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