BEAUTY & THE DARK PRINCE

Episode 4

I have never known my father and I know nothing of him. All I know is that he ran far away soon as he heard the pregnancy announcement and my mother reacted by dumping me at my grandma’s house when I was only a few months old. She then left town with her new boyfriend and never looked back. This is what my grandmother told me, she never wanted to hide the truth from me no matter how ugly it was.

My grandmother sold her double story house in town and purchased a cheaper small village out of town so as to be left with money to take care of me. She sacrificed a lot to raise me yet she could had chosen to abandon me like my parents did but because she didn't I will never forget her sacrifices or her love and kindness that is why I would do just about anything for her.

I have always felt like I'm of no value and hence I have never expected anyone to love me. How could I expect anyone to give me what my own biological parents failed to? I have never bothered searching for my parents since they didn’t want me and thus I chose to accept that and leave it at that.

Besides my grandmother Maria has been the only person who has been there for me and shown me love and care. She has been like a sister to me ever since we befriended each other in high school.

What made us connect so strongly is we had something in common. We both had no parents. At the age of fifteen Maria was disowned by her family for refusing to follow their religion which she has always viewed as a satanic cult. Life has been a struggle ever since she was kicked out of her home. Her family is filthy rich but they disowned and disinherited her leaving her with nothing. Maria was not crushed by any of it as she did not want their cult money or to be part of their way of living.

She moved from one foster home to another and when she finished high school she found a job as a maid at a decent hotel. It is then that she was able to rent a cheap apartment that was not in a good condition at all but it’s what she could afford and as long as it provided her a place to hide her head she was okay.

When I started dating Chad we decided to live together and we were able to lease a much better apartment as we now had Chad financially helping us to pay our bills.

**

“Babe can we please buy some groceries and medication for my nana? The nurse also needs her salary,” I humbly request. “It’s okay but I’m needed at work in a few minutes...can we do it tomorrow evening?” “But it’s Sunday today, shouldn't the office be closed?” “It is but there is an urgent meeting so we will have to open for a few hours.”

“Tomorrow evening is too far Chad, nana doesn’t have anything to eat anymore,” I fret. “Okay then I will give you my credit card so you can buy whatever you need,” “What about transport? I can’t catch the bus because it has already departed.”

“Ooh now you are going to ruin the surprise... come with me,” he enthusiastically takes hold of my hand and leads me outside to the garage. A little thrill of anticipation runs along my skin as I watch him press the remote that opens the garage door and it tardily slides open. “You bought another car?” I exclaim. “Yeah I bought it for you!” He squeals.

“What!” I gape at him with astonishment before convincing myself that I didn't hear him clearly. “Yes It’s yours babe...I bought it a few days back and I have been waiting for the right moment to present it to you.”

It takes a few seconds for my brain to process what is happening and after it does I squeal and elatedly jump on top of him almost knocking him down but he is strong enough to hold his balance. He hands me the keys to the car and a rush of excitement washes over me as I eagerly scan the car inside and out.

It’s not a lavish fancy car, it’s a preowned Hyundai i10 but it’s still a beautiful car that can drive me anywhere I want to go. I'm left dumb struck for I never expected him to do something like this for me not even in a million years. I'm greatly surprised and gratified by how thoughtful he can be and I'm thinking maybe he really does love me and I'm of some value to him after all.

“Problem solved....now you can go buy nana’s groceries and drive to Mahitma all on your own and then I will see you tomorrow after work.” He triumphantly smiles at me. "Thank you so much,” I scream with delight as I pull down his neck to kiss him passionately.

I start the engine and enthusiastically reverse the car from the garage. “Don’t crush it,” Chad screams as I drive away. “I wouldn't dare," I yell back.

I'm impatient, eager and dying to show Maria my car. I'm not quite sure how she will react but I hope she will be excited for me because it's a pretty big deal and the car will be of convenience use to both of us.

I drive home straight away at a safe speed and cautious as ever. I pull over in front of the house and honk the car horn to get Maria’s attention. She duly slips out of the house to check who it is, “What’s going on Tyra...whose car is this?” Her eyes widen as she questions.

I hop out of the car putting on a wide grin. “It’s mine…Chad bought it for me…can you believe it?” I blab. “Great! All the more reason you won’t leave him,” she twists her lips and rests her hands on her hips.

“Come on Maria the man bought me a car!! That says a lot…he does love me. Now I can drive to nana’s house anytime I please and I can borrow you the car to drive to work so you don’t have to wake up too early in the morning to catch the bus and . . . .” I keep rambling on until she stops me.

“Okay okay! Stop talking, you have a car now.. yaaay I’m so happy for you,” she screams sarcastically. Without a word I ignore her lack of enthusiasm as I prepare to take off to buy nana’s needs.

Before I drive off I connect the aux cable to my smartphone to play my favourite songs. I turn up the volume and I begin to excitedly sing along.

The music blasts from the car speakers and I'm very much pleased with the sound quality. This is going to be one thrilling road trip.