Shattered

Eleven

The same love that binds us...

Is the same love that separates us.

I've learned the hard way that...

Not. All. That. Glitters. Are. Gold.

*~*~*~*~*
"You're very stupid. You're useless, you're a madwoman, I regret ever knowing you, I curse the day I met you," my dad was yelling. 

How many people wake up to this kind of curse especially on their sixteen years birthday?

Right. Me.

I glanced at my phone to check the time and I groaned.

It was 5:40 am.

Ugh! These people can't allow somebody to rest in this house.

"I'm madwoman baa, you that went and paid for a mad woman you're what kwanu? You that is very useful baa, mtcheww I don't have your time this morning," my mom snapped. 

I quickly got up and closed my door securely to reduce the noise coming from their room.

That's how it is most times. Always quarreling.

What is the matter this time, I wondered as I listened again?

"Ordinary one thousand naira you can't give me, you're not ashamed of yourself. Is it not other women that pay bills for their husbands and you can't even pay mine," my dad was shouting shamelessly.

"Come and collect na, you're earning salary every month whereas I have only that popcorn shop, you want me to pay your bills," my mom shouted, "you should be ashamed of yourself."

I should have known.
It's always money they're quarreling about.

I picked up my phone once more and look at the birthday text messages I've received but one caught my attention.

'Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I promise to love you forever, my love.
Happy birthday my darling wifey'.

I smiled as I read the text again.

It was a simple message but it held a lot of meaning.

I smiled as I remembered what happened yesterday. How he had carried me to the bathroom and washed me up, massaged my core with warm water, and made love to me again.

Although I had some difficulties walking well the pain subsided by the time mommy noticed and I blamed it on menstrual cramps.

Quickly I stood up and entered the bathroom to bathe.

The early morning breeze which came in through the open window was blowing lightly as goosebumps filled my skin.

Damn, I'm cold.

Who has the luxury of boiling water, I wouldn't like to finish our managing gas.

Right after taking a chilled shower, I went back to my room and dressed up.

My mom was waiting for me there but the shouting from her room hasn't reduced yet.

"Imagine, this useless man that's not ashamed of himself," my mom began but I cut her off quickly.

"Mom, not now," I glanced at my watch, "it's time for me to go to the shop."