STORY: IWALEWA ......BY BUNMI ADEBIYI

Hello Everyone, My name is Bunmi Adebiyi, amongst many other things I am a writer. This is my first post, enjoy! Today I will be featuring a story titled, “Iwalewa”. Iwalewa is a Nigerian name of Yoruba origin (one of the major tribes in Nigeria). Iwalewa means‘Character is Beauty’. This is a story of a young woman that overcame despite the many curb balls that life threw her way. Be blessed as you read! ******** Hi, my name is Iwalewa Oni. I am a Nigerian American. I was born in Brooklyn, NY at Downstate Hospital on February 26, 1990. My parents were overjoyed on the day I was born. They prayed for a girl after already having two boys. When my dad first laid eyes on me, he said I was the most beautiful girl that he’d ever seen. He told me that when he smiled at me, I blushed and looked away. It was then that my name came to him, Iwaoluwalewa. Which means Godly character is beautiful. However everyone calls me Iwalewa for short. Here’s my story. The number seven was always my favorite number, my mom told me that it was the number of perfection when I was a little girl. Perfection in all things was my goal so the number seven stuck to me. That was until that dreadful day that I’ll never forget. December 7th 2007 was a regular day or so I thought. I woke up exhausted from studying for midterm exams all night. I was certainly looking forward to Christmas break. What kept me going was that I’d be graduating from high school in June of next year. Clara Barton High School was okay but I was so over the drama and pettiness of my age mates. I was looking forward to getting out of Brooklyn and going to college. I wasn’t the most intelligent student but I had pretty good grades. I grew up with a single parent and three siblings, I wanted to make my mom happy because of all the sacrifices that she made for us. After my dad’s death she was thronged into the workforce again after being a housewife for 8 years. The day daddy died I cried all night long, I was his princess and he was the epitome of a great husband to my mom and an amazing father to my siblings and I. I being the third born and only girl needed daddy’s love and he lavished it on me. It has been four years since his passing and I’m grateful for the years we shared. I have friends who didn’t grow up with a father and the difference is clear. Many of them were constantly in search of love in all the wrong places, but I wasn’t interested because my father’s love was enough to last me for a lifetime. I looked at my alarm clock again and rolled my eyes, I was running late for school. And I hate being late. I had ten minutes to get ready and that was impossible. I read my morning devotional and prayed for a great day ahead and for success on my midterm exams. It was now 7:45 am and my first class was at 8:00 am. I took a quick shower brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and dabbed on a little makeup. I threw on a pair of jeans, a denim shirt, and a pair of leopard print flats. I grabbed my school bag and my small duffle bag with my work uniform and dashed out of the door. I got on the Q train at 8:12 am, I had on my head phones listening to “Faithful is our God” by Hezekiah Walker. Every time I listened to that song, I was encouraged. God has indeed been faithful to me and I owed him my life. I got to school at 8:25 am, thankfully I was able to grab a bagel and a small cup of hot chocolate on the way. I went through the usually routine once I arrived at school, showed my school ID to the security guards and successfully went through the metal detectors. I finally got to class and quietly took a seat at the back. Many of my classmates were half asleep and others were in their own worlds. Early classes weren’t a favorite among most people. I tried to listen and take as much notes as possible while eating my breakfast. It was our U.S. history class and I must admit that it was a bit boring. But I had an exam to pass so I sucked it up. The rest of the day went on fine, I attended all my classes, caught up with friends, and met with my guidance counselor about college preparations. Now it was time to head to work. I worked at Wendy’s on Utica avenue. I really didn’t like working at a fast food restaurant but it was better than nothing. I didn’t always have to run to my mommy for funds, even though they didn’t pay much. And working there didn’t help with my waistline, I had unlimited access to food and I took advantage of it. Being a foodie, I was always being creative with my food choices. I ate everything from cheese burgers with bacon topped with chicken nuggets to bacon, cheese, chilly, and chive french fries. Yea, I am a foodie! I arrived at work 15 minutes before my scheduled work time and decided to grab something to eat before a long night. I got a spicy chicken sandwich and a sour cream and chive baked potato. After eating, I changed into my uniform and clocked in for work. Here we go, let the craziness begin!

guys dont miss the story oo *oga @pizzaro is lyk ur needed here with ur roll call or general coolval list

And wea z d prologue of d story?

******* The rest of the night was busy, it seemed like there was a food shortage in every other restaurant so people decided to find refuge at this one Wendy’s. I ran back and forth from the cash register to the fry station to hassling the sandwich makers for my orders. And the impatient hungry customers didn’t make matters any better. Complaints were endless “I said no pickles on my sandwich!”…“I asked for extra mayo!“…”My fries are cold, can I get a fresh batch!“...”You people don’t know what you’re doing back there, where’s your manager?” It was 9:00 pm and I was close to pulling out my hair strand by strand. Things had slowed down a bit so I was able to catch my breath. My coworker Ashley was finally able to take her 30 minute break so I took her place at the drive thru window. In the middle of a big yawn, an all black range rover sport with tinted windows pulled up. The driver’s window rolled down slowly and a dark skinned middle age man smiled at me while showcasing his gold plated teeth. “Good evening, what can I get for you tonight?” “Your number with a soda on the side” he responded with a smirk on his face. I couldn’t hide my annoyance, “I’m sorry but that’s not available.” At that moment the back window rolls down with a light skin man with waves for days on display. “Why you frontin’ on my boy shawty? He got bread, ain’t that what you chicks want?” “Check out his fly ride!” I was appalled, It took all that was within me to restrain my tongue. “I could careless about his money”I rolled my eyes at him. I turned back to face Mr. Black and shine and said, “I’m sorry sir, if you’re not here to order food then I can’t help you.” My tone was far from friendly. The driver looked shocked, he squirmed. His ego was crushed. I wanted to laugh but decided to play it cool. The passenger in the back rolled up the window without saying a word. I starred at the driver square in the eye, “So, what is it gonna be.” He stumbled on his words, “Umm umm, just…just gimme two number ones with cheese.” “What will you like to drink?” “One coke and one sprit.” “Does that complete your order?” He turns to the passenger seat, “What do you want?” Then he looks back at me, “Let me get two spicy chicken sandwiches and a large frosty.” “Is that all?” “Yeah” “Your total is $14.75.” He handed me a $20 bill and I give him his change. And proceeded to get his food together and handed it to him. Before he pulled off, the back seat window comes down again. With fury in eyes and the smell of marijuana filling the space between us, Mr. Light skin and waves said “You’ll gonna regret what you just did, slut!” Someone in the car yelled out “Yo Dwayne, chill son.” Then the car sped off. I was shocked, fear grasped me and I felt like I was chocking. The look in his eyes were so demonic. “Iwalewa! You okay? you look like you saw a ghost.” Ashley forgot her earphones and came back to get them. She had 15 minutes left for her break. “Umm yeah…thanks” “You sure?” “Yeah” With one eyebrow raised she said “Hmm…ok.” I snapped out of it and brushed it off as an empty threat. I continued to take orders at the drive thru until Ashley returned from her break. It was now 10:00 pm, finally the end had come. We locked the doors and began to clean up. By 10:45 pm everyone had shut down their stations and we were good to go. I usually walked with my friend Ryan because he lived on Atlantic Avenue also, but he was off of work today. Sarah asked me to wait for her but she was taking too long to get ready and I was exhausted. She was going clubbing and had to layer her face with make up and drown her body with perfume to get rid of the french fry smell. I couldn’t be bothered. “Sarah, I gotta go. You’re taking too long.” “Iwalewa, I promise I’m almost done just gimme 10 minutes. I don’t wanna walk alone!” “You said that 10 minutes ago, I’m tired.” “It is not safe for either one of us to walk alone.” “The longer you take, the more unsafe it becomes Sarah.” “I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Aight it’s cool, get home safe.” I called my supervisor to go through the normal routine of her checking our bags to ensure that we didn’t steal any food. I was good so she opened the door to let me out. I walked out the door and suddenly felt the need to go back. But I couldn’t figure out why, I checked to make sure that I had all my stuff and proceeded to walk. The cold air slapped me in the face, I pulled my hoodie tighter and adjusted my neck scarf. My phone rang, I managed to pull it out of my pocket and saw that it was my brother Kole. He probably wanted a burger or something and I couldn’t be bothered. It was now 11:22 pm. I threw my phone in my bag...To be continued...

episode 2 (click here now).. Continues……It rang 3 more times but I didn’t bother to check who was calling, it was too cold and I wanted to retain the warmth that my hands received from within my pockets. I just wanted to hop in the dollar cab at the next block and answer my bed that had been calling me. Something kept nudging me to stop and check my phone but I decided to wait until I got in the cab. I took two more steps and suddenly an all black Lincoln town car stops in front of me. I stood frozen in my tracks trying to comprehend what was going on. And then I saw him, but this time he was the driver. “Remember me? Ms. Sassy.” Mr. Light skin with waves asked with a loud laugh. “What do you want from me? Leave me alone!” I responded. I looked around and there was no one in sight. The other side of the street was a dead end. “Today is your lucky day beautiful” “Come on, let’s go for a ride. I promise I’ll take it slow.” “Nooooo….leave me alone” I yelled at the top of my lungs. “Ain’t no one gonna hear you, I waited all night for you. You’re all mine boo.” Tears began to fall from my eyes, my heart started beating uncontrollably. This couldn’t be happening. He stepped out of the car followed by two other guys from the backseat and they began to walk towards me with mischievous looks. I suddenly transformed into a dramatic character out of a Nollywood movie, with my right hand on my head I began to shout “Ori mi o…I am finished…e gba mi o…temi ba mi…see my life.” (Translation: {Yoruba} Help me…It’s over for me…My life is over)

ok i don see am now d story in full wen e dy kick off.

its part one and two and part three is coming

This is going to be very interesting Am have already taken my seat

ok nd how did u learn yoruba wen u neva tok sey u don visit naija.

Lol

Gud one bt @mubarak u ave to finish all ur ongoing story b4 u start new one na..u ave abandon some of ur story only to start new one...

Intrstn

@Onahsunday631[S€€k€R] dont worry jvst keep folowin

[IMG]http://logocache.com/custom-design/logo-name/Mubarak-designstyle-smoothie-m.png[/IMG]

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Am present

following @Imperialsluv , lol u r d--m funny , nice question ,

here

@mubarak, thanks for tho i.v. U've got an interesting story here

@Emmynec na wetin i see i tok my man. Abi make i free mata?

cough

Tanx 4d i.v

here I am following.....

De c emb e r 7 t h 2 0 0 7 , a d a y t h a t I ’ d n e v e r f o r g e t , t h e n umb e r s e v e n wa s s u p p o s e d t o b r i n g me l u c k . Now I h a t e d i t w i t h a p a s s i o n . Mr . L i g h t s k i n a n d h i s f r i e n d s h a d t h e i r wa y w i t h me , t h e y we r e e v e n mo r e e x c i t e d wh e n t h e y d i s c o v e r e d t h a t I h a d n e v e r b e e n t o u c h e d b y a ma n b e f o r e . I wa s t h r own i n t o t h e b a c k s e a t o f t h e i r c a r , wh e r e t h e y f o r c e d t wo s h o t s o f He n n e s s y d own my t h r o a t a n d t r i e d t o s h o v e we e d i n t o my mo u t h b u t I s p i t a t t h em a n d c u r s e d t h e d a y t h a t t h e y we r e b o r n . T h a t s e eme d t o t u r n t h em o n e v e n mo r e , t h e y l a u g h e d i n my f a c e . We f i n a l l y g o t t o o u r d e s t i n a t i o n a f t e r a b o u t 1 0 m i n u t e s . I t wa s a d e s e r t e d f i l t h y a l l e y wa y , t h e y p r o c e e d e d t o t a k e t u r n s i n t h e b a c k s e a t . A f t e r t h e s e c o n d v i o l a t o r , I b e c ame n umb . I c o u l d n ’ t y e l l n o r s h e d a n o t h e r t e a r . My l i f e wa s o f f i c i a l l y o v e r . Mr . L i g h t s k i n wa s t h e l a s t o n e t o mo u n t t h e p l a t f o r m , I l o o k e d h i m s q u a r e i n h i s e y e s . A t f i r s t h e h e s i t a t e d a n d I s aw a h i n t o f f e a r r e f l e c t i n g f r om h i s g l a r e , t h e n h i s c o u n t e r p a r t s b e g a n t o c h e e r h i m o n a n d o f f e r e d h i m a n o t h e r p u f f o f we e d . He s u d d e n l y t u r n e d i n t o a w i l d b r e a s t a n d t o r t u r e d me u n t i l I f e l t l i f e s e e p t h r o u g h my b o d y . I d o n ’ t k n ow h ow I ma d e i t b u t I f o u n d my s e l f a t h ome . T h a n k f u l l y e v e r y o n e wa s a s l e e p , s o I t i p t o e d i n t o my r o om a n d l o c k e d t h e d o o r b e h i n d me . I l o o k e d i n t o my f u l l l e n g t h m i r r o r a n d c o u l d n ’ t r e c o g n i z e t h e g i r l t h a t s t a r e d b a c k a t me , I l o o k e d d own a n d s aw d r o p s o f b l o o d o n my j e a n s . I f e l t f i l t h y , u s e d , a n d v i o l a t e d . I f e l t l i k e c r y i n g b u t t h e t e a r s wo u l d n ’ t s u r f a c e . I r i p p e d my c l o t h e s o f f a n d e n t e r e d t h e s h owe r , a t f i r s t t h e wa t e r wa s wa r m a n d i t wa s s o o t h i n g my b o d y . Bu t I s u d d e n l y f e l t a s u r g e o f r a g e a n d a d j u s t e d t h e f a c e t t o b o i l i n g h o t wa t e r . I s t o o d i n t h e s h owe r u n t i l I f e l t l i k e I wa s a b o u t t o p a s s o u t . Now o n my b e d , I wo n d e r e d wh e r e Go d wa s wh e n a l l t h i s wa s h a p p e n i n g . I c o u l d n ’ t u t t e r a wo r d o f p r a y e r . Or wa s h e t r y i n g t o s t o p me wh e n I s u d d e n l y f e l t t h e u r g e t o t u r n a n d g o b a c k i n t o We n d y ’ s o r wh e n i t k e p t c om i n g t o my m i n d t o p i c k u p t h e p h o n e ? Na h , h e i s t h e a l m i g h t y , h e c o u l d h a v e s t o p p e d i t i f h e wa n t e d t o . Bu t wh y me ? Wh a t d i d I e v e r d o t o d e s e r v e t h i s ? I wa s n ’ t p e r f e c t b u t I t r i e d ! I p r a y e d a n d s t u d i e d t h e Wo r d e v e r y d a y , we n t t o c h u r c h , wa s a v i r g i n…we l l u n t i l t o d a y a n ywa y . S i g h , wh y d o e s b a d t h i n g s h a p p e n t o g o o d p e o p l e ? Or ma y b e I wa s n ’ t g o o d e n o u g h , ma y b e I d i d n ’ t p r a y o r f a s t e n o u g h , ma y b e I wa s n ’ t h o l y e n o u g h b e c a u s e I l i k e d t o wa t c h r e a l i t y t v s h ows a n d u s e d c u r s e d wo r d s o n c e i n a wh i l e wh e n j o k i n g a r o u n d w i t h my f r i e n d s . * * * * A f t e r t h a t e x p e r i e n c e I b e c ame a c h a n g e d g i r l , I wa s s c a r r e d f o r l i f e . A l l my f am i l y a n d f r i e n d s n o t i c e d i t . T h e o n c e b u b b l y , f u l l o f l i f e , f r i e n d l y me d i e d t h a t d a y , De c emb e r 7 t h 2 0 0 7 . I wa s a l wa y s a n g r y a n d i r r i t a b l e a n d I f o u n d i t d i f f i c u l t t o t r u s t p e o p l e . I s t o p p e d p r a y i n g a n d o n l y we n t t o c h u r c h wh e n mummy f o r c e d me t o o . Wh e n I wa s t h e r e I d i d n ’ t b o t h e r p a y i n g a t t e n t i o n , I d i d n ’ t b e l i e v e t h a t Go d wa s g o o d n o r d i d h e l o v e me . He h a d h i s s e l e c t e d f ew…h e h a d h i s f a v o r i t e s a n d I wa s n ’ t o n e o f t h em . I k e p t t o my s e l f mo s t o f t h e t i me , a v o i d e d h a n g i n g o u t w i t h f r i e n d s a n d b l ame d i t o n my l o n g h o u r s a t wo r k . My r o om b e c ame my s o l a c e , i t wa s o n l y i n t h e r e t h a t I f e l t s a f e . Mummy wo u l d c ome a n d c h e c k o n me f r om t i me t o t i me a n d I ’ d b l ame my s u d d e n MI A b e h a v i o r o n s c h o o l . Sh e k n ew s ome t h i n g wa s w r o n g , I g u e s s i t i s wh a t y o u c a l l a woma n ’ s i n s t i t u t i o n b u t s h e c a l l e d i t p e r c e p t i o n . Sh e ’ d t r y t o e n c o u r a g e me w i t h t h e Wo r d o f Go d , Roma n s 8 : 2 8 wa s o n e o f h e r f a v o r i t e s c r i p t u r e s : “ An d we k n ow t h a t a l l t h i n g s wo r k t o g e t h e r f o r g o o d t o t h em t h a t l o v e Go d , t o t h em wh o a r e t h e c a l l e d a c c o r d i n g t o h i s p u r p o s e . ” I ’ d p l a s t e r a v e r y b e l i e v i n g f a k e sm i l e o n my f a c e a n d s h o u t “ AMEN ! ! ! ” a n d t h e n l a u g h h y s t e r i c a l l y o n c e s h e wa l k e d o u t o f t h e r o om . Ye a r i g h t , h ow c o u l d wh a t h a p p e n t o me wo r k t o g e t h e r f o r my g o o d ? Ch r i s t ma s wa s o n c e my f a v o r i t e h o l i d a y b u t t h i s y e a r , I w i s h e d t h a t i t h a d d i s a p p e a r e d f r om t h e c a l e n d a r a n d p e o p l e ’ s m i n d s . I d i d n ’ t wa n t t o b e h a p p y , I d i d n ’ t wa n t t o c e l e b r a t e t h e b i r t h o f J e s u s b e c a u s e I d i e d t wo we e k s a g o , I d i d n ’ t wa n t t o d o t h e u s u a l s p e n d i n g t i me c o o k i n g , e a t i n g , a n d e x c h a n g i n g g i f t s w i t h t h e f am i l y . I j u s t wa n t e d t o s t a y i n my r o om a n d d a y d r e am a b o u t a b e t t e r l i f e , a l i f e v o i d o f p a i n , s a d n e s s , d i s a p p o i n t me n t s a n d s e c r e t s . I n my d a y d r e ams I wa s f r e e . I h a d a g r e a t l i f e , t h e r e we r e n o t e a r s o r d a r k n e s s , I wa s h a p p y o n c e a g a i n . Howe v e r a t n i g h t t i me , I c ame b a c k t o r e a l i t y . My n i g h t s we r e f i l l e d w i t h s l e e p l e s s n i g h t s , o n c e I c l o s e d my e y e s , n i g h t ma r e s t o o k o v e r . Wi t h s c e n e s f r om De c emb e r 7 t h 2 0 0 7 t a k i n g c e n t e r s t a g e . T h a n k Go d f o r my n ew d i s c o v e r y , s l e e p i n g p i l l s . T h e y c ame i n h a n d y o n c e i n a wh i l e , ma k i n g me t o o s l e e p y t o wa k e u p i n c o l d swe a t s a n d s c r e ams o f t e r r o r . Bu t t h e y o n l y wo r k e d wh e n I o v e r d o s e d o n t h em . I d i d n ’ t wa n t my f am i l y t o e x p e r i e n c e a n o t h e r l o s s , s o I ’ d o v e r d o s e t h r e e t i me s a we e k a n d e n d u r e t h e n i g h t ma r e s f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e we e k . I f e l t l o s t a n d emp t y , I h a t e d my l i f e . I d i d n ’ t f e e l p r e t t y e n o u g h a n d e v e n t h o u g h I h a d l o s t 2 0 p o u n d s , I f e l t f a t . My l o v e f o r f o o d h a d dw i n d l e d , I j u s t a t e t o s u r v i v e . I t h o u g h t t h e r i n g i n g i n o f t h e n ew y e a r wo u l d t u r n my we e p i n g i n t o d a n c i n g b u t I s t i l l f e l t b o u n d . Un a b l e t o mo v e o n w i t h my l i f e . I wa s s t u c k o n De c emb e r 7 t h 2 0 0 7 e v e n t h o u g h i t wa s n ow F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 0 8 . T h e r e wa s n o d a y t h a t we n t b y t h a t I d i d n o t t h i n k a b o u t t h e i n c i d e n t . T h e y s a y t i me h e a l s a l l wo u n d s , e i t h e r t h a t wa s a l i e o r t h i s wo u n d c o u l d n o t b e h e a l e d . On e d a y I h e a r d mummy p r a y i n g f o r me f e r v e n t l y a s I wa l k e d p a s t h e r r o om . Sh e d i d a l l t h a t s h e c o u l d t o g e t me t o o p e n u p , b u t I ma d e u p my m i n d t o n e v e r u t t e r a wo r d a b o u t wh a t h a p p e n e d . I k n ew t h a t s h e c o u l d n ’ t b a r e t h e p a i n , s o I d e c i d e d t o b e h e r a n d my b u r d e n b e a r e r . “ F a t h e r i n t h e n ame o f J e s u s , I p l a c e I wa l ewa b e f o r e y o u . I d e c l a r e i t i s we l l w i t h h e r , I d e c l a r e wh o l e n e s s s p i r i t , s o u l , a n d b o d y . I d e c l a r e h e a l i n g f r om e v e r y h u r t i n t h e n ame o f J e s u s . I d e c l a r e t h a t s h e i s k e p t b y y o u f a t h e r , t h a t n o e v i l b e f a l l s h e r i n t h e m i g h t y n ame o f J e s u s ! ! ! F a t h e r wh e n I wa s p r e g n a n t w i t h h e r y o u t o l d me t h a t s h e wa s s p e c i a l a n d t h a t y o u h a v e s e n t h e r a s a p r o p h e t t o h e r g e n e r a t i o n . Yo u t o l d me t h a t s h e ’ d d o g r e a t a n d m i g h t y t h i n g s i n y o u r n ame . I d e c l a r e t h a t n o we a p o n f a s h i o n e d a g a i n s t h e r s h a l l p r o s p e r , n o p l a n o f t h e e n emy c o n c e r n i n g h e r c a n s t a n d , s h e s t a n d s p e r f e c t a n d c omp l e t e i n y o u r Wi l l . I n J e s u s ’ n ame I p r a y , Ame n . ” F o r t h e f i r s t t i me i n a l o n g wh i l e , I c r i e d . Wa s t h a t r e a l l y t r u e ? How c a n I , d o m i g h t y t h i n g s f o r Go d ? I wa s t o o me s s e d u p , t o o b r o k e n , t h e r e wa s n o wa y t h a t h e c o u l d u s e me . Wh a t d i d I h a v e t o o f f e r . No , n o t me . No t I wa o l uwa l ewa . My l i f e wa s o v e r b e f o r e i t s t a r t e d , Go d h a d c h a n g e d h i s m i n d . No , n o t me .