Dada Mkubwa (Big Sister)
Crack. Tsss. Crack. Crack. Crack. Tsss. The boom of striking leather thundered throughout the library. Shadows danced playfully like ballerinas along the walls as she peppered combinations on the swinging bag. Her hijab and skirt swished as she circled the heavy bag. Farm work before and after school had tuned her arms into cannons. Feint with the right, left hook to the body, uppercut to the head.
“10 seconds!” came the shrill voice of a small girl, stopwatch around her neck.
The fighter unleashed a flurry of punches. The once playful ballerinas now became relentless demons only to cease at the bell. She breathed deeply against the bag to recollect herself. It was almost time to walk her little brother home from his madrasa class. She wiped her brow with a cloth and scurried past the sewing class that shared the library.
On nights when her six-year-old brother, Shabani, would finish early, they would race home before sunset. Young men on motorcycles, or pikipikis, patrolled the streets at night, causing a nuisance to local families.
The fading sun cast an orange glow on her as Shabani burst out of class and into Asha’s arms.
“Ew, you’re all sweaty,” Shabani said as he examined his now gleaming arms.
“I just finished sewing class and it was really hot in the library today,” Asha said, as she smelled her armpits. “Come on. You can tell me about your day on the way home.”
Shabani gave her a suspicious look and shrugged.
The siblings scuttled past homes with high metal gates and barred windows. Shabani was deep into a story about his math class when the whine of an engine came from behind them. Asha’s back stiffened and her grip tightened around her little kaka’s hand.
“Hey, where are you going?” shouted the man over his motor. He reeked of Konyagi, the local liquor. The siblings said nothing and looked forward as they walked.
“Are you too good to answer me?” probed the man. Asha could sense the impatience in his voice and quickened their pace. The young man revved his engine and was now in front of the two.
“We just want to go home,” said Asha firmly, pulling her brother along.
“Not until we become friends first,” slurred the driver.
The brother and sister jolted into a sprint. The driver whipped his pikipiki around and was in front of them in an instant. He dismounted his bike, seized Asha’s collar, and started pulling her towards a dark alleyway. Eyes closed, Shabani roared as he rained his tiny fists upon the assailant. Crack. Tss. Crack. Crack. He opened his eyes to disbelief and saw the driver motionless on the ground. Before Shabani could comprehend what happened, he was whisked home.
At dinner, Shabani told the family of his bravery while Asha ate in silence. Shabani reached over, grabbed Asha’s hand, and said, “Don’t be sad, dada, you can keep going to sewing classes. I’ll protect us!”
Asha gave Shabani a light squeeze and said, “Okay, kaka.”
Title: Dada Mkubwa (Big Sister)
Genre: Flash-Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Word Count: 508
Author Name: Michael Ogburn
Why your project is a good fit: I aim to give readers a peek into different cultures and viewpoints of others they may not regularly encounter.
The Hook: The big sister can crack.
Synopsis: A young girl who secretly defies her culture's gender norms saves herself and her brother.
Target Audience: Young girls tired of being molded.
Bio: I am from a small town and always wanted to try and live abroad. After graduating from university, I moved to Taiwan and taught kindergarten. Later, I moved to Tanzania for two years and taught 3rd and 6th grade. Currently, I am teaching 6th grade at a school in Costa Rica.
Platform: Microsoft Word
Education: Elementary education degree
Experience: My writing experience is minimal but I have always enjoyed writing. I have only recently begun to write stories that are meant to be read.
Personality/writing Style: I'm new to writing and I'm still learning to find my voice. However, I'd like to have the ability to push the envelope and defy cultural norms
Likes/hobbies: Mma, muay thai, bjj, hiking, diving, dog walking, reading, and eating
Hometown: Small Town in Oregon
Age: 29