Life Above All

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 28

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TIYA

‘Thank you for driving me home,’ I told Ken, as usual he had picked me up from school.

He smiled slightly, ‘I like you, I am sure you know that by now, I can do anything for you baby girl.’

‘Thank you,’ I said quietly

‘You are welcome.’

He reached out to my hand, taking my hand in his and he curled his large fingers around mine, settling our hands between them. There was just something about him that made me feel comfortable, I was spell bound by him. Then he brought our interlocked hands up to his mouth and placed a kiss on my knuckles.

I felt a slight tingling sensation in my tummy as if I had butterflies, this was a strange feeling but I liked it.

‘So I am having a mini brail with the guys at home this weekend, you wanna come?’ he asked

I sighed, ‘Is Ivy gonna be there?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I would have to pass on that one.’

‘Why?’

‘You know me and her aren’t in good terms anymore.’

‘Come on babe,’ he said

I giggled. He just called me babe? Does this mean we are now dating?

‘Well, my father won’t even allow me to come for the brail in the first place.’

‘You could come up with something, say you are going for tuitions, I will bring you back home in time.’

‘I will think about it.’

‘I will see what I can do.’

‘Please be there babe, I want to officially introduce you to my friends as my girlfriend.’

‘Girl friend?’ My heart skipped a bit

‘Yes, you are my girlfriend.’

‘Wow.’

‘You are my beautiful girlfriend and I love you,’ he said before he leaned forward and kissed me on the softly on the lips, I fought the urge not to wrap my hands around him as I tried to keep my cool. He leaned back and smiled at me,’ You make me happy.’

I chuckled,’ You make me happy too.’

He kissed me again the same way as before and then he remained close to me I could feel his breath on my face. I would do anything to have this moment forever, this felt like home for me.

I loved how Ken cared for me I loved how he listened to me without judging me. I loved how he treated me like an adult and how he made me feel wanted.

‘You need to get going,’ he said after a while.

‘Yes,’ I frowned.

‘I will see you tomorrow,’ he said

‘Sure babe.’

‘Wait, I have a suggestion,’ he said.

‘Shoot?’

‘Why don’t you miss your tuitions tomorrow so I can spend more time with you?’

I bit my lower lip, thinking about he had just said, dodging classes wasn’t something I was accustomed to but missing one lesson wouldn’t hurt right?

‘Let’s do this.’

‘Yes.’

I laughed, ‘I will see you tomorrow then.’

‘Sure.’

I got of the car and walked home. I got into the house and went straight to my room I was feeling very happy I didn’t want anyone disturbing my happiness.

I changed out of my uniform and put on some comfy clothes. Afterwards I went to look for Thoko in Ganizani’s room. I knocked on his bedroom door but there was no answer. I peeped in but there was no one there. Where could they be? I wondered.

I turned and headed for my room, as I walked down the passage to my room, I didn’t see Auntie Stella coming in front of me, I bumped into her the phone in her hands fell down.

‘OMG! I am sorry I didn’t see you,’ I said truthfully

‘You bastard!’ she screamed as she bent down to pick the phone, luckily the scream wasn’t broken.

‘I am really sorry,’ I said

‘You piece of trash, you are so bent of making my life miserable in this house.’

‘It was an accident.’

‘Oh please, I know your little tricks, you can’t fool me,’ she hissed.

‘Suit yourself then.’

With that said I marched off to my room and left her standing there. There is definitely something wrong with this woman, she is so bitter, even when I said sorry she keeps barking. I shouldn’t have apologized.

I threw myself on my bed, pulled out my phone then I started playing a game.

Thoko walked into the bedroom around 18, she had escorted Ganizani to the barbershop. We had supper without dad that evening, apparently he was working late.

We were all gathered around the dinner table and it was very quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the bubbling of the food. And within twenty minutes & we all quietly left the table.

Later that night I couldn’t sleep at all, I couldn’t stop thinking about Ken and how he made me feel. I must have slept amidst my thoughts.

I woke up to my alarm snapping my eyes open I reached across my bed to turn it off. Then I jumped out of bed and went to take a bath. After taking a bath, I woke Thoko up and bathed her too. By 7 Am sharp, we were both ready for school, we grabbed our bags and walked out of the bedroom.

As usual, Ganizani had prepared breakfast for us, we sat down and ate. Dad walked into the dining room just as we finished eating.

‘Morning,’ we greeted at the same time

‘Morning,’ he responded, sounding uninterested.

He pulled out some money from his pocket and handed it to Ganizani, ‘For your transport,’ he said

‘Thank you.’

I looked at him hoping he would give some money but he ignored me.

‘What a useless man,’ I mumbled under my breath

‘What?’

‘Nothing.’

He shook his head and went to the kitchen.

‘Come on, let’s go,’ Ganizani said and we all stood up and walked out of the house.

The day seemed to drag the lessons were boring I hardly got anything from what the teacher explained. I couldn’t wait to leave. When the first dismissal bell rang, I followed Mrs. Kandeya to her office and asked if I could leave because I was unwell, luckily she bought my act and allowed me to leave.

I made sure Thoko and Ganizani had left before leaving too, when I walked out of the gate, Ken was waiting for me in his car. I opened the door and stepped in.

‘Hey babe,’ I leaned in and kissed his lips.

‘I could get used to this,’ he said

I smiled, ‘How was your day?’

‘Great and yours?’

‘Boring,’ I yawned

He laughed, ‘Babe you have exams soon you should be paying attention in class.’

‘I do.’

‘Oh please.’

He started the car and drove off.

We arrived at his house a few minutes later, stepping out of the car he held my hand and we walked in. The house was clean and quiet we went straight to his room and sat on his bed.

‘Can I get you a drink?’ he asked

‘Sure.’

He walked out of the room and came back a minute later with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, he poured in both glasses and handed one to me. I took a sip it didn’t burn as much as it did the first time.

‘Can we watch a movie?’ he asked

‘Sure.’

He turned on his television and flipped through the channels before he settled for a Black American Movie.

After watching the movie for a little while, he turned slowly and kissed me. I wrapped my arm around his neck, parting my lips to welcome his mouth. The built up passion didn’t take long ignite into a full blown fire. After we kissed for what seemed like forever, Ken got himself undressed and then started on me. Afterwards he got me undressed and stood before me for a moment gazing down at me.

‘Beautiful!’

I chose to keep quiet, what does one say in such a situation?

My heart was beating fast at this point because this was the first time I was lying naked in a man’s bed. But because I have watched several movies, I somehow knew what was gonna happen next.

He quickly crawled on top of me and just before he could t—-t into me, Ken started screaming, before I could process what was happening, his hands started shaking and his eyes stared up ahead looking at nothing.

‘What is wrong?’ I asked

He didn’t respond but instead started drifting towards the wall as he convulsed on his back. I tried to grab him but it didn’t work, he brought his head into contact with the wall, his mouth stretched open and he fell to the ground with a loud thud.

‘Ken!’ I screamed before I got down next to him. He wasn’t moving. I tried to shake him but nothing. My heart started beating fast, what if he is dead? I wondered.

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 29

‘Ken!’ I screamed. I shook him vigorously. ‘Please wake up,’ I said but there was no response.

Tears started trickling down from my eyes and a hard, aching lump started throbbing in my throat, I found it hard to swallow. My heart was beating fast and hard.

‘Please Ken wake up, wake up,’ i yelled trying desperately to wake him up.

What just happened to him? Is he dead? What should I do? Should I just get dressed and get out of this place? My mind was in full blown panic mode as these thoughts run through my head.

I stood up, picked up my clothes from the floor and started getting dressed while tears continued to pour down my face. When I was fully dressed, I squatted down in front of him and took a long lingering look at him. His lips were turning white and a thin line of drool was sliding from his mouth.

‘Please God let him awaken,’ I prayed quietly, making the sign of the cross.

Suddenly he arched and his chest lifted several inches into the air, for a moment he looked chocked then his body flopped to the floor.

‘Please wake up,’ I whispered while pressing my hand on his chest.

After a few minutes, he sat up in a state of shock & I looked at him.

He didn’t look like my Ken but some confused creature staring at me accusingly.

‘What happened?’ he asked

‘You are alive?’ I gave out a sigh of relief but my relief was only for an instant, Ken instantly started panting and his eyes stared blankly ahead.

I looked at where his eyes were staring at but there was nothing. Confused, I extended my hand towards him so I could hold him but he began to growl like a dog.

The growl sent a thrill of panic down my spine and I stiffened scrambling backwards.

‘Ken,’ I said shakily, my eyes wide.

He looked at me, his dark eyes bore into mine I shuddered, the little hairs on the back on my neck prickling. What in God’s name was happening? Did he have some sort of mental illness?

‘Ken what is going on?’ I worriedly asked, wondering what could have happened to him.

Instead of responding, he quietly grabbed his shorts and quickly put them on.

‘Ken!’

He growled again, this time louder before he started charging towards me. I felt terror and fright. Now I am going to die, I thought as I turned and ran for the door.

He began to chase me while growling, I ran down the stairs and towards the front door. All the time I was thinking of what he would do if he caught up with me, he didn’t look normal, it seemed as though he possessed by some evil spirit.

I got to the front door and opened it then ran towards the gate, at some point I looked behind me to see how close he was, he was closer than I thought. He tried to catch me but I quickly opened the gate and ran down the street. He ran out of the gate and continued to chase me.

I was screaming and asking for help, he kept on running after me.

After running for what seemed like forever, I looked behind and noticed he was nowhere to be seen. Panting heavily, I sank to the ground and closed my eyes.

‘What just happened?’ I wondered.

After resting for a few minutes, I stood up and started walking, since I had left my bag behind and I didn’t have any money on me, I trekked home.

By the time I got home, it was dark and my body was feeling sore and achy all over.

I took a deep breath and walked into the house knowing hell was about to break loose.

When i entered the living room, father and Auntie Stella were watching television.

I got down on my knees and said, ‘Good evening!’

‘Where have you been?’ Father asked in an angry tone.

‘I went to see a friend,’ I responded

‘And where is your school bag?’

Silence

‘I told you,’ Auntie Stella began, ‘this girl is sleeping around, a man drops her off from school every day I am sure, that’s where she went after school.’

I shot Auntie Stella a quizzical look, what did she have against me?

‘Is that true?’ Father asked

‘No,’ I shook my head

‘It is true,’ Auntie Stella argued, ‘I know what I am talking about.’

‘Just shut the f–k up,’ I snapped at Auntie Stella

‘Did you just say that to my wife?’ Father asked

I chose to be quiet.

‘Where have you been?,’ he angrily asked again before he got up and reached for his belt so he could hit me with it.

I wasn’t in the mood for any of his drama so I quickly got up and ran to the bedroom locking the door from the inside.

‘Tiya!’ said, the noise must have woken her up.

‘Go back to sleep,’ I said

Father started banging at the door telling me to open the door, his voice was loud and I could hear the anger in his voice.

‘What’s wrong?’ Thoko asked, fear evident in her eyes.

‘Just go back to sleep,’ I said

‘I am scared,’ she said

‘Please sleep baby,’ I pleaded, I didn’t want her to witness any of this drama.

She looked at me and closed her eyes.

‘Where is Ganizani when I need him the most?’

‘Father sent him to buy bread,’ Thoko said, I didn’t even realized I had asked that question out loud.

‘If you don’t open this door, I will break it,’ he furiously said

I prayed someone would stop father before he broke the door, I was tired of his beatings.

Before I could think of my next move, the door was suddenly kicked open and he came charging at me with a belt in his hand.

‘Where the hell did you go? I will kill you today if you don’t tell me the truth,’ he said

‘Father, don’t hurt her,’ Thoko began to cry

I ran to the other side of the bedroom as he tried to strike his belt at me, my heart was racing fast. He charged at me and managed to whip me this time around, I screamed.

When he tried to whip me again, I ran toward the door and he chased me into the living room.

‘I will kill you when I catch you,’ he screamed

Auntie Stella tried to catch me but I pushed her and she stumbled backwards. Not knowing what to do, I ran out of the house and out into the street.

‘Don’t come back here if you know what’s good for you,’ I heard father shout.

‘Can my day get any worse?’ I sighed as the events of the day flashed right before my eyes. ‘I must have done something terribly wrong in my previous life for me to me have such a tragic life.

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