I didn't know my purpose in life until I met Soma, a  differently enabled girl. 

We met during orientation. She experienced difficulty standing or moving.

" Muscular dystrophy," she explained. 

" I'm Kainene." I replied instead. 

" Soma," she giggled, twinkling under a harsh afternoon sun like a stubborn sunflower.

We got along well. I was her mobile support, and she was my second tutor.

But our budding friendship was scorched before full bloom. We quarreled. I stood my ground. Malice crept between our space like a serpent in a shed. Without reconciling, we traveled for semester break.

Soma didn't return. For days I  struggled with my conscience. I wouldn't forgive myself if she dropped because of me.

While tied to my guilt, her mom visited with a diary.

“ She wanted you to have this. It has a record of the number of times you made her laugh each day.”

I listened in silence. I hoped she wouldn't say it. But it came like a flood and swept me off my feet.

“ Cardiac arrest. She was brave until the end. Thank you for making it worthwhile for her.”

" Did I?" I asked myself repeatedly.

The first line from the diary read, " today, I met the first human in this school." The day corresponded with our orientation.

I never walked in her steps. I didn't know what it felt like, but being praised the first human she met made me miserable.

I was human at first, but I failed her.

I didn't deserve her praises. I was just like those girls who snubbed her, and called her trash. I felt dirty.

But the remedy wasn't pity. It was empathy.

My eyes were opened to a path towards redemption. The visually impaired. The pupils with down syndrome I met during Teaching Practice. They brought me healing.

I graduated with her memory. I never expected I would meet her again.

It was supposed to be our convocation, but I was alone. And on my dress was a print of her favorite photo.

I carried her with me. And she carried me as well.

" You are Kainene. Right?" I nodded, confused. They looked so much alike.

“ I'm Soma's twin. She made me promise to attend your convocation on her behalf.”

That day, our national anthem had a different meaning altogether.

This was Nigeria's call to serve the fatherland with love and strength and faith.

Years later, I met a student with muscular dystrophy. It was the mercy of the heavens and a second chance to make things right.