I was born on a hot afternoon on the 15th day of the penultimate month. I was meant to be born on the 18th day as the Patron Saint of the land was. I was born under the scorching sun, surrounded by the cheers and music of the Saint's festival. The doctors had said, for months, a boy was to be born but they changed their minds as soon as I arrived. I was a girl-child to everyone and I had no say in it as I could not speak.

(Click on the pearly gates to continue)