Fragments Of Affection: A journey of Healing

In a bedroom, a girl was curled up in a corner, head buried in her legs, back against the wall. Sunlight filtered through closed curtains.

Soft knocks and the girl's sobs were the only sounds that could be heard in the room. Outside, a woman softly asked the girl to open the door, but the girl remained silent, continuing to cry.

" Please open the door" A soft voice came from outside the room followed by a soft hiss of a woman who had been standing there for a while now.

" Clara, I know you can hear me... please open the door" the woman pleaded again with the same soft voice; however, the girl didn't move as she continues sobbing silently on the floor

Outside the room, Mrs. Alice retreated her hand from the door with a heavy heart, her mind swirling with concerns about her daughter Clara. The previous evening, Clara had arrived home in tears and went straight to her room without explaining anything to her. And when she tried finding out what was wrong with her, she found the door locked.

She had called Lyla, Clara best friend, to know if she knows what happened to Clara, but she isn't picking up.

" Clara, please stop crying, remember if you get sick I won't be happy" She said before leaving for her room

Back in the room, Clara kept on crying non-stop, her face was swollen. Her head hurts, but the pain in her heart hurts more.

She couldn't believe what happened yesterday, everything that happened felt like a nightmare.

The two people she trusted betrayed her. If she was told that this will happen, she will never believe.

Clara continues to sob as her mind flashed back to yesterday.

I plan to give my boyfriend Kevin a surprise visit. I went to the store and got some food ingredients because I plan on also cooking for him.

From my house to Kevin house took just one hour and some minutes. The moment I got to his house, I happily walk out of the car.

She walked to Kevin apartment carrying a heavy bag on one of her hand. On getting to his door, she wanted to knock, but she immediately changed her mind. She gently pushed the door open.

Immediately she step into the room, her whole body froze, a shiver run down her spine. She felt she was being crushed to dust. It felt like a dream, but it was real.

Her man was kissing another girl, not just another girl but her own best friend. Her eyes couldn't believe what just happened In front of her.

A tears roll down her cheek.

Both Kevin and Lyla were shocked, they were surprised seeing Clara. They immediately stand up and start getting dressed.

" Babe, am sorry... please it not what you're thinking" Kevin said as he tries to hold her hand, but she took a step back avoiding him.

She looks towards Lyla, the person she called her bestie, the person she shared anything with.

She ran out of the room without saying a word.

Kevin run after her before he could catch up with her, she had stopped a car, enter and it drove off.

" Why did he cheat" she asked herself

She wasn't that beautiful, but she is pretty, she had always tried her best to be a good girlfriend. Doing whatever he asked her to do without questioning or arguing with him.

So why???

They have dated for five years, and he had promised to marry her. She as always believe In him, never, for once, have she ever dream that Kevin will cheat on her.

" Lyla" she said as more tears flows down her eyes

I still find it difficult to believe that Lyla, my bestie could do this to me

All those laugh, hugs were never genuine, and I had trusted her for years.

I smiled and get up from the floor. I stagger with my eyes so heavy. Everything around me felt strange.

I walk to the bathroom, took off my clothes and let the running water take control of me.

FLASH BACK _________ fifteen years ago.

In a heart-wrenching scene, a young girl was witnessed clutching a pristine white teddy bear, seeking solace in a corner as she bore witness to her father's abhorrent act of violence towards her mother.

Overwhelmed with a conflicting mix of fear and a deep desire to intervene, the child found herself paralyzed, tears streaming down her face as she implored silently in her tender heart for divine intervention to halt her father's onslaught.

As if in response to her silent supplication, the assault ceased abruptly, the father callously delivering a parting blow before departing from the harrowing scene, leaving behind a trail of destruction and terror in his wake.

The young girl, driven by a mix of love and courage beyond her years.

Hastened to her bloodied mother's side, apologizing softly and attempting to offer what comfort her small hands could provide, the anguish etched in her mother's broken but resilient gaze betraying the immense suffering she had endured.

" Mummy sorry" she said as she uses her little hand to clean her tears

The woman smiles, trying to hide the pain, but one could see the pain in her eyes.

" Mummy is fine, I thought you had sleep" the woman said.

" No, mummy is in pain" the little girl cried

" Mummy, I hate Daddy... all men on earth"

" Shh... Stop. You don't have to hate your daddy. He is your father nothing can change that. And you don't have to hate all men on earth, they are not the same. Do you understand"

The little girl nodded her head in agreement of what her mother said.

After completing my bath, I gently wrapped a soft towel around myself and exited out of the bathroom.

Sitting before the mirror, I gazed at my reflection, my eyes appearing reddened from shedding tears, and my complexion seeming pale and drained.

After some time, I applied body cream, put on a gown, makeup, and left the room.

"Clara," Mrs. Alice called.

"I want to take a walk, Mummy," I replied, quickly leaving without waiting for her response.