Migration

Chapter 1

I wake up to the beautiful sound of the birds singing and the sun shinning so bright. Despite of the beautiful environment I live in my happy mood disappears when I remember that I have to bring water from the nearest lake.  As we live in the most rural part of our country we don't get piped water.

I remember the first time my mother sent me to get water for our home. The vase was easy to carry but getting back from the lake was hard.  The vase was so heavy. My back hurt so bad that I got up from my sit with struggle. I take care of myself make my bed and go to my mom.  We talked, I eat my breakfast and get ready to go o the lake.

" Mother could you please help me put the vase on my back? "

"Sure. "

I make my way to the river get some water and head back home.    Even though it is hard to carry the water I find pleasure in walking on the green and clean grass surrounded by tall trees.

When I reach home I find my two younger siblings helping my mother and my two brothers playing. I put the vase down and rest for a second.  As soon as I came my mom said.

"Alem,  clean the house. "

No thank you. Nothing.

Cleaning the house isn't a problem for me cause our home only has five rooms. The small saloon,  the kitchen, the toilet,  my parent's bedroom and the small bedroom me and my siblings share.

I didn't have all of this pressure until I was 10. But when my older sister who was about 12 at that time was forced to marry a man who was 20 years old she refused and rum away.  So all of the burden fell on me. And since then I have been doing most of the work.

It is about 5pm and my mother asked me to make some coffee for my father. He will come anytime soon.
Making coffee is a whole lot different than other countries. I mean in other countries people buy coffee that has already been ground and simply boil it.

And just as I finish washing the coffee beans my father enters the house.  I greet him and take his farming tools and put them in their place.

"Ah you already came. I thought you were going to be a little late."

My mother says putting his food on the table. I left the room to bring water for my father to wash his hands. It's one of our traditions.  When I am entering the saloon with the water my father says

"No.  I have some news and it concerns Alem. "
What could it be I thought.

"What is it?" My mother asks and I am staring at my father while pouring water for him to wash his hands.
After he finishes washing he tells me
"Go put the bowl on its place and then I will tell you the news."
I was eager to know what it was but deep inside I know that I am not going to like what my father will say.
So I do as my father ordered and go sit across my mother forming a triangle.
"Abeba,  you know Abebe's daughter Tayitu right?"

"Of course I know her. What about her."
"Abebe  is sending her abroad and I was thinking to send Alem too."
My eyes flew wide open.  You can't be serious.  And please don't tell me that it's illegally.
"Don't be way too optimistic Fasil. You know our economic situation and you are going to send her abroad."

"No.  Not by airplanes. Abebe is going to send his daughter by short cut.  He found this man the other day and he promised Abebe that he could get his daughter abroad easily."

I know that I am not supposed to speak but I said

"I am not going. Standing up from my sit and heading to the place where the coffee beans are.
"What?"  My father almost screamed.
I keep quiet cause I know I already did the most disrespectful thing.

"Of course you're not.  How could you go after learning that it's completely fine not to respect you parents from that older sister if yours."

I was really angry.  What did expect she would do.  Agree and live with a man who she barely knows. I remain quiet and start roasting the beans.

My dad said nothing except
we will see.
After my dad finished eating his dinner I give him water to wash his hands and then he drinks the coffee.
I don't want to go anywhere.
I heard that people die when they try to cross borders. I wonder what Tayitu thinks about this.