Chapter 3: Is Love real ?

Getting home, Emily is welcomed with the aroma of smoky jellof and fried plantain, which was her favorite. She rushes into the house and heads straight to the kitchen. She finds her Mom and dad there. Her mom was putting on sleeves, which covered her scars. Emily's Mom eyes shows sorrow and pain but a fake smile is seen on her face. Her dad is putting on an apron, he seems to be cooking, they both appear to be getting along but the pretense could be easily noticeable by a person with keen eyes. Emily's presence is noticed shortly after she enters the kitchen "my princess is back" her dad said with a bright smile on his face, he spoke as if nothing had happened, this expression and action , urged a slight feeling of disgust and hatred inside Emily but none the less there was nothing she could do "good evening dad" she spoke in a low tone. Her dad moves closer to her "I'm sorry" he said carelessly. That statement made her even more furious inside, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry that's the only thing he could say" she thought to herself angryly . Her father's frequent attitude of hitting her mom and then the following day pretending like nothing had happened, made Emily dislike the male gender and even more, had hatred for her dad but her mom would always tell her that no matter what, he was her father and it couldn't be changed so she should rather love him with his flaws and always forgive him. That was her mom's advice after every argument and beating. Her parents were fond of quarrelling all the time, the arguments were mostly caused by her dad who would lavish money meant for the business on women and drinks. His womanizing was very bad but not as worse as his alcoholic traits, which gave him a violent nature.

"I'm sorry " he speaks again, before pulling Emily in for a hug, which was not reciprocated . Emily breaks out from the hug seconds later, then stares at her mom, who gave her an expression signifying her to be nicer to her father "go upstairs and freshen up dear, dinner is almost ready" her mom speaks in a calm tone, with another fake smile on her face Emily felt the urge to pour out all that was on her mind "at least she's home today" emily thinks to herself. This thought causes her to swallow all her grievances."I'm tired of the pretense " she speaks in a low tone before heading upstairs to change .

Time skip

At the dinner table, Emily is putting on "hello kitty" PJs, her mom is putting on some sleeves which was clearly to cover up her scars as the weather didn't permit such attire her dad on the other hand was putting on some free black pj's. The atmosphere is chilly and an awkward silence filled the air. Emily munches slowly on her food "the food tastes nice" Emily said in a low tone . The silence continues for sometime "how's school " Emily's dad said, trying to start up a conversation "it was good, the usual" she said still munching on her food "made any friends yet" he added "nope not really" she replies nonchalantly . This response makes Emily's dad give up on the conversation. The silence continues for few minutes until it is eventually broken by Emily "something happened in school today" she speaks before taking a glass of water which was at her side "what happened" both of her parents responds with concern in their tone "calm down, it's nothing serious" Emily replied "I was just asked to tutor someone, a student " she said. on hearing this, the concerned expression on her parents face seemed to die down "which student" her mom asked "I don't know" she replies "they said they'll give me a full scholarship, a university recommendation and extra credit if i do it " emily added "you have to do it" Emily's dad speaks without hesitation " it will help us financially " he added carelessly "would you like to do it" her mom asks with concern "I'm thinking about it " she replies " there's nothing to think about " her dad said thoughtlessly "but it's her choice " her mom interupts "her choice is what's good for the family, and we running short on money" her dad speaks angryly "and who's fault is that " her mom responds. The atmosphere changed suddenly as it seems a fight was about to start , sensing this, "fine I'll do it please no more fighting " Emily spoke in a loud voice "I'm off to my room " she speaks and stands up to leave the table quickly. Emily is upstairs in her room, regretting why she had mentioned anything to her parents, as the sounds of serious arguments and quarrel grew louder , she could even hear all they said from her shut door. This made sleeping difficult,as t he feeling of guilt crept in , she clenched to her pillow, thinking about what she had caused for hours , before the winds of sleep blew passed and pulled her away from her emotional nightmare.