The Truth Untold

Stormy Clouds.

                            Chapter 1
On the first night, when Chiara's stepdad surprised her, that was the beginning of years filled with never ending anguish and nightmares.
On that fateful night, Chiara was trying to wind down, after a gruelling day, which began with assisting her brother to fill the water drums, from as early as 5.00a.m. After which, she had to prepare her younger siblings ( two brothers and two sisters) for school.
School was Chiara's " Best Escape".
Those hours away from home, was a "Blessing in Disguise" for her.
One could easily describe Chiara as "Wonder Girl"

That night, after preparing her siblings for bed, Chiara began her nightly ritual of preparing for the next day's meal and organising her younger siblings' school clothes. Her mom was at work at the metal factory working the 2 p.m to 10 p.m. shift.

Her Stepdad, Mr Moron Awkward was lounging on his improvised, palatial chair. There he was, smoking like a man, who might have rather died of lung cancer than to face up to becoming "A Real Man".

Sitting, like the King of the Manor, a ( wannabe) Napoleon trying to mellow himself with a beer. Apparently that was not enough, because he soon gave in to " His lascivious lust"

Chiara was busy doing stuff that really did not warrant her attention. Working herself to the limit, was better than having her head, banged against the wall...she thought to herself.
She made sure that every inch of the house was clean. That was preferable to being beaten with a broomstick or being left without food.

Chiara worked assiduously at the kitchen counter. The grout being the most difficult task of all. After placing the rags away, she was still nervous.
Not knowing what would come next, she packed her school books into her bag..eager for the next day.
Chiara then prepared all 5 pairs of school shoes, ensuring that they were neatly placed and at precisely the same angle. She did not want to leave anything to fault, for she feared the wrath of her parents.

"Aaaargh" Time for uniforms Chiara sighed wearily.
Looking up at the clock in the kitchen, she saw that it was 9.00 p.m.
Suddenly! she felt a cold, clammy hand descend on her shoulder.......
The touch sent flashes of alarm up her spine. Chiara immediately became more tense and nervous.
She turned around and looked up into the face of her stepdad!
Fear gripped her heart!
Flashes of alarm shot up her spine!
That man, who swore that Chiara would turn out to be ( nothing good), was grinning down at her maliciously, smelling like he had crammed an entire beer factory, into his stomach, that night.

The scent made Chiara feel like puking.
Thank goodness her stomach was empty of food.
Mr. Awkward reached out and began fondling Chiara's chest. She tried to pull away from his filthy grasp, which he had on her left shoulder, but, to no avail.

Trying to put as much space between them as possible, Chiara only succeeded in being cornered. The depraved soul  pushed her effortlessly against the wall.

Chiara was crying and pleading.
Her voice trembled with fright.
With a sickening smile, Mr, Awkward, pressed his reeking body against her.
By then, Chiara was sobbing uncontrollably.
" Dear God, she prayed silently, Please help me. I have no one to help me. God can you hear me?"

Just as suddenly as he began, he stopped!
Mr. Awkward wrapped the palm of his hands around little Chiara's neck
The pressure lifted her off the floor.
He sneered at her and boldly stated:
" Remember you do not have anyone.
If I ever hear anything about this from anyone. I will cut you to pieces!".

With that, he released his hold on her neck.
Chiara fell like a crumpled piece of paper, to the floor.
Her chest aching with   despair.

That was the beginning of years of fear, torment, sadness, anger and frustration.

At Precisely 9.15 p.m.on June 21st 1974,
Chiara realised that at age 7,   she was alone! 
Fear curdled in her stomach!
She had no one to turn to!
Her family worshipped the floor which Mr. Awkward walked on.

The branches of the trees casted eerie shadows against the window pane, competing with her apparently gloomy life.
Chiara walked onto the porch and looked up.
The stars in the sky seemed to be protesting her fate, as they rapidly disappeared behind stormy clouds.

Yes! Stormy clouds!

The very image which was now threatening, to drench the rest of her life.