6

I looked at them and the look of shock was unmissable, I looked at the ground and started narrating my life experience for the first time.

"When I was younger…my father was a drunkard. He always came home drunk every night; he hardly came home sober; he was always so drunk and angry and he took out all his anger on me. I was so little, but it wasn't an excuse for him, I would scream and shout but that had no effect, I always ended my day with marks all over my body, and those marks eventually led to scars.

"I attended dance classes daily after school, and I always came home to wait for my "punishment," a daily dose of it. Even though I did nothing, I always got beaten; mom and I always bore the consequences of nothing…we got attacked for no reason.

"Each time we showed him the scars if he was sober, he always sent us out of his presence…he showed no remorse, absolutely no remorse, and he still lashed out at us with insults and unbearable accusations. What was a pre-teen to do? He always claimed we deserved each and every beating, like we were some beasts of burden. The fact that he never apologized made me nurse a certain dislike for him as I grew older, and that dislike transformed into hatred…imagine a daughter hating her father, I do not think I ever felt his love, I don't think we ever shared a bond…I don't think he can ever be a good person again in his lifetime, and I hate him for the exact person he was, I have no idea how he is right now, but I don't care. I hate him.

"The hatred I had for him burned hotter by the day, every day of my life was filled with a fresh scar. I always went to school with a bloated face and no one would want to play with a girl with bloated face, so I was always left alone. I had a pitiful childhood, dark and gloomy with no sunshine or rainbow. Just rain, thunder and lightning.

"When I clocked 13, mommy made a decision, she gathered our clothes and shoes little by little, taking them somewhere every day when dad was absent. I had no idea what was going on, I always thought it was for dry-cleaning or charity. Then one day she came to me after school, took my school bag and instructed I shouldn't go home after my dance classes, and I didn't. She came to me after my dance class and took me away, she said it was for our own good. She took me to a house much more different from where we lived…and she told me that was our new home. I didn't object, I didn't fight that I wanted to be with dad, I just gladly accepted that I would live there, and that has where we have been ever since. It was a single room and we had to bath outside, but what mattered was that she built the house with her money and that we were happy. I had no idea how long it had been since she built it but I was absolutely joyful when we relocated. She changed her sim card and warned me to never get contacted with my father. Honestly, she didn't have to, I was never going to meet him again, and he was free to beat the people at the bar up.

"It's been over 6 years since we moved, and the building has been expanded, it's now a beautiful bungalow. It was so embarrassing being related to a drunkard who beats up his wife and kid and still had extra-marital affairs, he also knew he committed adultery. I wonder how he is, but if I receive news of his death, I won't be shaken, because I hate every piece of him. All because of him, I look like a leopard, I wish him nothing good for altering my beauty."

I removed my top and revealed the ugly scars on me, one was exemplarily large and dark. I had ugly dark scars all around me; my neck, back, stomach and thighs…all over me. I buried my face in my hands and sobbed, I've never really told anyone about my past. My father completely spoiled my childhood, and that was the only thing he could do right.

"Shhh…" Samuel whispered as he hugged my tiny frame tight with Muyiwa joining in. "it's okay Ire…it's okay." I love these guys so much.

I'm a victim of physical assault. Because I was too weak to stand up for myself and fight my father, I was too tiny and feeble…I had no wall of protection, I had no shield, I was vulnerable and exposed…I couldn't fight my father to stop him from causing harm on me…I was just so young and weak, the perfect example of a victim circumstances. I was so naïve, I couldn't even fight back, I regret not being able to stand up for myself and my mother, she has been through so much because of him, if only I could just fight for us, we might not have been so poor or badly beaten…but I couldn't. My unfortunate self couldn't.

I relaxed into the crook of Samuel's shoulder and breathed in his scent; lavender. I'm always more relaxed around him. I hugged him tighter and Muyiwa stroke my hair telling me to calm down, and I did. They are the best friends anyone could ever ask for.

"This place is so calming," Muyiwa spoke, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I love it." I agreed. I stood and straightened up (I've been in a tank top since) putting back on my top, then Samuel asked.

"Did you get all those scars from him?"

"Yeah, and they are very ugly because it doesn't compliment my fair skin."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? I was a calm kid when I was younger, I hardly sustained injuries from playing that would leave scars like these."

"But they look beautiful on you,"

"Yeah right." I snorted and laughed with them as we made our way back onto the road with Samuel's hand draped around my shoulder and Muyiwa holding my hand. I feel like a baby sister whenever they do this. Yeah, they have done this before and it is so sweet. I've never felt the joy of having siblings like this; being an only child suck sometimes, but it is what it is.

We got to the road and parted ways; they stay on campus and I stay off, and besides I need to clear my head with a calm walk in nature. I asked them to leave me and they warned;

"Stay safe"

"Don't commit suicide on the way."

I laughed and waved them bye, beginning my walk alone. Thinking about how much of a scumbag my father is, I have no idea of his whereabouts and frankly, I don't care, he is a devil that needs to be punished severely for all he did to mom and I…I honestly don't like him.

As I got closer to the shuttle park, I started hearing music blaring from large speakers, I got loser and it was a gospel music on play and no one was dancing to it, they were all just standing and talking, well they are probably tired from dancing all day anyway. I dropped my bag on the floor, beside the speaker and started dancing to the music, feeling the rhythm course through my veins. A little crowd gathered, but I ignored them, a few of them started taking videos, but I ignored them, the only thing I took note of was the beautiful music blasting around me. I danced in a modest way and by the time the music stopped, I was greeted with a sound of applause and some questions like "what year are you in? What is your name? Are you also an internet star?" I answered none, so I just took a bow with my bottom lip being bitten by my upper teeth, if I release it now, I know the blood would have rushed to it and it will look so red, not pink. I grabbed my backpack and left the scene smiling gleefully to myself.

"Excuse me miss," a voice shouted and I looked back to see a man in a neatly pressed three-piece suit running towards me, I looked at him and his skin was so smooth and dark, his black eyes looked glassy and he was absolutely clean shaven, he's handsome, but waaaayyyyy older than me, like…waaaayyyyy.

"Yes?" I asked as he got to my side,

"I'm Joseph," he introduced himself, stretching his hand and I shook it, then he continued, "I saw you dancing, and I have to complement your skills, your dance skills are highly impressive."

"Thank you, sir," I appreciated, no one has ever told me such.

"Anyway, I want to invite you for a dancing contest, your skills must not go to waste."

I laughed and looked him in the eye before asking, "What competition sir?"

"Alexandria Dance and Music Competition."

"Oh…I think I've heard of it, how much does it cost for entry and registration, or is it free?"

He chuckled and replied "10,000 Naira only." My heart skipped a beat at that…that is just like my whole allowance…10k? Oh God.

"What's wrong?" he asked "your face looks down"

"I don't think I can participate; I don't have such money…"

"Then I'll sponsor you."