Chapter 3

Daddy lost his job again. And became jobless soon we couldn't afford the apartment anymore so we had to move to a shark in a rural area, (Zongo). The house was built out of wood and was located in a bush where snakes and scorpions lived freely. We were the first to stay there, without electricity.

It was plain horror.

But that woman didn't leave! She believed dad was a hard working man so he'll bounce right back. Well you see dad was also a braggart, he could brag and tell you he built the whole world and you'd actually believe every word. He convinced Mama Ama that he had lands and houses but he chose to be in that bush. That, if she decides to leave she'll miss a lot and he actually had proves of those, the woman being an illiterate believed every word but me knowing my dad more than anyone else in this world knew he was lying.

The maltreatment became severe and everything that I felt before became worst. It was as if they wanted to release this pent up anger and I was the best suite. I did everything without complaints. There was no running tap water where we were so I had to fetch water with a big pan and carry it home from a one mile distance.

Going to school was hell cause our shark was so secluded that there were no transportation to school. It's either I walk or no school. But I went anyway, walking was hell but when I arrive home late I get beaten. I got used to the beatings anyway.

*

At the age of 12 it was the same things over and over again. It was basically the same routine.

Gradually people started building around our neighborhood. And moved in, so we were not the only ones anymore. Apparently they weren't building because they were scared of living alone there but since we came it was an open door..

I was glad we weren't alone in that horrific new site anymore.

****

I never did friends at school, it was always the kind of friends that you had at school but immediately you step out of school grounds you are no longer friends. I remember I had this one friend that I really liked in grade 6. Her name was Benedicta. She came to my house one day to walk with me to school. When my stepmum saw her she immediately went to tell my dad that my friend introduces me to men and that she was a bad girl! Ever since then my dad never allowed me have friends, never went out, not even to classes. Immediately after school I was supposed to be home, knowing full well the struggle it took to get transportation home.

I was on my way back home one day when I met a boy. He was such a beautiful boy and he had this afro hair that just suit him perfectly. Light skin and tall. Even at a young age he had a body to die for.

I saw him sometimes, but I never really paid attention to him because I wasn't allowed to have friends, especially male ones.

I felt him following me and I picked up my pace.

"Hey hold up" I heard that sweet voice and was immediately captivated but I couldn't stop I was too scared of being caught.

I wasn't paying attention to anything apart from walking fast with my head down. I bumped into something that made me almost lose my balance.

"Please let me go I don't want trouble" I squeaked out.

"Trouble? Why would I give you trouble I just want to talk!"

"No please, I'd like to go home please"

"Okay but not until you tell me your name" he said with a warm smile. He looked cute but I still needed to get home in order not to miss my curfew.

"Adede" I gave him a name no one called me with except my father.

"Nice name, I'm Gideon" he said to me and I gave him a fake smile.

"Uhh bye" I walked pass him in hopes that he'd leave me alone but no, he still followed me like a lost puppy.

"Hold up I'll walk you home, then we can talk more"

I was scared cause we were dangerously close to my neighborhood. I ignored him and walked on with him walking too close to me, everyone that passed by would know we were walking together and I didn't like that at all but I ignored him.

I spot someone walking furiously towards us and my heart jumped. It was my stepmom approaching and she wasn't alone, she was with one of her gossip buddies.

God I'm so dead!

On instinct I took to my heels and took off! I heard Gideon calling me to come back but I didn't stop. When I got home I went straight to bed. That's something that happens to me whenever I get too nervous I feel sleepy.

I heard my dad shouting my name making me jerk up abruptly.

"Sit down!"

My body jerked violently on its own and I sat abruptly shaking out of my skin.

"Now baby tell me what happened today and what you saw!" He spoke with venom.

"Well today I went to buy something  with mama clement when I saw Pamela romancing with some guy way older than her. The guy carried her at his back. Before I knew it they were kissing and he was holding her boobs inappropriately. When she saw me she took off. But then I wanted to deal with her later so I went for the boy but before I could get to him he took off too. I run after him but then I fell and he got away!" The demon said showing my dad her bloodied arm.

Serves her right!

Before I knew what was happing I had the hook of a belt attached to my skin causing me to scream out of pain."Now you follow men?" Thud on my skin!

"You want to become a prostitute like your useless mother!" Thud! That one was directed to my head causing blood to ooze out but he didn't stop.

It was as if he was possessed by a demon.

But I knew the feeling all too well.

By the time he was done my skin was bleeding and I had cuts everywhere. With swollen face, broken head and busted lips. My luck was that he didn't aim my eyes and for that I was grateful.

I was bleeding to death on that bed. That night there was no food for me. I waited till everyone was asleep and limped to the kitchen, warmed water to treat my wounds.

^^^^

I missed school for a week.

The following week when I was on my way to school I saw Gideon. Again! He dared to show his face to me again after everything.

I walked past him furiously ignoring his calls for my attention.

"Adede who did this to you, what happened to you? Jesus, you didn't get in trouble because of me, did you?" He asked with a deep frown on his beautiful face.

"I'm in this situation because of you! So if you don't mind can you move! I told you I didn't want trouble but you still followed me. Now see what you caused! Please leave me alone"

"What! You mean your parent did this to you? Let's go to the police, they need to be behind bars!" Say what now?

"Who do you think you are to think of putting my dad behind bars? Are you crazy? After he's arrested who's gonna take care of me?!" I snapped at him, before I knew it there was tears in my eyes.

I wiped my eyes furiously and walked out on a stunned Gideon.

I went to school and had my normal classes but I fell back on lessons. I took notes from my classmates and did my home-works. I was one of the bright students so my teachers actually liked me.

Some of my 'friends' would tell me to come live with them considering my situations but then I was only a minor and I couldn't bare the thought of not having my father in the rest of my life. I loved him too much. I still do.

****

After school I hurriedly made my way home. Then I saw him again! The guy never learns!

"Listen I'm sorry I made you go through that. I want us to be friends if it's okay with you. I really like you. And I'll make sure never to be the course of your misery ever again!" He plead.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was crazy! I mean was he for real? Wants to be friends? With me? Really? The guy wants me dead I tell you.

"Are you crazy? Do you want to get me killed?" I asked him curiously cause really, I wasn't getting it?

"No! We'll keep our friendship a secret. We won't meet within eye sights. I'll just come and see you sometimes. Completely hidden out of sight!" He said to me and I looked at him contemplating.

This could work. I mean I did need a friend. Someone to wipe my tears away and someone to play with. I just needed a friend because I was far too lonely.

"Okay fine but I'm late so I have to go home!" I said to him and run off but not before I saw a sweet smile on his face.