Life above all episode 20-21

LIFE, ABOVE ALL

Episode 20

TIYA

Mr. Bwalya was my first lover, he was the first to explore and touch my body sexually and he broke my virginity last year.
I had just turned fifteen when he started taking an interest in me. One night, he asked me to watch a movie with him in his bedroom. I didn’t object because I loved to spend time with him.
I got to his room and we both lay under the covers watching, ‘The six wife of Henry Lafe’- one of my favourite movies, it always makes me laugh & i never get tired of watching it.

After a while, when I was deeply engrossed in the movie, I felt his giant hands under my night gown and into my pants.
I froze in fear because I had never been touched like that before, but even though I knew it was wrong, I didn’t say a thing, I pretended not to have noticed and focused my eyes on the television.
Shortly after he stopped and we continued watching the movie.
‘I love you and you make me so proud,’ he whispered before I went back to my room that night.
I must say I was confused but I didn’t put much thought to it.
But after that incident, we got closer, whatever I asked for he would provide. He took me to one of the best schools, gave me a personal driver & because of him I was able to travel to different countries.

He made me so happy I felt the need to please him. Who can say no to a man like that?
Several nights we would lie in his bed and he would touch me in ways I never thought were possible. And he would whisper sweet things in my ears.
Sometimes he would draw me close to him, he would tell me stories and we would laugh.
‘Who’s my number one girl?’ he would ask
I would giggle and respond, ‘Me.’
And each time he touched me down there, he always gave me a tingling feeling that I couldn’t explain. I was happy because he was giving me so much attention, I felt special.

This continued until eventually he had sex with me and there was no going back. We’ve been having sex for the past year and I have no regrets about it whatsoever. This is business for the both of us but that’s a story for another day.

‘This is sick,’ Tiya said, standing up.
‘Its business Tiya and you too could benefit from it if you choose to.’
‘You want me to sleep with him?’
‘No.’
‘But?’
‘My father has a business that I would like you to be a part of, you will have your own money.’
‘I don’t want to be a part of this, take me home please.’
‘Will you…,’
‘Take me home please,’ I cut her short before she could finish her sentence.
‘Fine.’
We walked to the car, got in and they drove me home. The drive back home was quiet and tense i could sense the awkwardness in the air

I stepped out of the car the minute the car pulled up in front of my house.
‘Bye,’ I said walking towards the gate before she could say more. I pushed the gate open and walked in. I sighed in relief when I heard the car drive off.
What Ivy had told me gave me goose bumps and to think I had thought her father was cool at first.
I walked into the living room and found my father watching television.
I walked towards him and got down on my knees, ‘Mwachoma bwanji,’ I greeted
He shot me a deadly stare then he glanced at his watch, ‘What time is it?’ he asked
I kept quiet.
‘I said what time is it?’ he asked raising his voice
I still didn’t respond.
‘It’s almost 19 hours, is this the time you knock off from school?’
‘No,’ I shook my head
‘Tiyamike Phiri, where are you coming from?’
‘I went to see a friend,’ I responded
‘What friend?’ he asked
I opened my mouth to respond but was interrupted by my ringing phone I must have forgotten to put it on silent when I was stepping out of the car.
‘And what is that?’ he asked
I chose to remain silent I knew I was in hot soup either way.
‘Whose phone is that?’ he yelled, annoyed
‘Mine,’ I whispered.
He grabbed my bag and took out the ringing phone. He stared at it for brief second then he looked at me.
‘And where did you get this?’ he asked
‘A friend.’
‘You must take me to that same friend of yours I will not allow you to disgrace my name.’
‘But..’
‘No but, you need to take me to that same friend of yours. I should know why she is giving you all these things, is she the reason your grades have started falling?’
My eyes widened in shock, how did he know about that?
‘Don’t be surprised your teacher called me.’
‘Oh lord could my day get any worse.’
He grabbed his car keys, ‘Let’s go, I want to meet this new friend of yours.’
Ganizani and Tiya were standing by the door watching the commotion, at some point I thought he was going to ask father to let me be but he quietly stood there as I was dragged out of the room to the car.
****

IVY

‘Did you tell her?’ he asked as we had our supper
‘I told her part of the truth,’ I said
‘And?’
‘She was upset.’
‘I see.’
‘Maybe I should find someone else,’ I suggested
‘No, that girl is perfect. She is pure and innocent, exactly what I want.’
‘What’s the plan?’
‘You mentioned she has a step mother?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then let me handle it for now.’
‘What should I do next?’
‘Let her be, she will bring herself to you.’
‘Okay.’
We continued eating and shortly after, there was a loud bang at the door, it sounded like the police.
Alice quickly went to open the door, just then Tiya and her father marched in.
***

Episode 21

My father and I instantly stood up surprised by their rude entrance.
‘And you must be?’ He asked Tiya’s father
‘I am Mr. Phiri, the father to this girl that your daughter has been exploiting.’
My eyes widened in shock, ‘What do you mean exploiting?’ I asked
‘This girl is only thirteen I don’t appreciate you giving her a phone or spending time with her after school till it’s late.’
I laughed, ‘Did she tell you I force her to spend time with me?’
He shook his head, ‘You look older than her, I don’t even know what you are doing in a grade seven class,’ he said
‘Hold it right there,’ dad interrupted ‘You don’t walk into the house and start insulting my daughter.’
‘I seriously don’t have time to waste here warn your daughter to stay away from my child or else…,’
‘Or else what?’ dad asked with a serious tone.
‘I won’t be responsible for my actions.’
He grabbed the phone from Tiya’s hand and put it on the table, ‘you have your phone so back off,’ he said
I rolled my eyes, ‘Fine.’
He grabbed Tiya’s arm, ‘Let’s go.’
We watched as they marched out of the house slamming the door behind their backs.
After they left, we stood in silence for nearly five minutes, each with his own thoughts.
I looked up at dad, ‘Is it possible to assign me to someone else?’ I asked
‘No!’ he shook his head, ‘She is the chosen one hence you must do everything in your power to have her on your side.’
‘Challenge accepted.’
‘Now that’s my girl,’ he said
I giggled
‘Who’s daddy’s number one girl?’ he asked
‘Me, me and me,’ I giggled
He opened his arms wide open pulling me into a tight hug.
‘I love you,’ he said
‘I love you too daddy.’
***

TIYA

We arrived home an hour later, I stepped out of the house as soon as he stepped out of the drive way. I quickly walked into the house and went straight to my bedroom. Shortly after the room burst open and Ganizani walked in.
‘What do you want?’ I asked
‘See what I told you?’ he said
‘You win,’ I clapped my hands together,’ this is what you wanted right? It’s done so fuckoff.’
I saw his eyes blaze with rage before he raised his hand and whipped it hard across my face.
I held the side of my face tightly trying to reduce the stinging pain with my mouth gaped.
‘You slapped me?’ I asked after recovering from the shock.
‘Yes and I will slap you again if you dare talk to me like that.’
‘Ganizani I am not your child,’ I said seriously pointing a finger in his face.
‘You are my sister and it is my duty to make sure you behave accordingly,’ he said
‘Just fuck off,’ I yelled
My father walked into the room at that instant,’ what is going on here?’ he asked
‘Nothing,’ we said in unison
He glared at me then at Ganizani, ‘You should warn your sister not to provoke me,’ he said
‘Okay,’ he responded
‘I am coming to your school tomorrow, I want to see your teachers, I want to be sure you have been going to school,’ he said
‘Shit,’ I nearly cursed, I didn’t want him to come to school and ask about my conduct because I knew I had not been at my best behavior the past month.
‘What was that?’ he asked
‘Nothing.’
‘I don’t want you anywhere near that girl,’ he said
‘Okay.’
He walked out of the room.
‘Leave too,’ I told Ganizani
He walked out of the room without saying anything to me. I sat on the edge of the bed and thought about what I was going to do about this whole situation.
****

GANIZANI

I walked out of my sister’s room and slammed the door behind my back. My little sister was turning into something I couldn’t recognize anymore, I had promised mum that I would take care of them and now I felt like I was falling at that, mum must be turning in her grave at this point.

I entered my room and found Celine sitting on my bed, her legs spread wide open. What sort of temptation was this? Why was she so bent on destroying my peace?
‘Hey darling?’ she said smilingly
I frowned, ‘I am not your darling, now leave.’
She stood up, ‘why have you refused to listen to my pleas? I like you.’
‘And why haven’t you listened to mine? I hate you,’ I said
‘You don’t mean it.’
‘I mean it now leave you daughter of Jezebel.’
‘And if I say no?’
‘I will have no option but to call your mother or report you to dad.’
She laughed, ‘And you think they will believe you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Your word against my word, wait till I tell them you tried to rape me.’
‘Just leave in the name of God please.’
‘Tell me the truth, is there another girl you like or I am nit sexy enough?’ she asked
I looked at her intently, ‘I have a girlfriend and I wouldn’t want to disappoint her. I love her a lot,’ I lied
The colour from her face instantly drained, ‘You have a girlfriend?’ she whispered
‘Yes. Her name is Valarie.’
Valarie was actually the name of my female best friend from school.
‘Fine, I get it. I won’t pursue you anymore,’ she said before she turned and walked out.
I sighed in relief, If I knew this would make her back off, I would have told her the minute she started following me around.
I locked my door and changed into my pajamas before I sat on the table, said a short prayer and started studying.
***

TIYA

I woke up the next day and prepared Thoko and I for school.
‘Go and have your breakfast,’ I told Thoko when I was done combing her hair
‘And you?’
‘Not hungry.’
She grabbed her bag and walked out. I waited in my room for a few minutes before I walked out too.
‘Morning,’ Ganizani greeted when he saw me.
I didn’t respond did he think he could slap me and then come around and act like we were all cool.

We walked to the bus station quietly we got on a bus and eventually dropped off in front of our school gate. When I walked into the classroom, Ivy was already in her seat. I looked at her and quickly looked away.
The teacher walked in after thirty minutes and we began our lessons though I wasn’t concentrating. My mind was elsewhere, I didn’t even realise I had zoned out till I felt someone shaking me. It was the teacher actually I looked up at her startled.
‘What?’I asked
‘Where is your mind?’ she asked
‘Uh?’
‘Get out of my class and come back when you feel like concentrating,’ she said
I looked at her,’ what?’
‘Leave.’
‘Whatever!’ I clicked my tongue and walked out of the classroom.
I sat at the ground till break time I just wanted to go home I didn’t feel like going back to class.
‘Are you okay?’Ivy asked
I hadn’t even seen her coming towards me.
‘Yes.’
‘Here is your phone,’ she said
‘No,’ I shook my head.
‘I got it for you, I can’t have it back my father will kill me.’
‘You shouldn’t allow your father to treat you like a slave, he has no right to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do.’
‘Well someone of us don’t sleep with our fathers,’ I said before I could stop the words.
She looked at me I could see she was hurt.
‘I am sorry,’ I said
‘Fine.’
‘Tiya!’ I heard someone call my name from afar.
‘Yes.’
‘You are wanted by the headmaster,’ she said
‘Okay,’ I stood up. ‘I will see you later,’ I told Ivy and walked out before she could respond.
****

To be continued