Fall to Rise

Twenty One

The group of ladies around me kept giggling at my outburst. For the entire thirty minutes, they whispered to themselves while throwing glances in my direction and laugh again.

Kaffo left except for Caleb who stayed.

He kept watching me work.

This was far much worse.

I became sweaty and uneasy all together.

Nervous and shy.

Everything around me felt ridiculously small and uncomfortable.

Sensing my discomfort, he left the scene and I composed myself back to normal.

I had made three months now in the Reinard premises away from my family. And I had missed Lue so much even if we kept exchanging letters.

That wasn't enough though.

So today I heard,that they were in the city with plans of selling the farm produce.

I was anxious of seeing Lue but at the same time nervous to see my judgmental father.

Pacing around the room thinking of whatever I'd say to him, my conscience told me he nolonger had room to dictate over me but the feeling of how he towered over me my whole life would come crashing to my thoughts.

Lue was always his favorite.

And I was the imperfection of Lue.

Who really compares a girl's abilities to a boy's strength was a reality I'd come to think of.

So he had no right of missing me as Lue's speculations referred, in his letter.

That was unlike my father.

"Am surprised to hear good remarks about you from Kaffo,". Father said as I sat down on the floor while Lue and he the chairs.

"He say's Nomita his house nurse and Caleb say good things of you," continuing. "I hope those aren't concocted stories."

Let him believe what he feels.

I was done feeling intimidated around Father.

Thinking of,I'd be so lucky when I turn nineteen in a few months and apply for an identity Card, I'd run away from all these.

Away from everyone.

And my haunting past.

Probably they wouldn't miss me when am gone.

"How are you?" Lue interjected feeling my uneasiness.

"Fine," responding

"Feeding? Your health?" trying to bring pep talk like we hadn't been secretly communicating before.

Funny.

"All good," I replied fiddling with my fingers.

"You must be grateful to Kaffo otherwise, it wouldn't be good. That man has been so helpful to our family," Father intervened.

And I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

"Thats good. " he sneered. "So any plans for children...."

"Father!" in shock, he was getting more crazy by the day. How dare he say this.

Suddenly I feel a slap across my face.

Jumping to my feet, I run outdoors. And tears rolled down my eyes.

He had never laid hands on me before, this was seriously uncalled for.

Sitting down by the gardens, trying to hide my sobs, then I felt Lue's presence behind me.

"Please don't hate him," he started. "Its his health and its getting worse by the clock."

"Does he do the same to mother?" the idea came to mind.

He didn't reply to that. So typical.

"Father was diagonised with depression but he refuses to seek medical treatment."

I had read about that bipolar disorder from the newspaper in Frayer's room. I was so familiar with its consequences now.