Silent screams episode 13

SILENT SCREAMS
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Writer: Ella
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Sequence 13
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Continues..
‘Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust,’ the pastor who was performing Owen’s burial ceremony concluded his message.
He looked at Audrey ‘You may come forward and place the first dirt on the coffin.’
Sitting in a wheelchair, Audrey was pushed up to where the coffin was she took a handful of dirt from the shovel and sprinkled it over the casket before being wheeled away.
She was devastated, tears were rolling down her cheeks, she couldn’t understand why life had decided to do her this bad, ever since Owen was attacked it had been one misfortune after another, as if losing her brother was not enough, Audrey was now paralyzed from the waist down and her voice was gone.
A neighbor who had found her unconscious in her car had rushed her to the hospital. After waking up, Audrey had tried to speak out but no voice materialized fro her mouth.
The doctor had been unable to give her a diagnosis only that she couldn’t walk nor talk. This was a big blow for Audrey it was as if life was punishing her for all her wrong doings.
The pastor said his final words and gave the last rites then the coffin was lowered.
Audrey felt her heart break all over again as she watched the coffin disappear into the hole, it was done her little brother was gone and never coming back, she was all alone.
After the coffin was lowered, the pastor cast some holy water on the ground then he finished off with a prayer and people started going back to their vehicles.
*
Jada walked into Leila’s room where she found her standing in front of the mirror on the dresser.
‘I can’t seem to find the right clothes to wear,’ she told her sister.
Jada laughed, ‘I wouldn’t want to be you right now your clothes bore me.’
‘Shut up,’ she hit her on her shoulder playfully.
‘Wait let me get you something from my closet.’
‘It had better not be anything explicit like that dress you are wearing.’
‘You are such a bore, this is a sexy dress,’ she rolled her eyes.
‘I will pass if it’s anything like that.’
‘Oh please,’ she walked out of the room.
She walked back in a few minutes later carrying a one shoulder emerald green jumpsuit which had a belt around the waist.
‘What is this?’
‘Try this, I bought it a few weeks ago I am sure it will fit you perfectly.’
Leila cleared her throat wondering if she would be comfortable in such.
‘Come on Leila.’
‘Fine.’
She stripped off the dress she was wearing and slipped into the jumpsuit.
‘You looking amazing, this one was perfectly made for you. Now let me do your make up.’
‘Don’t put too much make up on my face,’ said Leila as she sat on the stool in front of her mirror. Jada quickly did Leila’s make up and styled up her hair.
‘I am done here,’ she said a few minutes later.
Leila completed her look with a pair of nude heels.
‘Perfect,’ Jada said, she picked her phone and purse before they marched out of the room.
‘Where are you two going dressed like………,’
‘We are going for a friend’s birthday party,’ Jada cut her father short.
‘Oh.’
‘Yes daddy, Leila needs some fresh air let her breath a little.’
‘Jada.’
‘Daniel, it’s just a party and nothing else please don’t ruin our night,’ said Jada
Daniel shook his head in disbelief Jada was the only one capable of challenging him.
‘Come Leila,’ she held her sister’s hand and they walked past their father to the door.
*
‘How do you do that?’ Leila asked when they were finally settled into Jada’s car.
‘Do what?’
‘Challenge dad like that, talk back at him and defile his rules.’
Jada laughed, ‘You guys treat him like a God I treat him like a human being.’
‘If it were me speaking to him like, I bet he would have slapped me.’
‘Don’t allow him to treat you like trash ever again, stand up for yourself Leila.’
‘I will try to,’ she responded.
‘Imagine if he found out we are not even going for any party,’ she laughed.
‘Don’t talk like that, he would kill me.’
‘Loosen up a little bit girl, your father trusts me.’
They listened to loud music till they got to their destination.
‘So this is where we part ways,’ Jada said
‘Alright, I will see you later.’
‘Have fun try not to think about your crazy father, I will pick you up in about two hours.’
‘Cool, have fun too.’
She stepped out of the car and walked towards the gate she pushed it open and walked straight to the door. After she knocked twice Chibuye opened the door and greeted her with a wide smile spread across his face.
‘Hey.’
‘Hey.’
‘Come in,’ he ushered her into the living room.
‘Mmmmmm,’ he licked his lips eyeing her from head to toe.
‘What?’
‘You look hot.’
‘Thank you Chibuye.’
‘That thank you doesn’t sound genuine.’
‘Don’t start,’ she rolled her eyes.
‘Since you didn’t allow me to take you out, I was forced to cook.’
‘I am not hungry.’
‘You are boring.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know.’
‘You know what, feel at home, let me set the table, you will watch me eat.’
Leila sat on the couch and pulled off her shoes.
He led her to the dining table a while later and they sat down to eat.
They ate in silence though Chibuye noticed Leila was barely touching her food.
‘Are you okay?’ he finally asked.
‘Yes! I am fine, tsup?’
‘You have hardly touched your food and that look on your face. Is it about Owen?’
‘Owen was buried today and I couldn’t even go for that funeral, I just saw posts on facebook from his friend, but he is the least of my problems,’ she said setting her folk down.
‘Oh.’
‘I just have a lot going on Chibuye right now my head is spinning. I think coming here wasn’t a good idea after all. Maybe I should just go,’ she stood up.
‘Hey! Hey!’ Chill, Chibuye grabbed her hand, ‘Talk to me what’s going on?’
‘A lot if going on I don’t even know where to start from.’
‘How about we sit down and you can tell me all about it, I promise I won’t judge.’
She responded with silence.
‘A problem shared is a problem solved, talk to me Leila please,’ he pleaded.
She managed a weak smile, ‘I am engaged to be married Chibuye,’ she said.
‘What?’ he asked, there was shock written all over his face.
‘Yes, I just found out a few weeks ago, apparently my parents married me off before I was even born.’
‘That’s absurd.’
‘Yes and now my father has been monitoring my every move, I am not allowed to make any decisions on my own, he literary controls my every move.’
‘Are you for real?’
‘Yes. You asked me last time why I am still a virgin, well my father takes me for testing almost every time apparently I have to be a virgin when I get married.’
‘No offence but your parents are stupid, this is abuse. Have you even met the man you are set to marry?’
‘Not yet, apparently I will meet him on our wedding day.’
‘Lord this is absurd who does that?’
‘My parents apparently.’
‘I don’t even know what to do anymore because the days keep drawing closer.’
‘How long do you have?’
‘Seven months, I am set to get married on my 25th Birthday.’
There was an awkward pause before he opened his mouth again. ‘I know what about to say is stupid but I think it’s the only solution?’ he asked.
‘What?’
‘Let me take you away from here, Let’s elope.’ He stated.
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To be continued..