Under the Veil
IL
and again and when there was no answer, I sigh and turn my back against the door. I take a step down the stairs before the
ddle, a plasma TV and a picture of her and her mum hung on the wall. In the picture Mrs Dadah has her hand around
er to go to school", she rest her hand
three jobs. I try my best to ensure the pity I have towards her isn't visible
yes, pointed nose, red lipstick on. She is wear
n't eat before you left", she walks to on
vase outside not the carpet and make sure you bo
hear the door open and I spurn to see Mrs Dada
and please continue to look after my baby. You are
I shake my head and walk towards the hallway. I open the door and I see Celestia lay
be late t
ebrow and she sits up on the bed an
e parlor), I and Celestia and a bigger frame of Isah. There is a small bed and a drawer at the right hand side of th
to pay attention to them. You know Ai
e and you co
h it, they will onl
he rolls her eyes and frown and I can tel
mean it
lest
a girl who got lucky beca
and walk to the bed
scholarship because o
n law of the owner of the scho
rimary school and she saw r
ah r
er and she pouts and
nt would appreciate raw talent especially when they are young. After seeing the video, my mum spoke to her sister to please put a good word for her in the school. All
im in front of everyone present at the court", I gossip
n eyebrow and tries no
s one slide", I nudge her shoulder and sh
her; I don't mind giving up my happiness for her. With what her an
did h
uniors head open a
are bad news", she advice and
for you yesterday", I stand up and walk to
! For
with things of that soug
me to the door and I spurn and hold her
in trouble with dad if he knows I went to school late but
, I arch an eyebrow and she hugs me as tig
y head and
mum prepared. Meet me there", I tell h
****************
to gather her things since her class has ended. Everyone grabs their
owed to sit beside our friends during lecture; we are paired with random stranger to avoid dist
nze announces and I halt and lock eyes wit
d nothing else. Left to my dad I would have gone to a missionary school, my mum fought hard to ensure that won't happen. All she had to do was call her mum and tell her about his intentions. My dad is terrified of my grandparents especially my gra
estia touch my shoulder as she wh
they did their special handshake be
ecks his lips and hug him before lea
and I look away. When I am certain they are not staring again I look back at them. Ethan n
ent of his perfume fills the air; it smells like vanilla sought of. I am forced to look at him, his eyes
ent. So I showed it to the principal and she was flabbergasted and decided that you both will
rticipate but I can't aff
ngs at ungodly and filthy. As we all know her perfect father is a pastor of a prominent church, s
feel embarrassed and pissed that he would
e else. I can talk to Isah or Aisha to tag along. Aisha is also good in essay even better than our church girl", I fe
efuses then Aisha will take her spot", she say
tatement I walk out of the classroom n
****************
d let out a deep breath. A tear drop and I quickly wipe it off and sniffle. I won't lie, Ethan's words got to me, been known by the whole schoo
ok at her and I see through the transparent window Ethan and his friends laughing and talki
brow and I nod and grab my bag t
Mrs Odunze. What did Ethan say?", I tak
uh?", she asks with pain lace in her v
or it
You know I
6, you are in Ss3 now. You need to woman up and ask your dad and if he
I shun her and she takes a
out to explode. We can't be pissed at the same time or we might say things we will regret.
hat you are scared of, you are scared of looking filthy and unclean in the eyes o
op i
ver. It is a matter of them
he room looks at I and Celestia, they a
stare into each-other's eyes in anger. What I so much avoided hap
tors daughter, because you are not. You are just as messed up as the rest of us,
against it. Every one's eyes are on me as they whisper and point at me. I feel really embarrassed
****************
ing room. My mum is on the blue sofa while Cyril seat on the blue carp
and white stripe long sleeve on black trousers. He is 7 years old and is autistic. He is been home schooled. At the sight of them I smil
suspecting I am not happy and
and wide open and my brot
I misssh you", he
y favorite
r only brother", he fin
wards feeling drowsy after been spinned and falls on the carpet. Thankfully, he didn't hit his hea
ka?", Cyril asks in a ti
lso his age mate. Seeing him run made me grin. My mum hol
e says softl
nt our school in a state essay competition. And my classmate insulted God, I and dad and Celesti
rl, they mock me like it is a crime to be devoted to Christ
aven, your reward is long life and good health, your reward is your gift of vision sweetheart. You are a living witness t
eelings towards you when she is pissed. A girl from a lower class ought n
that competition?", she
your
n't agr
me and then stand up and
rehearsals or I will be late and earn dad's scolding. I stand up and
****************
d of the dining table, mum at his right hand and Cyril beside her. I am opposite mu
everyone are neat breakable plate and a spoon, fork and knife wrapped in a tissue paper beside the empty plate and two empty glass cups beside each plate. At the middle of the table are two jars of chilled water and orange juice. My
dad orders and I nod and
esus
oday a success. And I thank you for the provision of today's meal. I th
in unison and we a
ny times do I correct you and you didn't trace it to a bible passage", he corrects and I
logize and I can fe
y is white rice and chicken sauce. I stand up and pour a jar of water and juice into every ones empty cups beside their food and sit down. We start eating and my mind wonder to Mrs Odunze said a
icating she shouldn't worry about me. She looks at dad and shakes her head to dads' direction re
?", my dad's deep voice sends shi
ven't started eating, I had no idea I w
mething", my mum spits out
ating and turns his
my essay was amazing and th
otionlessly and c
hear he
t up for
ants to par
t to serve God on worldly, ungodly filthy thing?", h
't change anything because he will stand firm in his decision and if I say I don't want to participate mum will be hurt and they ca
I-
ll in anger and I fight the ur
ng as I breathe heavi
hit the table and we all jerk in fear and a tear roll down m
dad warns my mum in
s him dead in the eyes, as if daring him to
g quickly. I didn't m
young dark skin girl runs out
take his food and feed him",
ood and leave for the room. After they leave, I tint my head to look at mum and dad and they
ll parti
man should honor an
a bible passage. I won't do that. My dau
I am the head of the
mily", mum spits out in anger and my dad's face soften and
r. That's one thing I love about my mum, she is fearless and b
the way to tr
I don't want the same fate for my daughter", dads spits back and my mum grits
ssay competition and I can't interfere in their conversation because I have be
it", she sniffle and my da
f her tears with the handkerchief on the table. Tears roll down my cheeks and I look away, it is hard to wa
my only daughter, I will never forgive you", she stands up
hes his food back in anger and stands up and follows my mum. I burst