ELINA'S POV
“Argghh! Yesssss that feels good”, I said as I let Lawrence caress my breasts. I directed his hands down my lower body, as he tugged on my underwear and pulled it slowly. I enjoyed the chill feeling down my spine while he inserted his hands inside of me.
“Ohhhhh Lawrence don't stop please, keep going”.
He kept on going harder, and for a moment I held my breath due to so much pleasure and an almost orgasm.
He took off his pants and proceeded to penetrate me and I couldn't wait for his incoming thrust.
That's when I heard a faint voice calling out to me, but I wasn't quite sure who.
“Get up you lazy ass, Elina! Elina!” My stepmom called out. “It's half past 7 and you are still sleeping like a pile of nothing, get up girl you've got some work to do.”
I woke up quickly drenched in my sweat with my soaked panties. Shit! It was just a dream.
I've never been so mad before. I was having one of the best dreams ever and my stepmom decided to spoil it, could my day get any worse.
“I need you to run some errands for me, go down to town and get me these few items..” she said as she handed me a list containing things I'm meant to get.
“Did you forget I'm graduating today? I'm gonna be late if I don't make it on time mama, please can I get it once I'm back, I promise I'll get it done.”
She stared at me in disbelief and left, she didn't say a word to me.
I didn't even care about her reaction, I got up from bed and headed straight to the bathroom to wash up.
Today was my big day and no one's spoiling it for me. I picked up my phone and texted Lawrence to ask if he would show up for my graduation, but then he replied saying he wouldn't make it because he had other important things to attend to.
I felt hurt but didn't show it. He's probably busy. Who knows, what if he's planning a surprise for me and he didn't want to spill?
I secretly thought to myself while I dressed up.
I never really had friends in school, so I was doing this alone.
Growing up my mama never really paid attention to my needs ever since the death of my dad, I was left to care for myself and work alone to feed and survive.
Eventually I got enough money to study in school and further my education and as luck would have it I'm graduating today with a master's in nursing.
My boyfriend Lawrence, was a nonchalant young man. We met on a dating app, it was all fun and exciting in the first few months of our relationship.
He was all over me, obsessing and professing how much he loved me. We planned our future together, how many kids we'd have and all but it seems not all love stories end with a happy ending.
He began to change little by little, his tone, body language and attitude. I hoped everyday he would change and make things work out but he never cared.
I stood up from my make-up table and stared at myself in the mirror. Today was a good day, sad thoughts shouldn't be creeping in. I picked up my purse, phone and walked out of the room before the mirror could remind me of everything I was trying to forget.
Outside, the sun was really bright. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life. I had worked too hard to let heartbreak ruin it for me. All my years of night shifts, cheap meals and silent tears, led me here. A master’s degree in nursing. Something no one could ever take from me.
My phone buzzed.
No message still from Lawrence.
I pretended not to care, I told myself I was strong enough now.
At the graduation hall, it was all smiles. Caps flew into the air. Proud parents cried and friends hugged each other. I managed to smile a bit too, but it felt borrowed, like I was wearing someone else’s joy. When my name was called, I walked across the stage with my head high. For a moment, everything felt worth it.
But when it ended, the emptiness came back immediately.
I stepped aside and typed a message to the only person who truly knew me.
I’m coming to New York City tomorrow. I can’t stay here anymore. Please don’t tell anyone yet.
My best friend Teema replied almost immediately, asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer. I didn’t explain because I couldn’t. All I knew was that staying here meant breaking slowly, and leaving meant at least having a chance to breathe again.
That night, I packed only what mattered to me. My Clothes, documents, and certificate.
Just before midnight, my phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I stared at the screen, my heart suddenly racing. Something told me not to answer, but my fingers moved on their own.
The voice on the other end was calm, it was deep and familiar.
He said my name but before I could ask who he was, the line went dead.
I stood there in the quiet room, my bag at my feet, and my future already drifting.
I didn’t know it yet, but New York wasn't the beginning of my escape.
It was the start of everything falling apart.
