Chapter 6 Leaving home

Leaving where I've come to regard as home is the last thing on my mind but there's nothing I can do. I'm now eighteen and done with high school. I need to find my own way to free my foster parents so they can take more care of their three kids but most especially I'm leaving to go find a better opportunity in the city, I can't see myself being anyone's maid nor suffering all those tortures again. The sufferings I've derived from serving Bianca propels me to do this, if I don't stand up I'll continue to be viewed as trash and a girl that can be abused in every possible way.

My guardians whom I've come to address as mom and dad have been taking care of me right from when I was a baby. They picked me up from the street one cold evening. I was abandoned by my real mom, for years I'd been holding a grudge against my real mom and dad for rejecting me until I learnt to forgive them. I saw no reason to live under this malice when I was already cared for by people who loved me like their own.

I had told them that I will leave once I turn eighteen, I thought it would work well serving Bianca. When I first heard of the work, I was glad because of her wealthy status, little did I know she was a devil inside. Well I don't need to worry myself too much, it's because of her treatment I've learnt to look elsewhere, without her I wouldn't be thinking of going to the city to start a new life. The new business idea I have in my mind now wouldn't have been birthed. Bianca's abuse had awakened my spirit to the reality, that I needed to start a business of mine rather than depending on people.

I can remember what I told my best friend and schoolmate, Emily, the last time I visited her, which was actually the last time before I pack out to begin a new life in the city. She asked me, "What are the dreams you wish to achieve in the city?"

It's necessary to set goals for your life which would act as a guide. When she asked me that particular question, my mind reawakened. I realized I was not just going to the city because I was of age and needed to begin a life of my own.

"I hope to get into the portrait business mainly, to save money and further my education." Painting was my childhood hobby, I even picked it up as an additional subject in high school. Ever since it has always been a great passion to me, I felt I needed to turn it into a profession I would earn cool cash from.

"That's great bestie," she gave me a warm smile. Emily did support great dreams of mine, she was my personal confidante. "What else would you wish to achieve?"

"I need love, I really wish to be with my Arleen once again." I will miss him indeed, we just met and would so much wish to continue seeing him but I can't just let my love desire drive me to continue in my condition, worst still it might land me in a poor wretched state for life. We will meet again if he's meant for me.

Fear of the future grips me now as I'm packing my things into my luggage. I imagine how my future would turn out. Would it be as expected or bleak? I don't even know if I'll make it but I have to go. 'If you don't overcome fear, it will surely overcome you,' I recalled what a senior said to me in my junior year in high school.

"Don't forget about your document my dear," my mom reminded me. Picking up a file containing my elementary and high school results with other essential documents from the table a few meters away, she hands it to me with a smile on her face. "Darling, I'm proud of you. Hope you would make us proud."

Her statement was more of an expectation than a question. I paused packing my belongings into my pack and hugged her. We hugged for a long time, closing our eyes and shedding tears. Dad had already come into the room and was standing by the door watching us, a tear streamed down his cheek. I knew he was not happy to lose me, of course he was not losing me. I was going to start a new life with the eight hundred pounds Christabel gave me.

"We will miss you," he reached out to hug me. I was still in mama's arms. They weren't my real parents, my history was made known to me many years back. They told me they had picked me up by the roadside in the cold of the evening as a little baby, barely four to six months old. My mom must have abandoned me, I grew up to hate her but when I started maturing mentally, I didn't really blame her for the act. Perhaps she must have been moved by poverty, my mind also told me the man that impregnated her, who was my real father, had abandoned her, forcing her to do that. The years I spent with my foster parents, I could see how hunger, poverty as a whole was powerful. There are days I spent without any food in my stomach.

Poverty in my home here trained me to be disciplined and also strong. As I stood enfolded in my parents' arms, I pictured how I would love my life to be. First, I would get a cheap rent at Lours Street, a popular place for most homeless and poor people. It wasn't my liking to choose this settlement but I needed a place I could afford to rent a one-room apartment.

"We love you girl," my dad gave me a peck. His words brought me back, I had a little left to pack up. I looked at the old clock on the wall of my room and it was 12:30 PM. "Mom, will I eat lunch with you guys before moving out?" I wanted to be sure because most times the food wasn't enough for my three siblings, the three kids my parents had who were their real children. Anytime food was only in small quantities, my mom, dad and I would spare it for them.

"Why wouldn't you, it's gonna be our last lunch together and a memorable one." She hugged me tighter, the bond between us was so strong that now we were going to separate, it really affected us.

"Go prepare food for our darling. It's our last gift of care to her."

My dad loosened his grip on both of us so mom could go do what he suggested. She brushed my hair which was tied into a neat and strong bun. "Continue packing, I'll prepare food for us now."

Mom left us, dad and I were left in the room. He was a man in his forties, mom was in her late thirties, no wonder when I told people they were my parents they hardly believed it. Dad was a calm and gentle man, all his wish was to groom me into a responsible young woman. When I was eleven he began educating me on how to choose the right friends, abstain from crimes and how to maintain good hygiene when I started seeing my period for the first time.

"Sit down my baby," he pulled me towards the bed and placed his arm around me. I looked into his eyes and saw the best friend and father in the world. "You know you're my best friend dad, I'm gonna miss you so much."

"Don't be bothered baby, I think you must have been trained and well equipped to handle your life. We are not sending you away, that you should always keep at the back of your mind. You see," he paused as a way of placing great emphasis on what he was about to say. "When we first picked you up eighteen years ago, I was dating your mom. I was twenty-two while your mom was eighteen just like you are now. We had no resources but we couldn't let you just die on the street."

I wiped a tear from my eye, it was so painful to be hearing this. I imagined the danger I was placed under, I wanted to blame my mother for this once again but I remembered my resolution.

"Don't be sad Ava, I know you want to blame your mom but don't blame her. We picked you up and took you back with us. I was afraid that we'd have no money to raise you. The only option we had was to sacrifice pleasures and our goals for you, so you could be a great person one day. How many individuals do you see sacrificing their pleasures for someone who is not related to them?"

He turned and directed his gaze towards me, I knew he needed an answer. "No, not much dear. They're not much." I do call him dear whenever I felt so much indebted to him, whenever he revealed extraordinary kindness to me. He smiled at my reply and continued.

"Good!" He emphasized the word. "I want you to know that I didn't do all those together with your mom for nothing, we need one thing from you." When I looked at him, I was reflective on what he wanted me to do. I was afraid I might not be able to do it, which would look like ingratitude.

"Also suspend pleasures for responsibilities." I threw a glance, I was puzzled and wasn't even sure if I understood what it meant. From my nervousness, he knew what I was thinking. He smiled. "What I mean is that you should forgo pleasures for now, rather face those important issues of your life. What are they? Self-development, try adapting to any environment you find yourself, it might be difficult today but push through. You're a young, beautiful and curvy woman, many guys will come after you especially now you're gonna live alone but pay no attention to anyone who doesn't support your interest."

"Can you give me a detailed meaning dad, I really want to get you." If it was someone else, I would keep mute as I would not want to sound naive.

"My statement implies that you shouldn't just date for fun or go into any relationship that is not beneficial to you as a person, likewise your dreams." The conversation I had with Emily flashed in my mind, dad was here telling me what I had told her. The man I said I wanted was similar to the one dad was advising me about. "Anyway what are your dreams now you want to leave us. I hope you'd like to share them with me?"

I rolled my eyes. This' exactly the same question Emily asked me yesterday, what a reoccurrence! "Can't I have a little privacy!" I said jokingly and we laughed.

"Well I need to go get an apartment first at Lours Street, then I'll start up a business too.." He didn't let me finish my statement.

"What type of business do you wish to start?"

"It's a flower and love portrait business. I would love to sell love portraits painted by me to interested persons. Just love painting dad."

"You really wanna go into that?" With this he wanted to be sure as well as ascertain that I was sure of what I was saying.

"Yes, it's my passion. With the money I earn, I'd save it and further my education." I replied with great confidence, one major thing that hindered most individuals at this point was doubt. I had the faith that my intended business was going to work out eventually.

"I think that's for lovers, the portraits and flowers?" He dragged the statement and I blushed. "Perhaps you could find your man one day." I blushed harder, he didn't know I just found one, so sad I'm leaving him so soon. Dad caressed my back and brushed my hair, pinching my earlobe. He was strengthening my belief, my faith getting stronger.

"I just can't wait for him, you know I haven't had a boyfriend or been with a man before?" I lied. Though I liked Arleen, he wasn't my official boyfriend so on the second look, what I'm telling him is somehow true.

"Baby, it isn't really about getting a guy but one that would actually support your dreams. I know you would love to get some higher education and a greater business?"

"Yes, sure." I nodded my head.

"I pray and have the faith that you would meet a man that will do all these for you, even more than you thought." The way I see Arleen, he's just managing his life and wouldn't be able to fulfill this responsibility, if I could have a man that would sponsor me, it would be the best but I'm not just desiring to be with a man out of the gains I'll derive from him. I can sponsor myself through college if I work hard.

"Dad."

"Yes," he started directly into my eyes.

"I want to be an engineer." What I wanted to choose as a career was anything in the construction field whether it was on the screen, paper or in real life. My dad knew I had the options of being an architect, surveyor or engineer. It wasn't really the money in those fields that motivated me but I had passion for creativity. I loved constructing unique patterns, in everything I did I wanted to be unique. My desire for creativity prompted me to choose portraits for business so I could couple my desire for creativity with enthusiasm for love. Now I clearly announced what I wanted to take up as a career. A smile lighted on his face, he was happy at my choice.

"Which type of engineering?"

"Civil Engineering Dad," I threw up my hands in style. I was actually proud of my choice.

"I'm proud of you, my daughter."

"Thanks dad. I wish to see you again with mom and the lovely kids. This time no longer as a low girl but a fulfilled woman." We stood up to hug. He kissed me on the forehead. "Go and chat up your mom, let me help you complete the packing."

"Thanks dad," I jumped in excitement and kissed him on the cheeks.

I hurriedly left to go find mom who should be in the kitchen. "Mom, mom." I said in a sing-song style as I entered the kitchen.

"Yes, darling. How're you doing?"

"I'm doing great, sweet mom, I was with dad."

"Hope your best friend advised you well?" She said as her hand was stirring the pot in a repetitive manner. I blushed, it was my thing. I went over and placed my hand round her waist and she turned to kiss me on the cheek. "Glad you're here for mine."

"Yes mom. I want to have a great discussion with you before I leave home."

"Nice my daughter, I'm always open for a conversation with you. Whenever you have issues you can always consult me. I'm your mom and would always be your mom. What do you intend to start your new life with, business or college?"

"I would love to set out with college but my savings is not enough."

"How much baby?"

"Right hundred pounds, mom." I looked up to her as if I expected her to help me. I wished she would but she couldn't, she was just a cleaner and baby-sitter.

"Have a surprise for you my love, guess what that is?"

"Really?" I giggled in excitement. My mind was busy forming what that could be. She left the pot to go get the gift for me.

"Take care of the cooking food for me?"

"Alright mom."