As I walk down the sandy sidewalk I  hear the roosters “cock a doodle do “ . School kids in their white and navy blue uniform are running to school to make it on time . Street vendors selling sliced oranges , mangoes and fish pies . Cars are honking at one another to go not knowing theres traffic ahead . I cross the street when all the cars stopped due to traffic because there is no street light on my block. I am juggling two barrels of water that i got from the well one is on my head the other is in my hand . I like to get two barrels so i can make one trip to the well plus the older women in my village love fighting over who was there first. I live in the last house that’s on the street . I see my best friend Nyuma walking towards me as she leaves the market our eyes meet and instantly we start smiling at each other . Nyuma and i have known each other since 1st grade . Nyuma actually stole my seat on the second day of school and till this day she denies it .I sat next to her and grilled her for stealing my seat then we became close ever since she’s my sister from another mister  . Her heart is made out of gold without a doubt I can always count on her

“ Hey Setou “ Nyuma said.

“ Hey bestie “ I said

“ Let me help you with that barrel “ Nyuma said

“ No its– “ I said before she cuts me off .

“ Come on what kind of best friend will I be if I did not help you out?  “ Nyuma said smiling at me

“ So whats new ?What’s going on girl?” I said

“ I’m so exhausted with these final exams I am so ready to be done with the school year girl” Nyuma said

“ Same here girl can you believe we made it through high school ? after all the long hard nights of studying we are almost graduating “ I said with excitement .

We walk into my concrete built home and place the barrels down in the kitchen . Ma was making eggs .

“ As-salamu alaykum “ Nyumma and I Said .

“ Wayle- kum salam ,You  girls need to get dressed and eat breakfast quick before you are late to school .

   After we eat breakfast I  give Nyuma a hug and tell her to meet me in our usual meeting spot by the Basse restaurant . I go into my room and to get dressed . I take my uniform out of my drawer which is a white blouse with a long black skirt,  white ankle socks and black flats .I grab my scarf and tie it covering my hair . I grab a pin holding both sides of the scarf pinning the scarf under my chin . I push my hijab forward making sure my hair is fully covered. I stared at myself in the mirror . My skin tone resembled mahogany , I have full dark lips and cheekbones high as a kite .I kissed Ma on the cheek and headed out the door . The sun has risen now and it’s shining on down on the smiling coast also known The Gambia . Ma and I live in the city of Soma . My father passed away due to diabetes . We found out too late and he had to get his leg amputated the day after . A few weeks later he died in the hospital . People i’ve never seen before came from different towns and other parts of the country to attend his funeral . They gave us money and made dua for us , showered us with gifts in order to pay their respects . Whenever his name was said Abu Waggeh you can see people’s face lit up . My father was a chief in the village of Soma . When he was alive businesses were booming , farming and trade was a way money was flowing in the village . He made sure that there was laws that were being passed to make sure children had education and protect young girls from being child brides . Girls were being married at 15 years old  before the legal age is 18 years old . My father had a passion for human rights and believed that all citizens had the right to live freely and equally . He spoke up in front of councilman and city electives in order to be heard .He hated the idea of oppression human rights violation.

“ Girl if you don’t hurry up we are going to be late for school . “ Nyuma said

Nyuma instantly grabs my right hand in the direction of our school. Kerewan Lower Basic, Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School is a 25 minute walk from my house . The second bell already rang Nyuma and I walk into our first period math class . I walk into the classroom without making eye contact with Mr. Kiara . The classroom got quiet  I can feel his piercing eyes grilling me as i walked quickly to my seat .

“ So nice of you ladies to join us “ Mr. Kiara said sarcastically with a smile . .

3pm

School is out and all the children are running out of their classrooms and to outside . Nyuma and I walk home together .

“ So what you doing this weekend ?”

“ Mariam is coming over this weekend  so we will spend some quality sister time together “ I said .

  Mariam is my sister from my father side . Mariam’s mother was my father’s second wife . When she was born my heart was filled with joy . The doctors told Ma that she wasn’t able to conceive a child after I was born . She has a chestnut complexion , dimples that compliment her smile , thick black curly hair that went down to her shoulders .

 We finally get to our road and in front of Nyuma’s house I embrace her and tell her she’s welcome to come over for dinner . I walked into the house and see Ma preparing dinner in the kitchen . I can’t help to notice how much weight she had lost since my dad died . She will go days without eating , sleeping  or even talking to anyone . Other times she will cry for days i’ll cry with her , she’ll ask Allah what did she do to deserve this . My dad always told me that God did everything for a reason I just couldn’t find reasoning behind his death it was too painful .

I walk inside the house and into the kitchen and see Ma cutting onions “ Ma what are you cooking today? “ I said as I hugged her

“ I  am making your favorite sweetie jollof rice with fried fish “ Ma said .

“ Sounds good Ma , When is Mariam coming ? “ I asked

“ She should be on her way by now her mom called about an hour ago and told me she will be on her  way “ Ma said .

“ Great I will go shower before she comes and get dressed “ I said

“ Oh hun I forgot to add that your great aunt is coming over as well  for the weekend “ Ma said

I frown and rolled my eyes .

“ What what’s the matter Setou ? “

“ Mom that women is so bush and old school you should know why I honestly don’t want her around . . . Well I’m going to shower now Mariam will be here in any minute .”

I walked to my room quickly before my mom was able to say anything else . My great aunt is like the wicked witch . She believes in traditional ways of life that were practiced for generations. She believes that women should be housewives young , have kids and die . She tried to get me to marry the chief son in the next village when I was 16 I told her I wasn’t ready but she ignored it . She went as far as bringing the boy’s family to my house to pay the bride price my father shut that down quick . The bride price is an amount of money or quantity goods that the grooms brings to the bride’s family . This lady is wicked I tell you . It’s 2019 women are no longer just housewives we go get an education and are in the work field .

I am done taking a shower I put lotion on my body and get dressed . As soon as I walk out my room Mariam comes through the door . She runs towards me with open arms and I pick her up and embrace her .

“ What took you so long ? “ I said

“ Do you know how hard it is to to get a cab to come here at this time ? It’s so much traffic right now  ” Mariam said

 Ma walks into the living room and gives Mariam a hug and a kiss on the cheek . Ma treats Mariam as if she’s her daughter . Ma gets along with Mariam’s mom . My father’s death got them close with one another , they helped each other cope with the pain . Mariam’s mom doesn’t come over as much because she has small children to attend to .

“ Setou and Mariam can you guys go help great auntie with her belongings ? she’s outside “

“ Belongings ? I thought —… “  I said Ma cuts me off

“ Yes sweetie “ Ma smiled really hard at me and nodding at me which signaled me to behave myself  

We walk outside and I count she has 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ,5,  6 . 6 suitcases in total I wondered where all that will fit . And why would she need 6 suitcases for the weekend.

I greet her with a half smile . “ As-salam yalekum “ I said

“ wayle kum salam” she said as dryly .

“ Oh my now who’s this beautiful young lady here? don’t tell me it’s my well mannered niece from my side of the family . Now look at how fast you grew up and so wonderfully”. Great aunt said

She embraces and kisses Mariam . I roll my eyes and continued to move her suitcases to the guest room .

7pm

Mariam and I did the last salat( prayer ) of the day . Dinner was ready to be served . Mariam and I set up the table . The rice was in a big bowl for all of us to eat together in .  After we ate I washed the dishes . Mariam and I headed to my room and as soon as she laid down she fell fast asleep . She must have been tired from the long cab ride here . As I am getting undressed to put my sleeping clothes on I hear my great aunt and mom talking in the living room .

“ So when do you plan on putting her in ?” Great aunt said

“ putting her in at this age come on she’s way too young for that and besides that’s not practiced anymore we are in a modern age she can make that choice “ Ma said

“ don’t be ridiculous now , since when females pick and choose this is the perfect age to do it before they start thinking sex and having bastard children “ Great aunt said

“ she may not be my biological daughter but that’s still someone’s child,  mutilation is an old tradition okay which is slowly dying I refuse to put someone’s child  through it , don’t you get that it’s traumatizing “ Ma said

I rushed to my bed and tears start racing down my face . I knew this evil bitch was up to no damn good how dare she . To put her in ,  in my language which is Soninke is another word for FGM which stands for female genital mutilation . Which is a process where partial or total removal of all the external female genitalia. It’s practiced to have control over a women’s sexuality and to lessen her temptation to have sex so by doing this they think it will preserve her virginity . This is truly sicken and cruel . I will not allow this to happen over my dead body bitch .

7 am

I wake up to a call on WhatsApp from my uncle Abraham from America .  He reminded me so much of my father . He sent Ma and I money every month and even paid off our rent that we owed . He’s truly a blessing .

“ Good morning Setou “ he said

“ Good morning Uncle “ I said

“ How is my favorite niece doing on this fine Saturday ?” He said

“ I’m doing great uncle how are you ?” I said

“ I’m doing good Setou , how is your last year of High school? “ he said

“So far so good uncle just waiting for it to end “I said

“I hear it , when you graduate I have a surprise for you “ he said

“ Really uncle can I at least get a hint?  “

“ Nope you will see when you graduate okay , give the phone to your mother so I can greet her .

 I go into Ma’s room it’s locked I knock the door and hand her the phone .As I walk back to the room and I see great auntie walking to the bathroom I thought about the conversation she had with my mom and look at her as if she is the bottom of my shoe . Mariam was sitting on the bed looking up at the ceiling and as I walked in she gives me a hug I look into her eyes and think about the conversation I had with my dad in his hospital bed and how I promised him that I will protect Mariam like he protected  me my whole life . I couldn’t break that promise .

 Mariam and I take a shower and eat breakfast . We get dressed and head to Nyuma’s house . Nyuma opens the door with a huge smile she has pearly white teeth that compliments her ebony skin tone  . She has walks us to her room . Her parents are almost never home because they are street venders . We play chess and watch movies on her portable dvd player . Mariam falls asleep during the movie . I use this as an opportunity to tell Nyuma the conversation between my mom and aunt.

“ Are you sure you heard correctly ?” Nyuma said.

“ Girl this is not no mistake i heard her say mutilation , i told you this lady is wicked she only came in town to cause trouble but i got something for her “ I said

“ something like what don’t tell me you are going to fight an old lady ?” Nyuma said

“ No Nyuma don’t be silly my dad told me I must protect Mariam and he always use to say everything happens for a reason I heard this conversation for a reason I must do something about it . “ I said

Mariam woke up and we head back home we give Nyuma hug and head home .

After a long day at Nyuma’s house I plan on taking a shower and going to bed . As soon as we get in the house Mariam tells me she needs to use the bathroom . I go to my room and lay down . I close my eyes right away and fall asleep . I wake up to loud music being played in the house and realized Mariam isn’t laying next to me . I quickly panicked looking for her in the bathroom and living room she isn’t there . I go to my aunt’s room where the loud music is coming from and start banging on the door furiously til . Mariam opens the door and I hug her so tightly.

“ Why were you banging so loudly ? If you wanted to play tic tac toe all you is ask. Mariam said confused .

I open the door widely and see the game on the table .

“ How rude was that to be banging on my door at this time .” my aunt said

“ I just know you are up to no good stay away from my sister or there will be problem between us  “ I said

I grabbed Mariam’s hand and walked quickly to our room .

Three Months Later

“ Setou hurry up or you’ll be late to your own graduation “ Ma said

I put some more face powder and add mascara to my makeup look and i love it . The witch is still is still here after she was supposedly supposed to stay for a weekend .  she congratulates me and i respond thanks . Ma and I head out the door and we bump into Mariam and her mom she congratulates me and gives me a hug and we get into a cab . After the ceremony we go to Cassy’s Cafe and restaurant . We have an amazing dinner and head home .

“ Congratulations again Setou thank you for having us “ Mariam mom said .

“ My pleasure , Can Mariam please stay over please please please ? As i gave her the puppy dog eyes .

She looked at Ma for an answer she nodded with a smile . Mariam mom go into a cab heading home and we go into another one .

As we walk into the living room i see Uncle Abraham sitting in the living room . I jump up and give him a huge hug .

“ What a pleasant surprise Abraham “ Ma said while giving him a hug as well.

“ Yea I wanted to make it to the graduation but my flight got delayed “ Abraham said

“ It’s fine as long as you’re here in spirit “  Ma said

Mariam taps me “ I am going to go use the bathroom “ she said

15 minutes pass and I go check on Mariam to make sure everything’s okay with her  . I go into the bathroom and see that its empty . I call out her name a couple times and she doesn’t respond . I look in the guest room and see that auntie isn’t there . I run to the back of the house and the door to the shed is locked . I run back to the house .

“ Ma ma ma ma . . . “ breathe in and out heavily  “ She’s in the shed ma open it Ma open it “ I yell frantically .

“ But what’s going–” Ma said

I cut her off  “Just open the shed Ma no time for explaining “ I said  

Ma , Uncle Abraham and i run to the shed and open the door to the shed .

  “ Are you serious right now ? didn’t I tell you NO ! What part of that didnt you understand ? “ Ma yelled .

       Mariam is lying on a table with a sock in her mouth . Sweat and tears running down her face. She still has a tshirt on but naked from the waist down with her legs tied wide open to the table . With a sharp knife in her hand. “You wicked witch what did you do to her?” I said as I push great aunt down to the floor and rush to my baby sister . Tears start running down my face as I repeatedly tap her face trying to wake her up . I was suppose to protect you I said and be there for you I’ve failed you . My heart feels like its been taken out my chest and stomped on I was suppose to let this happen to you i cried . I picked her up and laid her down on the bed .Ma and Uncle Abraham surround and  I make dua for her . I pray to God that she was okay and if he gave me second chance i will protect her .

An hour later Mariam wake up and it’s a relief of joy for all of us . She doesn’t seem to remember what happened to her after she left the bathroom . She also didn’t get cut we busted in at the right on time . I went into the guest room and see great aunt sitting down on the bed sobbing .

“ Why in the hell are you crying right now ? you the last person that should be sad about anything . “ I said

“ You guys are painting me out to be the bad guy when all i was doing is helping “ great aunt said

“ Are you dumb ? like seriously who in the world are you helping huh ? yourself  huh , you better wipe them tears ain’t nobody going to feel bad for you . “

6 months later

   Since mariam’s incident I vowed myself to protect her and the other young girls in my community like  my dad did when he was alive. With Nyuma’s and Ma’s help we were able to put together several awareness conferences about FGM I  wanted to help as much people as I can I got 500 signatures from people of The Gambia to pass a law that makes FGM illegal . The conferences talk about the emotional and physical aspects of FGM and how it harms women and even sometimes kills . Uncle abraham stayed in Gambia to help me get connections to the people that worked in the government . He would work with my dad when he was alive and got to meet these government officials . As I stood up on the panel in front of the Nation Assembly who passes bills in this country I thought damn only if my father was here to see this .