Aisha -The Unseen child

Episode 1 One sunny afternoon, I was at the farm with my family—Mom, Dad, Rukayat, Mustapha, Idris, Adam, Taofeek, and me, Aisha. It was the planting season and also the weekend, so it was a must for us to be at the farm. It was already noon, and we stopped to eat and regain our strength. We were having roasted yam and oil—my favorite. Halfway through the meal, Rukayat and Adam complained of headaches and asked to go home to rest. My parents agreed to their request, and the two of them went home. --- After the meal, we continued our work on the farm. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my tummy. I shouted, "Ahhhhhh!" but nobody reacted, as if no one had heard a sound. The pain came again, and I shouted louder, "Ahhhhhh!" while holding my stomach. Suddenly, my mom called out from the other side of the farm, "Aisha, if that’s your way of lying and pretending to leave this farm work because your siblings have gone home, it will not work ooo. Ko lo sise!" "I didn’t know my menses was starting today. I thought it would come tomorrow," I tried to explain. "That’s because you are a stupid child! Do you think you’re still a baby? As a woman, aren’t you supposed to know when your woman sickness happens? Sort yourself out o, because you won’t leave here until you finish your portion," my mom replied angrily. "But... but... but Mummy, ejor (please), you allowed Rukayat and Adam to go. Mine is a serious case, please ma." "Wo Aisha, you’re making noise o," said my dad. "Oya Aisha, take, cut from this wrapper and fix yourself. When you finish your portion—and also finish Rukayat and Adam’s portion, since 'they are your elders'—then you can go home." My heart was broken. What made me different from my siblings? Or was I adopted? ---