We left the smelly hut and got back into the car. My legs were shaking so badly, I had to use the door to stop myself from falling. If I had any plans to run, it would have been futile because I was... I don't know, but I wasn't okay. I got into the car and dad bought out the blindfold again, covering my eyes. I guess he did that because he didn't want me on the road we took to the bush and back. Then he said to me;
"You heard what baba said. If you say a word to anyone, you will die... A very painful death Ruby"
I pretended not to hear or show any sign of being afraid, but deep within me, I wanted to stab him a thousand times and sew his lips shut, then make him chew his tongue.
When we got home, he pulled off the blindfold. I rushed out of the car and ran to my room, slammed the door.. and bolted it. I was beginning to suspect the cause of mom's illness and death. When and how did my dad become a monster?!
We didn't have maids because mom was always against it. So I almost starved to death because I was scared to come out of my room to get something to eat. I almost starved to death.
The next day was a Saturday, the day AB and I always played chess. I was supposed to go over to his house but I was scared of coming out of my room. I didn't have a phone, so I couldn't place a call as well. I thought of what to do and when no idea popped up, I fell asleep.
A heavy knock on my door woke me up and then I heard AB's voice. Relief brought tears to my eyes... Relief that you can never imagine because he brought food too!
I opened the door, drew him in, and slammed it shut again but I didn't fasten the bolt. I sat down and wolfed down the food while AB stared at me weirdly.
I was done eating before I apologized for not coming over, then drew out the game board from beneath my reading table. We were just about to start playing when the door was roughly pushed open and dad barged in.
"Dad! It is polite to knock before coming into a lady's room!" I yelled. I was mad at him... For everything.
"Who is this?", he asked, pointing towards AB.
"Well, you weren't the one who slipped off the stairs and hit your head dad, so I'm pretty sure you do not have amnesia of any kind", I ranted without even having a second thought, which earned me a slap. I looked at AB and he looked... Beyond shocked.
"Young man, do not step a foot in this house ever again", dad pointed at AB again.
"He's not leaving", I moved forward and stood by the door like a barricade.
"What was that?", dad asked and pretended to look shocked
"I said he's not leaving. Come on dad, what has come over you?! Why are you acting so strange?!!
"This is my house young lady and I make the rules here, you live under my roof so you obey the rules I make".
He gave me a warning look that made me swallow every other thing I wanted to say.
"I'm sorry Mr. Peters", AB muttered and left immediately, looking at me surprisedly.
Then dad walked to the door, locked it, and came back to where he stood earlier.
"What were you doing with a boy in your room alone?"
"AB is my friend. He comes here and you know it", I replied fearfully. I was scared, scared of what was coming.
"Don't try to be smart with me Ruby, I know what you were doing. You are just like your mother, a harlot", he began to laugh... Hysterically.
He came closer, still talking. And I began to cry and move backward. Were the tears dropping because he called mom a harlot or because I was scared of what was coming???...