Tears welled in my eyes as I realized the violation I just endured. Shaken but physically unharmed, I recounted everything that happened since the beginning of my day as more tears slipped my eyes.
How could this happen, on a street I walked countless times?.
I stood up feeling pains on my wrist,as I continued my walk, every shadow afterwards casted doubt on my sense of security. An invisible scar remained, my gaze darting at every unexpected sound as I managed to get the house.
"Why are you coming back at this time of the night to disturb our sleep?" Becky Kumar questioned through the window.
"Can I come inside? I will explain later" I said, still in shock over what just happened a few minutes ago.
"Don't open that door, let her do her unnecessary explanation there or better still, take it back to her place of work, I think they are the ones interested in her c*ck and bull story".
Nancy Kumar said from inside the house.
I couldn't afford to sleep outside, not with what happened earlier.
"I have been robbed, please I need to come inside and freshen up, so that my head can be cleared off" I pleaded as more tears escaped from my eyes.
Nancy and Becky bursted into hysterical laughter.
"Freda, you can't use this cheap lie to pass a night here, bring the money I asked you for and come inside."
Nancy Kumar said as her voice sounded close to the door.
I couldn't imagine that my stepmom and daughter are treating me this way, after the death of my father and mother.
"I'm speaking the truth,let me at least come inside and tell you all that happened"
I said as I took a step closer to the door.
"When you are ready to abide by our rules,then you let us know". Becky said, letting out a giggle from inside the house.
I waited patiently praying for the duo to have a change of mind.
The door finally swung open, a glimpse of hope set in but was met with disappointment when my bags were thrown outside.
"I'm sorry but you can no longer live here with us."
Nancy Kumar appeared by the door throwing out the few things that I had.
"But ma I just got robbed, and I have nowhere to lay my head, please don't do this to me" I begged Nancy while crying profusely.
"You can go to Collins house and crash at least you have been of more help to him that us here. Bye."
Becky said behind her mother as Nancy shut the door.
I sat by the door and cried till I had little strength left to cry.
I thought of how I was going to be accommodated with no money on me.
I decided to pick up my bags to wherever I could pass the night.
The first place that came into my thoughts was Collins place, so I hastened my step reminding myself that if I was attacked the second time, I had nothing more to lose.
Getting to Collins house, I knocked on the door but got no response. I pressed the doorbell several times but yet, no one came to answer the door.
My body felt weak as my stomach rumbled in displeasure for not feeding it. My legs wobbled as I sat on the balcony unable to continue the journey to Molly's place at that time of the night.
I sat on the floor, brought my bags to the side to support and frame my whacked stature while I tucked my legs in, placing my arms on my knee to catch some sleep.
The night was so long that I could not sleep as a result of the cold and bites from mosquitoes.
I spent the night thinking about the unfair treatment that had been meted out to me by my stepmother and daughter and at this point, I hated them purely and wished them destruction.
After a long night, it was a new day to start my daily hustle but a bad day for me because I was still trying to fathom what was happening to me.
I decided to take my bags to Molly's place.
Getting there, I was already worn out, I pressed the doorbell and Molly Roberts came to answer the door.
"Hey, Good morning," she said, opening the door wide.
"Wait, you came with your bags?" She asked in confusion.
Without even waiting for my response, she carried my bags inside, then turned to me.
"Freshen up, get yourself ready for work,we will talk about this later in the shop or better still, go clear your head after work."
I felt a little bit relief of my thoughts because I had a good and caring person as a friend,
"Why can't they be like Molly?"
I questioned no one in particular as I went to have a cool and refreshing shower.
I went into the bathroom as I turned on the shower and I could feel some worries being wiped off. I totally forgot my pains for a moment but was interrupted by Molly Roberts' voice.
"Do you realize that we don't have the luxury of time to spend here, what is keeping you in there?"
She said as she came closer to the bathroom door.
"Stay where you are." I said, wrapping my towel on my wet body. I applied lotion on my body, got dressed as I picked up my bag to leave.
After a few minutes, we boarded a cab and we arrived at the shop a few hours to the set time for workers to report. changing into my uniform as usual, I started taking orders.
I was busy with my duty when my attention was drawn to something shocking and disturbing.
I took a step backward to be sure that my eyes were not deceiving me, but I was sure about what I saw.
Collins Douglas my boyfriend and Becky Kumar my step sister just walked into the restaurant holding hands like couples and giggling.
They both took their seats around and rang the order bell.
Anna was attending to other customers so practically, I was the one free to attend to them.
My heart skipped and I felt my chest tightened at the sight before.
I started sweating profusely, thinking of the best way to handle the situation.
I dashed into the restroom, and stayed there in bid to avoid taking their orders.
Hot tears slipped from my eyes as fresh memories of the sacrifices I had made for these two people and how they chose to pay me back played in my head.
I sniffled as I wiped my tears, unable to calm my mind for I was curious to know what they were doing here.
I stormed out of the restroom and headed straight to the dinner hall and by now they were munching their orders.
"What are you doing with my boyfriend?"
I questioned Becky as soon as I got to their table.
"My boyfriend you mean?"
She responded, taking a bite from the chicken on her plate.
Rage welled up inside of me as I could no longer take more of her excesses.
I yanked her hair roughly as she screamed, attracting the attention of other customers.
"What's the meaning of this,why are you embarrassing us like this?" Collins Douglas said, trying to separate us.
"How long have you both been together?" I asked as my stomach tightened,and tears began to drop from my eyes at the feeling of betrayal.
"You are just too cheap. The signs were there to show that I never loved you but you chose to ignore. I was dating Becky from the onset. I only agreed with her to date you, so we can get money from you." Collins Douglas, my boyfriend said.
Immediately I heard those words that came out from Collins mouth, I lost it. A lot of thoughts began to run through my mind. First they made me homeless and now my step sister was with Collins, the man I have always prayed to spend the rest of my life with. Do I really deserve all of this?, I questioned no one in particular .
"Collins,after everything we shared. Is this how you want to pay me back?" I asked looking helpless as I reached out to touch him with frailty.
"Collins, I'm sorry, I love you and I know you do. Just give us a chance." I pleaded even when I still didn't understand what I did wrong .
"Don't you ever in your miserable life repeat this, you senseless b*tch. You know what, I really wanted to make you pay for taking my father's love and attention from me, and now I feel more accomplished. I will make sure that I break you to pieces. Oh, and your money from yesterday's attack, it's here with me. Collins helped me to take it from you." Becky Kumar said giggling as she picked up her bag, about to walk out of the restaurant.
I had it to the neck that I couldn't control myself anymore. I dragged her by her hair, pushed to the floor and gave her a heavy blow on the face leaving her with bruises on the lips.
Before Collins could try separating, I gave her another punch.
"This is for snatching my man from me."
I said giving her another punch, still on the face.
"This is for taking sides with your mother to throw me out of my parents house."
I was about to give her another one,when Anna and Molly stopped me, lifting me from Becky's body.
"Calm down, put yourself together, we can sort this out after working hours."
Molly said as she held me, pulling a seat for me to sit on
"Freda,what is going on here?" The manager asked as she walked towards where I was seated.
"Were you fighting with my customers?"