I came home from school with tears in my eyes. I didn't have my mom to tell what had happened to me in school. I was so bitter and I wished a mom.
My grandmother and I visited a family friend who had a newborn baby. I was so obsessed with the baby that I refused going back home with my grandmother. I cried and with my grandmother, "grandma, please let me stay with baby..I want to take care of baby.. please grandma..
After much pleading and crying, my grandmother decided to live me with her friend, asking her to take good care of her granddaughter.
I started living with my grandmother's friend from then. I thought I'd have so much fun living with them, playing with the newborn. After one week, I started missing my grandmother, I wanted to go back to my grandmother but I couldn't. I was maltreated, I was only given soard food to eat. I wasn't cared for.
My newly found family are the working class, so I was enrolled in school alongside my Aunt's baby. My school fees was only paid on my first enrollment in the school. I didn't have textbooks. I didn't pay for necessary requirements needed in school. I was severely punished by my teacher.
I told my Aunt about it but I only got one reply "is this your house, did your father give me money for you?, it's good you get punished in school or you go meet your mother in the grave". I was so bitter, I cried my eyes out. I couldn't go back to grandmother.
One day, I decided to take a huge step and do something I haven't done before. I went to my Uncle's briefcase and took some money from it.
I was so scare and frightened. I knew that if I'm caught, my Aunt wouldn't spare me, but I had to do it anyway. I was tired of being punished, I was tired of the injuries I get from being from flogged and kneeling on broken floor. My classmates made fond of me. They never wanted to associate with me or be my friend. I couldn't think of anything else to do to help myself. I wished I hadn't stayed back. I wished I went home with my grandmother. But it was too late to start regretting. I haven't stolen in my life. I was always scared of doing things like that.
The next day, I went to school and I cleared my debts. I was happy. I paid for my textbooks too and got my writing materials. I bought snacks for my classmates. I made friends too for the first time.I was so happy. I was also able to eat good food, I bought snacks for myself too.
But my happiness didn't last long. Back in the house, my Uncle came home and search for his money but couldn't find it. Then, I was asked. I was so frightened but I had to tell the truth. My aunty was so angry at me. She punished me. She got machete to cut off my hand.
I cried and pleaded that I won't do it again, but she didn't listen to me. Then, my Uncle came to my rescue and scolded her. That was how I was saved.