Lela's POV

  “I can't come in, I'm already really late for an appointment.” Mom said and she brought the car to a stop in front of the gate.

  It was my fault she was late and I looked at her apologetically, “I'm sorry mom.”

  “Just go in now.” She said without looking at me.

  “Okay,” I heaved a sigh and stepped out of the car. Mom immediately started the car and drove away.

  I adjusted my backpack and knocked on the gate.

  “Who be that?” The gate man asked in his thick Calabar accent.

  “Ete'bong, it's me.” I answered.

  “Who?” He demanded.

  “Lela. Just open the gate Ete'bong.” I sighed.

  “Lela?” He asked and I heard keys jangle. Within a few seconds, he had pulled the gate open and I stepped in. He had a worried expression. “Wetin happen? School don close?” He asked, glancing at his imaginary wristwatch.

  I glanced around the compound, ignoring Ete'bong. Daddy's car wasn't there, it meant he wasn't home. I wasn't ready to face him yet. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the house.

  I pushed the front door open to meet Eka-ette hurrying out. She stopped, looking me over with a concerned expression.

  “Lela, what happened to you?” She asked, raising my arms up to examine my wounds.

  'At least someone finally notices them.'

  A tear trickled down my cheek and I threw myself on Eka-ette, almost knocking her down. I wrapped my arms around her neck tightly and I knew she must have been thrown of guard. “I got suspended aunt.” I cried.

  “W-what?” She pulled me away from her and I looked into her worried eyes. Her forehead wrinkled.

  “Yes,” I nodded. “For a week.”

  “But...what happened?” She asked while she led me into the living room, shutting the door behind us. She brought us to sit on the sofa then she used her palm to wipe off my tears.

  “Y-you....remember the girl I told you about?” I hiccupped, “the one that I told you flaunted herself about like a princess?”

  “Yes, I remember her,” Eka-ette confirmed. “So, what happened?”

  “Well, we both fought in school and I got a suspension.” I wiped off another tear that almost ran down my cheek. “It wasn't my fault that she couldn't use her hands the way she used her mouth and she ended up sustaining more injuries.” I said with so much resentment.

  “Oh...but you shouldn't have dear,” she placed her palm on my left cheek. “You remember how your parents warned you never to fight again....”

  “I know, I know.....but....it's just that Edith is just too much.” I said, gritting my teeth and squeezing Ekaette's hands.

  “Ouch!” Eka-ette pulled her hands away from me and brought it up close to examine them. “Calm down Lela. Don't transfer aggressions.”

  “I'm really sorry aunt. I'm just so mad and frustrated right now.”

  “I understand dear, but you just have to relax.” She smiled, squeezing my hand lightly. “Does your wound hurt?” She looked at
my arms apologetically.

  “Yeah, it does hurt.” I pouted.

  “So sorry dear. Come on, you should take a bath then I'll take care of your wounds.” Eka-ette got to her feet and pulled me up. “You should also get something to eat.”

  I sighed, “thanks aunt. You are actually the first person who noticed my wounds. No one seemed to care, even mom.”

  “Yes, I forgot to ask how you got home...”

  “Mom brought me. She was so mad and she wouldn't even look at me.” I cried and threw myself on Eka-ette.

  “It's okay dear.” She patted my back.

  “Mom didn't even notice my wounds,” I sobbed. “All she cared about was that stupid Edith.” I gritted my teeth and pulled away from Eka-ette.

  “Calm down dear. Your mom does care about you. Now go take a bath.”

  “Okay aunt,” I forced a smile. “I'm just really scared about what dad would do.” The smile disappeared and I let out a sigh.

  Eka-ette squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring look as we climbed up the stairs. “You know, I was actually on my way to the market.” She told me.

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  “It's alright dear.” She smiled.

*****

  “I can't believe this!” Dad yelled. He was pacing back and forth in the living room and mom was seated on one of the sofas, glaring at me. Despite the Air-con the living room was hot like a furnace.

  Sweat trickled down my forehead to my lashes and I blinked it away. I hung my head, refusing to look into daddy's eyes.

  “I'm sorry dad.” I whispered and immediately dad stopped pacing. From the corner of my eye, I saw him walk towards me, each step sounded like a heavy hammer or was it my heart pounding? He stopped in front of me. I felt a huge lump grow in my throat and I swallowed really hard.

   “What did you say?” He gritted his teeth.

  I stepped backwards slowly. “I said I'm sorry.” I whispered.

  “You are sorry?” He scoffed and I brought my head up to look at him. The look on his face was terrifying, then his expression softened and he turned away from me towards mom with his hands behind him.

  “I'm really sorry daddy, mommy. I promise never to fight again.” I pleaded, glancing from one to the other.

  “Yes, exactly what you said the other time.” Mom scoffed.

  “The deed has been done,” dad turned around to look at me. “You are grounded for two weeks. No phones, no laptop. No technology of any sort!”

  “What?!” I blurted out. I was sorry before, but now I felt like bringing the house down.

  “Eka-ette! Eka-ette!” Dad hollered.

  “Sir.” Eka-ette answered, stepping out of the kitchen. She had an apron on, where she was wiping her hands as she motioned towards dad.

  “Get me Lela's phone, laptop...everything.”

  “Sir?” Eka-ette looked at dad, confused, then she turned in my direction and I pleaded with my eyes for how to do something.

  “Eka-ette!” Dad yelled and Eka-ette flinched.

  “Sir.” She turned to look at dad.

  “Get Lela's phone and laptop!” He said into her face. Eka-ette turned to look at me apologetically and then she turned towards the stairs.

  “Mommy please,” I ran to mom and kneeled beside her. “Mom, plead with daddy, I'm begging you. I promise never to fight again.” I had started crying, but mom didn't look at me. She threw her head to the side.

  I stood up and ran to dad, “please daddy...please.” I cried.

  Daddy didn't look at me either. He threw his head to the side and crossed his arms on his chest. “You don't want me to make it three weeks, do you?” Dad asked and I gasped.

  “No.” I whispered and dropped to the floor, sobbing.

  “Here are the things you asked for sir.” I looked up to see Eka-ette handing over my phone, laptop and earphone to dad.

  'This wasn't happening.'

  “Please dad.” I begged, but he ignored me and climbed up the stairs with my phone and laptop. Mom stood up and followed behind him.

  I sat on the floor, crying, wailing and throwing myself around like a five year old.

   “Calm down Lela.” Eka-ette tried to pacify me.

  “No aunt...no. I can't calm down. Don't tell me to calm down.” I cried.

  Edith did this. It was all her fault and I'm going to make her pay. In just one week, I'll be back in school. I didn't have anything with Temi before, but now she was going to regret it.

  'Edith, I hate you.'

A/N

Hi guys. Did you have fun reading? What did you think?
Can you go two weeks without your devices?
What do you think Lela is going to do now?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments and let's get interactive.

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With love, Anna💜