Solely Mine

Chapter 1: Ocean

Lerato's pov:

"Life is really unfair "Lerato thought to herself,she loved where she was now , everything about her life felt alright,though she thought,she took a deep breath and looked at the sun casting a golden glow over the sea that had been her life for as long as she could remember. She sat on the old wooden porch of her grandmother's beachfront cottage, the same spot where she had spent countless afternoons, listening to the melody of the waves and watching the seagulls dance in the sea breeze.

Lerato loved the ocean, her heart intertwined with the rhythms of the tides. The salty scent of the sea was as familiar to her as her own breath, and the soothing lullaby of the waves had always been her companion. Beside her, her grandmother, a woman of timeless grace and wisdom, sat in an old rocking chair, her eyes filled with both love and compassion.

As the evening shadows lengthened, Lerato couldn't help but feel a sense of heaviness settling in her chest. The time had come, like an uninvited guest, for her to leave this coastal sanctuary. Her parents, who had relocated to another state in pursuit of their careers, had sent her a letter that had arrived like an unwelcome storm. They wanted her to join them at the state,a place far away from the shores she held dear.

Lerato wasn't thrilled about the prospect of leaving her grandmother's side and the place she had come to call home. She had grown up here, surrounded by the warmth and love of her grandmother. The thought of moving to an unfamiliar state with its bustling cities and busy streets filled her with unease.

She turned her gaze back to the ocean, her silent confidante. The waves, each one a story of its own, seemed to whisper secrets and farewells. Lerato wished with all her heart that the stress and uncertainty of this impending change could vanish, like the waves dissipating into the sea. But reality was unrelenting, and she knew that, at least for now, she had no choice.

Her grandmother, who had watched her grow from a curious child into a young woman, reached over and placed a gentle hand on Lerato's shoulder. "My dear, life is a journey, and this is just the next chapter," she said with a tender smile. "Remember who you are always. See it as a new phase.

Lerato nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. Her grandmother's words were a balm to her troubled heart, a reminder of the deep-rooted resilience that ran through her veins. She knew she couldn't resist it even though she tried, and so she embraced her grandmother one last time before heading inside to pack her belongings.

The days that followed were a blur of sorting, packing, and goodbyes to the familiar places she had frequented. Lerato couldn't help but notice how every corner of the cottage held a memory, and every wave that lapped the shore seemed to echo in her inner turmoil.

As she boarded the plane that would carry her to her new life in another state, Lerato couldn't shake the sadness that clung to her. She looked out of the window, her eyes fixed on the receding coastline. The open sea that had been her home was now a distant memory, fading into the horizon, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on her heart.

Lerato closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The whispers of the ocean, though distant, echoed in her soul. She knew that no matter where life would carry her, the love of her grandmother and the memories of the sea would remain a part of her, guiding her through the current state of her new life.

Upon the arrival at the other end of the state , everything seem strange to Lerato,it only took courage and determination not to turn back home.she felt like she didn't belong here.this wasn't her home,and it could never be her home.

she fought the urge of turning and heading on her hills back home not until she saw her father from the corners of her eyes waving the name tag at her.she sighed but not with one of relief but annoyance

"Dad".she called out and pretended to smile ."welcome my child,come everything is ready for you .your mother is waiting."the thought of hearing her father talk about her mother sent chills down her spine.she knew from the onset that her mother had never loved her .not even tiny tinnie bit.she kept wondering why on earth the wanted her in the state all of a sudden .

The drive home was a cold one and Lerato didn't seem to mind not until her father started a conversation about home and her grandmother

"How's your grandmother? She never takes my call .

"She's fine dad , " Lerato sarcastically answered and turned her face towards the window.something isn't right she thought,all of a sudden her father is nice and her mother wants to see her.she couldn't figure out the real reason but she knew something is definitely up.

We have arrived.her father said.Lerato stepped out of the car, looking at the house In Front of her . little did she know that this was going to be a hell hole

"I will go through this like a dream. she said to herself and walked into the house.

"It didn't feel like home ,she thought to herself but then "I have no choice.

"Well look at you all grown up ,why did you wear a black dress ?

red suit you better, Lerato hearing that voice turns her head to the direction from where the voice is coming from and sees her mother by the door, sarcastically replies "hello to you too mother."oh common on don't be like that ,come I will show you to your room . Lerato following behind had alot of thought running through her mind "what is really going on here,why I'm I here?