1 CHAPTER 1: A NEW PHASE

KIYA'S HOME

It is six o'clock in the morning, and the light in Kiya's room is still not on. Her room is rather portable and nicely decorated, with beautiful works of art on the walls. On one side of the room was a desk with an Apple computer on it; on the other side was a mini-shelf where she kept her books. The floor of the room is covered with a beautiful decorative rough carpet, and the room top is covered with a PVC ceiling, a type of ceiling that is trending in the country. She has flower pots on all four sides of the room. All in all, her room is a bit stuffy but nicely ventilated.

Kiya woke up with a speed as if someone were being chased by a bull. She quickly turned her light on, and with eyes full of joy and happiness, she got off the bed, walked to her desk, where her Apple computer and a large book sat. She looked at her PC and smiled at it; she quickly ignored it and reached for the large book, which is her diary. She picked up the diary with a pen attached and ran back to her bed. She sat there and began to write:

KIYA: (wrote) Dear Dairy, today is my happiest day. I am finally sixteen. I am finally free from parental guidance (i.e., chuckles). Well, what I am saying is that I can now make my own decisions and all, but I will always obey my parents because it is the right thing to do. I can't wait to hear all the birthday songs and see all the birthday gifts my love ones are going to give me. I know this new age of mine is a crucial one, so I promise to try my best to be a good friend. Thank you, Dairy, for being here all the time for me. I will always love you because, apart from Alisha, you are my best friend. (She raises her eyebrows and smiles.) Oh, I will see you later, ok? I hear Mom calling. Bye now. (She closes the dairy.)

(Since Kiya did not come out, Zahra called again.)

ZAHRA: (Raises her voice, but in a lovely manner.) Kiya! Darling!

KIYA: "Yes, Mom, I am coming." I am still in my sleeping clothes; let me change.

After changing, Kiya ran to the dining room, where her parents and breakfast awaited her. When she saw them, Kiya halted. She was filled with joy; she smiled and began to walk closer. Kiya's love for her parents is boundless; nothing can satisfy that love in her heart; she can't live without them. Her parents have done everything for her, for they love her endlessly; they have been so good to her, and their relationship in the family is strong and genuine.

KIYA: (Smiling) Good morning, Mama! Good morning, Baba!

ZIBEH: (laughs) Really, Kiya, who is your baba? Since when did you start calling me that? Have you gone local now?

KIYA: (Speechless)....

ZAHRA: (Chuckles) Oh, don't mind your father. Good morning, baby girl.

KIYA: (Smiles) Good morning! Huh. At least someone agrees with me being local. Mama or Mom, Baba or Dad, or even Father, are all the same to me.

ZIBEH: (Smirks) Ha! I do not agree with that, but I will let you use it anyway.

KIYA: So are you going to answer the greeting or not?

ZIBEH: (Smiles) Good morning, sunshine, and happy birthday to my baby.

ZAHRA: (Smiles) Happy birthday, my love.

KIYA: (Smiles) Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. I love you both so much.

ZAHRA: We love you too; now let's share the grace before we start with the breakfast.

After sharing the grace, all three of them started eating breakfast as usual, with the only difference being that it was Kiya's birthday, so some extra meals were served in honor of the celebrant of the day. Her father locked his eyes on her; he never thought he would admire his daughter, she has grown big and beautiful just like her mother, he thought of how very intelligent she is, he began to imagine her future and what it holds; all of a sudden, fear began to gently sneak into his heart, he began to fear for his daughter, her future, the kind of young men that will start visiting his house in search of his beautiful daughter, he started to think that she may fail in life should she give her attention to boys; "KIYA!"

KIYA: (frightened) Huh! Yes Dad.

ZIBEH: (In a serious mood) What? Why are you frightened?

KIYA: Well, the tone you used to call my name got me frightened. Sorry!

ZIBEH: (feeling sorry) No! I am sorry for using that kind of tone. I only wanted to talk to you and maybe ask you a few questions.

KIYA: (calmly) Ok, Dad, I am listening.

ZAHRA: (frowning) Hey, you can't talk or ask questions during breakfast. Where are your table manners?

ZIBEH: Sorry, but I can't wait to do the talking, my love.

KIYA: (Agrees with her dad.) Yes, Mom, today is my birthday; permit us to break a few rules, please.

ZAHRA: (calmly) Ok, but be careful; I don't want food to choke any of you.

Kiya's father cleared his throat, calmed himself, and became focused and keen. He looked at his daughter and began to talk:

ZIBEH: A few years ago, on this same day, October 10, 2008, you came into this world. That day was one of my happiest days; when I saw a beautiful princess born into my family, I looked into her eyes and saw purpose. I saw the hands of the creator; I saw a human sent by God to save the world from troubles; I saw an angel who came to earth with a mission. I named you "KIYA" because through you our people shall be saved; I don't know how or when or why, but my intuition just convinced me on that matter. Today you are sixteen; this is perhaps the trickiest phase of your life, a new phase that comes with so many troubles and temptations from every direction. If you can stand this phase of your life, then you will stand for life, but a slight mistake would mean mayhem. I am advising you, my daughter: do not take sixteen for granted; do not take away your focus from goodness to boys, men, or material things; whatever you need, just ask us, your parents, and we shall get it for you. (Interrupted)

KIYA: (feeling belittled) Dad, I already know all these things you are saying ok. Just stop already, please. Today is my birthday. You should be singing birthday songs for me or making me laugh, not all this long talk. I mean, you made your point.

ZIBEH: (disgusted) Young woman! Your words disgust me. Your father is saying something serious, and you are joking about it? Sixteen or not, you are still our child, and we will never stop advising or admonishing you when need be.

KIYA: (feeling sorry) I am sorry. W- Well, I was just saying that I am sixteen, okay. I no longer need all the PG stuff and all. It's not like I don't need the advice.

ZIBEH: Kiya! Sixteen does not mean you are an old woman. Do you even know what the number sixteen stands for?

KIYA: No, dad.

ZIBEH: The number sixteen equals the number seven. If you add the 1 and 6 in sixteen, it adds up to seven. The number seven in numerology is the number of perfection. Right now you are at a critical point, so whatever you decide to do, you will do it to the utmost perfection. Use this number wisely, Kiya.

KIYA and ZAHRA: Numerology?

KIYA: (curious) Since when do you do numerology, Dad? I thought your beliefs did not align with stuff like that.

ZAHRA: (Also curious) I thought we agreed on this? No more numerology, no more constellations, no more stuff like that. If the Holy Bible does not agree with those things, we don't agree with them either.

ZIBEH: (smiles) I understand you both. I know what we agreed on, my love, and I only want you to know that disbelief in something does not mean those things are not there. The Creator created everything, including the zodiacs, the stars, and all. They have strong effects on us, okay. And you two should not even try to divert my attention from what I am telling Kiya.

ZAHRA and KIYA: (silent)...

ZIBEH: All I am saying to you, Kiya, is please be careful with whatever choice you make, especially now. I rest my case.

ZAHRA: (agreeing with her husband) Kiya, your father is right; this is a new phase in your life. Sixteen is almost eighteen. I know we promised you that once you reach sixteen, you will have complete freedom, which means you get to make your own choices, and you will soon graduate from secondary school. Please do not ever forget the teachings of your parents, ok?

KIYA: Ok, Mom. I appreciate everything you told me. Thank you for all the advise dad. I promise to be careful.

After breakfast, Kiya ran back to her room. She needed to check her phone to see all the sweet birthday messages sent to her by her friends, especially her best friend Alisha. Only grins filled her face; she could not keep calm; she was so happy; it was her birthday; it was a new phase of her life.

Kiya could not really tell what fate had in store for her, but she was sure that fate had a great plan for her. At sixteen, so many things are bound to change: she feels grown up; she feels big; her breasts feel bigger; her hips seem wider; even her buttocks feel bigger. She is a very beautiful black girl, an African queen.