Cursed To Be A Stepdaughter

Chapter 4

Sima's pov:

It's been a long week for me. My mother's funeral is tomorrow and the house is not as busy as it should be in a black household and I am complaining. Maybe if there were more people here,I wouldn't be getting tied to a bed every day of my life. The man even took away my phone from me,says he bought it and shit. I sneak out of the house to see a concert that's nearby,yes I stole his money to get a ticket. Don't judge me,I need something to distract me. A beautiful portrait of a woman catches my eyes,written 'RIP LEGEND. RIP DJ SIYAMU' and all I could say is that this woman was utterly beautiful and she looks South African. I get in and the MC starts talking. This was taking place at the big football field near home

"Today symbolizes 10 years since our legend died,a heroine ,a mother,wife and much more to the world. She touched all of our hearts and I hope her soul is still resting in peace and happy heavenly birthday to her.Now who better to represent her than Dj Maphorisa? Let's give it up for him!" he ends off and I recognize the DJ on stage. He plays mostly Siyamu's songs and they're a hit. She must've really been a legend,to still be remembered 10 years after her death. I leave after a few minutes because I can't afford to be caught.

When I get back home,there's an unfamiliar car in the driveway. I panick,what if he was already looking for me? I entered through the kitchen door and I heard voices of men arguing in the living room. This is a big ass house so if I can hear them from the kitchen,then it must be something really serious. I pull my hoodie more so that when I bump into anyone,they don't see my face.

"Dad has been looking for you" Ntando says as he sees me in the kitchen. I panick

"Where is he?" I put on my brave face and he laughs

"He did a number on you" he looked at my face. I sort of have a purple eye because he punched me and it's slightly swollen along with my cheek which is red. "This is what happens when you're stubborn"

"Take me to him and stop speaking as if he's your real dad" I say calmly. This has always gotten on his nerves. He looks nothing like the dad he's trying so hard to impress. He grabs me by my arm and I flinch. I was tied up this morning,he should take it easy. He drags me towards the voices and literally throws me when we reach the living room. The commotion stops as we enter and my eyes meet his,the boy who saved me from bullies at his birthday party. Thami Mthembu. What was he doing here? There were three other replicas of him,but not the boy on the hospital bed. That is who I wanted to see,is he really that hot in real life or his mother's phone just elevated his beauty?I mean,Thami is okay,he is cute but his brother?he is damn hottt.

"Where have you been you damn slut?" the lockness monster asks. So...no more pretending we're a happy family?

"I went to the store and I met an old friend on the way back" I lie,everyone is looking at me

"So you call your daughter a slut?more reason for us to take her away" one of the men say. Take me away to where?

"She's a slut,ask her if she's a virgin or not" he shouts hysterically throwing his hands in the air.

"What happened to your face ngane yami(my child)?" He asks

"She got into a fight" Ntando answers "she's really been giving us problems so you might as well take her" he's selling me off. I look at him in disbelief

"No she can't go. She's still mourning her mother" the dad defends again

"I do not care. She will mourn her in South Africa. Her mother is the one who married her off to us when she was young" the man says again and I don't know how to digest these news. My stomach aches at the thought of having to leave with people I don't know. Am I going to get raped yet again?

"Do you even know these people!?" he asks me. Was this the decider of a new life? I had to think fast. My eyes scan the room looking at these big men and they land on him again,he looks really sincere

"Yes,I do" I respond confidently

"Thank you" the man says "we'll fetch you tomorrow,for now say your goodbyes to your family" I really want to go now but being an introvert does that to you,you get an opportunity but you're stuck up thinking about how you'll stutter and fail. I shake my head slowly. Nobody notices my gesture so the men stand up

"Please walk us out" one of the boys says because I'd be dramatic to say he was a man. He looks in his early 20's. Thami takes my hand in his and his are so warm against my cold hands. I feel so tiny right next to this man,he is huge and he is tall. The lockness monster looks at me from head to toe and I smile a little. I'm leaving this hell hole

"We'll see you tomorrow after the funeral ntombi,make sure you're all packed and ready to go" the man who was talking to dad says

"Dad,a word with her please?" Thami asks. So that is his dad?damn. I thought it was his uncle or something because they are usually the one's who deal with these things. Why does he want to talk to me though

"Simamkele" he calls out and I look at him,then stare back at my feet. He takes his big hands and puts them on both sides of my cheeks. Kind of making me feel safe from everything and everyone "I promise you I also didn't know about this. Please don't hate me"

"I don't hate you,you're my hero" I respond and he frowns

"Did he do this to you?" he asks concerned rubbing his thumb up and down my skin. I hesitate to answer

"No" I lie. I wouldn't want to get into any trouble. Besides I don't really trust this guy. He nods "please can we fetch my results from school tomorrow before we leave for South Africa?" I ask him

"Anything for you" this nigga should slow the fuck down.

"Awu mqabule phela bhuti (kiss her already bro)" his brother pops his head through the car window making Thami laugh and let go of me. I didn't quite understand that statement. My Zulu has been rusty since I haven't been speaking it consistently

"I have to leave now" I nod. Back to reality,my reality. He looks at me for some time before heading to their car. They all wave goodbye and I wave back as I watch my future leave me. What if he's also going to rape me? I really shouldn't overthink this. He slaps me across the face. Fuck! I touch my cheek. Ntando has never hit me

"You are so promiscuous that you would rather leave your family and marry someone you don't know. I'm embarrassed to even call you my sister" he shouts holding me by my hair. I don't respond because of the pain I feel physically and wasn't he the one selling me off?

"Leave her alone,I'll deal with her" the lockness monster speaks. Great,just great!

Happy Valentines Day everyone💋