My misery

Muse woke up very early this morning as usual. She is the first to get out of bed. She has been living in this city for two years to the day, far from the city where she was born and grew up. She often thinks about time spent with her siblings. How cheerful and happy she was then. These memories go back to a long time ago, it seems like it has been more than a century ago. This is normal, because living here one day is like an eternity in her eyes. She goes back to her memories and sees that day as if it had happened just yesterday. Indeed, on the eve of this gloomy morning, she remembers chatting with her father. He was sitting there in the yard, his children and his wife around him. He told them anecdotes from his early youth and the whole little family laughed out loud. Muse's father was a funny man, who loved being surrounded by his family whom he cherished more than anything in the world. It was no secret that Muse was his favorite. He loved talking about her to his colleagues and friends. She was his pride and he said loud and clear that she would lift his head in this country. He was not wrong, because Muse was endowed with an unparalleled intelligence. She excelled brilliantly in her studies and in all matters that seemed difficult for children of her age. Sadly, he died before his daughter even passed her first secondary school certificate. That sad morning, Muse woke up as she used to. She had taken her container to fetch water to bath before going to school. However, no sooner had she crossed the threshold of their gate, than she heard the sound of a shrill cry coming from inside. Her heart began pounding, she rushed into the concession, throwing her container to the ground. Why this cry? What is it ? She knew something very bad must have happened. Their house is reputed to be the quietest in the neighborhood. What then can justify this cry? She walks all trembling towards the room where the tears come from. The more she walks, the more she can distinguish her mother's voice. As soon as she opens the door to her father's room, she finds him lying on the bed. Her mother is sitting at his bedside shaking him vigorously, while he does not react. This sight had nailed her to the spot. She froze at the sight of her inert father, as neighbors and her brothers came running to see what had happened. It is a shock that will mark Muse forever. She attended the burial ceremony like a stranger, until the funeral. She just couldn't believe that it was her father who was buried and that they would never see each other again. She looked like she was in a daze. And as if it were nothing, her uncle, her father's little brother took her to his house. She, who had never traveled more than 100 km from her village, was going to be lugged overnight more than 1000 km from her home. Worse yet, she would have to separate from her mother, brothers and sisters. It was on a Sunday afternoon that Muse arrived in the capital of her country, a big noisy city unlike the one where she grew up. From day one, his uncle's wife did not hesitate to let him know that she was not welcome in this house. Her gaze was cold, not to mention her words that had frozen her at the same time. She had then clearly warned her:

- If you stay in quiet, you and I will not have a problem during your entire stay. Be careful not to encroach on my territory in which case you will have me on your back! Muse had said to herself in what direction could she encroach on her territory. What did this expression mean? Without having had the time to understand what her stepmother was really talking about, she was going to experience what the latter meant by "having her on her back". Even today, Muse was so fond of going back to her mother. Even though it was poverty there, she could still sleep peacefully and feel loved. Standing in front of the sink doing the dishes, she thinks about her sad life and cannot help but cry bitterly. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she hadn't even realized that time was passing with great legs and that her stepmother had already woken up. It wasn't long before she arrived in the kitchen. Like hello, she gave her a resounding slap.

- Where do you think you are? Maybe in a novela? You're supposed to do the dishes and you're there crying like a madeleine. Just as a reminder, you have to wash all the plates and pots, not forgetting to polish the floor as it should! She thundered without worrying about her pain.

- Sorry mom! Said Muse, lowering her head.

- I'm sorry mom... Am I your mom? Can she be as beautiful as me? Instead of hurrying you are there to say anything! Replied the stepmother leaving the kitchen. Muse did not retort anything, except to cry inside and implore the grace of God so that this torment comes to an end. If at least her uncle were there, all of this wouldn't happen. But he is more absent than he is at home. He is the only one who stands up for himself against his nasty wife and naughty daughters. However, he was a thousand miles from imagining the mistreatment that they make her endure. Indeed, when her uncle is at home, his wife and children behave nicely towards Muse. Her cousins ​​woke up at the same time as she and they shared the chores of the house. But as soon as he had his back turned, anything was allowed. They would wake up late, just eat breakfast and go to school. Even today, Muse will be late for school. If at least she had enough money to take the cab. But her nasty stepmother takes three-quarters of the sob money. If she makes the mistake of paying for a cab, she will have to go all day without a bite to eat. She is therefore obliged to make the long journey on foot. As soon as she crosses the threshold of her college gate, the supervisor assigns her a heavy task to perform as punishment. It has also become a habit for her because the whole school knows that she is always late and she has become accustomed to washing the latrines before taking her first class. As soon as she enters her class, her morning teacher is already at the end of her class. She goes to sit down in her place. Her teacher interrupts class and looks at her puzzled and asks her.

- Miss Muse, why do you always miss my class? Like any answer, she lowers her head looking sorry and says nothing.