Family is supposed to our safe haven but it's a place where I find my deepest heartache
:-)~~(-: Demilade Wellington

Underneath his cardigan were scars, scars he wouldn't dare show the world. Everyone saw him as the golden boy, good looks with brains, best technical student and the so-called loving parents but no-one would have guessed the inhumane things he faced at home.

It all started in Senior School, that was when the scars, rules, monster all came out because of career choice. As a young child, Demmie had always been fascinated with wires. He was the type of boy who destroyed his motor toy cars and then try to connect the wires back. It was just something he loved doing, it made him elated and that was why he aimed to become an electrical engineer in future. He hoped to learn more and more about wires and electricity alas! It was not as easy as he thought.

He flipped the pages of the book he was currently reading, when his eyes caught something.

You don't know pain until you find yourself staring at the mirror with tears streaming down your face and begging yourself to hold on and be strong. That's pain.

It took a moment for Demmie to understand the words. Seeing that quote opened his eyes to somethings. Could that mean that he was truly in pain? He could barely sleep each night without staring at the mirror and sobbing. Maybe he was truly in pain or maybe he deserved it all. He continued flipping the pages as his eyes caught something again;

It doesn't matter how tough you are; trauma always leave a scar. It follows us home, changes our life. Trauma messes everybody up. But maybe that's the point. All the pain&fair&crap. Maybe going through that, is what keeps us moving forward. It pushes us, maybe we have to get a little messed up before we can step up.

Demmie cracked his knuckles, an habit he has gotten used to when tensed. All of what he was reading, was reopening his wounds, one that he wouldn't want to be touched. He picked up his pen and tore a paper from his books as he readjusted his position on his bed to a more comfortable one. Then, he began to pen down his emotions and feelings. That was the only way he could bring calmness to himself.

Dear me,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you tried so desperately to fix others while your own hands were shaking. I'm sorry that I didn't give you enough time to heal. That I let you seal the wounds of others whilst your own was bleeding. I'm sorry that there were days when smiling hurt but you forced yourself to laugh so that no one had to worry about you. I'm sorry that you gave all your time and effort to people that didn't give the same amount back. I'm sorry that there were nights when you cried yourself to sleep and no one bothered to ask why and I'm sorry that I didn't love you like you deserved to be loved.

He took a moment to get himself back together. He was pissed, not at anybody but at himself. He was angry at himself that he couldn't stand up for himself, angry that he was still succumbing to the inhumane treatment but there was nothing he could do. The monster afterall was his father. He didn't know when he jerked his back at the bed frame. He let out a small squeal as he felt the pain. Not only did he hit is back but at the place where he had an injury. remembering the event of the injury brought tears to his eyes.

Flashback

"remove your shirt this instant ," he heard his father scream.

He was really scared of the voice his father used. One thing he knew that his father hated was sluggishness and that was exactly what he was doing. Although he knew that his father wouldn't change his mind, he still silently prayed for a change of heart.

He felt a stung on his cheek and looked up to his father, his eyes red with fury and his face held a stotic expression. Tears spilled out from Demmie's face as he knew that there was nothing he could do at that point to change his father's mind.

With tears streaming down his eyes,he removed his shirt and tossed it away.

"Don't worry it won't pain, but at least you know you deserve it." The monster said.

Demmie shut his eyes tightly as he waited to feel the impact of the pain. He has become so used to it that he didn't flinch but only that this time it was hot iron. Freaking hot iron on his bare back. Though he still had a bit of disbelief but that didn't guarantee that his father couldn't do that

""Oh! My .......""

Arrrrrrgh!!!!!

At that moment he felt the impact of the hot iron. The pain was so excruciating and intense. Hot iron on his bare back. The exposure of the heat to his skin, the pain, imaging the scars made him tear up more. His whole body felt painful, pain erupted from all sides. He could the feel the burns. The thought of imagining the scars alone made him freak out the more. The only thing he could do was scream, hoping that at least someone will come to his save but who was he kidding?

"Daddy, please" he managed to voice out. His throat ached the more due to his constant screaming. The pain he felt was just like a combination of hot water and fire on his naked body. His whole back felt intense heat that made his skin burn.

The only thing he could do was to sob and scream. Silently praying, for the pain to stop.

Argh!!

Arrgh!!

All because he got a B in Biology.

Flashback ends

"oh shit! He cursed as he realized he has been sobbing again. He wiped his tears with his thumb as he made his way to the wardrobe to change.
School was resuming soon and he still hasn't done his Technical Drawing assignment. There was no way he could do it at home since his father had confiscated all his TD equipment. The only way he could do that was with Somtochukwu, his best friend house.

He wore a black hoodie and a black shirt paired with black sneakers. He was never a fan of fashion, the only fashion he knew was long sleeved designs since that was the only thing he could wear and that was what he used to cover the scars. His father wouldn't even permit him to leave the house on a short sleeved shirt.

He made his way down the stairs and muttered a silent prayer of his father granting him permission. As he reached the living room, he saw his father seated in one of the sofas with a paper in his hand. His legs were crossed on the table with a cup of coffee on the stool close to him.

" Dad, I'm off to Somto's place," he said with a bit of fear laced in his voice

" and why does it interest you to go to his place,"

"I have a biology project and he's my project partner"

That was a lie but there was no way his father would grant him permission to go for the case of his TD assignment.

"be back by 7pm or else you know the drill." he said that last part with a wink.

Demilade did a victory dance in his head. At least he would be able to spend about 5 hours with Somto. The thought of seeing Somto brought a huge smile to his face. He was all ready to step into the car as the driver was already seated, waiting for him. He heard the sound of his ringtone and retrieved his phone from his pocket. He picked the call without even bothering to check the caller's name.

"DEMILADE, INSIDE THIS INSTANT," the loud voice of his father at the other end made him turn around. He went back and saw his father still seated in the same position he had left him and was about to talk when his father cut him short.

"Why did you lie to me"

At first Demmie gave a confused face but as soon as he realized what his father was insinuating. Fear gripped him.

How did he know?

"Dad, I swear, I'm not lying. I truly have a biology project. " he insisted.

"you can't lie to to your father and you know how much I hate being lied to. For the last time, why are you going to Somto's place"

"Bio.... biology project, Sir" he replied, fear evident in his voice.

"why are you still lying, I know it's TD you want to do"

How the heck did he know?

"you see, imagine as you are lying to me for the case of that stupid subject. How much more would you do when you further your knowledge in it"

Demmie groaned internally. He knew that his father was going to make a big deal out of it.

"you said you did not want to go to Commercial class since you're dull in that aspect. I allowed you and told you to go to Science class so you'd become a doctor but still you refused to listen"

It was true was his father said. He had never really been one to fancy commercial courses. In junior school, business studies was the worst for him so he knew he won't have a hope in senior school and he was hemophobic and couldn't stand the sight of blood. How the heck was such person to venture into medicine?

"you know me as your father, I don't condone my child lying. Go to my room and do drill. No going out today "

He knew at that point that there was no use begging. He was ready, ready and set for whatever his father was going to do to him. As he went up to his father room, he branched by his room, removed his hoodie and flinged it on the bed as he made his way to his father room.

He laid down on the floor, the normal routine he normally did. He didn't know the time his father had entered but as he heard the sound of the ruffling of belt, he knew that it was time.

Be a man!.
Be a man!

He chanted internally. As he closed his eyes tightly, he felt the impact of the belt.

Thwack!!

Thwack!!

Thwack!

Tears streamed down his eyes as he felt the pain and the whipping. He didn't flinch one bit but still held a strong face. Even though his body felt numb and the scars of the iron incident has not fully cured. He wouldn't give this man the opportunity to see him break.

Arrrrgh!!! Arrrrrgh!!

He didn't know when he let out the scream as he felt a sharp pain. He wasn't supposed to scream but he found himself screaming. The pain was unbearable for him to bear.

"Next time, you'd think twice before you tell a lie. Now, wait for me. The hot water is boiling."

Is he truly my father?

A/N

That's a wrap 😅 seems like there's more to the story. What do think about the new character? Are you expecting to see more of him? What's your take on his father?

Dedicated to Rihanna_Adedeji Love_Roxy17 ❤❤❤❤❤❤

No gist for today 🚶 🚶 😉oh! Wait I remember one 😂. Did you like basic Tech in sec school 😂 or business studies? Cuz I know I didn't really fancy them. I liked business studies though but when it came to book keeping stuff 🚶 🚶
I remember when we had a test on construction only and I don't grab construction at all. I just drew my border line and title block and cried 😐......

The quotes italized were gotten from facebook images. So I do not take credit for it. A picture of one is in the media above.

This chapter was a bit difficult to write. Thoughts on this chapter? Don't forget to vote and flood the comment section 😉