No regrets

The pain was too much for little Annette. School life had not been easy, neither was her future visible. Everything was blurred. She had been crying so long, a smile could have felt awkward on her worn out face.

"Don't worry Anne, all of this will come to pass". That assurance seemed silly and not more than just a comforting statement from her friend Dorothy.

Annette did not move but just stared at the stream rushing down wishing her life could do the same. Rush forward to the unknown future, at least get ease from her current situation.

Phone beeping interrupted her thoughts and she rushed to pick it up. "Hey babe, how are you doing?" Came the sweet voice from the other end.

She could recognize that voice even in her sleep

A warm tear slipped down her cheek freely as Douglas' sweetness she longed for, hit her ears.

Confused on whether to tell him the truth or not, she wept uncontrollably. Douglas could not help but ask in rushed words, "what is wrong my love? Who hurt you?"

"I can't take it no more. I would rather die than face so much hurt!". She struggled to find words to discourage Douglas from intervening. She saw no hope in all that mess

What hurt the most was that her daddy had disowned her yet her mommy said not a word to protest or least defend her.

Her schooling had been terminated for no reason as her father stopped paying school fees all together. He continued paying fees for her other siblings though.

Here at her granny's, her uncles branded her a slut, yet she knew no man. The truth she knew yet couldn't prove, hurt like hell

"My love, I must see you and put an end to all this. Whatever it takes, I want you by my side!"

Douglas could not help shouting to confirm his protection assurance to the girl he was in love with.

That assurance really was something. Annette stopped crying and listened in silence. Other than Dorothy, no one had ever shown support, and now Douglas!

If only her wish could come true. But she made up her mind long time ago, never to 'throw' herself to any man and that her marrying would only be formal.

Whatever 'formal' meant, any way out of this misery was the best option. Douglas seemed to hold a slim chance and the only one.

They conversed for a while but Annette did not tell Douglas exactly what her problem was. All he knew was that, the woman for his future was in distress something he could not fathom!

Instead of planning for a simple meeting, he sent her money for a ticket, she had to travel and meet up far from where she lived with her granny, far away from those causing her heartache.

Douglas was so touched, he could not relax until he understood everything. He hoped Annette would trust him this once and agree to meet him.

He never saw it coming, but he made arrangements to meet Annette and 'never let her leave his side!'

Where did those thoughts come from? Was he really ready to take up such responsibilities? Those thoughts really shocked him. Was there something he didn't know about himself?

So many things to think about, Douglas didn't realise how fast time rushed. His mother had been on his neck. All she complain about was her age and how tired she was and needed help as well as company of her own grandchildren!

Douglas was far used to those words and never paid much attention to his lamenting mother. His father had passed away after suffering from liver cancer, leaving him to take care of his mother as his elder brother lived elsewhere and his little brother had just completed high school and there was little help he could offer.

Annette did not stop to think but immediately started packing her bag. No one would feel her absence, leave alone notice. At least for now

She never wanted to sneak, Annette went where her granny was resting under a shade. All she could summon was a lie someone had called her about a job in town. 'Sorry granny, some truths are best in the dark. She didn't want to cause havoc. How would it be, refilling to granny, that her family was causing her all the pain?

Next she called her little brother up. She explained only what she knew he could comprehend. They exchanged good-byes and left as soon as possible for the bus station.

The only thing on her mind now, was to get as far as possible from her tormentors, from all her troubles.