Part 1

THE EPITOME OF AN AFRICAN WOMAN

Two beautiful ladies could be seen from afar sitting beside the seashore, sitting quietly as one of them decided to read a poem since everywhere was quiet while the other listened steadily.

"She is beautiful, full of pride,

Kind, loving, gentle, and happy,

She thinks of others more than herself.

Though many despise her, hurt her, tease her, and call her unworthy,

She cheats; she is punished and cursed.

He cheats; she is blamed for his cheating and being careless, as well as for her inability to manage and care for her family.

She dies while in marriage,

He marries another woman,

He dies, and she is meant to stay lonely and hurt by her husband's family.

Christine, who sat quietly while listening to Annabella read the poetry, felt the urge to ask why African women are meant to go through all this.

Christine, who is American-based, was given the opportunity by her parents to visit Nigeria with her best friend Annabella, who was raised in Nigeria from the Ivory Coast, for the holiday.

Annabella closed the book she was reading and dropped it beside herself. She looked up at Christine.

"Do you want to know the reason for that, but can I only ask you one question?" "From where you are based, are women treated as trash?"

"No," Christine answered.

"But in Africa, be it a woman, a girl, or a female child, though religion has its own opinion on females, women are not valued." For every crime committed in a family, she is put to blame. He can't bear a child because he is important. She is accused of being barren. Their child is wrong. She is to blame. He does good. The man is praised. But despite that, she is described as a home guide. The Fall of Men

Christine, who was quiet, was confused, but Annabella could see it through her look.

"Alright, I know you are confused; I can see it." "I will tell you a very long story about the book I am intending to write before it gets dark because it is advised not to stay late at the shore."

CHAPTER 2

"It all started on a fateful night; everyone was asleep, and suddenly screams were heard from the house opposite ours, but I wasn't sure which house exactly." "No one could go out in the middle of that night, so everyone has to stay indoors till the next morning."

"Will you bother getting inside now?" Annabella's mother shouted. We both got up and walked towards the door hastily.

By the time we had changed into our night clothes, dinner was already prepared at the dining table, and everyone sat down, including Paul, Joshua, and Angela, who were Annabella's siblings.

After having our dinner, it was followed by night prayers, and everyone remained in their rooms, but Annabella and I couldn't sleep. I was eager to hear the remaining story she was telling me about the shore.

"Anna, could you please continue your story?"

"Well, you know my mom will get mad if she finds out we are still up now, but I will tell you."

Annabella replied in a low tone.

"Where did I stop, Christine?"

"Next morning, Aunty,"

"Aunty, when did that start?"

"Now, OK, Anna, please can you continue?"

"Alright, the next morning, my mother and father had left so early in the morning, while I and my two brothers prepared for school for our termly exam as always.

On our way to school, the house opposite ours was filled with people—some crying, while others muttered to themselves. I looked around to see if I could get a glimpse of my parents, but they were nowhere to be found. I gave up and hurried to school, which was a few miles from home, with my siblings.

It was afternoon, and we were through with our papers for that day. We hurried back home, just to see our parents. We were surprised, as it was unusual for them to be at home by that time, but they were grieving. I rushed into my room and took off my clothes, then hurried back to the living room, where my parents were sitting down. I curiously asked them what had gone wrong, but my mother remained silent. My dad picked up the courage and said to me, "I'm

"Dear, I know you may feel sad, but your friend, Jimmy, just died of a heart attack. "You will need to visit her."

At that moment I felt like a bad friend because I didn't notice July was absent from school, and I also felt bad because if I wasn't her shoe, I didn't know what I could have done, so I picked up my school bag and hurried towards July's house, though it was a hard process to get through the door since the house was filled with visitors.

Suddenly the door cracked a little, and we tried to pretend we were asleep, but Annabella's mother had seen us.

"Are you girls still awake?" You both know how I hate seeing kids awake at night. "Now go to bed, and I want this place to be as quiet as a graveyard, okay?" This time around, she spoke in a calm tone and quietly closed the door.

ANNABELLA P.O.V

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It was morning. I had gotten up so early and slid the curtains to the left to wake Christine, who was deep in sleep.

I rushed towards the bathroom and turned on the heater as I took my bath, while Christine arranged her clothes. After we were done dressing up, we rushed down happily to take our breakfast, which we did while standing.

After having our breakfast, we walked towards the door, as well as greeting everyone except my mom, whom we were going to meet at the central market, where people buy and sell; my mom was a trader, or should I say a wholesaler, who sells different items.

Stopping at the roundabout, we took a cab, going towards my mom's shop. By the time we arrived, it was already ten minutes to ten, and we left at about 7 a.m.

My mom, who was so busy attending to her customers by the time we arrived, didn't even notice our presence, so we took a chair by the corner and sat patiently for her to be through with what she was doing, though Christine kept asking questions about the items at the shop; the ones I knew little about, I explained; the ones I knew nothing about, I kept mute.

After my mom was done selling, she took a chair from under the drawer and sat beside the door.

CHRISTINE P.O.V

************************************************

An African woman from Unsplash

"Ma, I wanted to ask why women are being treated badly," Christine asked.

"My dear, not all women are treated badly, but most are, some by their husband, family, or even their own family or even friends, community, and neighbors, but despite that women are supposed to be valued and respected, Annabella, can you please stay here?"

"With Christine, I will be back in a jiffy." "I need to get something from the other shop."

We watched her walk out of the shop with her bag while putting the money she had sold from her last customer into the drawer beside the door.

"Anna, please let me ask you for something; don't get mad," I asked.

"Feel free to ask; since I've known you, you always ask questions." "Maybe it's in you guys' blood."

"Are you angry?" Okay, I just wanted to ask you to please continue the story of last night; it seems interesting and thrilling.

"Alright, on one condition, you have to tell me where I stopped; if you fall, well, forget about it; if you win, we continue, okay."

"Hmm, mm, hmmm,"

"Hmm, forgotten"

"You got it; you stopped at the house that was filled with visitors, correct or not?"

"Not, okay, absolutely correct, okay, let us continue. After making my way through the entrance door, I walked toward her mom to give her my condolences. After that, I rushed into Jully's room, where I met her crying bitterly. I felt her pain, but nothing could be done to bring the dead to life, isn't it?

"Yes" I answer

"I walked up to her and placed my arm around her shoulders, while she cried out loud. After comforting her, I brought out my book for us to read because we had another exam tomorrow. I encouraged her not to let her dad's death hinder her education because her dad would be proud up there.

The next day, Jully came to school sad. She tried to put a smile on her face. My classmate and teachers kept consoling and encouraging her. I sat quietly in my seat, waiting for her because her seat was opposite mine.

When she was done talking, she went to sit. I quietly asked her if she had prepared for the exam, to which she replied with a nod.

After the exams, we walked home together with my siblings as I and Jully discussed our future ambitions.

After our termly exams, which were followed by our common entrance exam to enter senior secondary school, which, by the way, was a success, I took 2nd in our termly exam and Jully took 3rd. We were both happy and well-walked home while talking about how we were going to spend our holidays. My response was that I was going to join an educational program scheduled for SSS classes, and she responded that she was going to travel to her hometown to spend the holidays.

After the holiday, we came back to school for another new term, but this time as senior students. Everyone in my class had their new uniform on, but someone was missing, and that was Julian.

"I became worried, so I decided to give her a visit, but a surprising one."

"Pls where is your mum

"A customer asks, meanwhile interrupting Annabella's story."

"No, she went out." "Okay, wait, she is back."

Annabella replied after seeing her mother some meters away from the shop.

ANNABELLA POV

It was night and we had returned from the market; Dad was already home; my siblings were playing in the sitting room; and Mom and Christine had to go to the kitchen to help Mom out with the cooking and dishes.

Suddenly Christine's phone rang; she picked it up, but unexpectedly the call was cut. My mom inquired who it was, but she responded that it was an unknown number.

Dinner was served, and everything went on as usual, except that tomorrow I was going to visit my best friend Vicky, but Christine is also my best friend.

The ray of light made its way through our window, shining so brightly on my sleeping eyes, which I had to force open. I felt tired, but as for Christine, who won't get up even if the timer rings a thousand times, she will end up banging it with her bare hands like I always do.

I picked up my journal and wrote all my plans for the day; afterward, I took my diary, in which I wrote my little secret that no one knew about except me.

By the time I was done bathing and brushing my teeth, Christine was already awake. I greeted her like we always do before Christine takes her bath while I dress up.

Breakfast was already served by my mom. I had sat at the dining table while Christine dressed, my siblings were already off to school, and my dad had left for work while my mom dressed up to go to the market, so for today I knew the house was going to be lonely and quiet.

At my Best-friends house:

By the time Christine and I left for Vicky's house, it was already nine forty-five (9:45 a.m.). In the morning, it was a very long journey. We had left by six thirty (6:30 a.m.), and even Christine had slept while we were coming.

On our arrival, I knocked at the door. Suddenly the door was opened by a boy, whom I thought could be Vicky's brother since I knew none of her siblings while we were in senior secondary school.

But to my greatest surprise, the house looked like someone was having a little party; many people were there but not that many, including Christine, who shrugged behind me, thereby mistakenly hitting me with her body.

I heard a voice from behind say, "Ann." Though the voice seemed so familiar to me, I turned around, and to my greatest surprise, it was Vicky. She was looking so stunning, and that got me thinking, "Girl, only you haven't changed." "What a life."

She rushed towards me and gave me a hug that was so appealing. I was surprised, though, because we fought before I left for the U.S.A., and that was the reason for my coming.

She welcomed me and Christine into her house, and it was then that I found out that today was her birthday. I was such an idiot to forget that. I felt bad again because I hadn't gotten her any presents.

"Ann, I have missed you a lot since we had that argument. I know I was wrong to have judged you wrongly, despite everything. You know humans are very easy to deceive and fall into traps set by our enemies. I didn't even know what I was thinking. I am so sorry. I know it is hard to forget, but it should be easy to forgive, and I have been calling you on the line. I even visited your house. That was when your mother informed me you had traveled overseas to study medicine.

"Vicky, I have forgiven you, and I also want you to forgive me." I was your friend, but I couldn't understand what had happened, and I judged you based on what I saw instead of talking to you or inquiring about you. I am so sorry, and I could tell you about my travel because I had no time to tell you, and after traveling I tried to call, but it was unreachable. I would have come here since I returned, but first and foremost, I want to introduce you to my friend, or should I say our friend, Christine, who is from the USA; she studies at the same university as me.

"Hello, sweetie," "My name is Vicky Johnson, so what's yours?"

"Christine, I am so happy to see you today, but happy birthday to you, and I wish you long life and prosperity every day of your life."

"Thank you"

"Sorry to interrupt; I forgot to get you a gift, but I will not forget it." By tomorrow, expect something very, very special. By the way, let me not talk; by the way, happy birthday, my best friend. So what about Ezekiel, Thomas, Charlie, and others? How have they been fairing?

"Well, Thomas is dead." He died last week, and his burial was scheduled for next week due to a problem.

"OMG, this can't be happening." What was the cause? "How did it happen?"

I was terrified as I wondered, "What a life."

But I was correct; you never know when the person closest to you may one day leave you behind, forgetting the plans and wishes you both had for the future and then you are left alone to continue the journey of loneliness or.......

"Ann, you look lost," I was interrupted by Vicky.

An African woman from Unsplash

Chapter 3

The argument

Christine p.o.v

It was another beautiful morning; everyone had gotten up so early, except Anna, who must have been tired from the shock. I got up, and suddenly a ball cracked through our room window, hitting me so hard that I lifted my hand toward my forehead, only to discover blood running down. I was scared, though I tried to be strong; should I call out to Anna, or should I run downstairs and call for help? While all this flooded my mind, I felt dizzy and tired, and before the clock could make another tick, I was already on the bare floor.

Light out

********************************************

It had been a long day, and the Jones family had a lot of problems on their hands.

One was Christine's health; the second was the broken window; and, thirdly, Anna's parents were having a serious argument with their neighbor next door.

Annabella p.o.v

Being with Christine throughout, I was a bit confused—should I call her parents or should I let it be?

Just as I was being flooded with thoughts, Christine opened her eyes. I quickly rushed out of the room to reach out to the doctor and run a little bit fast, because of the nature of the hospital tiles, to prevent myself from falling or making myself a laughing stock in the hospital.

"Doctor, she just woke up," I said, anxious, and without wasting a dime, we rushed towards Christine's ward.

After the doctor had checked her up, he told me that sometimes dizziness could be caused by stress, lack of sleep, or not eating good food, which aids in energy production.

Christine sat up slowly; she was so strong that if I had been one, I could have laid there all day.

"Hey, you haven't finished the story, you know," Christine said, looking pissed off.

"Okay, so I was worried about why Jelly didn't resume that term. It was unusual of her, so immediately school was over. I rushed to Jully's house because my siblings had left school a little bit earlier than me.

On reaching her, I knocked on the door, which was opened by her.

I greeted her and asked if Jully was around, to which she responded with a yes. I quietly walked into the room and headed straight towards the kitchen, where I met Jully washing the dishes. I dropped my bag beside the door and offered a helping hand, which she accepted.

While washing, I inquired while she wasn't at school today being the first day as senior students. She kept muting. I took her hand and asked her to tell me the truth as my best friend. I saw tears rush down her eyes; I was worried, and she dragged me outside their backyard.

We sat down on a stone close to the wall.

"My mom said since my dad, who was the only provider, is no more, things have to change, and life is not going to be sweet, because she is not working and does not have a source of income, so I have to drop out of school, and Huck is on the street, so we can put food on our table every day, or we die of starvation."

I took her hand, like the best friend I was.

"Hey, ur education and dreams won't come to an end as long as you're here and alive; I succeed, you succeed, u huck, I huck with u; see, I got a plan; I can come every day, and write; we could study together; we could do my assignment together; and u can come over if u are less busy." I sad encouraging

She hugged me and said thank you; I replied, "What are friends for?" and we both smiled as we walked into the kitchen to continue with the dishes. When we were done, I greeted her mother goodbye, and while Jully escorted me outside, we waved goodbye.

"On reaching home, I greeted my mom and rushed into my room." "I sat down and thought over what I just did; that was a good example of being a good friend."

"Christine!" My mom exclaimed, interrupting our discussion.

At home

After returning from the hospital