An encounter with Lesbianism.
1479 Words
My first encounter with Lesbianism was in Junior Secondary School. I had just joined the school and knew nothing about the word. I just had the feeling deep down that it is not normal and it isn't right anyways.
The next time I had an encounter with Lesbianism was in my final year in high school.
I concluded my final year in high school in a girls' secondary school. I saw more of transgender compared to lesbians. Some of these girls believed it's their destiny to be a boy but only a mistake they turned out to be girls. That's the weirdest thing I have ever heard in my life.
In one of interviews with one these girls, I learnt that this concept of transgender can come upon a child from the very root, which is the family. The family has a huge role to play in this. " I watched my dad beat and insult my mum while growing up. As the only child, I decided to play the role of a boy and a girl. I don't want to end up beaten and insulted by any man". That was a sad story from one of my friends who happens to transgender.
Another cause that could lead to transgender is peer pressure. The saying goes like this, "show me your friends and I will tell you who you are". The people we hang out with more often are likely to have a positive/negative impact on our lives as the case may be.
As teenagers, we're likely to want to behave like our mates and this has led to people's doom. Peer pressure if negative, can lead to cultism.
I never really felt the impact of cultism in high school until this era. In this episode, I'll be sharing my encounter with lesbianism.
I joined City Girls' Secondary School right after I left Regina Caeli High School. I didn't want any type of popularity in this new school. I just wanted to keep everything cool, write my final exams and leave quietly but things did not go as i had planned. Shortly, the term was over and the school was preparing for it's event's day. There was going to be an intra school debate on the event's day. I loved debates so much and I decided to participate. Just for the love of it.
I prepared for this debate with all of my heart because it was going to be my last debate in high school. I wanted to make it a memorable one and I indeed made it a memorable one as I was awarded the best speaker. It was one of my favorite memories so far.
That award gave me enough popularity and respect to earn me a leadership post. I never really saw that coming and I didn't really want it but I had to accept it.
The following term, the following year was the school's annual inter house sports ceremony. Final year students don't get to participate in the ceremony mainly because of the WASSCE exams coming up.
We were around for the ceremony but we just watched other students perform. I had it in mind to train a group of cheerleaders for the ceremony but because we were restricted from participating, my plans didn't work.
The day of the ceremony came and it was indeed a big day for the school as we had various guest of different caliber. I couldn't help but watch as different people from different walks of life filled the school compound.
With time the school compound was already crowded. Personally, I don't like crowds. So I started looking for classrooms that are open and I found one. This very classroom was already filled with different people; junior students, senior students and some ex-stundents. I looked through the window, still contemplating if I should join them. I looked out to the sun and decided to join them in the classroom.
I kept to my self throughout until this girl walked up to me and asked if she can join my seat. I didnt really know this girl and she wasn't putting on the school's uniform. She was looking a lot more older and I guessed that she would be an ex-student. She tried to bring up a conversation. That I allowed as I was already bored. We talked for a while and that was when she told me that she's an ex-student.
It was already getting late and I was already getting tired of this whole occasion. I waved good bye to my new found friend and went home that day.
Something really weird started happening after that day. The ex-student I spoke with the other day keeps coming to see me in school. This is something she started new. I wondered why and I asked her why but she told me that she has a younger sister in my school and she came to check up on her too. I accepted and believed that reply for the main time but found it a little suspicious. Whenever she comes around we'll talk for a while and sometimes she'll offer to walk me home.
This thing continued for a week and my classmates started asking me what is happening. I told them I didn't understand either. Then one of them said, "maybe she likes you". I couldn't help hold back the disgust. "Are you saying she's gay?" , I replied. "Obviously", another replied.
I didn't even know what to do at the time I learnt that this ex-student is gay. I kept it cool for the main time. One of the days this ex-student came to see me, I wasn't feeling too happy. I was already tearing up. She found me and I saw the look on her face, I saw what felt like utmost care but that alone was so disgusting having to know the reason why she cared. She kept asking me what the problem was until I opened up. She said a few comforting words and that made me feel better. She opened her arms like she wanted a hug. After imagining what could go wrong of I accepted, I declined and told her I was good. I saw that she was a bit offended but i acted like I didn't notice.
Things were getting really awkward and I started thinking of ways to get away from this girl before she tries to kiss me next. She just kept visiting me. Most times, she'd come with food, fruits and I would not collect them in most cases. I'll just have to collect them sometimes so she doesn't feel bad.
I was thinking of how to muster courage to tell her that I don't want her friendship anymore. One day she decided to tell me her mind. I noticed with all the extra love I was getting from her that particular day. I was waiting for her to say it. She first asked to see me privately, away from my friends. My friends kept giving a funny look that I understood. I smiled faintly and accepted.
We moved away from the others and she told how she fell in love with me from the first day I stepped into that classroom. She also told me how she couldn't sleep every night without thinking about me. For some unknown reasons, I found everything she said funny but I tried not to laugh. When she was done with her speech. I was quiet for a while. I was still thinking of how to let her know that I'm not gay. She couldn't wait for me give her a reply as she looked desperately into my eyes.
I looked at her and said, "Chioma it's weird that you feel this way about me because I'm not gay". I saw the disappointment in her eyes. She was quiet for a while after my reply and responded, "okay" faintly and almost at the point of tears. I felt for her but there was nothing I could do. She left that day, heartbroken. I couldn't help but ponder on that particular occurrence. It was one weird thing altogether.
She came once or twice after that day and I was already giving her this "stay away from me attitude". She noticed what I was doing and stayed away for good. She stopped coming and I was very much happy. My friends kept asking how I handled her because they thought I would never muster the courage to tell her to stay off.
My advice to everyone who has read this story is to always speak up for things you're not comfortable with. It will only get better if we talk about it.
Lesbianism is a punishable offense by the law. Stay clear from it and don't forget to stay safe. Peace.
- Writer
