pulled back slightly and looked at me.
Alia: I wish I had a face like yours.
I froze.
Summayah: What?
Alia gave a tired smile.
Alia: You don’t understand… being beautiful is not always a blessing. It is a burden. Men don’t see me… they see my body. I don’t have peace.
She wiped her tears slowly.
Alia: But you… someone will love you for who you are. I envy you.
I couldn’t speak.
For the first time in my life…
Someone wasn’t looking at me with disgust.
Alia: You are beautiful just the way you are. Can we be friends?
My chest tightened.
Summayah: I… I’ve never had a friend before…
Alia: Then let me be your first.
A small, unfamiliar smile formed on my lips.
Summayah: Yes… please.
We hugged again.
And for the first time in a long time…
I didn’t feel alone.
----------------------
At night
In the living room
ADEWUNMI (POV)
The kitchen was quiet again, but this time it wasn’t peaceful. It felt heavy… like something was waiting to happen.
I stood over the food, sharing it into plates while Summayah helped me.
I kept glancing at her.
She was smiling.
Not the forced smile I was used to seeing.
A real one.
It caught me off guard.
Adewunmi: Come and take this to the parlor.
Summayah: Okay, mummy.
She carried the plate carefully, still smiling to herself.
I watched her for a moment, my heart softening.
When last did I see her like this?
Adewunmi: This happiness today… who gave you money?
Summayah turned to me, almost amused.
Summayah: Aren’t you happy that I’m happy?
I paused.
Adewunmi: I am… I really am. I pray it never leaves you.
Before I could say anything else.....
Dad’s voice echoed from the living room.
Dad: Where is the food?!
The sound alone made my chest tighten.
Adewunmi: She’s bringing it.
I handed another plate to her.
Adewunmi: Take this one too.
Summayah: Okay, mummy.
She walked out again.
A few seconds later....
His voice changed. Louder. Sharper. Angrier.
I dropped what I was doing and rushed to the parlor.
Summayah was on her knees.
My heart dropped instantly.
Adewunmi: What happened? Why is she kneeling?
Dad stood there, fuming, his face twisted in anger.
Dad: Why did you send her with my food? What if she poisoned it?
My breath caught.
Dad: And why is she even happy today?
That question…
It wasn’t just anger.
It was hatred.
Adewunmi: Please… just let her go.
My voice came out softer than I intended.
Dad: Get out of my sight!
Summayah didn’t wait.
She got up immediately and ran.
The sound of her footsteps echoed down the passage… then her door slammed.
Silence followed.
I stood there, frozen.
My hands felt weak.
My chest tight.
When will this end?
Few days later
SUMMAYAH (POV)
The shop felt emptier than usual.
Even though customers came and went, it didn’t feel the same.
I kept looking at the road.
Every few minutes.
Every sound made me turn.
Every figure from afar made my heart rise… then fall again.
Three days.
Three whole days.
No sign of Alia.
The only friend I had ever had.
My chest felt heavy.
I tried to focus. I really did.
But my eyes kept searching.
Hoping.
Waiting.
Then I saw someone approaching.
My heart jumped—
But it was my mom.
My shoulders dropped.
Adewunmi: Why the long face?
I forced a small smile.
Summayah: Nothing…
She didn’t believe me. I could tell from the way she looked at me.
Adewunmi: How much did you make?
Summayah: 2,100 naira.
I handed the money to her slowly.
She didn’t take it immediately.
Adewunmi: Come here.
Her voice softened.
Adewunmi: Tell me what’s wrong.
That was all it took.
My chest tightened again.
Summayah: It’s Alia…
My voice broke slightly.
Summayah: I haven’t seen her since that day. I’m worried. She’s my only friend… I miss her.
Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.
My mom pulled me close immediately.
Her arms wrapped around me tightly.
Adewunmi: Don’t cry…
She stroked my back gently.
Adewunmi: I believe she’s okay. She will come back.
She pulled back slightly and looked at me.
Adewunmi: Now smile for me. Let me see that beauty.
I tried.
A weak smile.
But she smiled back like it was enough.
Adewunmi: Good. Now… back to business. How much did you say you made again?
I wiped my face.
Trying to steady myself.
Later that evening
The sky was already changing color when I started packing up.
My body felt tired… but my mind was somewhere else.
Still waiting.
Still hoping.
Then—
Summayah!!!
I froze.
That voice.
I turned quickly.
Alia.
My heart leapt.
Summayah: Alia!
I ran to her without thinking.
Summayah: Where have you been? I missed you so much!
Alia smiled, tired but real.
Alia: I missed you too.
We walked back to the shop together.
I couldn’t stop looking at her… making sure she was really there.
She told me everything.
How she searched.
How many houses rejected her.
How she suffered before someone finally accepted her.
Summayah: I’m so happy you’re okay.
Alia: I wish we could always be together.
Summayah: Me too…
We both laughed softly.
Not loud.
Not perfect.
But real.
As we walked home together, I didn’t even notice my mom watching from a distance.
ADEWUNMI (POV)
I stood there, holding the load in my hands, watching them from afar.
Summayah… laughing.
Talking freely.
Walking beside someone who didn’t reject her.
My chest softened.
Adewunmi: That must be her friend…
A small smile touched my lips.
Adewunmi: At least… she is happy.
I adjusted the weight in my hands and sighed.
Adewunmi: Ya Allah… let this happiness stay.
Curtain
During the night
In the living room
Dad sat comfortably, watching TV like nothing ever happened in this house.
Zhulaykoh sat close by, focused on her phone.
I sat quietly, watching the TV without really seeing anything.
Dad: My princess, how is your JAMB preparation?
Zhulaykoh: Fine, dad.
Dad smiled proudly.
Dad: I want you to score above 250. You must be the best. I want the world to see my child. My future doctor.
He laughed softly.
Then his eyes shifted briefly to me.
Like I didn’t belong in the same room.
I looked away.
Adewunmi walked in slowly.
Adewunmi: Dear… please, I need money to buy pure water.
The remote hit the floor instantly.
The sound made my body jerk.
Dad stood up.
Dad: What are you saying?!
Adewunmi stepped back slightly, startled.
Adewunmi: I’m just asking for money to buy water…
Dad: So now I don’t provide for this house?!
Adewunmi: No… that’s not what I meant…
Dad: So I’m lying?!
I stood up quietly.
I already knew what would happen next.
There was no need to stay and watch.
I walked away.
Behind me, their voices rose again.
Adewunmi: Okay… forget it. I’m sorry.
She turned to leave.....
Dad grabbed her.
Adewunmi: Don’t you dare raise your hand on me this time!
Silence.
Heavy.
Tense.
Even from outside… I could feel it.
And I stood there in the dark hallway…
Waiting.