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I AM A TEENAGER

Season 1, Episode 1

Back through the years;
In the company of friends; the aura of true friendship was evident all around us.
The innocence of childhood could not be disputed from any action we took.
We could play all day long. An interference was regarded as an enemy of the time.
If care was not taken, we unleashed our anger for the enemy on the vessel that carried it.
Uh huh! We cherished our play times as though our survivals depended on them.
The giggles and sincere laughter; they echo in my mind, even now.
The harmattan had persisted long enough.
We longed for the rains to come down; both the young and the old.
Taking our bathe in the rain was an expectation not to be cut off.
Not minding our genders, we were consistent in each downpour;
Lavishing our bodies with the coolness of fresh water from the sky.
It became obscure when no one showed up in the rain to restore tranquility to our bodies from the terror our bodies have endured from the just ending harsh weather conditions.
Not even me; the bubbly personality.
This is the first rain after a long season of harmattan; but as though it had been announced bathing in the rain was going to be detrimental to our bodies, we all avoided it like hell fire.
Numerous questions ran through my mind and I seem not to get the answers.
What has happened to us?
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Written by Gail Ofori

Season 1, Episode 2

The heavy thoughts were all over my face.
Interrupted by a touch from my mother;
I regained my consciousness.
Apparently, she had called out my name severally without any response from me.
She was just a few feet away from the point I had positioned myself, nonetheless I could not hear her calling.
I looked bothered; Yes!
The questions I had on my mind was like a flowing river.
Most paramount; why are all my peers withdrawn from our pleasurable bathe?
The look on my face confirmed a bewildered child sat, staring at the rain through the window.
My mother grabbed a chair and sat beside me.
“What troubles you my child?” My mother inquired.
I looked at her concerned face and did not know how to express how I feel.
I summoned courage. Yes, my mind needed some answers to be liberated from these oppressing thoughts.
Mum, has any of my friends in this house confided in you about me offending them? Did you overhear anyone complaining about an ill-attitude from me? Why is everyone avoiding me?
What baffles me the most is, why am I also even not in the rain? No one has offended me, that I am sure!
The next thing I heard was a hilarious laughter from my mum.
My eyes widened
“Slow down my child.” My mother interjected. “One question at a time.”
...

Written by Gail Ofori

Season 1, Episode 3

“First of all, no one has reported you offended them.
In fact, the peace that has existed among us is even stronger now.” My mum uttered.
What is happening to us mum? I inquired.
I am troubled about the recent development. Today, I was expecting the agility we usually exhibit each time we experience a benign downpour.
On the contrary, no one showed up. I acted no differently too.
A peaceful smile emerged on my mother’s face.
I became curious about her next utterance.
Can I become as peaceful as this smile again? I thought to myself.
She began to explain things to me.
“I can understand you feel weird my child. It is not out of place. This phase of life is experienced by every growing person. You and your peers are simply growing into adulthood. Your bodies are changing. It is natural to feel that way.”
I was thrilled, wanting to hear more.
She continued, “I am positive you and your friends are feeling shy about your bodies. It is only natural. Stop thinking you have offended someone in this compound. You will attest to the fact that; your breasts are protruding now than before. There are more changes to expect as a matter of fact.”
Ha mother! There is more to see and experience? I asked in surprise.
“Yes! My daughter.” My mum exclaimed.
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Written by Gail Ofori

Season 1, Episode 4

“I must say, it is not going to be easy at certain times for you and all of your peers but if you remain strong, focused and determined, you can prevail.” My mother added.
Mother! I want to know more; this is getting interesting.
I was easing up now; the tension was decreasing as mother and I talked.
She began to enlighten me on the changes we are experiencing and even on what to expect.
The bodies of you girls are going to be transformed into unique and juicy shapes. Your voices are going to be thinner and much more succulent. A peculiar hormone to females (called progesterone) is going to act vibrantly now in your bodies than before. You are going to find people of the opposite sex attractive sexually.
Likewise, for the boys, their bodies will be transformed. Their chests will broaden than any other part of their bodies. Their voices will be deepened; this feature, many girls find attractive. Again, a peculiar hormone to males (called testosterone), is going to work vibrantly in them. They will also find people of the opposite sex very attractive sexually. This is an act of God, that is how he made us”
Mum, what is sexually? I asked.
“That is a topic for another day’s discussion my child. We will certainly talk about it.” My mother answered.
She added, “Today, you all did not come out in the rain because some of these changes are occurring in your bodies. Not because you are at loggerheads. You are all beginning to pay attention to your bodies and it is very normal.”
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Written by Gail Ofori

Season 1, Episode 5

Mother, do my friends already know about this? I asked naively.
“I would not know my dear child. You can speak with them to find out. Perhaps, they have not even had the privilege of talking to their parents about this. They might be wallowing in confusion and ignorance. Just like you were a few moments ago.” Mother teased.
“Let them know you all can still share friendship and develop other healthy ways of having fun together because playing in the rain is not going to happen for you again”. Added my mother.
We laughed together.
“There are several healthy ways that you and your peers can still relate. Do not shy away from each other. Be bold and take the initiative my beautiful child. Find out from your friends about what they know and how they feel too. If you need to involve me in talking to your them, I will be more than pleased to do so. Anything for my princess.” Mother said with a gorgeous smile.
I sighed. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted from my head.
Mum, so how do we call all these things we are experiencing and envisage to experience? Are we strange beings now? When are all these expected to end?
My mother laughed saying, “You are not strange beings my dear. Also, be ready to live with these changes once they have started showing up in you.”
“This phase of life is called, teenagerhood. You and your friends are teenagers now. This phase precedes adulthood for any individual. I was once like you. As much as these changes tell about the phase you have entered, your ages also tell it. Anyone from age 13 to 19 is regarded as a teenager.” Mother concluded.
Wow! Thank you, mother. I have learned a lot in our little chat today.
You are welcome my daughter. Do not hesitate to open up to me on any subject that bothers you going forward. Let me be your best friend.” She said, winking at me.
Of course, mother! You are the best! I hugged her passionately.
Much that was dark is now quite clear to me; I AM A TEENAGER!

Written by Gail Ofori