Chapter Eleven

First wave of exam was over and we were talking about our results.

"Heard the result is out" Gab said looking at us, we were currently sitting in class.

"Anybody with their phones?" I ask

They both nodded in affirmative bringing them out, I brought out mine too.

"We'd check together, one, two go" Charlly counted.

Checking the jamb website, I waited for my result to show, my heart hammering.

"What's yours?" Gabriel looked at me.

"267" I breathed out in relief.

"289" Charlly said proudly.

Gabriel was silent

"How about you Gab? I promise not to laugh"

"310" He say with a smirk.

"Not fair, you didn't even read much" Charlly whined

"Yea its not fair, we read a lot cause of this exam, and you just…" I huffed blowing out air.

"Life isn't fair, babes"

"What did you even switch here for? Could have written your exams in your previous school"

"Wasn't in Nigeria till about months ago" He shrugged

Explains a lot.

The house was tensed when I got home, everyone was sitting in the living room, there was another woman there, she looked to be about 5 years older than I am.

"What's happening?" I ask.

They remained quiet.

"I asked a question" I yell

"Ask your father" Mother says from where she was sitting

"I decided to marry a second wife and I expect everybody in this house to respect my decision " What?

"What?" I looked at the woman standing next to him

"She" I pointed

"Why? She is old enough to be your daughter for God's sake" I yell

"I expect you to treat her like you would your mother"

"Over my dead body, she isn't even that much older than me"

"You are to stand by my decision and respect it, I am your father" he shouts

"When have you ever acted like a father" I yelled louder, mother was sobbing.

"Was it when you beat us up? Or when you made us feel like nothing, tell me when!!"

"Excuse me.." The woman started.

"Stay out of this, family matters" Ikenna warns. He was livid

"Mother what do you say about this?" I ask

"She has no say in this, its not her decision to make, Laura stays and that's final".

I storm out banging the door to my room.

Days pass in tension. Laura moved in and I was avoiding her like a plague.

I go to the kitchen looking for food, there was rice and melon seed soup dished out in a plate.

"Who cooked this?" I ask Ikenna who was sitting on a chair.

"Laura" Mother never cooked it. She knew how much I hated melon seed. I drop the food on the sink

I take three packets of noodles to cook for I and ikenna. When food is cooked, I take mine and head to the living room.

"Crystal" Father shouted.

"Crystal" He came into sight with his loyal dog following close behind.

"Can't I drink my water and drop the cup in peace?" I ask no one in particular.

"Did you waste the food your mother cooked for you?"

"My mother didn't cook anything for me" I say

"I demand you talk to me like your father"

"I demand you act like my father" twack

My face turns to the side.

"Is that what you ever do?, hit and run away?" I ask

He raises his hand to hit me again

"Honey leave her, she's just a kid, I'm just hurt she didn't eat the food I prepared for her" I resist the urge to throw up.

"You told your father you got married to his age mate didn't you?" I ask her. She glares at me.

He storms away leaving me with her.

"Why don't you like me?" She asks

"are you that stupid?"

"Oh well, just know I'd be here for a while" she laughs walking away.