Lisabella

Intro:

Today am turning 18 years and lord am so happy. I got up from bed just as a knock came through and my aunt voice.
" angeke ziziwashe izitsha we sisi" The dishes wont wash themselves. Well this is my life. I have a tiny tin roof house at the back. Well its a storage while my aunt and her kids live in the main house. My parents died when I was 12 in a car accident and let just say life have been lemons ever since. Am basically a maid in my own house. My father trusted his sister to take care of me but long story short. She takes care of her own children with my inheritance. The only good that my father did was creating a schooling fund that makes sure I go to Crawford. One of the best schools in Durban and pays for my tuition and uniform and canteen. School days I only have one meal and that is whatever I buy at school. Weekends I only have dinner and that if any leftovers are there. I clean the house like a slave and I mind my business. I let my aunt speak to me however she wishes and let her children treat me however they see fit. The only thing that has been keeping me sane is knowing that once am 18 I will no longer be considered a child and I can leave. I have been saving a lot. At school i have been allowing kids who have cash to use my card like crazy and pay me ofcause so i have enough to run away. Iv already applied in Johannesburg. Its big and i can be lost in there. So we shall see when January comes if am accepted or not. Iv already saved 10 thousand in a year and of cause i steal the money she leaves lying around in the house. Its my money anyways so its more like taking back what mine. I went outside on the sink and poured water in a bucket than went in my little shack and took a bath. Winter or summer that how I bath. I wore my black leggings and top than tidy up the room and when done I started my day. Luvuyo my cousin daughter who is 8 came. She is the only family I have. The only person who loves me in this family.
Luvuyo: Unjani ncane( how are you aunty) i laughed. She knew I hated being called Ncane.
Me: Am good babe. Wena?(you)
Luvuyo: Am good. She rolled up her sleeves and started helping me with my chores. If it wasn't for her ill be dead of labour.
Luvuyo: mom never came back izolo(yesterday) gogo left after waking you and feeding me a sugarless oats and malume zwe passed out by the sofa drunk.
My aunt kids are spoilt brats. My cousin Thembi has 4 kids. The other 3 are at they different fathers house and luvuyo stays here because her father passed away and the family sent her back. All Thembi knows is having a good time. She has no matric after her mother tried a million times but nothing. Than Zweli. His just a lazy ass. Very smart but just lazy. Then Senzo the oldest. Last time I saw him was when he matriculated and never came back. His the one who planted this idea in my head for the last 6 years. Yes he calls but his calls are always short. We cleaned and i cooked lunch and we at with luvuyo. Yes I eat when no one is home. When done I cleaned and just than the doorbell rang. I walked to the door and there stood two smart looking people. One guy in a black suit and a beautiful lady in a navy pencil skirt and white top.
Them; Hi
Me: Hi and just then a car pulled up and I knew that car. It the car that has the power of having everyone in the house treat me like a human being. It was my father lawyer. I opened the door and they all got in and sat by the dinning area.
Mr khumalo: I called and your aunt said she 5 minute away
Me: cool,i placed the juice and biscuits. Just than aunt Thandeka walked in panting like a dog. I know she was scared that I might spill her secrets but am not about to ruin my chance of leaving this place. Just December left and they hardly home than January am off to varsity.
Aunty: sorry to keep you waiting. She kissed my cheek and I stood there frozen the young lady looked at me and then scribbled something down.
Mr khumalo: its okay we were not waiting long.
Aunt Thandeka: is something wrong?
Mr khumalo: Its Lisabella birthday today. She turning 18. I smiled as he took out a tiny red velvet box and pass it over to me. I saw my aunty look at me with evil eyes and I knew this gift wont be mine for ever once khumalo is gone. I opened them and found beautiful silver with diamonds earrings.
Me: wow, They beautiful. Thank you.
Mr khumalo: try them on they from your mother.
I took out the plastic studs I had on and put them on.
Mr Khumalo: you look beautiful
Me: Thank you I blushed. He took out an envelope and gave it to me.
Mr khumalo: That big envelope is for you to read at your own time. Now moving on to bigger things.
I have Miss Ncindi here and Mr Kubheka all the way from Johannesburg.
Aunty T: Johannesburg
Mr Khumalo: Yes. Now ill read this testimony from your parents and all will be clear.
Me: Okay.
Mr khumalo: have a seat. I even forgot that i was standing. I sat down and looked at them.
Mr khumalo: well let me begin:
Ill like to thank my sister for being such an amazing soul in taking care of my daughter until she is old enough to become her own woman. For that there is 100 thousand that Will be deposited into your account by end of today.

AuntyT: ow kodwa bhuti.
She smiled as if she just won a million

" but its now time for her to start her own journey. There will be no more monthly allowances towards the house as she will be no longer living there"
I looked at the shock on her face. I wonder how much she was getting monthly.
AuntyT: what does he mean no monthly allowance?
Mr Khumalo: Since Lisabella wont be staying here there would be no need for that anymore
AuntyT: where she going? She applying in unisa next year. Going to stay right here and study in unisa. Tell them baby. I kept quiet and looked at Mr Khumalo with my heart doing a mini dance. My dad is taking me out if this hell hole.

" My beautiful daughter know that all I do for you I do it with a kind heart and always wanting what best for you and your future. Its with a proud heart that I let you know that you are to leave today and leave with the people accompanying Mr khumalo. They are to take you to you new home. And trust me I did this for your own good. I love you"
AuntyT: you can't take her
Mr khumalo: am afraid its done. He passed a paper to her and she looked so shocked.
AuntyT: Married???? The smile on my face disappeared. What does she mean when she says married! Married to who? Married how? I don't have a boyfriend, never had one and how can I be married???
Follow me in my journey. I am Lisabella Johnson but i rather be called Lisa or Bella. This is my story of an arranged marriage to a stranger and how I navigated life after I was thrown to a world I never knew existed.. Hope you enjoy!!!