The morning sun peeped through the clouds, birds twittering and an Aboki drumming wood upon wood beckoning on customers to fix their shoes, people rushing off to work and others taking their children to school.

Sharon dragged her feet against the red soil as she walked home, a frown etched on her face. She knocked on the door of her house for a few moments before her mother opened the door. She headed straight for her room without greeting her mother, she threw her bag on the bed and lay face first on the squeaky bed. 

"You don't have respect again?" Sharon's mother who was standing by the bedroom door asked. The girl didnot respond.

"Young woman, what's this nonsense behavior?" Sharon's mother asked as she sat on the bed beside the child. 

"Did he not take care of you or was he too rough this time? You know how Alhaji can be. You are supposed to have grown past this by now", Sharon rolled on her side, counting the white ceilings that graced the pale blue wall,"He paid handsomely oh. I hope you did him well, not this one that you are doing like someone stole something from you!"

Sharon remained silent as tears trickled down her temples into the scalp of her thick hair that was matted in all-back cornrows. Her mother noticed the tears and examined her face.

"What happened?" She asked, concern creasing her brows.

"I want to go to school. When will daddy come back?" Sharon asked as tears laced each word.

"Mtchewww! So that's why you are crying? Hey God, after my efforts to make sure you are living well? What has your father been able to do in his life? No, tell me, is it working in barracks as a laundry man? As boy-boy? Can he pay your fees?" Sharon's mother asked as her voice rose in anger.

Sharon sat up and rummaged through the scattered bed for her bag, when she saw it, she reached into the bag for a strip test. She handed it to her mother who collected it nonchalantly. 

"You are pregnant? Is that why you are like this?" Sharon's mother asked, her voice returning back to normal.

Sharon looked traumatized. She was not expecting such a reaction. She thought her mother would fidget and soothe her with encouraging words.

"We will go and meet nurse. She will help you terminate the parasite", Sharon's mother laughed, beautiful dimples creasing her cheeks, "My dear, it's not a big deal, mbok. It's just a little discomfort and you'll be fine. Do you know that those children in school don't have money like you? Before you turn 16, you will be rich. Trust me!"

Sharon looked at her mother in disbelief. She was expecting her mother to ask how she knew about pregnancy test strip, what she wanted to be when she grew up and many other things about her well being like she had seen on television programs. She held back the sob that was threatening to escape her throat. She sniffled and took in deep breaths.

"You will be fine, Effiong. My sweet pikin Sharon!! Anyways, dress up", her mother said as she scrutinized the child, "Don't bother self. Let's just go now. So they'll remove it on time. Mr. Benson wants me to bring you to that his favorite hotel tonight. He said that the last time, you showed him how much of a Calabar girl you are. I'm proud of you. We just need to find you a husband."

Sharon's mother stood up from the bed and rolled her wide waist, dancing to imaginary music, "These stupid women in the area will see that I have arrived. My daughter will marry a rich man and be the envy of young girls. Once you give birth to sons, your husband will be happy. The children will go to school-"

"Can you even hear yourself? I'm just fourteen looking like I'm eighteen and you are unbothered. You don't even know how papa will feel when he hears this. I want to go to school, have a life and not end up as one sugar daddy's wife-"

A loud slap sent Sharon falling on the bed with stars forming a halo on her head. Her mother looked at her with indignation.

"Stand up, let's go to nurse," Sharon's mother said with her index finger pointed towards the door. Sharon stood up and walked out of the bedroom to the living room. She was wearing her sandals when her mother broke into an outburst of utterances.

"Ungrateful child! If not for the fact that I got pregnant for Ubong, me, Ekaette would have married a rich man. My aunty thought Ubong was 'comfortable and respectable' because she thought he was a soldier. I dey suffer since and now way God dey bless me through you, you dey yarn nonsense. Ungrateful bastard!"

They went to the nurse who directed them to a clinic a few miles away. As it was still early and Sharon had not eaten, a doctor performed the D&C for her. Her mother transferred the money to the man and Sharon was made to rest an hour on the bed; her mother had fixed a pad for her to wear after the doctor gave her pain killers. 

Sharon looked at the dirty white walls of the clinic as she felt pain synchronize her body. She tried to sleep but the bloody mass on the metal plate kept intruding her thoughts. She thought of her father whose loving nature made her feel safe. After a while, she fell asleep.

"Wake up. Sharon…"

Sharon peeled her eyes apart from each other and the orange bulb filled her vision. She closed her eyes and opened them again, her mother was standing beside her.

"We need to go. Doctor said you can go. When we get home, you'll bath and rest then later, I will take you to Benson. He sent me forty thousand. He said he needs you to spend the full-"

"Let's go", Sharon said as she cautiously climbed down the bed and wore her sandals. Her mother nodded, Sharon held her stomach as they walked out of the room, eyes followed them as they walked out of the clinic.

Her mother hailed a keke that took them home. Immediately they entered the compound, they saw area boys with clubs, sticks, tyres and torn t-shirts. Sharon was surprised and her mother was confused.

"What are you people doing here?" Ekaette asked as she walked towards her door.

"Information reach us say you dey use this small girl dey do ashawo work. Person don see you carry her go one hotel two times. Madam, what's up?"

Ekaette scowled as she looked at the youths. Sharon wondered how anybody had found out but a part of her was relieved.

"Wetin una talk? E be like una jonze oh. Get out of my premises. Nonsense talk!" Ekaette shouted, "Sharon, come let's go inside."

Ekaette looked at her daughter intently but Sharon felt a wave of brazenness, "I don't want to. I want to go to school."

Coos and 'ohs' filled the air. Ekaette sucked her teeth in frustration. She made to enter her apartment when one of the guys dragged her arm and she staggered. She looked very upset and tried to slap him when police arrived the compound. Ekaette was visibly scared. 

"You are under arrest for the trafficking of Sharon Effiong Uduak. Whatever you say or do will be used against you in the court of Law…" A police officer recited to Ekaette before slapping a handcuff on her wrists. She looked at her daughter who was bemused by all that had transpired. 

The area boys grumbled in dissatisfaction. It was obvious they had wanted to beat Ekaette mercilessly. Sharon sniffled as she wondered how her life would be and who would take care of her when a tall, slender lady dressed in pink blazers and black trousers approached her. She smelt of mint and strawberry.

"Hi Sharon, I am Barrister Miller from Save A Girl Child Foundation, Port Harcourt branch. Someone told me about your plight and I figured you needed help. How are you feeling?" Barrister Miller asked.

Sharon looked at the lady, wondering where she had gotten her information. She didn't keep any friends and the only person that knew about what was going on was Nurse… and her daughter. 

"Who will look after me now?" Sharon asked.

"We've got that under control. You will live with me till we inform your father of the recent happenings or we can get you to a boarding school, during the holidays you can visit your father or you can stay at the shelter for the girls of the foundation."

Sharon closed her eyes, took a deep breath and breathed out. She reopened her eyes after pinching herself. Her life was going to change or so she thought.