BELLA P. O. V.
*
I was busy all night chatting with dad on WhatsApp, narrating my experience in Los Angeles to him.
*Good night dad.*
*Sweet dreams baby and give your mum a tight hug for me.* Was the last message we sent before i drop my phone.
In school the following day, Nick ask of my WhatsApp number and i gladly gave it to him.
•
Things continue to go well, the deal with Nick continues and the rumor about our relationship was the talk of almost everyone.
One friday after school, Courtney and i went to our locker to get the books we will study during weekend. After taking my books, i followed her to her locker. When she opened the locker a wrapped note and single rose fall from it. She have been receiving things like that since yesterday.
*You held my breathe now in a way i can't explain, just love to run to school everyday to see your beautiful face* it reads
"Your SA is so romantic". I shout.
"Why is he so shy, can't he just come to me in person"?
" Do you perhaps suspect anyone"?
" I have so many crush i only hope it's one of them"
" But what if that dude ends up being ugly". She shout drawing everyone attention.
On our way home, we talk about whoever her secret admirer might be and she invite me to come to her house the following day to study together.
When Mum get home i told her about Courtney invitation and she don't seems to have a problem with it.
The following day, after the day actively, I got clad in an oversized polo dad made for me and an oversized long skit that i held up with a belt. I parked the books i need in a handbag and went downstairs to meet Mum in the living room working on some files. It's Saturday and she doesn't go to work during weekends.
"Oh! I see you are all dressed".
"Mum, i won't take long, am just within the estate".
" Not that, i think you look petty good".
" Mum please don't ruin my day"
On my way to Courtney house, the people passing keep staring and few point fingers at me although many of them are my school mate.
After exchanging greetings with the security, i went straight to Courtney room and meet her on the phone with someone.
*Alright dad, i will look forward to that, bye.* With that she dropped the call
" Was that your dad"?
" Yes".
" You barely talk about him".
"Yeah there is nothing much to say, i barely know him". She said and inhale deeply. " The last time i saw him was in my 10th birthday".
" Oh! "
" I am his illegitimate daughter, my mother was his mistress before she get pregnant with me. Dad didn't accept the pregnancy so mum left UK when her parents disowned her. She start a new life here with me. I was 6 years old when dad accept me after running a DNA test". Hurt is visible in her face so i drew her in an embrace which made her let out her tears.
"It's hurt, as a child my friends always mock me for not having a father, whenever we have any activity in school mum always made sure to fill the space of both parents so i won't be hurt but no, it's different. It's different from having him, cuddling him whenever am sad, having him to read me bedtime stories and run and play with him every weekends. I love to engage in activities with him like my other schoolmates talk about their father but i wasn't given the chance. The only time i spent with him was on my 10th birthday, he took me out and we were having fun but it was ruined when a close friend of his indicates me as his illegitimate daughter and everyone around started mocking me. The fun ended and i ran away, he ran after me but he never made an effort to make me happy, he only drove me back home and after that i never saw him again". She cried.
"Courtney it's ok". I said trying to hide back my tears,cause i could feel her pains.
"Whenever i call him on video call he never pick with excuse that he is with his wife. He don't love me, he never said he do". She cried harder.
"Courtney please it's ok".
"It's not ok, it's not ok to watch my friends have fun with their father and mock me with it, it's not ok to cry over a father's love. Don't an illegitimate deserve the slightest love"?
"Courtney crying over this means you don't appreciate your Mother effort in raising you alone" . I said hoping it helps to console her.
"My mother is the best Mum and i will always appreciate her, she was disowned because of me but she did everything in her best to raise me and shower me with love, she might not be the most perfect mother on earth but she is unique in her ways and i will forever be grateful to her".
"She won't be proud to see you cry over this".
"Yeah i know it has been long have cried over him, it just happened that he picked my call today and you ask me about him".
"It's ok Courtney, illegitimate or not what matters is that you remain Courtney".
" Thank you Bella, thanks for accepting me for who i am".
"Of course only a coward will judge you by your birth status, you didn't choose to be born that way".
"Thanks hon. Now to you, you never mention anything about your father to me".
I let in a deep breath. "I don't have to mention anything, because there are many things to say about him. In summary he is the best dad i can ever wish for. But no matter how perfect one is no one is above mistake".
"Was it the mistake that lead to your parents divorce"?
"Yeah, dad had an affair, it was a night stand but it produce a fruit"
"Oh! So are you angry with him"?
"I was, i was disappointed but i forgive him. I can never stay angry with him after the last hearing in court, I forgive him when am about to leave the house, when I am about to leave him". I said and sniff in gently.
"Do you hear from him often"?
"Everyday, we chat everytime and he often call too. I hope mum allow me pay him a visit during summer because I really miss him".
Her face sadden. "I adore you Bella, you have the love of both parents".
I smirk. "Both parents.. hmmm..."
"Hey what does that means"?
"I never knew my Mum untill she quit her job when i was 12 years old. She works as a pilot assistant and her work always make her travel. Whenever she is on leave we do nothing but argue about my choice of dressing. It's funny but i never get along with her and most times i wish she never quit her job".
"Oh! Then why did you choose to go with her instead of your dad"?
"I love mum, i realised that when i saw her in pains, the pain dad cause her. I cursed him for causing her so much pain, i was disappointed in him and i realised that life is about sacrifice. I have to sacrifice the beautiful moment i always have with dad to be with mum who i never get along with because she needs me more".
"Wow".
"And i never regret my decision because Mum and i get along more often now and if i haven't come to Los Angeles with her i won't have met you".
"Awwwww". She blushed
We talked for a while before we pick a topic to study till 12pm. We heard a loud horn by the gate and she went to the window to see who it is.
"Mum is back let's go welcome her". She said and we both went downstairs to welcome her mother.
"Welcome Mum". She greet and peck her cheek.
"Good afternoon ma"
"Oh! Darling how are you"?
"Am fine".
"Mum this is Bella my new friend i told you about"
"Ok, is this a new fashion style? To wear a bigger outfit or is it your parents clothes "? She ask trying to hide in laughter and Courtney chuckle.
" Actually Mum it don't belong to her parent. Bella just love bigger clothes".
"Oh! Dear, i hope you don't take this offensive, but as a teenager your looks matter, it should be part of your priority, only it will define you". She advised and i found myself paying kin interest .
" Enjoy". She added and went upstairs.
"Bella you should have wear something better". Courtney said as we walk upstairs.
" Your Mum is nice".
"Yeah, am just like her". She giggled and i agreed with her.
Unlike me she is just the younger version of her mother. Even though i was embarrassed earlier it didn't hurt and i felt the urge to make amends.
.
We studied and play games till 3pm and we both went to prepare lunch together. We ate with her mother after eating we wash the dishes and returned to her room.
"Let's go somewhere else". She complained.
"No, i don't feel like going out".
" Am bored".
" We can go to my place".
" No difference, it's boring too".
" Then let's continue reading".
" Bella am not the full time study type".
"Ok let's continue our game".
"Come on let's go out". She whine.
"Ok, you go i will just go home".
" Come on Bella, i want us to go together".
" My Mum is waiting for me at home". I lied, the truth is i am ashamed of going out with my outfit, i don't know why Courtney mother word gets me.
"We can both go and get permission from her".
"Courtney you don't understand, the thing is my mum and i are supposed to do the chores together so i promised to come home early to clean my portion".
" We won't take long i promise".
" Am sorry maybe another day it's already past 3".
" Alright you won".
•
On my way home, i couldn't bear to look at anyone as different thoughts ran through my mind. Mum always tell me that when your parents corrects your mistake and you refuse to change a stranger will make you realise it in a very difficult way. But Mum isn't right, after all Courtney Mother didn't sound so insulting unlike Nick Mum.
I get home and sat on the sofa to think, i remember how i start loving oversize and how everyone expect dad always insult me with it but i never give a d*mnn. In my former school i was nicknamed an outcast and it never affected me but now i feel like i should have amend it a long time ago maybe life won't have been so hard. Mum won't have to be ashamed of me neither will her friends have reasons to insult and embarrass me.
I went upstairs and emptied my closet, i threw out all my baggy clothes and arranged all the fitted clothes and jeans mum bought for me in my closet with intentions to start wearing them
"No more baggy". I said, and gathered the clothes together.
.