TheintroductionÂ
 Having a senior brother is usually good because there is always someone to protect you but I never knew my case would turn out sour like it did .
My name is Clementina I am the only girl child in my family . the family consists of 11 individuals. Dad, Mom, Six Brothers, 3 Cousins and I.
Having such a large family, and being the second female made me become very responsible at a young age of 12. As at then I cooked 3 congos of rice at a stretch because they were boys and they ate much. Also in an African setting, women do the house chores. I was left alone to do that although mother assisted sometimes . Due to societal reasons , I did not go to school.but my brothers did. I would always stay home when everybody went out except my oldest brother who was about the age of 19 who chose not to go to school but rather do farm work. His decision was not questioned because apparently , he is the heir of my father who happened to be a high class chief. My father was educated but did not believe in girl education having the mindset that they would all end up in the kitchen just like his wife. My oldest brother Jarret was always home with me. I know you are wondering why the names are like this in an African setting , actually, we are catholics and the names mentioned are our baptismal names. Traditionally, following the igbo tradition , being the first and only daughter, I was named Adaeze. My first brother was named oluchukwu. Oluchukwu was my favourite brother. He usually gave me the biggest part of his bush meat when dividing it for us. He did not like too much meat but I did . he usually gave me just to make me happy . On this peaceful Monday , after doing my major house hold chores , I decided to take my bath , on removing my cloths I saw a stain of blood . I screamed and Jarret appeared as fast as possible . He asked me what the matter was I told him I saw blood on my clothes but I do not have any injury on my body . Jarret asked for the clothe and then started laughing . I asked him what was funny he said, 'congrats ' , you are now a woman . I looked at him quizzically not understanding what he meant . He told me to have my bath and meet him when I was done . I went out to get my little sister some sanitaries . Mother had travelled and would not be back for3 days . I had to explain to her whether I was comfortable with the topic or not. I got back home and told her to wear it she asked me why? I said, ' the blood is coming from your Private part and will not stop until the next five days . You have to wear it to prevent you from staining your clothes.' She began to cry , I put her head on my laps and explained to her saying,' Ada you are growing, the reason why blood is coming out is because you are capable of giving birth to a baby if you sleep with a man. I know I do not know much about these things when mum comes back from her trip , she would explain better. As for now , you need to wear this thing , it is called a sanitary pad .' I was forced to recall everything my girlfriend said to me when I asked her what it meant but how to explain it to a 12 years old was the problem. She stood up and went to put it on . I went to prepare warm water for her to drink. I have to do all these till mother comes back. How stressful it is to be a mother I thought. After drinking the warm water made by my brother Oluchukwu , I went to sleep . I had to go to my girlfriends house to ask her what she must eat and not eat as father never cared about her wellbeing . She said it must be something not too sugary or sour. I decided to make pepper soup and yam for dinner since she was weak and could not do her usual chores and duties. When my other brothers came back with father , they wanted to boss her around as usual . Due to the pain she was in I obliged to their request instead of her.
The next morning my sister woke up from sleep feeling a little better. I was happy and satisfied because this time she did her regular chores and duties. Ada came to me and said 'brother, how do you sleep with a man' I was shocked to the bones. As old as I was I never inquired on how to impregnate a woman talkless of knowing how to sleep with one. I asked her why she wanted to know, she said ' I want to give birth too' brother. I sighed at the inquisiveness of my little sister clementina. Mentina when it is time for you to give birth mother will tell okay? Okay jay . My girlfriend Victoria but popularly known as ify from the name ifeoma came visiting . I was very happy . Jarret ! jarret! She called Vicky Vicky I responded. I hugged her and then we sat at the corridor . we started talking and then she said she wants me to listen to her real quick . I paid full attention , she said' jarret you know that my friend esther ' I said yes I know her . she continued' esther is pregnant and she is now carrying a forbidden seed.' What! I exclaimed . if I was told that the holier than thou friend of vicky would ever fall into such situation I would not believe . Who did it ? I asked. it was henry who did it . don't tell anyone abeg . I told her to be careful . Ify if anyone should disturb you for it rush to me so that I can be your first. Shut up jhor. You joke a lot , she said. I thought about how to explain things to mentina and it seemed pretty difficult to do but I had to. I guess being an elder brother is not as easy as it seems. I sighed. Ify ? Yes . Any problem? She asked . None actually . let me escort you back home. I don't want all this boys to be looking at you on your way . hmmmn. Mr jealousy okay oooh . I escorted Victoria home and then came back home to watch my sister. I was to go to the farm but the farm could wait .
Mentina ! Mentina! Where are you now? Brother I am here. Where ? im on my bed . okay oh . what will you eat now? Anything brother . I decided to give her the left over pepper soup that I had cooked yesterday night and she ate . I gave her some pain killers and ensured she was okay. I decided to go to the farm. Ada! I called. Yes brother. I am going to the farm take care of the house . I will be back soon. Don't take anything sugary . Okay brother. Jay! Yes? Can you roast some plantain from the farm for me . Okay . I'll do that for my baby sister. Wondering why my spoken English is average? Although my father wasn't a fan of girl education. That didn't mean that I was not given the regular primary or basic education. I attended. St John's Catholic school. It was the school the church built for the village children. Being a lover of education, I also ask my brothers to teach me whatever they learn when they come back from school.
I loved learning new things and it was always fun for me.