~ AMAHLE'S POV ~
I looked at my test sheet for the umpteenth time, an uneasy feeling going through my stomach.
"This is...no," I shook my head at my score. It was a 43.
It was a terrible score. A very terrible score. How bad I wanted to throw the paper away but I knew that I couldn't!
I heaved a sigh of frustration and kept it away in my bag. A thousand and one thoughts were going through my mind in that moment.
How was I going to show this to mum and dad?
I couldn't! Tobi was always taking first place, and then Tilda second place, Michael third place, and me fourth place. They were already mad enough at me for always coming fourth and now, scoring 43 points out of 50 on a test would sound like an abomination to them.
I couldn't hide the uneasiness I felt that it was so obvious for Tobi to notice.
"Hey what's up?" He moved to sit on the chair in front of mine, only that he had to turn his body to face me.
"I didn't do well on the test," I looked at my fumbling hands.
"What do you mean you didn't do well?" He frowned. "You that I know."
"I scored a 43," I sighed and used my chin to support my jaw.
"You tried nau," He laughed. "Stop squeezing your face."
"It's just not a good score," I shook my head.
"You never say your grades are good. You always claim they're not good enough. Isn't it about time that you started seeing your efforts in a better light?" He sounded and looked serious this time around.
I was silent for a moment. If only he knew that my grades weren't about me, they were about the man and woman that had given birth to me.
"I'm sorry. I'll do better when it comes to supporting myself," I forced a smile.
"That's better," He tugged lightly at my cheeks.
"By the way, where were you yesterday? You left me in school," I paid close attention to see what he would say.
"I went somewhere with a friend. We went to get Ice cream," He shrugged. "Maybe we should both go get ice cream too?"
No, Tobi. You don't just go about taking girls you call "friends" on low-key dates and expect them not to fall for a sweet guy like you.
"I'll think about it. I'll try to see if I'm free when you plan to do so," I replied.
"You better be," He tugged at my left cheek. "Omo, your cheeks are getting fatter everyday. What are you eating?"
"Stop laughing at me," I felt embarassed and my caramel brown skin slightly expressed it.
"Ok then, catch you later, Amahle," He snapped his fingers at me.
"Bye," I waved and he went off.
I watched him as he walked out of class. How could someone just be so everything I admired? All my years in school, I had never liked any boy before and Tobi was the first guy I had ever set mind on.
Seeing how almost perfect he was, I couldn't help but fall deeper.
*.*.*.
My driver came to pick me up and I sat silently in the back seat during the smooth ride.
My heart beat rose faster every time I noticed we were getting closer to the house.
I huffed a load of air just to calm myself down. Today, I wasn't going to cry. I was going to be strong for myself.
The car finally arrived in the Dwindle Estate. It was owned by my father, Lethabo Nthabiseng. After driving past the first gates and a little into the estate, the car stopped in the parking lot meant for the specifically Nthabiseng mansion.
I got down from the car and slowly made my way into the building. I met my parents seated in the living room watching TV.
Once I walked in, their gaze reached for me.
"Papa, mama, Sawubona," I greeted.
"Hey you're back from school," My father responded, his south african accent still as firm as it had always been.
"Mm," I nodded.
"Go get changed and let's have lunch together. We have things to talk about," He added.
I nodded once again, before making my way upstairs to my room.
Within a few minutes, I was back to the living room dressed in a short yet loose pink dress.
My Parents were already at the table so I simply joined them. I served myself in small portions, conscious of my parents' eyes, especially that of my father's.
"Amahle, you can't get fat."
"Amahle, you shouldn't eat too much."
"Amahle, no man will like you if you're not fit."
Those were the songs they always sang to me whenever I attempted to eat to my satisfaction.
I then reached for my fork, slowly directing my food into my mouth.
"You're a grown child now," My father began. "And I expect a lot from you, Amahle. You are the future of our family as the eldest daughter and your actions all lean on you."
I ate silently, waiting for him to spill whatever he wanted to.
"Before I continue, I remember you saying your first test Physics result was going to be out today," He chewed on a piece of meat and his unblinking gaze came on me. "Where is it?"
"Papa, I-I... It's in my s-school bag," I stuttered, almost choking on my food.
"And you didn't show me?! Wena, such a stubborn child!" He sounded alarmed.
"Yeka ukuba nenkani!" My mother shouted at me. "Go bring that paper here now."
"Yebo," I stood up from the table, leaving behind my meal to go retrieve my paper. "I'll go get it now."
What kind of thing is this?
I returned to the table and handed the paper over to my father. At that point, a lot was going through my mind that I soon lost my appetite from fear.
"Udoti wani! A 43 out of 50?!" He thundered just as I expected he would.
I didn't even dare touch my food again. I simply bowed my head down in shame.
"I bet your mates were getting a 48, 49, and even 50!" My mum supported my father.
Well, she was always supporting him in everything. She never took my own feelings to consideration.
"I'm sorry," I muttered.
"Sorry for yourself!" My father angrily flung the paper at my face. "And you say you want to go to the university? With such poor grades? Do you want to waste my time and money?"
"No Papa, I-I truly am sorry," I shook my head. "I'll do better next time."
I could feel the heat in my eyes but I didn't dare let out a single drop of tears because I knew very that it would call for a hot slap from my mum and she would probably say, "You're crying after doing so bad."
"You will do better next time," My father tsked, his angry eyes on me. "Isn't that what you always say, Amahle?"
I went silent.
"Now, Listen to me. You have to show that you are a true fit to become Ajibola's daughter-in-law if you truly want to make something out of yourself. You must pass all your tests and exams, most especially your WAEC and JAMB," He pointed his index finger angrily at me as he spoke.
"Yebo, Papa," I nodded.
"Ajibola and his son will be coming tomorrow for dinner. You've never met the lad before but he is the young man you will get married to once you finalize your Secondary School," He dictated.
"Yebo, Papa," was all I said.
I couldn't challenge him. I was taught by everyone from our family that the older ones were the "number ones." And that we the younger ones were supposed to always give them respect and abide by their rules.
"Eat your food and go to your room to study," My mum added. "I don't want to see you for the rest of the day."
"Yebo, mama," I answered and forced myself to eat in large chunks so I could quickly leave their presence as it was choking me badly.
When I finally got to my room, I slammed my pillow over my head as I lay on my king sized bed. I cried so hard.
My parents were simply going to marry me of just for more wealth and power. My dad had always believed in joining forces with other rich people to satisfy his ego, and I was the tool they had been grooming.
They were perfectionists and wanted me to do everything "perfectly." Even when I tried hard to please them, it was never enough.
My heart ached badly as my crying continued. If only they could understand how hurt I was.
Just then, soft unrhymed knocks came on my door.
"Sister Ama!" Tiny voices came from outside the door.
I wanted to shout at them and send them away but the love I had for my siblings couldn't.
Reluctantly, I got out of bed and made sure to clean my eyes properly. I opened the door to see two little children of six.
They were my twin siblings - A boy and a girl.
"Sister Ama, we were sleeping when you came back," The boy, Sanele rubbed his eyes and walked past me into the room.
"Yes, Sister Ama," The girl, Anele nodded and walked in as well.
These kids loved acting like they owned my room. I couldn't help but giggle a little.