Becoming Belinda

by Adebayo Oluwadamilare Sunday

Belinda has always imagined what her future will look like. University, a successful career, and a happy marriage are all part of the life she hopes to build. But as she approaches the end of secondary school, she begins to discover that growing up involves more than preparing for examinations and making plans for the future. Surrounded by her friends, Tolani and Mujibat, Belinda finds herself drawn into conversations about romance, attraction, and experiences she has never had herself. Their conversations awaken something within her, leaving her wondering about love, intimacy, and the person she might eventually become. As curiosity meets the expectations she has placed upon herself, Belinda begins a journey of self discovery. Between friendship, education, personal ambitions, and the mysteries of growing up, she must navigate the questions that come with discovering her identity and imagining her future. Becoming Belinda is a coming of age story about curiosity, friendship, romantic awakening, ambition, and the complicated journey from adolescence towards adulthood. It explores the experiences and questions that shape a young woman's understanding of herself and the life she wants to live.