I can’t remember but my mum told me that my dad died when I was two(2) years old. Henceforth, things became pretty difficult for my mum, who had to carter for four children. She continued to care for her children with little or no help from my father’s family.
One day, one of my uncles showed up. He begged my mum to release me to him. He promised to take proper care of me. “I will be his father,” uncle Sola said. I was happy! Why? I’d leave the village (Isaoye Ekiti, Mobal Local Government Area of Otun Ekiti) for a more civilized town – Ikole Ekiti.
In Ikole Ekiti, I was treated as a house help, on the other hand, I was treated as a child. Many a time, I would be in the room when “the real family members” were seeing a movie in the sitting room.
As a second class citizen, my opinion was never merited. I had no opportunity to amplify my thoughts. Even when I felt cheated, I’d keep mute because I had no Messiah or I endured all the ugly experiences because I didn’t want to go back to the village. I still remember that my room had no light bulb — I used to sleep in a dark room.
When I realised that my voice had been stifled by my uncle, I fell in love with my pen and I found solace in writing. I bought a diary and I started writing. That’s how my writing journey began and that’s how I became an introvert.
Hear this! No sooner had I finished my Secondary School Certificate Examination SSCE) than I (secretly) ran to Lagos. When I arrived in Lagos, I worked in a primary school — my salary – 4000naira. Well, with my meagre income, I rented an apartment, sent myself to the university and I did some other professional courses.
Now, I can take care of my mum and reward her for her sacrifices. She is my superheroine.
In 2015, I published my first book — a short story — OBINZE THE FEARLESS BOY AND OTHER STORIES. In 2019, I published another book — HEART-TO-HEART. I didn’t record much success from the sales and distribution of the two books. I’ve gone back to the drawing board and I am working on another book — INSANITY – A Collection of Poems.
“I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.”
~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations.
I will be 32 (years old) on the 15th of July 2021. I thank God for the journey so far as I look forward to seeing more glorious years on earth.
Sincerely,
Aina Temitope Emmanuel
E.T.H…Aina (pen name)
ETH AINA'S CREATIVE ISLAND. 