I had to wait for months, before I could finally get admission. Although my foster father tried his possible best to get it for me on time.
In the course of my waiting, Mrs Dorcas became pregnant. The couple were joyous and I was equally happy for them. After thirteen years of waiting, they will finally be able to boast of their own child. Though it was a blessing, it brought sorrow and sadness to my heart.
* * *
Four months into Dorcas's pregnancy. She changed drastically. Dorcas that treated me like her own daughter, now turned me into a nobody. She was no longer friendly, picked offence in most things I did, and stopped being the loving mother that I was used to. Isabella seemed please with turn out of things. I couldn't blame her, as that's what she always wanted.
One day, she said something that I never dreamt would come out of her.
Mrs Dorcas asked me to clean her room. I did so, without complain. I arranged her bed, her cloths, swept and moped. I was pleased with it's tidiness, and hoped mum would.
Mum came back from work, and walked into her room. In her room, she slipped and nearly fell but was quick enough to hold the wardrobe. That sparked unspeakable anger in her.
"Florence! Florence! " Mum called. I rushed to answer her.
"Yes mum!" She slapped me.
"Mum!" I said in utter shock.
"And who the hell are you calling mum? Oh you call me mum so as to kill me as you did to your biological mum? God forbid!" She said and circled her hand around her head. Isabella hid behind the door to eavesdrop.
"But mum, please what is my offence? Of what do I owe this treatment?"
"Oh you stand there and question me? Now I ask you to clean my room and all I get is a death trap? Why are you so ungreatfull, so wicked? My husband and I took you in, took you as our daughter. All we get as a thank you is to kill me?" Tears flowed from my eyes, as I couldn't believe all I was hearing.
* * *
Mr Philip returned from work, and Isabella rushed to take his briefcase.
"Welcome sir." She said.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine sir."
"Okay. Hope my wife is back and resting? How is Florence?"
"Sir your wife is well. We can only thank God for her deliverance from death some minutes ago." She said in a pitted expression.
"What are you talking about Isabel? Where is my wife? Is my daughter okay?" Isabel stylishly winked her nose.
"Hmm.. sir, Florence is not who you think oo! I think she nearly caused your wife's death..."
"Say no more!" He said and stormed into the house, and into their bedroom.
* * *
"You will not succeed in my home!" Dorcas said in fit of rage.
"Honey, what's going on here?" Mr Philip asked, as he held her waist softly.
"Sweet this in great here, tried to kill me ." She said in a weak voice, and rested her head on his chest.
"Is it true Florence?" I wiped my tears.
"Welcome sir. Please sir, I know not what your wife speak of."
"Look at you. You are still lying! Honey, Is it a crime to send Florence to clean my room?This girl intentionally left the floor wet, and I nearly fell and probably death will accompany that."
"Oh come on love. I don't think it's the way your seeing it. She just have to be careful next time."
'I will sir..." I said, a bit relieved.
"What! Are you supporting her wickedness! I'm carrying our only child, and she doesn't care about that, if not she would have been careful. She wishes me dead!"
"Not so mum. Please I'm sorry. Don't think that way." I said sincerely.
"Please hon, forgive her. Am sure she would be careful next time." Dorcas hissed.
"Alright, keep supporting her. But from now on, Isabella does my stuffs."
* * *
I was at the balcony few days later, thinking about life. From parents death to this very point in time. I was just sad that life was bringing all manner of ups and downs to my direction. Tears tickled down my cheeks.
#I' m suffering all these because mum, you ain't here. Dad you ain't here with me. I never believed I would eventually be treated like this someday in this home.# Mr Philip joined me at the balcony, and offered me a glass of wine. He sighed, on noticing my tears.
"Florence dear. I apologize for all the treatments, meted out to you by my wife. I want you to try and understand that she's pregnant, and tend to behave different from her usual self."
"No problem sir. I completely understand." I said and slowly sipped my drink.
"Thank you my dear. I equally trust you, and believe that you will eventually make it some day. That's the more reason why I am led by God to help you."
"Thank you sir. I really do appreciate your care and understanding towards me. I promise not to fail or let you down."
"Alright. My wife feels you are no longer wanted, since she now carries her child. She has forgotten that she brought up the idea of adopting you in the first instance. But I feel, you still deserve to be treated as before because you are still our daughter. I have finally been able to secure you an admission, into University of Port Harcourt. I will furnish you an apartment and will consequently visit you when I can." At once, I felt cool water rush from above, down to my head. I was indeed relieved.
"Thank you sir! May my God reward you abundantly!" I said in tears of joy.
"Amen dear."I hugged him and left.