My Wicked Step Mother
Episode 6
I ran into my room and l couldn’t hold back my tèars. I went pulling off my clothes as l prepared to go into the bathroom. All of a sudden, my phone went ringing and l just let it ring.
The caller made to call me the second time and l had no choice but to see who it was. It was grandma. I felt pain in my heart, she had completely forgotten me.
I couldn’t blame her for her actions. Mom had never been in good terms with her parents. She was warned by her parents not to get married to my dad but she went against their wishes.
The relationship between them was strained but grandma welcomed me as her child, grandpa did as well but the love was not as strong as grandma’s.
I picked up the call and her voice went blaring up from the other end. ” Joy my child,” she said as total silence followed.
“I know you might not be feeling happy towards me but I tried coming over to see you. Your grandpa was really stubborn, he wouldn’t let me come.
I have been in grief since your mother’s death, we warned her but she didn’t listen to us. But anyways, I hope you are doing fine,” she completed her sentence and l bursted out crying.
She tried consoling me over the phone and at a point I could gather myself together. We spoke to length and I told her everything that had been happening.
She was really pained that I had not said anything to her. She was supposed to have called or even visited us at home but she didn’t. I didn’t feel the need to call her.
We ended our conversation and she promised to talk to her husband. She was going to come see me in a week’s time and probably stay a while with me till mom’s finally buried.
I slept well that night. I knew things would definitely change once she comes around.
I made sure l had concentrated well in class. It was exam period and l wasn’t going to allow what I was passing through go get in my way of success.
I waited for the car to come pick me up. I planned on staying 30 minutes more. If nobody showed up to pick me, I’ll go home myself.
A car honked right outside the school gate. I recognized the car, it was dad’s favorite car. I carried my things and l made for the gate. Dad sat quietly in the car and I made for the back seat.
“Joy, come sit with me at the front,” dad said with a smile on his face. I quietly moved to the front seat and he started the car engine and we were on our way home.
It was really silent, this was the first time we wouldn’t talk to one another. The old times seemed like they were gone.
He broke the silence and asked of my studies and l gave him a perfect response. “Joy, I’m sorry for what happened the last time. I know I shouldn’t have touched you. I’m deeply sorry,” dad said with a tear dropping down from his eye.
I was speechless. He made for my hand he robbed it gently. I felt the coldness, I had really missed who my dad actually was.
“Dad, why do you have to bring in another woman when mom just recently dîed? That’s too cruel,” I said in a cold voice.
He couldn’t look at me in the eyes. “I didn’t know what came over me but I’m dearly sorry.” He said as he patted my thigh.
“Let’s live together happily please, I love Sandra. She has shown me love and care and l can’t let her go. Joy, please give her a chance and let’s make this work out.”
“Your grandmother called me, and she told me what you guys had discussed. It’s fine if she comes over if that is going to make you happy.”
I didn’t say anything afterwards and the silence went on till we got home. The gate was opened by Mr John and dad made to pack the car at the garage.
He suddenly grabbed my hand and said, “there’s a surprise for you. Don’t mess things up Joy. Whatever it is, it was my decision.” His look was cold and he made to kiss me on my forehead.
We got down and he made to open the door to the house. I was surprised to see Sandra seated and it seemed she had been waiting for us. My eyes suddenly caught a figure coming out of the kitchen.
It was a boy and he would be around 15 to 16 years of age. He quickly came to sit beside Sandra and I made to look at dad. He gently patted my back and we went in.
Sandra got up and went to set the dining table. Dad and l moved to the dining table and so did the boy.
We were all seated for lunch and l was still confused about who the boy was. “Sandra, this food is really delicious,” my dad said as he dropped the spoon on his hand and sipped water from his cup.
He cleared his throat loudly and he then proceeded to talk. “Joy, I know you must have questions and l am ready to answer them.
This is Teddy, Sandra’s son. She has a son and he has come to stay with us. I’m marrying Sandra and l can’t leave her son.
So meet your brother , Teddy,” dad said winking at me. I was totally speechless. I couldn’t believe my ears. Just like that, two strangers are already living in our house?
I didn’t say anything. I quietly got up from the dining table and went upstairs to my room. The house had been completely silent. Sandra had stayed in dad’s room all day with her some and dad had gone out.
It was evening already and I was anxious, dad wasn’t home yet. As usual, I had gone to take a shower and prepare for dinner.
I got out of the bathroom after a long time and l was shocked by what l had seen. Teddy was in my room. He sat on my bed and l grabbed my towel tightly, covering my body.
“What are you doing here? Who told you to come in?” l barked at him and he was really quiet and calm.
He got up from the bed and walked towards me. “I’m glad to have you as a sister. Hope I’m welcomed sis,” he said as he looked at me. I kept a stern face as I didn’t know what to say.
He suddenly bursted out laughing and I was shocked. “I’m sleeping in this room tonight. I think you should pack your things and leave my room this night,” I was shocked at what he had said.
“What did you just say? I should what?”
I asked in a surprised tone. He nodded his head and went repeating what he had said. I moved away from where I was standing and I went grabbing my night gown.
I quickly slid it on and I dropped my towel on my bed. “This is my house, and you can’t come in here to tell me to get out of my room. Are you okay?” I asked him as he went folding his arms.
“Sis, I don’t want to argue tonight. Mom said this is my room and I’m here to sleep here.”
I was totally disgusted at the rubbish he was saying and I didn’t know what came over me. I landed a hot slap on his face.
He screamed and he almost went falling to the ground. He went dragging me and his finger nails went scratching my skin. I suddenly heard some movements at the door and dad was standing there.
His face had changed, he showed that he was angry. He àngrily walked in and my mind hand flown away. What was he going to do?
Teddy went hitting me and my dad suddenly grabbed his hand. He landed two hot slaps on his face and he went crying like a dog.
“What are you doing to my daughter,” my dad yelled and all of a sudden, Sandra bursted into the room. She went rushing at her son and checking his face and body.
“Sandra, what is the meaning of this? How dare your son raise his hands on my daughter?” My dad yelled angrily.
Sandra couldn’t say anything and my dad went dashing out of the room. Teddy was seriously cryîng and his mom was obviously hurt. She looked at me and hissed and went walking out of my room with her son.
I couldn’t help but smile, Teddy deserved what he had gotten tonight. But still, I sensed that more dangèr was still going to come. I had a battle to fight.
ROSANLA SEYI