Creative Nonfiction: Growing Up Faster Than I Ever Planned

19 years old, relaxing on her dad's couch and feeling no worries, what a happy adult I am.

Dad has gone to work, giving me allowance for the day's expenses. I'm done with the house chores and ready to enjoy a bit from my allowance. Life feels good from this side then I get an email announcing that I got the admission.

I had applied to a university reluctantly because it was situated at a far distance but the only available one to take me in. I doubted I'll be taken because my grades were not so good but seeing the email, I jumped with joy and waited for dad.

An hour before dad arrives, I begin to feel the weight of what is about to happen to my life. I'm going to leave home, I'll be far away from my family and I'll have to care for myself alone until I make friends in the new environment. I feel almost as scared as I was excited when I first get the news.

Dad enters, looking tired.

My thoughts (he is an older adult and this tired from work and I've only just become an adult, what will be my fate away from home?)

Dad, I got the admission and I am to resume in the first week of next month, that is in 14 days.

Dad hugged me with joy, he wasn't looking tired anymore or maybe all I can see now is his relief that his daughter finally got accepted to study.

Dad, I'm not that excited. The school is far, and we don't have much for the expenses now.

God will provide and remember I told you to learn how to manage what I give you, you'll do fine.

I don't feel encouraged because management is the last thing I ever learned, I didn't see the need to before but I guess I'll have all the need to when I arrive in school 14 days away from now.

14 days rolled in like a day. I'm on my way to school, jumping from one vehicle to another no thanks to the bad roads. Thankfully, I arrived at the school safely and unpack my little stuff into my room after cleaning up. I go in for an early rest, I'm tired.

A year later in school, I have an imaginable degree in money management because allowances are no longer enough. I started selling some items to course mates and friends long before I realised I started hustling like my dad while I was home.

Taking care of myself was beginning to overwhelm me but it didn't end with that, I got calls from my siblings asking for allowances from me. It was super weird at first but before I realized it, I started sending money to my little ones who didn't really care if I was in need of help.

I fall sick, alone in my room but get lucky to have a friend come visit. I'm taken to the hospital for treatment, expenses were covered for me and I am told to go home for proper rest before I continue school. The adult girlie couldn't continue.

At home, dad let me switch into my baby girl's era and made sure I got whatever I needed. What I didn't see was him preparing me to go back stronger and continue what I had started. I didn't care, I just enjoyed not being the big girl I'm to be.

The times at home went by so quickly, I recovered so fast and school activities didn't pause waiting for me, dad sent me back to school with my usual monthly allowance. This time, I felt so reluctant to go on the journey but I had no choice and soon, I was back in my room.

3 years later, I graduated with a flowing income, my ever demanding siblings and even a dependent dad after he had no contracts in his job but I got stronger. I didn't notice how I had been changing through the years but I grew up.

Going on trips all by myself, funding major programs for my siblings and living away from family longer than I ever imagined, all that placed me on a path I am never going back from... Adulthood. Dad is proud of his little girl but I am no longer the little girl. Everyday, I wish I still am.