Womensstories Histoires

She was wrapped in silk... but raised among thorns. Halimatu escaped poverty by marrying one of Kaduna's most powerful men. From the outside, her life is perfect - wealth, respect, a beautiful family. But behind the palace walls, love is not always honest. Silk and Thorns is a story about marriage, betrayal, survival, and the quiet strength of a woman who thought she was finally safe.

My mother has always been the one to inspire me, so I wrote this for the #EyesLipsFierce writing completion.

Chapter 1 - The Life Once Full of Joy I was just a little girl, and my life was filled with happiness. Everything was fine - I used to laugh, play, go to school, and dream freely. But then... everything changed. I was in 8th grade when I fell seriously ill. So much that going to school became nearly impossible. For two years, I kept visiting doctors, hoping to feel better. But people didn't see my silence. They started saying: "She's faking it. There's nothing wrong with her." Their words cut deep. I was truly sick - but instead of comfort, I was mocked. I cried at night, asking myself: "Am I really nothing?" Then came 10th grade. I gathered courage and gave my board exams. But when the results were out - I failed. What hurt me more than the failure were the words of those I once respected deeply. A cousin-aunty, someone I looked up to... She laughed and said: "She's ignorant. What does she even know?" People laughed at the way I spoke, the way I walked, the way I dressed. And if I ever tried to speak my mind, they'd say: "Oh please, no one listens to someone this uneducated." --- Your pain, your journey - it's becoming a story now. But not just any story - one that speaks for thousands of silent hearts. When you're ready, write the next part in any language you want. I'll be here to shape it with love and truth. You want the second chapter in English too?