Thirteen
481 Words
A Quiet Strength
Days passed slowly in Accra.
After everything that had happened, Afia tried to disappear into her routine again.
School.
Home.
Silence.
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At school in Oyibi, the whispers had not stopped immediately…
But gradually—
They began to fade.
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The laughter became softer.
The stares became fewer.
And eventually…
It was like nothing had happened.
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But for Afia—
It had changed everything.
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She no longer sat comfortably.
She no longer looked around freely.
She no longer spoke unless she had to.
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In class, she was still brilliant.
Still focused.
Still answering questions correctly.
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“Priscilla Boakye,” the teacher would call.
And she would stand.
Answer.
Sit.
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That was her school name now—
Priscilla Boakye.
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A new name.
A new identity.
But inside…
She was still Afia.
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Outside lessons—
She was completely quiet.
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She avoided eye contact.
Avoided conversations.
Avoided attention.
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She didn’t know how to stand up for herself.
Didn’t know how to respond to people.
Didn’t know how to be… normal.
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Until one day—
Someone sat beside her.
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“You always sit alone,” the girl said.
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Afia looked up slowly.
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The girl smiled.
“My name is Millicent.”
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Afia hesitated.
Then replied softly—
“Priscilla…”
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Millicent tilted her head slightly.
“You’re very smart,” she said. “I’ve been watching you in class.”
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Afia looked down.
“Thank you…”
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“You don’t talk much though,” Millicent added.
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Afia didn’t respond.
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There was a short silence.
Then Millicent spoke again—
“That’s okay. I can talk for both of us.”
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Afia looked up, surprised.
For the first time in days—
She almost smiled.
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From that day…
Millicent stayed.
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She sat with Afia during lessons.
Walked with her during break.
Talked to her, even when Afia had little to say.
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Slowly…
Very slowly…
Afia began to feel less alone.
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Meanwhile—
At home—
The tension shifted again.
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Evans Matey had returned to Achimota School after his suspension ended.
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The house became quieter.
Safer.
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Afia could finally breathe a little.
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No strange looks.
No uncomfortable moments.
No fear of being watched.
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But something still remained inside her—
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The fear.
The memory.
The hesitation.
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That night, Afia sat on her bed, holding her books.
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She thought about everything.
The humiliation.
The silence.
The kindness of Eva.
And now—
Millicent.
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Two people.
Two lights.
In a life that had seen too much darkness.
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Afia took a deep breath.
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Maybe…
Just maybe…
She was not as alone as she thought.
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And maybe—
She was beginning to find something she had lost long ago.
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Herself.
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- Writer
