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Chapter Three
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2020-10-07 22:47:57I could feel the glare of the sun on my closed eyelids causing me to roll on my belly facing my pillow. Trying to see if I could get some sleep was futile because sleep has evaporated like smoke out of my body. This was one of the reasons I hated the morning sun.
I sat up quickly, looked at the wall clock gloomily and sighed. It was 8:45, almost 9 o'clock. My mom would be angry at me this morning. I had overslept, again. I jumped out of bed in haste, ran to the bathroom to rinse my mouth with water. Brushing could wait until I was done with all I had to do.
"Adanna!!!" My mom hollered.
"Yes, mommy!" I answered.
I locked the tap in haste. Hopefully, mom wouldn't be too mad at me today. One could dream but the realization, in this case, was farfetched. Wearing my dark blue slippers that were perched at the back of my door, I left the safety of the room to meet my mom downstairs.
"Good morning, ma." I greeted, sweeping into a curtsy in the process.
She looked up from the magazine she'd been reading, peering at me like she was wondering who I was. She finally spoke up. "Adanna, how are you? I thought you would sleep a whole day."
"I am ok," I replied, purposely ignoring the second statement.
She dropped the magazine on the table closest to her, then showered her full attention on me. "Adanna, you decided to play a fast one on me yesterday."
I was confused and my face showed it.
"Don't act dumb. You know exactly what I am talking about." She accused, pointing at me.
"No ma," I argued. My body swayed from side to side like I was drunk but I was just anxious.
She shook her head. "What do you not know? Is it how you trickily made your dad agree to your stupid holiday with that friend of yours? Or the fact that you want me to look like a bad mother to him but your plans have failed." She looked at me with scorn.
My heart pounded as I remembered about my whining the previous night. I smacked my forehead inwardly. How could I have forgotten? Was I going to be allowed to visit my friend or mom has succeeded in tucking my dad out of his promise? I looked at her cold face, maybe that was the case and now she was making fun of me while abusing me. I decided to wing it.
"It was not my intention to box you into a corner. You know you were pretty mad at me yesterday and dad is the head of the family." Was I talking too much? I continued, seeing she hadn't spoken yet. "Hmm... I just felt that it was the right thing to do. I'm sorry if I had offended you." I finished lamely, looking down at the floor in the process.
I heard a taunting clap and looked up to see my mom has gotten up and edged closer to me.
"So, it's me you are talking to in such a disrespectful manner?" She placed a hand on her chest.
"No..." The words had barely left my tongue when I got dealt a hot slap on the right side of my face, causing my face to tilt left.
I practically saw stars at that moment. A silver tear ran down my right eyelid, my breathing erratic. Nothing felt right, what did I do wrong? Why was everything so difficult and painful for me? Why couldn't I be loved like the rest of my siblings? So many questions but no answer was forthcoming.
"Stupid girl. If not because of your father, you would have sat home today. Then, I would see what you would do. Get out of my sight!" She grabbed my hands and pushed me forward.
I scrambled out of her presence, dabbing my eyes furiously to stop the shower works from flowing. I made a move towards the stairs, planning on stealing a few minutes for myself just to pull myself together."Where do you think you're going? Go and dispose of the refuse, my friend. Your mates are already up and doing while you're just waking up from sleep. Lazy child. While you're at it, make sure you wash all the dirty clothes. I shouldn't catch a glimpse of one unwashed." She ordered.
I turned towards the kitchen, so I can take out the trash. I felt something like a stone hit me right in my spine. I fell over in pain, tears blurred my vision and I didn't bother to clean it off this time.
"Get up or I will use my other slippers to injure you! You want to make all the clothes in this house to possess a foul odour, is that not so? Go and wash the clothes before any other thing." She snapped.
I got up in pain, making sure I don't stand erect to avoid another avalanche of pain. I saw the red sandals near the kitchen door. I almost ignored it but didn't want to be beaten, so I got hold of it tentatively. I walked back to my mom, handing over the slippers which she jerked off my hand.
Going from one room to another had turned the pain to a dull ache and also made me realize that my siblings were still fast asleep. I felt so unloved. Hopefully, Joyce and her family would take off the sadness that seemed to have rested on my thin shoulders.
Three hours have passed, numerous chores finished, my shower is done and dusted, now all is left is my unpacked clothes to be thrown into my black school bag. I removed my school materials from the bag, then arranged them neatly on my bookshelf. I wouldn't enjoy looking for one of the items.
Opening the wardrobe, I stared at a variety of clothes. My mood was somewhat better though I wasn't deliriously happy just yet. It was good enough to plan though. What and what should I wear? Not that I had a forest of clothes but it was enough.
I brought out a blue sweatshirt and black slacks, which I slung across my left arm. I dived in to get a blue gown that I've been unknowingly eying when my door opened and in sauntered Chinenye.
"Sister, you are so excited about going to Aunty Joy's place. Who is going to do all the house chores?" Her annoying voice rang out.
"How many times have I told you not to talk to me like that?" I snapped.
She hissed, "I have told you my own sha, you need to stay around to work."
I almost hit her when I remembered that our mother would have my head for dinner if I touched her. I decided to ignore her, she wasn't worth wasting my energy on. I focused on my clothes and essentials I needed for my vacation.
"Just know, no matter where you hide, you would come back." She taunted.
"Look at you, if you continue this way, you would end up being useless. Do you think I or mother would follow you to your husband's house? You are so rude and always feel entitled. If not for mother, I know what I would have done to you. Get out!"
Dropping the clothes on my bed, I walked to her and shoved her harshly from the door, out of my room. She started crying so as to alert my mom. I was past caring at this point, all I wanted was some peace, not a sharp mouth bimbo. I went back to packing. I wouldn't think about it at all, even though all I wanted to do was cry, cry and cry.
I moved blindly, throwing the clothes into my bag and zipping it shut. Then, I took a cream gown from my wardrobe and donned it on without checking for labels. I couldn't wait to leave this house, it was making me sad and depressed all at once. Swinging my school bag over my shoulder in a haze, I found myself walking down the stairs straight to the kitchen where I heard my mom humming."Mommy, I'm ready to go to Joyce's place." My voice sounded foreign even to my ears.
"So? Why are you screaming? Listen, I do not want you to stay a day more in that place. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, mother."Her face seemed set in stone, causing me to shuffle my feet repeatedly. She seemed rooted to the spot, chopping her vegetables. I needed her to drive me to Joyce's house. Moreover, I couldn't leave just like that.
"Mom." I cooed.
"What is it?" She shouted.
I flinched. "I have to start going., I said quietly."I can't wait for you to leave. You're good for nothing girl but still have the guts to say my own Chinenye feels entitled.
I will let...
