CHAPTER ONE

I never planned for such life but I became victim of my circumstances... Surrounded by hardship and failure, I danced to the mischievous tune of my peers..

I lost my mom at age 13 after brief illness. Don't bother asking me about my Father because mom never mentioned that to either I nor Kayode my kid brother....

Growing up in segregation in my small community, My Uncle was left with no option than to dash my kid brother to a cousins friends nephew who stays next village from our home town .

I was hated because my mom went into prostitution just to put food on the table when she was alive. After her departure, her deeds were used against my existence .I could not move freely because of my mom's identity.

The community called my mother a bitch and I was referred to daughter of a bitch. I was taken to a very far village by my uncle to stay with an unknown lady I called AUNTY. My small mother land said my mom was cursed so it's either i leave the village or I get killed.

I embarked on a journey of HOPE and LOST, DECEIT and Depression... In other to clean the mess caused by my Late mother..

My name is JUMOKE but my friends call me jimmy... This is my story and mystery afterwards

I embarked on a journey to an unknown land.i needed a land I would be accepted.

The white ones compound

"Good evening the white one".... My uncle greeted a young lady which was about 30-35 years of age.. She turned her back against the entrance of her wooden house.... She is dressed in a white yard which she tied around the upper side of her breast.... She had a white cowrie which was around her coller bone... White Beads were seen on her left leg... Her hair was covered with a white veil..

White one: Why are you late? she responded to my uncle as she turned around

Uncle:

With his head downward

the journey was far, that was why we arrived this time

White one:Your welcome.. What's her name

Uncle:JUMOKE

Suddenly two maidens which were of my age came out from the wooden rooms, the approached Me and collected my clothes which I tied inside a rapper and hanged on my shoulder..

White one: Go well.

Uncle:Thank you white one.

My uncle moved closer to me... Held my shoulder and told me to be a good girl.Tears rolled through my cheeks... He cleaned them and left..

I entered the wooden house in which I was led by the white one, I was offered food because I looked so tired & hungry, Afterwards the gave me warm water to take my bath. I was also given a white yard to tiet round my chest.. The white yard signifies virginity... And who so ever wears it should not be seen with any man.. Young girls I found in that house were also there because of similar issues as mine... I now found a place I can smile freely without objection.

we were shared in pairs..We often go to the stream which was 5 miles away from our place..We don't wear shoes.. we are instructed not to talk to any body along the road.We usually fill 15 jugs both morning and evening.

One faithful day.... Aisha my other pair..... Was not feeling strong, so I went to the stream alone.... It was in the evening so I walked fast because I am the only one on the road... I was scared because each time I step on dry leafs the make some squawk sound... Suddenly...

The stream

Suddenly I stepped on a dried leaf which sound loud and got me scare.... I looked left and right and noticed I was all alone and wasn't followed. I made my way to the stream, fetched the water into my molded pot and headed my way back home... As I was moving, I head foot step behind me which I realized wasn't mine, I turned and saw a young looking man who was dressed on a tatched cloth, his looks are like that of a mad man, I got scared and wanted to run then I heard a voice.

Young man:excuse me young maiden, am not a mad man, and a man in need.

Me:what do u want?

Young man : water, pls am very thirsty

Me:the stream is over there,go and fetch your own water.

Young Man:am thirsty and can't reach to the stream,a cup will be enough for me

Me:how can I fetch the water for you?

Young man:I have a cup only if you will allow me come closer to get the water

Me:ok, come am get the water

As the man moves closer I realized there were wound on his face and arm, his eyes are white with a nice brown balls in them, his lips are small.. Beneath lips are pink and the upper lips are dark... His chicks are smooth and it's has the exact complexion I admire in a man

chocolate skin

his smiles can make you forget your sorrow.... Awwwn his height... I fetched the water and handed it over to him.. He drank the water in heist like a lion who almost died of thirst.

Young man:thank you, God bless you

Me:Amen

I picked my pot back to my head and headed my way home.

Young man:excuse me, what's your name

Me:jumoke

Young man:am helden

Me :bye

Young man:thanks for the water, bye

We pathed ways cause it getting dark already.And I was instructed by the white one .