SAVAGE SOLACE

ONE.۝

"Zaki, how could you have slept through all this drama that idiot put up?! Just...leave me alone!" I said and tried to outpace the speed of light with my walk.

My persistent bestie tried to catch up, "What did I do wrong? Go and blame Lovia, not me!"

"I see..."

I didn't finish my sentence and made my way through the sea of students in the hallway.

Though I thought I heard some faint calls, I didn't mind.

Zakiya could be so clueless sometimes. In my former school, she wouldn't have qualified as a friend; I've only had to make do in this prison called Hillside High School. Where were the Mogul Girlies when I needed them the most?!

I clutched my bag, trying to absorb the shock. My face was betraying me; I couldn't hide my feelings anymore, which was so unlike me.

I descended the flight of stairs and headed for the dormitory amid the crowds of students going in different directions.

I knew I was going to be talked about; I was going to be the topic of discussion, but I didn't give a damn. I didn't care what anyone else thought.

I was annoyed at myself for allowing Lovia to treat me this way. No one mistreated me and went scot-free.

I don't forgive, I don't forget, I don't quit until I see blood and tears intertwined.

I'm going to take my time. I'm going to strike. I'm going to  execute all my plans for her. I could order some gang to harm her. She dared play with my life? Her life would be a cartoon movie then.

I, Ruby-Anne, find comfort in revenge.

No sooner had I reached the Visual Arts Department block, the last place before the dormitory, than did I hear, "Ruby-Anne, come here!"

Some passing students turned to look at me. If he hadn't been in sight, I wouldn't have responded to the call.

I walked towards Sir King, a gentleman in every sense of the word, an old friend of my father, across the lawn, still clutching my bag.

"Why this face?"

"Nothing," I quietly muttered, wanting to slap myself for letting my face betray me. No, all feelings were meant for inwards. I only had to look the same unbothered beautiful girl on the outside.

"Let's go," he said, and I merely followed him to the staff common room.

I muttered my greetings to the teachers present and walked with Sir King to his desk.

"Your father wants to speak to you."

"Who?" I said, not believing my ears as he picked up the phone.

"Did I have saliva in my mouth when I was talking?"

I stood still. I wanted to walk out that moment, but something told me to wait a while. Speaking to Daddy was the last thing to do in hell.

I waited as he dialed Daddy's number. The call went through immediately, and I sure wanted to fly.

"Hello Jessy....Yes oo, I dey...I see...your daughter is here, and the kind of looks she is giving me.... haha..."

Then he handed the phone to me and beckoned to step outside to make the call.

"Hello," I said coldly as I stepped onto the veranda.

One of my former dormmates in the nearby Home Economics Department waved. I did wave back, though.

"I don't have to teach you greetings at this age, young lady," his deep voice was cold too.

Tears started welling up in my eyes:

Is this the price I have to pay for being born to a father who was only twenty when he had me and an eighteen-year-old mom I don't know who abandoned me a few days after bringing me into this world?

Whoever got a father who loved her stepmom more than her?

Whoever got a barren stepmom who blames her for her infertility?

Whoever got sent out of the house so many times before finally brought to this hell to get rid of her?

Whoever got a dad who didn't care about her existence?

And the most painful thing, you can't speak back because if you do, the man you call your Dad would send you packing to the countryside?

He would take away the little things from you?

Whoever got disgraced before her stepmom's family because they wanted to badly get rid of her?

Whoever had a mom who was heartless? Who just didn't care where I was?

Whoever got slapped and beaten a thousand and one times?

Whoever got this maltreated? Why?

"Hello?" Daddy was still saying at the other end.

My hatred and anger for him grew every single day, and I sure could kill him to death and not feel a little sting of regret.

How I had been able to fend for myself here was due to my boyfriend, my Adonis, who didn't hesitate to lavish on me because he knew I could be snatched away easily because of my dazzling beauty.

"Would you please tell me what it is?" I finally spoke up with sarcasm in my voice.

"Ruby-Anne, do you have a single respect left in you? You are getting airs about yourself right? Okay then..."

From the pain of everything, and not caring what was next again, I spoke:

"Mister Badu, spare me the lecture, yeah? If I don't respect, I guess it's your fault then. You've never done anything deserving of a father, and I want to tell you how much I hate you with my all."

"Ruby!" He exclaimed over the phone.

This was the very first time I was speaking back to him. I always acted unconcerned through everything he put me through, but I guess that wasn't enough.

"Get over yourself, devil." I said and hung up coolly.

But the question was, what was gonna happen with my life after this? Oh geez...

Already being burdened, I returned the phone to Sir King inside the staff common room.

"You are to solve one Maths question before you go out of here, girl." One of the teachers in the Mathematics section called out to me.

When I approached Sir King and handed the phone to him, he told me plainly,

"I turned on the recorder, Ruby-Anne."

I looked at him with such intensity. I wanted to burn deep into his soul.

For the umpteenth time in my life, I said to my soul,

Ruby babe, you've got everything under control.

Ruby-Anne, you've got this too under control.

I took a piece of paper from his desk and scribbled quickly,

If you don't see my tears, it doesn't mean I don't cry. One more wrong move from you, Sir and I'm going to commit suicide.

I nonchalantly pushed the paper towards him and walked out, totally ignoring the teachers in the Maths section,

"King, call her back for me." I heard them say as I walked on.

"What's her name?"

"Girl!"

For one thing I knew, I lured everyone with my beauty. The teachers would not do a damn thing to me, cos I looked like a rich man's daughter.

Ruby Babe, you've got everything under control.

I heard Sir King say quietly, "Let her be."

A/N

Zakiya or Ruby-Anne, who's right?😂

Please do vote.💓