章節 14: 13
A FACE IN THE CROWD
13.
As I stepped into the house, my heart sank.
Prestige's fiery gaze met me, her eyes blazing with anger.
"You think you can steal my man?" she spat, venom in her voice.
I trembled, fear gripping me.
My first kiss, my first relationship, and now this.
Dad's truck outside meant he was home, and I'd forgotten dinner.
Prestige's accusation made my stomach churn.
"Where are you coming from, Precious?" Dad's cold tone sent shivers down my spine.
"I...I went out with a friend," I stammered.
Dad's face twisted in disgust.
"You now go around prostituting yourself? Disrespecting my honor? My house?"
Mom emerged from her room, but instead of calming Dad, she shocked me.
Her palm connected with my cheek, twice.
Pain exploded, and I burst into tears.
Dad's voice grew louder.
"Get me the cane, Princess!"
Prestige locked the door, trapping me.
Each stroke of the cane felt like a razor slash.
My heart hardened, numbness spreading.
I realized I didn't belong here.
No one loved me; no one wanted my well-being.
Princess and Prestige partied all night, but I was punished severely.
Why the double standard?
After the beating, I dragged myself to my room.
My bed became my refuge, my tears soaking the pillow.
My body ached, but the pain in my heart was unbearable.
My peach gown, once a symbol of happiness, lay torn and ruined.
My bag, lost in the chaos.
I wept, my soul shattered.
How could they do this to me?
Their own flesh and blood?
In that moment, I vowed to escape.
To find a life where love didn't hurt.
Where family meant support, not suffering.
Sleep claimed me, but the agony lingered.
Tomorrow would bring new struggles.
But for now, I let the darkness consume me.
.
.
I woke up with a newfound resolve.
No more apologizing for living my life.
No more silently suffering.
I ignored the household chores, just like my sisters.
Their privilege was now mine.
At the clinic, I bought painkillers and ointment for my bruises.
The nurse's sympathetic gaze only strengthened my determination.
Back home, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted from the kitchen.
I dished myself a generous portion, eating without guilt.
Mom's voice cut through my calm.
"I hope it's not the food I made with my own hands you're eating?"
I ignored her, focusing on my meal.
She snatched the plate away, fury etched on her face.
I smiled, already full.
"Thanks, Mom, the food's delicious!"
Her surprise was palpable, but I didn't care.
Yesterday's beating had shifted something within me.
I realized I deserved better.
In the sitting room, my bag lay abandoned.
My phone, once lost, now buzzed with missed calls and texts.
Katlego's concern poured through a hundred missed calls and messages.
Tshepo's Facebook messages reflected his worry.
I locked myself in my room, replying to their messages.
"Hey, I'm alright. Don't worry."
Tshepo demanded details.
I shared the painful truth.
His anger and indignation warmed my heart.
"How can they do this to you, Precious?"
His outrage validated my feelings.
For the first time, I felt seen.
Heard.
"Precious, I heard you're no longer helping your mom around the house," Dad said, his voice laced with disapproval.
"You don't do your chores, but you eat her food. You're a mannerless child precious!"
I stood tall, my voice firm.
"She knows I'm not her only child here. You also know you have three daughters, and the chores should be shared accordingly. I won't do anymore chores until that fact is adjusted."
Princess snickered.
"I told you all, it's because she's making coins from her paintings. She thinks she's better than us now."
Prestige chimed in.
"No, it's because she's dating and doing adult stuff. She thinks she's all grown up now."
Mom intervened.
"This is what I've been dealing with, Baba. Precious is so disrespectful."
I met their accusations head-on.
"Princess, why don't you go get Dad's cane? He's going to beat me soon, and I'm very prepared for it. And you, Prestige, do your best. Lock the door and laugh as you want. The arena is all yours, family!"
Their faces froze in shock.
Mom's eyes widened.
"Precious, how dare you!"
Dad's face reddened.
"You're disrespecting your elders!"
I smiled, a calm, calculated smile.
"I'm not disrespecting anyone. I'm setting boundaries. And I won't back down."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving them stunned.
I retired to my room, focused on preparing for my apprenticeship tomorrow.
No more apologies.
No more silence.
I was taking control of my life.
As I packed my bag, Katlego's words echoed in my mind:
"You deserve better, Precious. You deserve to be happy."
Tomorrow marked a new beginning.
My apprenticeship with Meetsi Mokotso.
My phone rang, illuminating Katlego's name on the screen.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Hello, Precious." His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.
I loved how he said my name, making it sound like a treasure.
"Hello, Kat," I replied, smiling.
Our name for each other felt intimate, special.
"What are you doing now?" Katlego asked.
"Packing my bag for tomorrow. I'm excited to meet Meetsi Mokotso."
I told him all about tshepo including Tshepo's birthday gift.
Katlego's thoughtful gesture warmed my heart.
"I brought you something," he said, his voice filled with mystery.
"Something to help you make a good first impression."
My curiosity piqued.
"You're outside?" I asked, amazed.
Katlego chuckled.
"Yeah."
I ended the call, my pulse racing.
Princess sat engrossed in the TV, oblivious to my departure.
No sign of Mom, Dad, or Prestige.
Dad's truck was absent, probably out on one of his late-night excursions.
I stepped outside, and Katlego's smile greeted me.
He held a present bag, its contents hidden.
"Hey," he said, his eyes sparkling.
I walked closer, feeling the night air wrap around us.
"Hey," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
Katlego handed me the bag.
"I wanted to help you feel confident tomorrow."
Inside, I found a stunning outfit, perfectly tailored.
A note attached read: "You'll shine, Precious."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
"Kat, this is too much."
He wrapped his arms around me.
"You deserve the best, Precious."
In that moment, I knew I was loved.
Truly, deeply loved.
Katlego's gestures spoke volumes.
He saw me, truly saw me.
And I felt seen.
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