it about a girl called nannan who ran away from home after finding out her parents were planning to marry her off on a betrothal marriage
After having some little conversation with my dad mind was not still at rest.
Despite being so young I have a hint that my dad is hiding something from me
And not saying the entire truth.
Later on in the middle of the night.
I woke up due to some noises coming from the living room
By then it was around 9pm in the night.i was hearing voices like two people discussing .
The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky.
Suddenly I had this urge to find out who were discussing in the middle of the night.
I jumped out of my bed quietly avoiding anything that will make noise
I reached out to the door , slowly to avoid making the groaning or scraping sounds , I swung it open with my heart pounding like crazy,I took a glance at my sisters whom I thought I might have woken them up
Seeing none of them moving or what seems like shaking on the bed.
I let out a sigh and started oemaking my way to where the sounds is coming
Shortly I found myself getting close to the living room,I began tiptoeing, not wanting to make a noise or get caught by my father spying on them .
Nannan's pov
I tiptoe reaching our living room
It was dim, I saw my dad and my mom discussing something with serious expression's on their faces
I drew closer and hid my self somewhere there
My dad" I've decided that I will marry her off to the enenche when she's old enough,he is a good friend and their family has good reputations"
My Mom " with hint of worry and confusion on her face replied "are you sure the girl will agree when she old enough, why don't we just let graduate first bring home herself,
Who she wants to spend the rest of her lives with"
Hmm!!
She continue..' I don't feel good about this what if she ran away ''
My dad replied " Where did she know ! With hints of annoyance in his voice.
He continued"Even if she wants to run away where will she go, she doesn't know anybody outside , aside our relations who lives here with us.
"She just 10yrs old".
Aftter been done listening to their
Interactions
I sneak back into our room and lay down as if nothing happens .
********
The plot
*****
I started plotting that night how to escape without no one noticing
That I'm gone.
I plot everything carefully and lay back on my bed , shortly after
I slept off.
I woke up the next day, to illuminating morning light and sounds of birds chirping, the cool breeze.
It was Saturday ,I had a flash last scene
I jumped out of my bed, and heard to the sitting room, all my siblings were present all doing their various chores.
Good morning big sis" I greeted my elder sister peace" she gave me of what seems like a playful glare and replied
"Chair lady so na now you dey wake up" as the rest joined her and started teasing me.
I strode out of the living room to the kitchen and saw my mom
She was cooking.
"Good morning mom , how was your night " I greeted
"She turned immediately smiling
It's fine dear, hope you slept well" she finally said.
Yeah mom,I replied and ask
"Where is daddy?"
She replied "oh he must be outside .
Immediately I strode out of the kitchen and went outside, my father was sitting under a cashew tree ,I make my way forward to where he was sitting
I greeted him as usual,I don't want anything to go wrong
And I don't want to give them the hint.
Later in the day I packed all dirty clothes outside to wash and also my travelling bags.
One of my Younger got curious and ask
"Sister nannan are you going somewhere"
She muttered.
I quickly replied" no not all,
I'm just just doing some weekend laundry, managed to reply her almost stuttering
she left running to play with the children from the neighborhood .
The next day I woke to Ray to of the morning sun illuminating the room, it was Sunday
I make my way to the living room as usual, living in the house of african parents who are christians
We prepare and went to church, with the mom exchanging pleasantries with some of our church members mostly women.
I spotted my friend charity
She lives in our neighborhood with her parents too
She stood few meters away from where I was seems like she spotted me first,
Immediately she ran up to me
Smiling.
How are you! She said
I'm good,I'm good I muttered
I exchange few pleasantries with some other people .
4hours later ,we returned home,my mom started preparing lunch, my other siblings all went on with their business as usual
I sneaked to my room and secretly started arranging my things,I packed just few of my clothes and hid them in my school bag and put other things on top in other not to get caught my anybody cause it's the last thing I want to and could ever think of right now
finally the awaited day arrived,
i woke up very early in the morning
do my usual chores and started preparing for school, shortly after
I was called for breakfast
"good morning mom , good morning dad" I said.
"you have prepared for school already" dad muttered
"yeah " I said
"mom how do I look" I asked questionly
"Beautiful " she muttered smiling
with sincerity written all over her face
it's not that I'm running away because I hate them or anything , it's because I felt betrayed by my own parents,they should have tell me about it but rather decided to keep it from me.
I already warned them before and I stood on my promise for them to do something like that without telling me, I will leave and they won't see me again till I'm adult
I want them to realize that life didn't just end for female children by marrying them off ,they are more to training them in school by your self as a father.