Chapter Fourteen : A New Begining in Nairobi
575 Words
The bus rumbled through the dark, carrying Ayaan, Safiyo, and Misky far away from the village that had tried to steal their futures.
Safiyo sat quietly by the window, staring at the endless road ahead, her eyes swollen from crying.
Ayaan reached over and gently squeezed her hand.
“Waan ku garab taaganahay, Safiyo. Wax walba way hagaagayaan.”
(I’m here for you, Safiyo. Everything will be okay.)
But would it?
Safiyo had been through hell—torn from her childhood, forced through FGM, and nearly sold into a forced marriage.
Even though she was safe now, would she ever feel whole again?
Misky, sitting across from them, sighed deeply.
“Nairobi waa meel cusub, nolol cusub. Laakiin, si aan u bogsano, waa inaan aqbalnaa wixii nagu dhacay.”
(Nairobi is a new place, a new life. But to heal, we must accept what happened to us.)
Safiyo didn’t respond.
She just leaned against Ayaan and closed her eyes.
---
Arrival in Nairobi
The city air was different—full of life, noise, and movement.
When the bus pulled into the station, tall buildings loomed overhead, and the sounds of cars honking, people shouting, and music playing from distant shops filled the air.
It was overwhelming.
For girls who had spent their lives in a remote village, this place felt like a different world.
Misky led them through the crowd to a waiting taxi.
The driver, an older man with kind eyes, nodded. “Halkee loo socdaa?”
(Where to?)
Misky gave an address.
It was her apartment—a place where she had helped many girls like them before.
As the car moved through the busy streets of Nairobi, Safiyo’s eyes flickered with something Ayaan hadn’t seen in a long time—hope.
---
Healing Begins
Misky’s apartment was small but welcoming.
She showed them around, pointing to the bedroom where Safiyo would sleep, the kitchen stocked with food, and the bathroom with running water—something Safiyo had never had before.
But the most important thing Misky introduced them to was help.
“Safiyo, waxaan kuu diyaarinay dhakhtar nafsiga ah. Wuxuu kaa caawin doonaa in aad bogsato.”
(Safiyo, we’ve arranged for you to see a psychiatrist. They will help you heal.)
At first, Safiyo hesitated.
In their culture, mental health was never discussed—only whispered about like a curse.
But Ayaan gently took her hand.
“Waa fursad aan bogsano, walaal. Ha ka baqin.”
(This is our chance to heal, sister. Don’t be afraid.)
Safiyo took a deep breath.
Then—she nodded.
She was ready to try.
---
Ayaan’s New Purpose
As the days passed, life in Nairobi started to feel normal.
Safiyo began her therapy sessions, slowly opening up about her pain and trauma.
She even started learning to read and write, something she had never been allowed to do before.
Ayaan watched her transform, and a fire burned in her chest.
How many other girls were still trapped back home?
How many were suffering in silence?
One night, she turned to Misky and whispered.
“Waxaan rabaa inaan noqdo qof caawiya gabdhaha kale. Waxaan rabaa inaan la dagaalamo FGM.”
(I want to be someone who helps other girls. I want to fight against FGM.)
Misky smiled proudly.
“Markaas waad bilawday safarkaaga dhabta ah, Ayaan.”
(Then you have truly started your journey, Ayaan.)
And in that moment, Ayaan knew—
This was only the beginning.
- Writer
