CHAPTER TEN

Tola placed her book on her bed; she really enjoyed the storyline of the book. She was currently under suspension from school but the past four days had been a splendid time. Her dad was home and though he punished her by making her read and summarize five books per day, visit the school and the girl she had hurt in the hospital to apologize; he forgave her, showed her love and compassion. She remembered the last talk they had together; he had taught her that violence is not the way to settle anything but is the fuel to the flames of hate. Her dad planned to stay the whole week but couldn't as he had to leave urgently for his company in London. Tola got up slowly from her bed when her tummy growled.

She found bread on the table and she quickly helped herself to it by spreading peanut butter and taking a bite.

" Tola! Tola!" her mum called

Wow, looks like today is the day of remembrance! She did not answer but walked in the direction of her mum's voice.

" yes mum" she said on her arrival to the living room where her mother sat.

" how are you?"

" I am fine, thank you ma"

" look, I bought you something"

Wow, what could it be? Tola thought as her mother uncovered a book and handed it over to her. She read the title 'practice for your common entrance'. The book was very heavy and had many sections of math and English.

" thank you ma" Tola said though confused at the present she received

" it is for you to read and study for your upcoming exams" her mum said

" what exams mum?"

" common entrance examination"

Tola smiled, " ooooo, for my exams in primary five"

" no, for your exams in two months time" her mother corrected with a frown

" but I am just in primary three!" Tola protested

" will you shut up! Primary three co nursery three ni ! " her mother scolded her sacastically

'' you are writing this exam very soon and you better get ready and pass or else…." She continued and got up the sofa heading upstairs to her room. Tola wanted to cry; she did not think that she was ready for secondary school. She had heard so much of bullying and such in secondary school. Did her dad agree to this? Does he know that she is being made to prepare for common entrance in primary three?

She washed the expensive ceramic plate and wiped it with a towel. She glanced at her bleeding knees and wished they could be clean as the plate in her hand. No matter how much she washed and cleaned them; they remained dirty with a never ending out pour of blood.

" where is my wine?" her husband growled as he staggered into the kitchen

He wanted wine? He did not mention that to her and even if he did, she has no idea where he keeps them.

" why are you standing there just looking at me? Where is it?" he shouts at her

" please calm down dear…. I will get it for you but where do you keep your wines" she tried to appease him.

" what kind of wife will not know where they are?"

" I am sorry"

He scoffs at her and sits on a kitchen stool, " check the right top cupboard" he tosses a key towards her which she catches.

She reaches out and opens it; so many varieties of red wine faced her. She was about to pick one to pour out in a glass for him to drink but stopped suddenly when her husband screamed.

" who told you I wanted that one?" he bellowed

" I am sorry" she apologizes in fear to her now furious husband

" why did you do that?"

" I just thought you wanted wine ….and I picked one for you"

" how were you sure it was that particular one?"

" I wasn't my dear…I am sorry" she genuflects in apology but was replied with another scoff from her husband.

" you are never allowed to make your own decisions; others make them for you, so stick with what you know best and ask what their decision is for you" he stood up, walked up to her and slapped her hard on her buttocks and she winced from the pain. He released his long sharp nails into her flesh and she bled; unable to hold back anymore, she began to sob and her husband kicked her to the floor.

" give me the key" he hollered at her and she handed him the key with shaking hands.

He walked over and locked up the wine cupboard and left her sprawled on the kitchen floor in tears.