His Enigma

Lena’s Pov

“You are what?” my father asked, not sure of what he heard.

“I am .…”

I started to say before I was interrupted by a stinging slap that landed across my face. I stumbled backward, rubbing my cheek as tears welled in my eyes from the pain.

“Lena, what in the name of God have I done to deserve this, what!?” my father asked, half yelling and I could feel the anger boiling up inside him.

“Why did you score me like this, why!?”

“Answer me,” he yelled in anger, making me flinch in fear.

I stood frozen to the spot, not daring to look up. I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole this instant. I felt immense shame and couldn't find a word to respond to my father, who was demanding for one at the moment.

"Can't you hear your father? Answer the goddamn question!” my stepmother chimed in from where she was seated.

“I... I...” I stammered between my tears, not knowing what to say.

“Ever since your mother died, haven't I tried my best to make sure you are happy and comfortable? Is this what I get after all this?!” my father asked, with a mixture of pain in his voice.

“No, Daddy, you haven't,” my mouth protested against my wish. I don't know where the courage came from, but I spoke, not caring about my present state.

“No, I haven't?” he asked, quiet surprise.

“Yes, Daddy, you haven't,” I began, affirming my words.

“Ever since my mother died and you married this woman, you've neglected me. It got worse when she gave birth to a son. You no longer cared for me nor gave me the attention or love a father is supposed to give his daughter.”

“Wow, really?” he asked.

“Yes, and that was what drove me to look for it elsewhere. I found it, and it led to this,” I said, staring at his face, pointing down to my stomach and wiping my tears with the back of my left hand.

Before I could catch my breath or register what was happening around me, a slap from my stepmother landed across my face.

The pain I felt and the sound of it knocked me straight to the ground. I gazed up at her enraged face, rubbing my cheek as the tears flowed freely down my face.

"How dare you speak to your father in that tone? How disrespectful!" she poured out angrily, ready to pounce on me if I said anything bad again.

"Now you blame your father for your mistake?" she asked, pretending to be a senseable person.