Finding Myself ✓

Chapter 8: Underground boxer.

Phiwokuhle's POV

My alarm rings and it disturbs me from my peaceful sleep. My body isn't in too much pain but I'm sure there is bruises on my legs and thighs. I get up and go to the bathroom. I stand in front of the mirror and my eyebags are very dark and my legs are covered with bruises. I naturally have eyebags but now they really big.

I pour myself water in the bathtub and i pour bath salts and bubble bath and start bathing. I'm going to run a bit late today since I decided to take a bath. After bathing I clean the bathtub and go to my room and lotion my body. I wear my uniform and tie my hair into a bun. I choose to wear the pants instead of the skirt so I can hide my bruises.

I pack my books and i go downstairs. I find my mom in the kitchen making breakfast. It looks like I wasn't that late. "Hi mama." I greet. "Hi sthandwa sami." she says. I give her a small hug and she winces. "Why did you wince?" "Nothing." "Did he hit you?" "No." Her eyes become glossy and i hug her. "I'm sorry mama." "Its fine its not your fault." I wish I could fight back then things wouldn't be this way.

I help her with setting up the table and the rest come downstairs. We greet each other and they sit down. "Niright?" asks mom. "We okay mama." says Mandisa. "Yeah we okay. Are you okay?" says Phiwokwakhe. "I'm fine don't worry about me." "Okay. Where is dad?" "His still sleeping." He nods. I sometimes hate it when she asks are we okay after a night of intense beating. Does she think we would be okay after that?

We plate up for ourselves and start eating. It's very quiet right now, I guess we are all lost in our own thoughts. I don't know what we did to deserve such a father. I don't know what changed because everything was okay, he used to be a loving man. He always spoilt us and made sure we happy but things changed in a blink of an eye.

The annoying part about this whole thing is that we all have to pretend that everything is going okay at home because nobody at school is supposed to find out about the abuse going on here. I still question why my mom continues staying, is it the wealth or is she really blinded by his 'love'. I really hope my acquaintances don't notice anything is wrong with me.

After eating me and Mandisa clear up the table and the transport hooter goes off. I say bye to them and we hug each other. I take my school bag and make sure that my taxi money is enough. I hug my mom and go to school.

I get in the front seat and the driver comes in and greets us. I'm so bored that I have to count the money now but since there was no space at the back I had no choice to seat here. They pay the money and i send back the change that is needed and i give the driver his money. "R315." I say. "Iphelele ngiyabonga." He takes the money and puts it somewhere else. (Its enough thank you.)

I take out my headphones and connect to my phone and listen to music. The driver drops off everyone and I'm the only one thats left. This is where everybody freaks out cause what if he gets nasty ideas in his head. I try to keep my calm to show that I'm not nervous or freaking out that I'm the only one left.

I see him saying something so I take off my headphones so I can hear what he has to say. "Unga shayi uvalo." he says. (Don't be nervous.) "Uchaza ukuthini." I ask. (What do you mean?) "I know girls get scared when they left alone with the taxi driver." "Its true. But we scared cause we don't trust men." "I know but don't be. I'm not that type of person." "How can i be sure?"

"I have daughters, nieces, sisters and a mother. I wouldn't want to harm any girl because that would be like harming my family members." he answers. "Mmm." "Ugibela erenkini everyday?" (Do you climb at the rank?) "Yeah." "What time do you arrive?" "Around 7:00 if I'm on time but the latest is 7:15." "I'll be lifting you everyday and then you can pay R15 instead of R21." "Oh really?"