The persistent agony of being repeatedly wounded by those in your life, particularly those who carry significant importance, can inflict a pain more excruciating than a searing hot iron through the throat. Such was the case for April. She discreetly entered the house through the rear entrance, seeking to evade any potential confrontation with her mother. She had no desire for conversation or to explain why she had returned home early.
Her bag landed haphazardly on the dressing table as she switched on her music player. She undressed and moved quietly into the bathroom, where she sank into the bathtub. For hours, she lingered there, lost in contemplation of the day's events, shedding tears as "My Heart Will Go On" played softly from the speaker.
Time elapsed unnoticed until a knock on the door interrupted her solitude. She hastily donned her robe before going to answer it. She was aware it was her mother at the door, and though reluctant to respond, she knew her mother's persistent knocking would likely aggravate her further. Reluctantly, she opened the door and stood her ground.
"I heard faint music emanating from your room. Why have you returned so early?" Her mother's observant eyes discerned that something was amiss with April. However, she recognized that coaxing April into sharing her feelings was a delicate task.
"I was feeling unwell, so I came back," April fibbed.
Cecilia furrowed her brow, sensing that something was awry. She cautiously suggested, "This is quite unusual. Should I arrange for Dr. Xander to examine you?"
April declined, saying, "No, I'll be fine. I simply need some rest." Her desire was solitude with her thoughts.
"I'm not entirely convinced you're fine. Here's the deal – get dressed, and I'll call Dr. Xander," Cecilia proposed.
As she wrapped up her sentence, Cecilia turned away. But she halted in her tracks upon hearing April's voice.
"Doesn't anyone hear me? Do I truly not know what's best for me? What's right and wrong for me? Can't I have a bit of privacy?"
April's emotions erupted, and she was cognizant of projecting her pent-up frustrations. Unfair as it was to her mother, life had been anything but fair to her. She knew she was projecting, yet she also needed an outlet for her emotions.
Cecilia addressed April calmly, calling her by name. She was taken aback by her daughter's outburst, realizing that something was seriously amiss, though uncertain of the extent of the turmoil within."You know what?" April continued, her voice laced with exasperation. "This is the height of it all, and frankly, I just want to be left alone."
April slammed the door in her mother's face, then sank to the floor, overcome by a tidal wave of emotions. She felt herself teetering on the edge, desperately needing someone to confide in, someone who could empathize with her. In a sudden surge of determination, she sprang to her feet and reached for her handbag. Extracting her phone, she dialed the only person who came to mind, waiting anxiously for them to answer.
"Hello, Nancy," she uttered. Nancy's voice conveyed immediate concern.
"April, what's wrong? Have you been crying?" Nancy recognized the telltale signs of distress in April's voice. "Do you want me to come over?"
"You won't believe it," April began, her voice quavering."My father fired me from the company without a shred of consideration. I've poured my heart and soul into that job, given my blood and sweat, and today, he cast me aside as if I meant nothing. I always thought that maybe, if I worked harder than everyone else, just maybe, it would make a difference." April's tears flowed freely as she spoke.
"Oh my goodness! Why would he do that? What happened?" Nancy found it incredibly hard to believe, considering she had often joked that April might one day take over her father's role.
"He claimed I needed to 'grow up.' Growing up wouldn't be an issue, but then he told me he wants me to work at Okema Pharmaceuticals. Without my consent, he handed me an appointment letter to start working there tomorrow. He mentioned it's related to a merger, but we both know the true motives behind all these actions, and I'm not overthinking it." April lamented.
"Okema Pharmaceuticals? Wait, did I hear you correctly? Isn't that Anthony's company?" The pieces began to fall into place for Nancy, making sense yet remaining puzzling.
"Yes, and I've never felt this betrayed in my life. It's painful because it keeps happening over and over again. Every bit of control over my life seems to slip through my fingers," April admitted.
Nancy fell into silence for a moment before responding. "Wow, I'm not sure what to say, April. Having control over your life and staying stagnant are two entirely different things. Growth often comes with movement." Nancy recognized that her words might not align with April's beliefs, but she knew they needed to be spoken.
"My father can't even hide how much he detests me. You should see the look on his face. It's blatantly obvious that he's trying to push me away, yet he won't let me go."
"They can't do that, April. You know well how things work in this part of the world. Instead of viewing it as a curse, consider it a blessing. Everything happens for a reason, girl." Nancy did her utmost to provide solace, even when it offered only meager comfort.
"Enough, I sense you might be taunting me as well," April remarked.
Nancy responded earnestly, "I wish I were joking, but you've always outshone even ten men combined. You've relentlessly fought for your convictions, resisted surrendering to pressure, and consistently emerged victorious in the battles you chose to wage. It's all about selecting your battles wisely, and I still have complete faith that you're that April."
"Nancy," April responded, her doubt still lingering despite Nancy's encouraging words. As much as Nancy did her best to inject optimism, April grappled with her concerns.
Without uttering a word, Nancy could discern what April wanted to express; she understood her apprehensions.
"I understand," Nancy assured her. "But you've got this, and besides, it's an opportunity to distance yourself from your father's influence. You'll carve your own path, just as you've always done. All right?"
April inquired, "What about Anthony?"
"I trust you'll know what to do. It's just work and nothing more. Don't allow anyone to trample on you, honey."
"Thank you very much," April replied.
"You're always welcome. Now, wipe those tears away and be the strong, independent woman you are," Nancy said. April concluded the call, feeling rejuvenated. She knew she could rely on Nancy for support.
She rose and headed to her wardrobe to select her outfit for the next day. She was determined to make a statement, to seize the day, and to ensure that nobody would make it easy for her.After a while, she finally settled on the perfect dress for the occasion and then reclined on her bed. She couldn't believe how far the day had already progressed, and evening had swiftly arrived.
The thought of leaving her room and the potential confrontation awaiting her downstairs filled her with dread. Yet, remaining in her room wouldn't improve matters, so she made the decision to venture downstairs.
"April, come down for dinner," her mother's voice called from below.
Upon reaching the dining area, she found the table already set and voices emanating from the kitchen. It wasn't unusual, but she wasn't aware that they had a visitor. Upon entering the kitchen, she was surprised to find her recently married sister, Rachel.
"Well, well, who do we have here?" April exclaimed, a warm smile illuminating her face. "I didn't expect to see you so soon." She opened her arms for an affectionate embrace, enveloping her sister."And look who finally decided to come down," Rachel teased as she disengaged from the hug.
"How long has it been since you arrived? About an hour ago, Mama suggested I shouldn't disturb you, as you seemed preoccupied," April inquired, her gaze shifting to her mother, who appeared disinterested.
Although April felt her mother didn't deserve the mistreatment she had subjected her to earlier, her frame of mind prevented her from making amends just yet. She made a mental note to apologize after dinner.
"So, how's your husband, and how's married life treating you?" April inquired, visibly delighted to see Rachel. She missed their late-night conversations and the stories Rachel often shared about her work, even though April had never met Rachel's colleagues in person, she knows their names and what they're like.
"Well, Will's away on a business trip, and I thought I'd come say hello," Rachel responded. They chatted casually until Mr. Jayden joined them for dinner.
They ate in silence, which persisted until Mr. Jayden finally spoke, breaking the tension. "April, I hope you're prepared for work tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," April replied without raising her gaze
"Prepared? Is there something significant happening at the company tomorrow?" Rachel's curiosity got the best of her, as April had never mentioned any significant developments. Before Mr. Jayden could respond, April interjected.
"Indeed, dear Rachy. It briefly managed to escape my thoughts. You see, today, the CEO of the company where I worked terminated my employment, but he was considerate enough to secure a new position for me. In fact, I received the appointment letter simultaneously with my termination letter. How ironic, isn't it?" April chuckled, glancing up to observe the astonishment on her mother's face and the fury in her father's eyes. Rachel reached out to grasp April's hand in a gesture of support, but April simply smiled and withdrew her hand.
"No, not you either. Spare me that expression. You're well aware of how it goes – decisions are consistently made for an unfortunate, unmarried thirty-three-year-old like me. I consider myself fortunate that the burden of responsibility has been deftly lifted from my shoulders, rendering my input unnecessary." A tense atmosphere engulfed the room as everyone exchanged silent glances.
"April," Cecilia eventually called out.
"Yes, Mama. Do you need something? Salt?" April reached for the salt container on the table, extending it to her mother, who stared but did not take it from her hand.
"Get out!" Mr. Jayden ordered.
"If by 'get out' you mean I should secure my own apartment, I'm more than willing," April retorted. Her response further infuriated her father, who slammed his clenched fist on the table, startling everyone.
"I said, get out!" he yelled.
"Do you want to strike me again, Daddy? The fridge is devoid of ice, and you're aware that I need to look my best for my husband's hunt tomorrow. A black eye won't create a favorable first impression."
Cecilia, her composure gradually returning, made another attempt to defuse the situation.
"Please, honey, calm down," she implored her husband. She then turned to April and said, "Please, go upstairs. I'll bring your food to you."
April dropped her utensils on the table. "Don't trouble yourself. I'm not the one paying for the meal, and have a pleasant evening, Daddy," she said, showing little concern for her father's feelings as she ascended the stairs.
Rachel, arms folded, watched in utter disbelief as the dramatic scene played out before her. The sister she had seen moments ago wasn't the same. April, the embodiment of respect, had always taught her siblings the importance of respecting and obeying their parents, regardless of their demands. The person she had just witnessed was an entirely different April, leading her to believe that something was seriously amiss. If things could go wrong, it seemed that their parents had finally pushed her to a breaking point.
"Rachy, is the food unsatisfactory for you as well?" her mother's voice broke her reverie. Mr. Jayden had now calmed down.
"Was that April?" Rachel finally found her voice to inquire.
"I sometimes wonder too," Cecilia replied.
"You wonder? Seriously?" Rachel had a lot to say to her parents but kept it to herself because she lacked the courage to speak out.
"I'm done. Please excuse me," she said and departed for her room.
"This, too?" Cecilia mumbled.
"What do you expect when the younger ones start misbehaving because the elder one has?" Mr. Jayden responded.
"Clint, did you actually strike her?" Disappointment was evident on Cecilia's face as she believed he had gone too far.
"In my defense, I was out of control," Clint replied.
"Really? She's no longer a child, and I warned you to tread lightly, or this would happen," Cecilia said. Despite his tough exterior, she had hoped Clint would heed her advice.
"You know what? I'm done as well," Clint declared as he stood up, allowing his chair to fall back.
"Fine, but I think you've been pushing her too hard," Cecilia responded.
TO BE CONTINUED