Nia.
I close my ears and silently cry as I hear my sister crying and begging our father to stop. After some time I hear her sobs near me. I get up and hug her and we both cry.
See we used to live a happy life before my father lost her job and started molesting my sister. All he does now is to drink, come back and molest my mother and my sister. Mother knows that my sister is being abused too but she does absolutely nothing about it. My sister lets go of me and looks at me.
"Nia I need you to promise me that you will run away from here. You know he's only waiting for you to turn 15, please run and never look back". she says cupping my face. I look at her confused. she can't expect me to go and leave her here.
"You are coming with me right? My birthday is in two months from here therefore we have to be gone by the end of next month" I say to her wiping my tears. she looks at me in sorrow holds my hand leading me to mother's room. At this time of the day mother is at church playing holly while her own children are suffering at the hands of her husband whom she protects.
"This money will help you with transport, food and a place to stay for at least five months. look for the cheapest place and don't misuse it ok." I nod looking at her. she takes mother's money from her savings box and hands it to me. I shove it in my underwear hiding it. She looks at me and hugs me tightly. "I love you. Please take care".
"Why are you saying I should take care? You are coming with me right? Please don't let me go alone" I cry still in her warm embrace.
"you are going to be fine. I'm really tired now I need to take a bath then rest. I have tried but I cannot anymore . Please forgive me. she lets go of me leaving me confused and head to the bathroom. I go stark cooking before father comes back and beats us. I finish cooking and my sister still hasn't come out of the bathroom so I head to the bathroom to check on her. I knock several times but she doesn't open so, I go in.
My whole body freezes and my mind runs black. She is lying motionless in her bath of blood and her right hand is hanging outside the bathtub. "NOOOOO". I scream in agony hugging her and begging her to wake up but she doesn't. My mother comes in and stops looking at us. It makes sense now. She was tired and she needed to bath then rest. I can't stay here I need to leave right now.
"Nia what happed here? What happened to Amanda?. she rushes to her, shaking her to wake up. I look at her and want to say a lot but father will be here soon and he has to find me gone. I rush to my room and take mine and Amanda's school bag and pack a few of my clothes and cosmetics. My mother is crying holding Amanda in her arms. I look at the picture of us framed in the wall and grab it before running off.
I get to the taxi rank tired from running. I secretly take the money out from my underwear and buy a bottle of water before hopping in the taxi. I say a prayer as only one person was short. The taxi starts moving and I realize I didn't even ask where it is going, but then it didn't matter as long as it was far from that hell hole I call home. I lean on the lady I'm seated next to and fall asleep and she's generous enough to let me.
Someone gently shakes me and I realize it's the lady next to me. "nana I'm getting off at the next stop. Where are you going?." She politely ask me. I look at her and think of asking to come with her but all the stories of human trafficking come flooding in my mind. I just escaped hell, I can do on my own. "I'll see when I get there." I say to her with a smile.
"I can land you my phone to call your parents or whoever you're going to, to come fetch you"
"no, thank you though. I know where I'm going I just recognize it when I see it." she nods and ask to get off. I look around and there are four of us left in the taxi. I'll get off either with the last one or before the last one. It's already dark outside maybe I should've asked that lady for a place to sleep. I see a police station and I ask to get off.
"uh, how much is the taxi fare" I ask the driver before opening the door.
"80 nana" he says not caring to look at me. I hand him a 100 then he gives me the change. I get off and close the door then quickly run to the police station. If I get in they'll either send me back home or send me to an orphanage Centre and I don't want that. I go around and notice a cabin at the back. I shove my bags down and follow getting under the cabin. I lay one bag down as a pillow and lay my head on it.
A loud bang wakes me up and I get up in fright. The are people in the cabin and it's morning now. I need to get up and look for a cheap place to stay. A small backroom can do and maybe look for a job too. I slide out and see a ablution sign. I rush in and thank God no one is there. I take a leak then wet my cloth wash and wipe myself then change my clothes. I hear footsteps coming in and quickly lock myself in one of the toilets. Their conversation catches me as I listen carefully.
"I can't believe I was so stupid to just trust someone over the phone"
"you wouldn't have known. You wanted a job and he promised to get you that position if you bribe him since there are many applications"
"I'm just plain stupid. Now I have no job and my money is gone. Worse part is the police can't really help me because it will be hard to track that person"
I wait for them to leave and get out as well. Well I just got an idea on what I'll do to survive. I go around looking for an internet café. Finally I find one. I go In and go on job search website. I create my employer profile then advertise job opportunities. I go buy food at the opposite shop and come back to log in again. I've already gotten applications and see other public applicants resume. I note down the applicants numbers and call them.
*ON CALL*
"Good afternoon Miss Rowan you're speaking to Mrs. Augustine from NPR Marketing. I saw your resume on our website and I'll like to fasten and guarantee you the PA position you've applied for" I say trying to make my voice sound as adult as possible.
"I do not follow Miss" She says at on the other line and I smile to myself.
"well there are many applications and by the look of your resume your application is most likely to be rejected but not if you pay your way through it. I work at the HR office and if you give me something then the job will be yours"
"Are you sure about that"
"Yes I am. If you don't trust me you can call our office and ask for Mrs. Augustine and her position in the company"
"As long as I'll get that job. How much do you need to secure me that position"
"Just a seven hundred will do. You can EFT and you'll get a call for an interview before the end of tomorrow. I will also assist you in preparing for the interview"
"oh, that's so good. hold on while I send the money"
She does so and gives me the details of the money withdrawal. I smile and end the call. I turn and there's a guy starring at me. "You're too young for that . Don't you want a bolder voice?" He asks smiling at me.
"congratulations you've been hired. Now come help your boss look for a place to stay" I say looking at him. He nods and laughs then indicate I follow him.
SEVEN YEARS LATER
