Guilty Pleasures 4

Episode 4

Six years later...
Seye was jolted out of sleep by the explosive sound of a dish smashing against the kitchen wall. He heard the shattered pieces of china rain down on the tiled floor. He lay there, staring up into the darkness and holding his breath. The silence was like that moment after you see a streak of lightening and know there will be a boom rattling windows down to your bone. Sure enough, he heard Aunty Candy's tear filled voice wail at Uncle James.

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She considered running away, perhaps landing at her aunt Umeadi's doorstep. This she knew would hit Mother hard as Mother considered her step sister Umeadi, the only living family she had, as nothing more than a witch who had refused to stop worshiping the idols of her father's house and serve God. But she did not want to leave, she wanted them to love her, and that urgent, frustrated desire was her prison.

 Later that night, she heard her father's raised voice in the study. This was not a new thing but on this night, he seemed more angry than usual, hurling insults and hurtful accusations at Mother.

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 Father had just landed a job at a Finance firm that Mother's connection had helped him secure. She knew this because Mother didn't fail to point this out to father every time she had a chance to. However, there were hardly fights concerning money in the house anymore and mother hummed around the house more often than she usually did. The ministry which was a source of pride to her was growing by leaps and bounds. She was an international minister and televangelist whose ministry was fast becoming a household name and a hideout for all her failings at home especially with her young daughter.

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They barely noticed how quiet and timid she became in the company of people. How aggressive she was towards the maid and her mates. Even her mood swings went by unnoticed.

 Only one person saw the sadness in her eyes and the pain she tried to hide from the world - that she felt like she was the cause of her parents unhappiness. Uncle Kingsley, more of a family friend than an actual uncle, was the one who gave her the attention she sought. 

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As promised, here is the winner of the Leonora Osato 2015 Short Fiction Prize, enjoy...

"I want my daddy," she sobbed as Aunty Lana tried to soothe her. "Where is my daddy?"

 Olanna was at a loss of words as she watched the child lamenting. She was at the brink of tears herself. After all the poor child had been through, this just seemed so unfair.

 "My angel, your daddy is fine, he'll soon be back," she tried to console her.

 "When Aunty Lana? When? That's what you said last night," she said sobbing
.

 Olanna, also called Lana by friends and family, hugged the crying child close to her bosom. It was so disheartening to watch her bony body as it was racking with sobs but for the moment she knew ten year-old Awele was better off with a lie.