"We decided to be considerate". Elixia spoke softly. Johnbones sighed as he looked down. Then stared at both his daughters. The one at his left was of his blood and the one at the right just acted like she was formed from his blood. The atmosphere they both created now was peaceful and willing to accommodate even their enemy.
"We got into a fight because she was surprised that I hadn't spoken of our relationship to you both". "You both didn't have to speak about your relationship". Vistuler said staring at her nails. "You both made it obvious". She said and looked at her father.
"She spoke that you girls would see her as". He said and got up. Uneasiness grabbed him, as though his past was hunting him "See her as". The word wasn't just coming out. "See her as what?". Elixia asked innocently and Vistuler stared at him in confusion. Wondering the word he wanted to say, that was hard to be pronounced.
"See her as a harlot". He finally spoke out. And then everywhere became silent. Not one of them tried to make it weird for their father. They just needed him to speak up. They could crucify him later.
"And...". Vistuler said in expectancy. "See her as some lady after my riches and properties". Then he stopped talking. "Didn't you reply her?". Elixia asked innocently yet again. Her father looked at her with saddened eyes. And looked away to speak. "I told her none my girls would see her as this, unless she's one". He finished his statement nonchalantly. "You just called her a harlot indirectly, father". Vistuler rose to speak. And Elixia stood almost immediately when Vistuler rose. "Cause she's one Vistuler". He turned to say as he met Vistuler's gaze.
"No lady would like to be called that father, even if she's one". Tears started to roll down her eyes. "You really disgust me father". Vistuler ended her statement and started to sob loudly. Then Elixia wrapped her arms round her and patted her softly. "I would escort you to your room, okay?". Elixia said and Vistuler nodes. "I'll be right back father". She assures her father. Johnbones didn't reply rather he looked away.
The journey to Vistuler's room was as quiet as a graveyard. None of them chose to break it having a reason or the other in their minds. Elixia held Vistuler's hand as she lead the journey.
As they got to the door of Vistuler's room, Vistuler refused to move any further. Elixia turned in surprise. "You should really rest. You look so stressed". Elixia tried convincing. "Mm". She replied and nods. Then her eyes trailed down her hand that Elixia held. Seeing this Elixia removed her hand as fast as possible. "No Elixia". She grabbed Elixia's hand and placed it back on hers.
Elixia appeared surprised at this. She looked back at Elixia. "Always hold me like this, okay?". Elixia had questions popping up in her head but she buried them. "You know, my mother would always hold me like this when she wanted to scold me. She would so it and she'll still pat me to sleep with that same hand. I was still very little then, but I can remember how it went". Vistuler smiled as she speaks.
As she looked at Elixia's face. It wasn't what she expected. Elixia appeared bored. "You know never mind. My story is so boring". Elixia was confused at her words. She moved to her door and looked back at Elixia. "Goodnight". She said then walks in not waiting for a reply from Elixia. "I won't let go of your hand Vistuler. I promise. Goodnight". Elixia spoke softly. Then turned to go.
******
"Vistuler was still little back then, about the age of three, but it looks as though she remembers vividly what happened". "What happened father?". Elixia interrupted. "It's nothing Elixia. You should also go to bed, okay?". He said and starts to leave. "I want to know. I might be able to help her heal, cause she's hurting. And I might also help you face your fear". "And what do think I'm scared of".
"Your past. Your past father. Am I right?". This question made Johnbones cower backwards. "You should really tell me, cause I might be able to help". She said innocently and flashed him an innocent smile.
Elixia walks to him and drags him to the blanket. "Go on". Johnbones sat and prepared himself to speak as he was told. "I went to the sea for war. The war started when Vistuler was born and ended when she was three. I couldn't go home to meet my family during the war. After it ended I planned a surprise for my family. I tried to imagine how big Vistuler would have been. The joy that overwhelmed me on my way home was unexplainable. I entered my home and found men seated.
About five men. What was going on. Only men? The thought of something happening to my wife fasten my feet to our room. I held the door knob and twisted it. What I saw really broke my heart. "Hey you could come in after five minutes. I'm almost finished". The man having sex with my wife said. She twisted her neck to look at me and pushed the man on her off. "Hey, I wouldn't pay you if you don't let me finish". Marthires was her name. She got up and wrapped the cloth on the bed on her to cover her nakedness. Tears streamed down my eyes. "Well, I'm sorry, but you have to leave now". "You won't get your pay". "I don't need it get out now!". I couldn't move an inch from where I stood.
Panic was all over her. The man wore his pants and walked out still hitting on the point that he won't pay her. I held onto his hand and crossed it on his back. "You will pay her, cause she has rendered you service". "Who are you?". He asked as he tried struggling. "I'm her husband". "Her husband died long time ago". I looked at her face in shock. She had started to cry.
I didn't remove my gaze from her and I crossed the man's hand more on his back. "Hand her money". "That's not going to be possible. She didn't. Ahh". I crossed the man's hand more and he screamed. "Okay I will. I will. It's in my pocket". I dipped my hand in his pocket and brought the whole amount there and let go of his hand.
Then man glared at me before running out of the room and house. I walked to her and brought out her hand, then placed the bag of coins in her hand. She felt so sorry.
"You shouldn't forget you also have some waiting outside. Her faced went back to normal and she went out of the room. Then came back in after some minutes.
I turned to look at her when she walked in."So this is what you do? Harlotry?". "It's a means of survival for Vistuler and I". She said to prove her point. "You should have waited for me". "Of course we waited, but you never seemed to be coming back". "So you lost hopes in me and turned to harlotry. Making yourself a harlot". "Williams". Then a child walks in. She went to the side of her mother. "Mother who is this?". Her mother squatted in her front and held her cheek.
"This man here, um, is your father". The girl looked at me and back to her mother. "Father is back?". "Yes baby". She ran and hugged me.
"Where have you been, father? Mother and I needed you. Now mother has to talk to men for money". I pulled her out the hug. "Well, now I'm here now. Your mother does not have to speak to mean to get money anymore. Now go to bed". I convinced "Okay". The girl smiled happily and left the room.
I scoffed. "Really? Talk to men? You sleep with them not talk". "I had no other means to produce for our basic needs". She said. "So you went into harlotry. You're now a harlot. A harlot". "Williams stop it". "I'm trying to help you sink in the name society has for you. Harlot. Is that child even mine?".
"Williams! She was the only hope of light I had in you. So don't you say that". She said firmly and tears rolled down. An awkward silence surrounded us and I turned to the other side. "You can't stay anymore in this house". "What?". "Yes". I turned to say to her. "You should leave, because of your job". "Williams I had no choice". She said and looked down the ground.
"Leave and don't come back". She looked up at me surprised. More tears streamed down and she wiped them. "Then I would leave with me baby". She said and went out.
I didn't hear or see them after that day. Till Marthires body was found dead. I rushed to the spot where the scene had occured. Marthires body was brought out of the building and people had gathered round it. I pushed through the crowd. And went to kneel in front of her body. Vistuler was crying as she tried pulling up her mother. I felt empty inside". Tears had wet Johnbones face. Elixia felt pity and hugged him. Tears also streamed down her eyes.
"If she was still with me nothing would have happened to her". "You don't have to cry anymore". Elixia said as she goes back to sit.
Johnbones could help and Elixia brought out a knife and gave him a minor cut on his hand. He winced and looked at Elixia.
"Why did you cut me, Elixia?". "So you would have another place to focus on that is injured". She said and smiled