(2006)
I didn't realize it happen. I didn't think I was the type to hate women that much.
Why would I?
One minute I was running around in my older sister's dress, the next I was already making decisions.
"I'm not going to study in that place mama"
My mother took it lightly at that point, and the same when I gave my reason. "The teacher there is a woman."
Come to think about it. My mother is not that much of a feminist herself. She let me go to my sister's school instead. Twenty five minutes of heart stopping climbs up that temple-like joke of a school.
I saw more than enough that day, I think. One thing I still remember is that, the teacher there was a woman as well. I mean, what the hell!
Needless to say, I was taught by a woman. Always. And I adored them.
(2007)
Here are important facts you need to know about my primary school.
It was built on a hill, taking us ten minutes to run down and almost thirty minutes to walk long strides up that hill in the mornings and afternoons.
We had school gate and perimeter fence, but it was as easy to get in and out as if they were holograms.
We arrived at 0730 hrs and left any time we wanted after 1630 hrs. And we used to be last in any competition you could imagine of. I'm not badmouthing it. I swear.
My father's step sister, aunt, lived somewhere along my route to school. I used to see my cousins there while walking by, but didn't even once talk to them because we weren't that close.
One afternoon I saw my two cousins, girls, looking at each other strangely and then me as if I should have prepared for it. Something which my little head could not comprehend.
She said, I feel sorry for him. I mean, look at him, she pointed at me. He will be heartbroken.
That was the day I do want to remember more and forget as much at the same time.