SEASON ONE: WHEN THE SKY FELL
Episode 1 — The Day Everything Changed
The morning my father died, the sun rose like every other day, but for me, the world had gone dark. I was only eight years old when life taught me what loss truly meant.
Father's laughter used to fill our compound — deep, rich, and warm. But after his death, silence took his place. My mother became a widow overnight, and with it came a storm of struggles she was never prepared for.
Father had two wives. The first wife had seven boys and two girls. One of her daughters later died after a long illness. My mother was the second wife, and though she loved her husband deeply, she was never truly accepted by the first wife's children.
At the burial, I watched as they sewed their own uniforms — separate, proud, and distant. Only the first and third sons stood by us, offering small kindness that barely eased the sting of rejection. I stood beside my mother, clutching her wrapper tightly as tears rolled down her face. That day, I understood what loneliness felt like, even in a crowd of family.
Episode 2 — A Widow's Battle
After the burial, my father's first son took charge. He changed our school, saying it was best for us. My mother didn't argue — she no longer had the strength.
Though life had grown hard, she tried to smile for us. Every morning she would say, "Victoria, my daughter, one day you will make me proud."
When I wrote my Primary Six exams, I studied late into the night by the dim light of a lantern. The day the results came out, I passed. My mother's eyes shone with tears of joy, and for the first time in a long while, I saw her laugh again.
Episode 3 — The Burden of Poverty
Secondary school began with excitement. New friends, new teachers, new dreams. I joined the debate club, sang at assembly, and imagined becoming someone important.
But dreams are fragile when money is short.
One afternoon, a teacher called my name. "Victoria, go home. Your school fees are not complete."
The words cut like a knife. My classmates stared as I packed my bag. I walked home slowly, fighting tears. My mother cried when she heard, but there was little she could do.
Still, I wrote my promotion exam. I didn't give up. My mother used to say, "We may be poor, but we are not hopeless." I held onto those words like a shield.
Episode 4 — The Visitor
During the holidays, a woman named Mrs. Agatha visited us. She was cheerful, with kind eyes and an easy smile. She told my mother she wanted to take me to the city.
"She will live with me," she said. "I'll enroll her in a private school. I'll take care of her as my own daughter."
My mother hesitated, but I was eager. I wanted a change — a new start far from the memories of pain.
A week later, Mrs. Agatha came with a car. My mother hugged me tightly and whispered, "Remember who you are, my daughter. Be strong."
Episode 5 — The City Lights
The city was brighter than I had ever imagined. Big houses, busy roads, and tall buildings that touched the clouds.
At first, Mrs. Agatha treated me well. I ate good food, slept on a soft bed, and wore fine clothes. She promised to enroll me in a private school, but weeks later, I found myself in a government school instead.
I didn't complain. I told myself it didn't matter where I studied — what mattered was that I kept moving forward.
That was how my new life began. A new home, new people, and new lessons — some sweet, some bitter.
SEASON TWO: THE CITY AND THE TRUTH
Episode 1 — The Hidden Side of Kindness
At first, I thought Mrs. Agatha was my second chance at happiness. But slowly, her true nature began to show.
I woke up earlier than her children. I swept, washed, cooked, and cleaned. Sometimes I went to school tired, my fingers sore from scrubbing floors.
One day, when I complained of headache, she said sharply,
"Victoria, don't be lazy. You came here to learn how to be useful."
Her words stung. I realized then that I was no daughter — I was a helper.
Episode 2 — A Ray of Hope
Despite the hardship, school became my escape. I met a girl named Amara, who quickly became my friend. She shared her food with me, helped me with homework, and told me not to give up.
"You're smart, Victoria," she said one day. "You just need a chance."
Those words became my light in the darkness. Every time I felt weak, I remembered them.
Episode 3 — Letters to Home
I wrote letters to my mother whenever I could, but weeks turned into months without replies. I didn't know if she was receiving them. Sometimes I sat by the window at night, whispering to the stars,
"Mama, I hope you're okay. I'm trying to be strong."
One evening, Mrs. Agatha caught me writing and frowned. "You're wasting time. Go and wash the plates."
I folded the unfinished letter and hid it under my pillow. That night, I cried quietly, wishing I could go home.
Episode 4 — The Test of Strength
In school, I worked hard. I wanted my teachers to see more than just a poor girl living with someone else. When the term exams came, I finished among the top three in my class.
When I told Mrs. Agatha, she only said, "Good. Now go and iron my clothes."
No praise. No smile. But deep inside, I smiled for myself. I knew I was becoming stronger than I'd ever been.
Episode 5 — A New Dream
One Sunday, after church, I sat alone under a mango tree near the house. The wind was gentle, and I thought of my father.
I whispered, "Papa, I will make you proud one day."
That moment, I made a silent promise — to rise above the pain, to break free from pity, and to build a better future.
The road ahead was still long, but I was no longer that little girl who cried at her father's grave. I was growing into a woman of purpose.
End of Season 2
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SEASON THREE: PROMISES AND BROKEN AGREEMENTS
Episode 1 — A New Beginning
Months passed in the city, and I had started to adapt to my new life with Mrs. Agatha. Then one evening, she called my mother and said,
"Madam, I think it will be better if you and your children come and stay with us here in the city. I'll open a shop for you where you can sell foodstuffs."
My mother was happy. She already had a small store back in the village where she sold few food items, so the thought of expanding in the city gave her hope. She agreed immediately.
A few weeks later, my mother came to the city with my younger brother and sister. I was overjoyed — at last, we were together again.
Episode 2 — The Agreement That Changed
At first, things went smoothly. But soon, Mrs. Agatha changed her tone.
Instead of opening the shop as promised, she said to my mother,
"Madam, it's better you find a job to do. Life in the city is not easy."
My mother was shocked. "But that's not what we agreed on," she replied gently.
Mrs. Agatha smiled and said, "I know, but plans can change."
My mother didn't want any trouble. She swallowed her disappointment and began to look for work. Eventually, she found a cleaning job at a private school. It wasn't much, but it was something.
Episode 3 — A Family Divided Again
Time went by. Mrs. Agatha enrolled my youngest brother in school, and that brought a little relief to my mother's heart.
One day, Mrs. Agatha's sister came visiting. When she saw my elder sister, Esther, she smiled warmly and said,
"I like this girl. She's respectful and well-behaved. I would love for her to come stay with me."
My mother hesitated at first, but Esther was excited about the idea. She wanted to see new places, to explore. And so, Esther began living with Mrs. Agatha's sister.
That was how our family, once reunited, became scattered again — each of us finding our own small corner of survival.
Episode 4 — When Peace Fades
Some months later, Mrs. Agatha travelled to Abuja to visit her son's wife, who had just given birth.
During her absence, peace returned to the house. My mother smiled again, I went to school without tension, and my brother played freely.
We were happy — truly happy — for the first time in a long while.
But happiness, for us, never lasted long.
Episode 5 — The Return
When Mrs. Agatha came back from Abuja, everything changed.
She was no longer the woman we knew. Her words became sharp, her face cold. She complained about everything — the food, the house, even our presence.
At first, my mother ignored it, thinking maybe she was just tired from her trip. But things got worse every day.
She began to insult us openly, especially my mother and me. Even when we hadn't done anything wrong, she found reasons to shout. The house that once felt safe now felt like a cage.
SEASON FOUR: WALKING AWAY
Episode 1 — The Breaking Point
It was a Saturday afternoon. My mother, my brother, and I sat down to eat our simple meal — rice and stew — when Mrs. Agatha came out of her room.
Her face was full of anger.
"You people are lazy and ungrateful!" she shouted. "You eat my food, live in my house, and yet you behave as if you own the place!"
My mother tried to calm her. "Madam, please, don't talk like that. We don't mean any harm."
But her words only made things worse.
Mrs. Agatha insulted us bitterly, saying things that cut deep into our hearts. After she finished, she went back to her room, took her bath, dressed up, and left the house without another word.
Episode 2 — Decision in Silence
For a long moment, we sat quietly. My brother looked scared, and my mother just stared at the floor. I could see the pain in her eyes — not just from the insult, but from all the years of struggle.
Finally, she stood up and said softly,
"Victoria, it's time we go."
Without another word, we began packing our clothes. Every fold of fabric carried memories — some painful, some bittersweet. We placed the house key neatly on the table and locked the door behind us.
Episode 3 — A New Shelter
We went straight to my late father's first son, who also lived in the same city. He welcomed us with open arms.
When my mother saw his kindness, tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, my son," she said. "God will bless you."
For the first time in months, we slept peacefully — no insults, no shouting, no fear.
Episode 4 — Strength in Pain
That night, I couldn't sleep. I thought of all that had happened — how promises turned into pain, how love became manipulation. But I also realized something powerful:
Every hardship was shaping me into the woman I was meant to become.
I whispered to myself,
"No matter what comes, I will not break."
Episode 5 — Hope on the Horizon
Days turned into weeks, and slowly, we began to rebuild. My mother continued her cleaning job. I focused on school, and my brother started to smile again.
We didn't have much, but we had peace — and that was enough.
Every morning before school, I would look at the sky and say,
"Papa, Mama, I'm still standing. I'll make you proud."
And deep inside, I knew — though life had pushed us through storms, the tides of strength within us would keep rising.
End of Season 4