Good Girl Turn Bad

Ana was a girl loved by her father and of course everyone in her community. She has everything going for her and never had a reason to be worried about anything.

Ana's father is a pastor and one of the most respected religious leader in his locality. That means Ana was born into a strongly religious home. She don't have the freedom most girls had and that was what is expected of a pastor's daughter. She must be seen as an example that many other girls must emulate.

She grew up under strict supervision and never had those trendy clothes like other girls. Going to parties, whether friends or classmate parties are no no. She was made to live a conservative life. Ana only had four destination she frequents. Home, school, market, and church. But more than any other place, she spends more time at church. If she is not at school or immediately after school and not attending markets then she's at the church.

Ana is the girl's leader in bible studies and like she is taught by her father, she always made it a point of reminder to let the girls be cautious about the lifestyle they lead. And how the bodies are temple of God which they must not let any man defile them unless their husbands when they get married.

Given the familiarity and respect they accord her, her name is never mentioned directly unless "sister" is said first, that is "sister Ana"

Although Ana grew up in a village and during the festive season it is very usual that many indegines of the village come from places afar to spend the holiday with their parents, grand parents, and relatives.

The collaboration of members of the village brought about the single community water source, which before that time, people, especially girls would have to trek hundreds of miles to get water from the stream. Girls are believe to be the managers of the home front and fetching water, cleaning, cooking, and caring for the children was their sole responsibility according to the custom of the people of that village.

The usual gossip with girls on their way to the stream each time they go to fetch water did not really change even when the community water point was built, where every one can access without the unpleasant journey to get water miles away. The girls are always in different groups, like a group of four, three or two. Those in four are the worst trouble makers as they seem to gossip more and pick on the other ladies. Sometimes it ends in fighting, where Joy, Ana's closest friend got into one of those encounters. She was fought by four troublesome girls who never spare a moment to make fun of her skirt.

Like Ana's, Joy's dresses are always up to the ancle and the trouble ladies laugh at them, especially Ana about her old-school style dresses. On a faithful Saturday Morning when she went to the water point to fetch water to do some cleaning in the house because her only brother who is married and based in the city would be coming to spend the holiday with them ( herself and mama). On getting to the water point point, the four girls started laughing at her. Although she noticed them laughing but ignored them until it got to her turn to fetch. Even though they had come to the place before her, they kept going and coming back and refused to let her fetch even as it was her turn to fetch. Argument broke out and became really tense. Suddenly,one of the girls slapped Joy from behind. Before she could turn around to get a grip on her because she couldn't endure it no more, the other three dragged her to the ground and gave her merciless beating. Joy was bruised everywhere and unfortunately she didn't come to the water place with her friend, Ana.

The situation got to the village king's palace and all four girls were invited. But this time Joy came with her friend Ana. They all narrated all that happened and their parents were invited too. The four girls were found to be trouble makers and their punishment for causing trouble and beating a fellow lady up was that they would sweep the community market square and keep it clean for seven days. And they would have to do it every morning before the start of activities and evenings after the close. And they were not given respite even on the festive days.

Joy's bruises were attended at the village clinic and pain killer drugs were administered to her.

To be continued!