scars

With tears in her eyes, she looked around the compound wondering how long this would last. This had been her pride, the only place where she had been pampered and treated like the princess she was. She remembered how she had played with her siblings in this same spot and how amazing it felt. Looking around and seeing the green grasses reminded her of the everlasting freshness of her mother's glow and ever-reassuring smile. She wished she didn't have to leave all these behind. She was still deep in thoughts when her mother came to remind her that her new employer was waiting for her. She looked at her mother's face and her heart sank because, even though the woman was trying so hard to hide her pains, she could still feel them. Her mother was already looking so terrible like someone who had just lost her husband. This poverty has taken so much from her family and it has turned them into beggars. On many occasions, she had caught her mother crying secretly because of everything that was happening. The ever-increasing cost of livelihood was becoming so much of a burden for just one person to bear. Her father... She did have a father but each time she thinks about him, she is consumed by pure anger and hatred for the man. How could a man be so lazy? Where on earth is it written that African women have to starve to feed their children and go on rags to cloth their husbands? Well, if you ask Grace, her father is the worst man she had ever met, with an attitude as terrible as the bite of a very dangerous snake. For all she knew, the man tried once at a business and when he lost, he gave up on ever trying again. All he does now is sit and wallow in self-pity all day long. Now, Grace has to work super hard to support her mother who she loves so much. she couldn't bear to see her mother cry and worry anymore which is the reason she has taken this very difficult decision to leave the place of her birth in search of greener pastures. For herself, her mother, her six siblings and the man she calls her father. She took a deep breath, looked at her mother and gave her a very tight hug. She let the tears she had been holding in all this while, freely flow down her cheeks. She was lost in thoughts with so much fear of the future and the uncertainties ahead of her when she heard the voice of one of her siblings, "It's time to go sis. she said she won't wait for a second longer and you know this is the only opportunity we've got in a long time. please don't let her change her mind". Grace couldn't blame her because she understood her fears. She has to let go now and focus on the task ahead of her. Her family's freedom depends on it. Boldly she looked her mother in the eye and said, " Don't worry mum, all I need is a little time I will make you proud. You have been my heroine for so long and now, it's my turn to protect you and everyone else please be strong for me. I love you". She took her bag and walked to the little space that served as a living room where her new employer had been waiting for her. "Good morning madame", she greeted with a curt now. Mrs Jones looked at Grace from her head to her toes. She sighed in exasperation, knowing that she had so much work to do on the girl to brush her up and make her look more presentable. If not that she has so much work to do now, she wouldn't accept such a girl because she is a woman with good taste and she loves smart girls but this one is looking so shy and dull. She wonders if there is any form of intelligence in thet thing on top her neck called a head. She turned to the mother and asked "madam is this your oldest daughter? " "Yes ma'am" was what came out of Mrs Peter's mouth then Mrs Jones looked at her with so much disappointment and said, "But she doesn't worth the amount you told me. 10$ for a girl as small and shabby as this? How can I pay that amount that amount...? This girl doesn't look like she can do the work of a maid. Anyways, I don't have so much of a choice and I know that money would take care of your family for a very long time. But next time, try making money in honest ways and stop trying to steal from the rich". Grace's mother was quiet. She already felt terrible for sending her daughter away like this. Mrs Jones turned to Grace and said, " Get your bag Into the car we have a long day ahead". The girl could only nod as she hid the tears in her eyes. She waved her siblings and mother goodbye before getting her things in the car that was waiting for her outside. "Get in the car", Mrs Jones commanded her with a look of irritation on her face. " "Yes ma", she obeyed. The car zoomed off immediately and Grace looked back to see her mother and siblings just standing outside, watching the car leave. Soon, they were out of sight this. Grace sniffed, trying not to cry. " I have to look ahead now", she muttered inaudible to herself. "I need to focus on the future and how well to please this lady who is now my new boss". She stole a glance at Mrs Jones who was just eyeing her. The journey took about five hours and when they arrived, Grace was already fast asleep. "OK", Mrs Jones said with a sigh. "Here we are. This is your new home and..." She paused and took a better look at Grace. "Is she sleeping?", she asked rhetorically. "I said it!", she exclaimed. "I knew this girl was going to be a lazy". Surprisingly, Grace still didn't wake up. "Hey get up and get your things out of my car this instant", the woman screamed. That was when Grace woke up. She yawned and was quickly reminded of her situation. She has left home and right here, she has to be an adult and not a child. Even if she is still very young, she needed to start think like an adult and make every moment count. " Are you still there?" Was the question that brought her back to reality. She realized that her boss was looking really mad. "What is your name?" Mrs Jones asked her. "Grace Ma". "OK Grace, let me show you around the house. Bring your things inside", the woman said in a surprisingly calm tone. "There is so much work to be done", she continued. "I hope you are equal to the task?" Mrs Jones was not expecting any reply though. She took Grace to a room reserved for her. "This will be your room for as long as you work with me" .she asked her to drop her bag and join her in the kitchen after settling in. When she left, Grace took a quick look around the room and it wasn't so bad. Grace began to unpack. She thought that Mrs Jones looked nice but her attitude said otherwise. Grace shook her head, not ready to entertain negative thoughts. She noticed that the house looked empty. Did her boss have no children? How about a husband? All that will be discovered in no time but for now, she thought with a shrug of her shoulder.