ONE WRONG TURN
EPISODE 5
I spent my Saturday in isolation, I barely came out of my room or talked to anybody. The only person who bordered to find out how I was doing was Daniel. My mum only came to remind me to eat. I never felt true love from people more closer to me. So I thought!
Sunday came along with a lot of promise for me. The thought of seeing Mathew again put a smile on my face. I felt that usual flutter inside me again. I kept wondering how I would see him without my parents finding out.
I got up slowly from my bed, and walked lazily to the sitting room. My family had already started morning devotion. I found some space beside Daniel, and knelt down in front of the statue of virgin Mary.
All through the prayer, I merely mumbled some incoherent words. My mind and heart were far removed from the prayer. All I could think about was meeting Matthew again.
The devotion ended. I got up quickly, hoping to dash out of sight before anyone noticed my presence.
“Ruth come back here, we are not finished with you” My father’s voice halted me in my strides.
I turned around with a frown on my face, and hands folded across my chest. My parents had already taken up seats side by side.
“Sit down,” My mum ordered.
“I’m okay like this” I replied, looking upwards with disgust. I have never replied my parents like this before. I guess times have changed.
My father cleared his throat and continued.
“You have now decided to bring shame upon me. To the extent that you now sleep with small boys in the house of God…..”
“Daddy I did not…….”
“Shut up!” My dad shouted, getting up from his seat,
“If you interrupt me again I’ll break your head” He thundered.
As menacing as he sounded, I was largely unmoved. The anger that had built up in my heart far exceeded the fear I had for my father.
“Hence forth”, He continued, in a harsh and authoritative tone. ” You will not go to that practice again. Infact go and tell them you are no longer part of them. Apart from church and school, do not leave this house to any place. If I see you with that useless boy, or any boy for that matter, i’ll kill both of you with my bare hands………silly child”
“Okay, is that all?” I asked, in a mocking tone.
“My friend get out of here” my mum replied, obviously irritated by my attitude.
I turned around, and walked lazily towards my bathroom. I wasn’t ready to do any house chores. Whoever wanted me to work, will have to kill me first, I resolved in my heart. Thankfully, nobody disturbed me.
I returned from the bathroom, with a towel tied around my body,
I stood in front of my mirror, admiring myself. For once I appreciated how pretty I was and I flashed back to Matthew’s compliment on my beauty.
I opened my drawer, and brought out all my make up accessories, which in total included a comb, face powder and body cream. My mum wouldn’t allow anything else. I applied everything meticulously, making sure it was all perfect.
I looked through my wardrobe, searching for my favourite gown. It was a black dinner gown with touch of gold, tailor-made to my body. It brought out my exact shape, and this made me love the gown more.
I stared at the mirror, turning from side to side, making sure I looked perfect. I wanted Matthew to admire me today, if I get the chance to meet him.
It was all perfect, as I stepped outside to meet my parents in the car outside. My mum had her eyes fixed on me, as I took every step towards the car. I could guess exactly what was going on in her mind. We zoomed off. Today, i’ll find a way to out smart my parents.
We got to church quite early, as it is our usual tradition. The compound was already bubbling with life. Different brands of cars packed around, reflecting the social status of the parishioners.
The entire environment before entering the church compound was saturated with human activities, hawkers and petty traders displayed their wares anywhere it would be visible.
People walking to and fro the walk-ways, dressed in different attires. Some were simple and elegant like me, others were extravagant and flashy. Some modest and decent, others wild and provocative.
This was a typical Sunday service, the good, the bad and the ugly all meet here, some to worship the lord, some for entirely different reasons.
Which group do I belong to sef? I wasn’t so sure anymore. I used to be a good girl, but the thoughts that have preoccupied my mind for the past 48 Hours, makes me doubt my own self.
Normally, everyone will go his separate way as soon as we arrived in church. My mum and dad would find a seat, while I, David & Daniel will go our own separate ways.
As I alighted from the car, I made towards the entrance to the church hall.
“Did you not hear what I said this morning”? My dad said rather loudly.
“You are sitting next to me hence forth”
I did not want to cause a scene, so I stopped and waited for them still with my decency.
My parents had a knack for picking seats at the front. This means I had to walk almost the entire length of the auditorium. The different eyes staring at me made me shy. I notice men, old and young staring at me from head to toe, only God knows what they were actually looking at.
I scanned through the audience hoping to catch sight of Matthew.
Mid way through the auditorium, I spotted Sarah among the congregation. I fixed my eyes firmly on her, hoping she would turn towards my direction.
She sighted me from her position. I’m very sure she would have come towards me, if my parents weren’t in front of me. My mum hated Sarah and Hannah. They weren’t the most decent of girls anyways.
She made a sign with her hand, to notify me that she will get in touch.
I marched along with my parents, with my head up high, trying not to notice the eyes staring at me.
We got a seat at the front row and settled in, waiting for service to commence. Friends and well wishers stopped by to greet my parents. I was really uncomfortable sitting beside them.
My eyes kept roving about the auditorium, hoping to see Matthew. He was nowhere to be found. I turned round, to look directly behind me, I scanned face after face discreetly.
A little tap on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I turned round to see who it was.
It was Junior, my little friend. Though just 10 years old, he was a little too smart for his age. His mother is a friend of our family.
He greeted my mum and dad, and sat quietly beside me. Junior has always been fond of me. We had developed quite a bond. His sitting close to me did not raise any suspicions.
I could feel him pushing me with his arm several times, my thought was that the space between us was too tight for him. I tried to move away a little. Just then, I noticed his palm outstretched, between our tights. There was a neatly folded sheet of paper on it. This has to be a message, I was sure of it.
I looked side ways towards my parents, they were deeply involved in a discussion with the catechist.
I snatched the note from Junior’s palm, and hurriedly tucked it inside my bible.
Junior got up, and hopped away. His mission had been completed.
I opened my bible slowly, looking for the page where I had hidden the note.
I spotted the white paper, and pretended to be reading my bible. The message was short, but It’s very content excited me.
Can you guess what the content of the message was?
.
.
Is this girl a bad girl or her parents make her to be one?
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 6
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