Freedom was one thing I crave as a teenager, seeing my older sibling going out and coming home anytime they wanted made me dream of a lot of things and I always wish I could fasten the time for my teenage days to pass.
The time came and I forcefully took the freedom that I always wanted but here I am today wishing I didn't get out of my parent sight when I did.
A lot happened and today, my past is haunting me pretty badly. My name is Bibi and this is my story.
"Bibi, didn't you check the time and how many times have I told you that a responsible child doesn't walk by this time of the day", my mum asked in an angry tone, and before I could say anything, she pounced on me.
I escaped from her that night and returned to where I was coming from.
"We told you to pass the night but you refused, it seems mom kicked you out", Tola teased me as she opened the door when I arrived at her place.
The other girls burst into laughter on seeing me and I felt terrible.
"Girls, aren't you bored", Titi asked about a few minutes before midnight.
I was the only one who didn't respond and before I knew it, the girls we dressed. It wasn't like I didn't want to be out there but I was worried about how my mom felt.
She should understand that I am 19 and don't need to be monitored any longer. I put the thoughts of her aside and went to get something suitable from Tola's wardrobe.
I was barely done when some rich boys arrived in exotic cars, I quickly did my makeup and joined them.
The night was one of the best nights of my life, we had a lot to eat and drink. Everyone was tipsy after the fun so we decided to lodge in a hotel till daybreak.
One of the guys asked for my contact in the morning and it was then I discovered I left my phone at home.
Other girls returned to their homes and I was stuck with Tola.
She is a millionaire daughter, a few years older than me and I luckily met her when I was sixteen. Tola lives alone in one of her dad's houses whenever her school was on break and I always envy the level of freedom she has.
I was with her for a few days until she advised me to go home, I was pondering over it when Alex the guy who took my number the other day called.
We have been talking for days and he seems to be a caring guy.
"Hi, Alex", the conversation went on for a while and I told him about what was going on in my life.
"You are not a kid, your mom should understand that", his response made me believe he saw things from my perspective and I confided in him more.
Alex offered me an apartment and promise to cater for my education if I become his girlfriend.
I took the deal and became his girlfriend. I always called my mom and siblings just to make them know that I was fine.
The future looked bright for me so I thought that I will return home when I am successful and they won't have any reason to reject me.
The beginning of my relationship with Alex was smooth and beautiful, he pampered me a lot.
We did lots of silly things, I got a tattoo of his name and did many other dirty things that were wrong but I was enjoying my freedom and nothing mattered to me more.
Alex loves recording our videos which wasn't wrong to me, I felt it was okay to do that for memory's sake.
"Hey baby, it's been eight months now and you haven't said anything about my school", I intended to start a conversation about our future and Alex took it personally.
"You are an ungrateful brat, I picked you up when you are homeless and you think you have the right to ask me about school after everything I have done for you", Alex replied and walked out on me.
"Did I ask too much?", I asked myself several times but couldn't figure it out.
I tried begging him probably I might have asked such a thing at the wrong time but he didn't listen. He started holding grudges against me and before I knew it, he came home with a pretty older girl.
I reached out to his friends but they didn't do anything about it.
There was no other person I could call, my friends weren't an option. I cut ties with them for advising me not to date Alex because I thought they were jealous.
Out of shame, I called Titi and she wouldn't stop laughing.
"That's Alex for you, he lures little girls to his home and takes advantage of them. We only hang out with him because he is rich but you decided to be smarter than us", Titi's words kept ringing in my head.
I took my things and left his place and after sleeping in the hotel for a few days, I returned home.
My mom was happy to see me so she couldn't send me away this time, it didn't take long before my siblings returned to check up on me. I apologized and was surprised at how they let things slide so easily.
That night, my mom apologized for being too harsh on me.
I settled in well and my admission was processed by my elder siblings. I choose the university nearest to my home so that I won't be out of my mom's sight again and life was beautiful again.
It didn't take long before I ditched Alex's memories, my studies went well and I graduated.
Getting a job wasn't easy and I kept going from one interview to another. I met a guy during my job hunt and we became friends quickly.
He is the son of an aspiring senator, he offered to help me with a job and he did. The pay was good and our frequent communication made us fall in love.
Life was going on well with me until I got a call one evening after work and it turned out to be Alex.
"I can see you are doing well, I wanted you to know I still have those dirty videos of you and I need 50 million naira in exchange for the videos or I send it to you billionaire lover", he hung up without getting a response.
There was no way I could get the money, I tried calling him but the number was switched off immediately.
I told my mom and she started praying, I immediately remembered what Titi said the other day.
The deadline passed and I couldn't get even half of the money he requested. I made up my mind to tell my lover about it but it was late.
He called me first to ask if I knew any Alex and I said "yes". I got to know that Alex sent just one of the videos he had to my lover's father and threatened his political aspiration if he doesn't give him 50 million.
To avoid any connection with me, senator ordered my job termination and now Alex doesn't want to see me again. At the point when I thought my life became beautiful, I found myself in a mess again.
I lost my love and job, and carrying on is difficult because I don't know how Alex would strike next.