"Can you remember what you were like at 16? Your hobbies, favourite meals? Your crush (if any)? Where were you at 16?"
Some days ago, I was having a conversation with one of my friends, Jane. On that day, Jane's baby sister turned a year older, sweet 16. I then asked Jane, "Where were you at 16?" I wasn't prepared for Jane's response; it was incredible.
I modified the question and asked it on my WhatsApp status: "Can you remember what you were like at 16? Your hobbies, favourite meals? Your crush (if any)? Where were you at 16?"
Again, the responses I got were random, just like the question, and very unexpected. With the permission of everyone who sent in a response, I'll proceed to share them with you, my dearest gentle reader:
"I was in university, I just entered. Favourite meal was white rice, which I don't like anymore. I didn't have a crush. I was still new in the school environment, and if I'm being honest, I was kinda intimidated. But I had many female friends, who, as I look back now, I didn't need. I don't think I had a hobby. I was glad to be in 'University', which I was made to understand as the outside world 😂😂😂😂, so all I wanted to do was bask in it. Maybe if I count watching K-drama as a hobby, then I'll have something. I was just a regular 16-year-old who had no idea how tough the next 4 years were going to be for her." - Deborah
"I was listening to Taylor Swift, was introduced to adult movies by one Aunty, loved Arsenal well regardless of the consistent heartbreak. Football loyalty is hard." - Manny
"I loved family time at 16 and I still do now. My favorite meal was beans and plantains, but now, it’s just plantains. I had one crush. At 16, I was done with secondary school, and I was teaching." - Favoured
"Hehehe! There was this girl I liked at the GCE center I wrote my exams in then. Talked to her a little. She's in Canada now, and we talk once in a while. 16 was not that bad. Started university at 16. Life wasn't complicated then as it is now. My worldview now is so distant from what it was then. I loved fiction, and I read the whole 39 Clues Series and Percy Jackson's books. Even the continuation, the Olympus books and the Trials of Apollo. My life then was just go to class, then church, then hostel. I've always loved reading. Then, and now. I had this crush in 100 level then too. Didn't talk to her then, but I remember taking a picture of her. Now, whenever I think of it, it's cringe, and I might have overstepped boundaries (deleted the picture from my phone when it dawned on me). I talk to the crush now, but I don't have the crush again." - Sam
"LOL! I remember this year was that I was in 100/200 level and trying to stay alive." - Prosper
"At age 16, I was in my final year in secondary school. I had a crush; she was in our female school states away from mine. We share the same birthday, and she's also a sports person like me. My favourite food has always been beans and plantain. I loved and still love singing, doing sports especially football and swimming. Life felt like everything will be okay then. I really want that agile boy again; he was so daring and adorable." - Felix
I enjoyed reading every response I got. I think it's because it uncovered a layer or layers of the person to me, and it was refreshing. Having shared the responses of others, it's only fair I share my own response, right? At 16, I had a lot of interests. I had big dreams of being a Neurosurgeon. I was slowly growing my writing skills without even knowing it. I was a huge fan of Taylor Swift; my favourite album then was Red; I could sing majority of the songs on it. My favourite meal then was coconut rice; it isn't anymore. I had a mad crush on Zayn Malik, and my favourite boy band was One Direction. My hobbies were reading, listening to music, and hanging out with my friends.
As I end this piece, I have this to say: I am a curious person; I try to feed my curiosity as much as I can. My curiosity leads to asking questions, and the thing about asking is that you either get a not-so-great response or, on the bright side, you get a positive one; you're beyond surprised by it, it's incredible.
Back to you, my dearest gentle reader, feel free to answer the question in the comments section below. I look forward to reading your responses. Are you a curious person like me? I’d like to know.
Xx
Fati