Unbreakable

chapter 5

Growing Up Too Fast

Life in my aunt’s house became even more difficult as time went on.

Whenever hunger became too much for me to handle, I had no choice but to drink water to calm my stomach. Sometimes I drank so much water that it felt like it was the only thing filling me up.

Most days I went to school without eating anything.

I would sit in class quietly, trying to focus on my lessons, but the hunger inside my stomach made it hard to concentrate. My classmates did not know what I was going through. From the outside, everything looked normal.

But inside, I was struggling.

By that time, my aunt had already given birth to her baby. Because she had to return to work, many responsibilities fell on me.

Every morning from Monday to Saturday, she would leave the house early for work. Before leaving, she would give me instructions about everything I needed to do in the house.

After school, I would rush home quickly because I knew many chores were waiting for me.

I had to take care of the baby, cook food, clean the house, wash plates, and sometimes wash clothes.

I was still just a child, but my life was beginning to look like that of a grown woman.

My daily routine became very tiring.

After school, instead of resting or playing like other children my age, I had to start working immediately.

First, I would check on the baby and make sure he was comfortable. Then I would sweep the house, wash the plates, and prepare food for when my aunt returned from work.

Sometimes I felt exhausted, but I kept going.

I knew no one else was going to do the work.

At that time, I was only ten years old.

But when I compared my life to other girls in the compound, I felt like I had already lived many more years than they had.

Other girls my age were playing outside, laughing with friends, and enjoying their childhood.

But my life was different.

I was learning how to cook, clean, and take care of a baby — responsibilities that many women only begin to learn when they become adults.

Sometimes I would look at my reflection and wonder why life had pushed me to grow up so quickly.

One thing that made me feel even more embarrassed was my clothing.

Many of the clothes I wore were old and worn out. When I stood beside other girls in the compound, their clothes often looked better and cleaner than mine.

Sometimes I felt ashamed.

But I tried to stay strong and remind myself that clothing did not define who I was.

Still, it hurt to feel different.

Despite everything I was going through, I continued doing my best.

Every day I woke up, went to school, did the chores, and took care of the baby.

Even when I felt tired.

Even when I felt sad.

Even when I felt alone.

Because at that point, life had already taught me something important:

Sometimes you don’t get to choose the life you live.

Sometimes life chooses for you.

And all you can do is keep moving forward.

One step at a time.