THE LIFE OF A NIGERIAN TEENAGER ✔

21 ||THE ABORTION

We collected a sum of one hundred and fifty thousand from Alhaji Bello. Of course he gave it to us without any hesitation.

The timing fell in tune with the time Laura high does their annual camping.  It was just the students sleeping over at the school for some certain days. The students are to poo at five thousand for the weekend stay but I didn't tell my parent of the fee.  I paid for the weekend stay and that was how plan fell in motion.

It was a very sunny day and I was sweating profusely by the time I entered  the school hall.  I met with Tabitha and Basma by the door and we made our way inside.

"Are you ready?" Tabitha asked when we were not in the presence of other students.

"Yes!" I answered although it was not completely true. I was nervous and scared. Nervous for someone to find out and scared of losing my life.  I could just see the face of my mother when she would be told of her daughters sudden death after committing abortion. And my dad  calm behaviour. I was hundred percent sure that he would just shake his head and mutter "May Allah forgive her. " He had the belief that the sins of a dead person should not be mentioned.

It was moments later after we were left alone with Basma that she confronted me. "so how do you really feel? "

"what do you mean? I just told you guys I am fine. " I retorted which I knew she wouldn't believe. And I was right.

"oh save me the bullshit! "

"I don't know what you want me to say. I'm perfectly alright Basma. " I exclaimed flinging my hands to the side for extra effect.  I was frustrated at that point.  No body wants to kill his own child and if it was any other situation. I would had gladly kept it but not with that circumstances.  Definitely  not that circumstances 

"I want the truth Fatima.  I know for a fact that you're not okay and I want to ask you honestly. If you know how to terminate a pregnancy. "

"I don't know how it feels and I really don't care.  I just want the baby out of me."

Basma stared at me for agree minutes and then sighed.  There was nothing she could say that would make me not continued what I was about to do. I wanted the baby  out of me and she preaching and trying to make me feel guilty was not going to change anything.

There was no smile on her face only remorse and pity for me. "if that's what you want then fine.  I wish you the best of luck and I pray Almighty Allah forgives you for what you are about to do. "

"okay.  Thank you Assistant Allah. " I mused.  She grimaced at the name and with a disappointed shake of head. She walked away.

                              *    *    *   *  *
There are sometimes when you're a hundred and ten percent sure that you really want to do something but then when it's time.  You tend to pause and rethink it through.

That was exactly what was on my mind.  I was having second thoughts.  I just realized that I was about to kill a part of me and then everything went still..

Sure I didn't want my parents to find out but was I still capable of killing my own child?

"what are you thinking? " Tabitha snapped me out of my trance.  "you're  not having second thoughts are you? "

I wanted to shout out I was but for some unknown reason.  I couldn't.  Maybe because it was Tabitha  and not Basma that I could lament all my worries to.  Tabitha would show no sympathy.

"I'm not.  I'm just eagerly waiting for the herbs to soak so I can take it.  I'm tired of the baby. I want to be free. "
I tried to convince her. Either she agreed or not,  no comments were made.

"Here. " She motioned to the cup she was holding  that was filled with some herbs she mentioned would get rid if the baby.

I collected it and flinched at the smell  and look.  It looked gooey  and totally disgusting.  It smelt like rotten cooked beans.  I hated medicines both local and modern.  I hated the taste and most especially the after taste.  I thought it was horrible.

"Go on. " She urged looking at me expectedly. 

   I took a sip and immediately felt like puking it out tasted horrible.  I looked at her and she was still urging me so I closed my nose and took large gubs.

    The bile was rising to my throat but swallowed it down. 

"Good.  That's it.  We will wait for a week tops and if it didn't  work we will perform a D and C.  I know a good doctor that does that. " She suggested and I nodded.  I felt if I opened my mouth then I would probably have vomited.

                                    *  *  *  *  *
I had been bleeding profusely for the while weekend we were in school.  It was the third day and it hadn't stop.  I swear I used two packs of sanitary pads,  that was how bad it was. I trued as much as possible to hide it from my mom. And it was like luck was on my side because I was able to.

   The next day in school l met Basma and Seyi on the way to the school hall.  Apparently there was an emergency announcement.  Everybody were  eager to hear what happened. There were endless chatters and murmurs all around.

     We made our way and sat close to the podium.  That was the first row of seats.  Our Dean  Mrs Onyebuchi made her way to the stage and addressed us.

"Good morning students! " She greeted and we chanted our reply.

"Before I start I just want you all to know this.  In life everyone has an expiration death,  death is inevitable and it doesn't  really care about your age or status. When its time  for it,  you have to go and nobody can stop  that. " She paused and by then we all knew someone was dead.  We just didn't know who.

"I'm sorry to say this. " She continued. " Dorcas Adebayo was found death yester night around the seventh option garden.  She was reported to have been chopped to pieces and only her head and some certain parts were  found. I pray her soul rest in peace and I urge you all to take heart and pray for her. The funeral is tomorrow. "

    We we're frozen.  I couldn't comprehend what was happening and my mind was refusing to accept what she just said.

Dorcas was dead!

------------
Hey guys.  I lost my phone and thankfully got a new one yesterday.  So I wrote this chapter for y'all. 

Another chapter coming sooner than you expected.  The book is slowly coming to an end.  Perhaps ten.  Don't know.
I made a new introduction.  Check it out and tell me what you think.

Loye yah
Limatuuu