The storms I danced against

It all began after my mom passed. I was still a little girl, and I watched my dad slowly become a shadow of himself. He'd smile everytime our eyes met, but at night, he'd break down in tears. I learnt at a young age that it is in the nature of men to hide their feelings because I grew up watching my dad hide his. When his friends would come around, or when he'd stay home with me, he'll be so cool that one may think that he was okay, but I knew he wasn't, and I didn't know how to comfort him. I was just a kid.

One day, I returned from school, and I saw that we had visitors. One look at my dad's face, I knew all wasn't well, but I couldn't interrupt, so I went into my room and waited. After what seemed like forever, my dad came into my room to discuss.
"Jane, you'll be going to your aunt's house for the meantime."

"Why Dad? I like it here." I disagreed, but he gave me reasons why I should go with his sister.

"You're a girl, who'd some day become a woman. I can't teach you the basic things you need to know as a woman, but at your aunt's house, you'll learn everything."

"I don't want to be a woman. Let me stay here with you." I cried my eyes out and begged my dad, but his mind was already made up.

My dad had good intentions when he decided to send me to his sister's place. At the age of 10, I couldn't wash dishes or even take care of minor laundry, and he felt I'd learn all that if I grew up around kids too, seeing that I was an only child. I didn't like this new development, but there was nothing I could do. As Africans, a lot is always expected of a woman, especially in the domestic area, and my father couldn't possibly teach me all that I needed to know as an African female, so I had to go with my aunt.

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The first few years of living with my aunt and her family was good. I felt at home, and soon, I stopped crying for my mother. Dad was happy that I was becoming more and more comfortable, and he did everything to keep me happy. He'd visit when he can, and get presents for everyone in the house. Soon, I graduated from high school, and things took an ugly turn at the house. My aunt suddenly changed; same with her children, and once again, I wished my Mom hadn't passed. It was a tough phase of my life, as my dad only encouraged me to get into the university, so that I would be able to move in back to his house.
I strived to pass my entrance examinations, and luckily for me, I got into the university. I was happy to finally leave my aunt's house. I was a grown lady already, and I had learnt all that I needed to learn, so my dad wouldn't have to worry about teaching me anymore.

Moving back to my father's house was fun. He spent everyday making up for the time we had lost since I lived with his sister. Life was good, but I never knew that life had other plans for me. Just two years into the university, I lost my dad too. At this point, I was convinced that I was unlucky, and that life was being cruel to me, but the friends I had made encouraged me.
I didn't want to go back to my aunt's house, but at the same time, I was in deep waters, with no hope of survival.

"Jane, this is a phase, and it'll eventually pass." Julia, my best friend would always say to me whenever she saw me crying or wearing a deep frown.

Determined never to give up, I faced my challenges head on, and I worked my way to the top. I engaged in menial jobs, and I did so many online jobs so I could fend for myself. The struggle was real, but it was worth it.
In no time, things got better, and I was able to pay my bills by myself, and take care of my fees too. It wasn't easy to do all of that, but all it took was my determination to make my parents proud, especially my dad who gave everything to see me happy in life.
The storms of life had hit me, but I danced through them and triumphed in the end.

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