The promise

47 - The deal

I walk into my house with shame heavy on my shoulders. I haven't been home in three days. I haven't heard a word from my parents but my sister called me and told me my parents were taking it hard at the house. They had put everybody on lock down and did a search of phones and social media. Everybody got put on curfew, but much haven't been said. She cried on the phone that it was bad and that she thinks they are being a bit rash, but their hearts are broken and they are dealing with the news in the way only way they know how. Her news broke my heart. It's just what I thought would happen. She said they will be back home after church on Sunday as usual and that it might be a better time to come by so I make a plan to go with Mason.

I have been staying here since the incident at the school. Mostly in Mason room. Too much shame to leave or face his family. Mason has been my rock through it all. His father contact their lawyers. They believe we have a case but I don't know if I want to go through the whole process. I just want to forget about this and move on with my life.

My knees go weak at the site of my parents sitting in the living room. My father watching the news and my mother using her I-Pad. Mason quickly place his hands on my shoulders as support.

My voice trembles as I open it to speak. "Good afternoon mom and dad." My mother quickly looks up and so did my father before he goes back to looking at the tv.

"What are you doing here with that boy in my house." My father ask. "How dare you bring him and yourself here."

"I just wanted to talk please." Mason stays beside me and doesn't utter a word like I told him.

"About the shame you brought to our family? About how you are wasting our money we spend on education?"

" I am sorry that happened. It was a setup. I wouldn't do anything to bring shame to us. I wanted you to meet Mason but not like that. When you told me about CJ I just didn't know how anymore. I would never do anything to disappoint or embarrass my family."

"Amira when did you become a bad child? Ehn? When? We didnt raise you like this. It's this boy that influence you, now you have a sex tape. You want to waste your life? Never."

"Mom this boy blackmailed Mason and I for months. Mason and I have been dating since october. I wanted to tell you. He wanted me to tell you but I didn't know how you would feel about him or me having a boyfriend." I look at my dad and he didn't utter a word but he looks angry.

"We raised you to be a good Christian girl. But you seem to keep getting into this promiscuous trobule. You don't know how you behave influence your younger ones. Your father and I have talked, you will not waste our money and time. Your relationship with the boy must end today. Give me your phone. You go upstairs pack your bags and be on the next one way flight to your aunt in the U.K.

"No you can't do that." Mason interuppt and my dad face turned towards him. I told him to be quiet.

"Get out of my house." He spoke broadly. "Now." I shake my head because I knew they would say something like this.

"Yes, we can. She is our daughter and we decide her life. You won't ruin us or her. My husband said you should go." I can't believe they want to deport me to my aunt in the U.K. the woman lives in the middle of no where. They'll throw away the keys and I'll be there until I finish university then go back to Nigeria. I'll do anything to make them happy. To make a mend with them but this is asking for my whole world.

"I can't." I shake my head. "I can't go." My mother throw her hands over her head in disbelief.

My father finally turns to look at me before speaking. "You will if you want to continuing being in this family. If you want us to still call you our daughter. You will."

"This girl wants to put shame on our name God. Ruin everything we built. What will people say?" My mother cried and it's breaking my heart. I don't know what to do. I turn to look at Mason and then my family. I want both and I could have had both but I messed up. Now I have to pick and it's the hardest decision of my life. I love both.

"Amira." Mason pull my body into him. He shift my body into his and kiss the top of my head. "I promise you the world and I still plan on giving that to you. It's unconditional even if you choose them." I could breath better, the shaking in my legs stopped, there is a support to my back and the tightness I felt in my chest eased. It was then I knew my choice, I choose me and I choose Mason. I don't want conditional love; even in this moment I still love my parents, my siblings and my family. It doesn't come with conditions and because of that I have to live my life.

"Mom and dad, this is Mason Troy, the love of my life and the guy I want to marry. I didn't want you to meet him the way you did but it happened anyways and for that I am sorry. I truly am. The last thing I wanted to do was bring shame to the family. I can't picture living my life without anyone else but him. If you don't want that for me then of course I will go as you have said but you are still my family, Mason and I will be here for birthdays and major school and life events until you come around to it. Love isn't conditional and I won't stop loving you because you disagree with me. I will be back to pack my things however sad it maybe but I have to live my life."

My father shake his head in disagreement at my speech. "Because you have a boyfriend you think you can speak to us any how you like enhh? No, not in our house." My mother stands up and walk towards me.

"Mason we can go. I'll come back to get my stuff." I smile. "It's okay, I needed to do that."