A victory update🤸‍♂️✨

⊱𝙳𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚎⊰

"Oluwadamilare."  Father called. I had gotten home an hour ago from school after training. He made it clear this morning that he wanted to speak with me once we got home. So clear that he sent his driver and a few of his minions to take me home immediately after training.

They led me to his study all the way from the car, so I could wait there for him, and I didn't even have the chance to change out of my uniform. I could feel their constant presence as they lurked behind me. I understood the need for security, I really did. But the stifling feeling of being constantly watched was wearing me down. 

It made me feel crazy.

"Sir?"

"Sit."

I hesitated for a few seconds before pulling out a chair to sit. 

My father's briefcase was placed on the table by minion one. He stepped back into position and my dad opened it. My eyes were trained on his hands as he skimmed through files and documents till he stopped and pulled out a white envelope.

He placed it on the table, then closed the briefcase and handed it back to minion one.

"This is from your sister."  He slid the envelope across the table to me, and my heart raced as he said those words.

My sister, or my mother?

Sitting there with my eyes glued on the envelope, I didn't make a move to take it because I wanted his minions gone. Thank God he got the hint and dismissed them. I waited a few seconds after the last one left and the door was closed before reaching for the envelope.

I held it in my hands, my heart heavy with doubt. 

"Why is she writing to me? She hates me." I murmured, then braced myself before opening the envelope and taking out the paper in it.  

“To Damilare” was written on it in an elegant cursive handwriting I recognized to be hers. It was on every letter that was given to me, but I didn't believe she would willingly write them herself. I know Steph would rather swallow her own vomit than try to get in contact with me.

That's how much she hates me.

My lungs constricted so painfully as I read the first sentence. That shocked me because I didn't think that I would feel anything, especially this flood of emotions that suddenly rushed over me. So I stopped. 

I couldn't bring myself to read further because I couldn't shake the feeling that the words on the paper weren't truly from her. 

They were just words. Plain words.

They didn't mean anything. They never did.

I couldn't cry. I had shed enough tears because of her already. Tears during the day and during the nights when I would cry myself to sleep. There were no more. I folded the paper and slid it back into the envelope.

"She doesn't hate you. She is just being ignorant and selfish. She doesn't know what you are passing through, so she wouldn't understand." Father spoke.

Yes. She wouldn't. She never has.

Though, I couldn't help but always think about what harm it would cause for her to understand me. We were supposed to be sisters. Sisters that stick together no matter what. She was supposed to help me through this, be by my side, support me. Love me no matter what. Why couldn't she understand how it feels to be this way? 

Everything seemed like a dream to me, or more of a terrible nightmare. Inseparable was what we were called as children, and we would never leave each other's side. Then I woke up one morning and just like magic, everything changed. Our bond was shattered, without hope that it could ever be mended.

How can someone that young have so much hatred in her heart for me? My own flesh and blood.

"Go and eat, Damilare, then take your drugs and rest. You won't be going to school for the rest of next week."

My eyes almost bulged out of their sockets in shock and I sat up straight in the chair.

Next week? The freaking Paragon was going to  hold next week!

"Sir?!"

Didn't he know? I will be participating in the Paragon competition next week, and there's no way in this world that I would miss it.

"Daddy-" I started to say, but as usual, he cut me off.

"You wouldn't understand the gravity of what you're going through, Damilare."

Not this again. Not this damn excuse again!

Alright. Be calm, Damilare. 

I drew in a breath and released it.

"But why are you making it seem like I'm going insane? Last time, you locked me in for almost a month, Dad. You took away all means of communication, you cut me off from the world all in the name of this stupid thing. I can handle myself!"

There was not a single expression on his face. He was just blank. And God, if that didn't piss me off. How on Earth could he calmly make decisions like this? How on Earth could he decide to confine me for weeks without feeling anything?

Just when I've been training so hard for the Paragon, he makes the decision to confine me at home for an entire week. Doesn't he realize how important this is to me? A competition that I've been looking forward to for months, and now it feels like everything I've worked for, trained for is slipping through my fingers.

"You can't." He said. "If you could, I wouldn't have gotten a call from your school that my daughter broke a fellow student's arm a few weeks back."

I felt my chest tighten and clenched my jaw to suppress the urge to argue. I should have known this was the reason. 

And if he thinks this is the best way to keep me in check, he's clearly a joker. I would break more arms and even legs if that was what it took to shut certain people up.

He kept on talking, stating reasons to justify his decision. And I sat there listening to them. Listening to the damn reasons why I should remain confined in this house.

Dear God.

The thought of spending another week trapped, felt like the walls were closing in on me. I knew the hell I went through the last time, and it's a miracle that I survived. But this time, I wasn't going to survive it.

You have to beg him or else you're going to die!

I jolted upright as if the chair had scorched my back. 

"Daddy, please! I'm having a competition next week and you can't just stop me from going. I'm going to let the entire school down! Please, I need to go!"

"Your school will find a better replacement."

"Daddy-"

"Not another word from you, Damilare." His stern gaze bore down on me. "Eat and have your rest." 

You have to be fucking kidding me.

I trembled as I looked at my father in disbelief.

The only thing I could as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, was to swallow my protests and glare daggers at the man who birthed me.

What did I even expect? He's Senator Muyiwa Falana. He can as well do anything he fucking wants. Including locking his child up for weeks. 

How lucky you are, Steph.

"Honey, I'm home!" Announced a loud disembodied feminine voice that I despise more than this stupid impromptu confinement.

The witch had returned.

The door opened a few minutes later and she sashayed in, looking like nothing but a product of my father's money. Everything she had on, from the silk bone straight wig sitting on her head, down to the bright red nail polish painted on her toenails which matched the talons on her fingers.

Even the perfume she had on, which was successfully doing a good job in choking me, wasn't even a product of her own money. I bet her underwear wasn't too.

Not even regarding my existence, she approached my father, bent down, and placed a kiss on his lips. Then she went ahead to sit on his laps, caress his face and murmur sweet words to him. Right in front of me.

My fingernails slowly dug into the arm of the chair, as I watched this woman kiss my father. She placed her God forsaken lips on my father's. This woman that wasn't my mother. 

I didn't know when, but all I knew was that she had stopped kissing him. It's like finally she realized another human being was in the room.

She cleared her throat with her eyes on me.

"Damilare." She gave me a once-over before putting on her fake smile. "How are you?"

My response was getting up from the chair, grabbing my sister's letter from the table and storming out of the study even as I ignored Father's calls.

Why is this happening to me? 

Tears resurfaced again as I ran into my room and slammed the door hard, I felt the house shake. I just wanted to scream, to lash out at the unfairness of it all, even though I knew it wouldn't solve anything. 

"The school will find a better replacement."

A better replacement.

A better one. Meaning I wasn't good enough to him. I wasn't good enough for anybody.

Walking to the front of my full-length mirror, I stared at my reflection. Red eyes, tear stained face and my untamed hair. I felt more terrible than I looked.

A short laugh left me. A bitter one.

"This is a stupid curse."

It could have been anyone else. Anyone else but me. I didn't have to be born into this family and take this thing from my father. I'd kill to be free from this unending torturing cycle of unstable emotions.

I'd kill to be free from this life.

Sweet but psycho rang out from my phone. I could have ignored it if it was some other person. But it wasn't. I picked up the phone and dragged the green phone icon across the screen.

"Hello, mummy."

"My baby. How are you?" 

A sudden calmness washed over me, overwhelming me at the sound of her voice. I could feel it in every inch of my body, that feeling of relief after holding back, that first breath of fresh air after being deprived of air for so long. I felt at ease. 

My Mummy's voice. The only thing that kept me sane over the years.

"Daddy said I shouldn't go to school throughout next week."

There was a brief pause over the phone.

"But you have a competition next week."

The sobs burst out and I didn't bother to hold them back. As tears streamed down my cheeks, I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe. 

"I can't miss it mummy. It means everything to me. I'll just go crazy, I swear."

"You will not, Oluwadamilare. It's going to be okay. Is he there with you?"

"No," I sniffed, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "He's with Clara."

The woman's name. The one he chose over my Mummy.

"Call me back when you both are together okay?" I was about to give my reply when Clara's voice resounded throughout the household. 

"Damilare!" 

That shout was a confirmation that my father had left the house. She wouldn't dare yell at me if he were home. This is a reminder of just how miserable my life was. My lips quivered as I fought back the tears threatening to fall out for the 100th time today.

"That's Clara. Mummy, I have to go."

"Okay dear. I love you, always remember that."

"Damilare!" Yelled Clara again, more like she screeched this time, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Bye."

~•~•~

They texted and they called me. Asking why I hadn't been in school for three days straight. And my constant reply to them was to either leave me alone or that I want to be left alone.

They sent texts and made calls, questioning my absence from school for three consecutive days. My consistent response was that I wanted to be left alone.

Did they get the message?

Well, seeing that they came over and even took the risk of climbing up to my window, no, they did not understand that I wanted my solitude and to avoid interaction with anyone.

But I get it. It's all just an act to appear like "good friends" when in reality, they didn't even care. They were simply fulfilling all righteousness.

The sound of shuffling feet made me glance away from the TV to see Oma approaching me. She settled onto the black bean bag in front of me, and I observed her as she folded her arms, a frown maring her pretty facial features.

"Are we seriously being scolded for wanting to know why our friend hasn't been in school for two days without giving us a heads up? We missed you. And let's not forget how you totally ditched swim practice last time."

And boy did I beat myself up for it.

Oma and I are the only females representing LIC, and according to coach Mari, training together would be a really crucial part of winning. I wouldn't like it either if my partner didn't show up to practice for a competition that is in a few days without an explanation.

I focused my eyes back on the TV and tried to mask my irritation as I responded, "Yeah, missed me so much that you had to break into my room."

Their expressions faltered, and silence followed, but the three pairs of eyes that were boring holes through me had me squirming uncomfortably.

I immediately regretted my snarky remark, but the damage was done and I still couldn't shake the feeling that they were only here out of obligation, and not genuine concern.

"Is everything okay, Dami?" Lora asked.

They wouldn't understand.

I exhaled loudly with my hand massaging my forehead. "Yes. I'm just...stressed out."

"So when are you coming back to school?" The second question from her grated on my nerves and had me almost losing my cool there and then.

"Just give it a rest, Lora," I snapped. "I'll come back when I'm ready, okay?"

Lora's eyes widened in surprise. Their eyes widened in surprise, but I couldn't care less. I didn't need their pity visits. 

I want to get out of here.

"Look," I addressed them as I stood up. "You guys can do whatever you want, but don't leave the room or touch anything." 

By anything, I specifically meant my securely fastened medicine cabinet on the wall and close to my bed. I trusted them enough to listen to me and not probe into my things.

"Snacks and drinks or whatever are in the fridge." I gestured to the medium-sized fridge at the far corner of my room.

"And one more thing. Please don't litter." Throwing the remote to Idera, I made my way to another door in my room. 

"And where are you going?"

My safe room. That's what I call it. That is basically what it's called.

"In here. I took medications before you guys came in, so I need a bit of rest. I'll join you guys later."

"Sure. We'll let you know when we're leaving." Lora replied as I pressed in the four digit code.

"Shey one of your bodyguards won't barge in here, because four years of learning martial arts won't go to waste oh." That was Oma.

"You didn't learn any dirty martial arts abeg." Idera countered. 

"You want me to prove it to you? Because I go commot your teeth just now oh." I turned back to see Oma in a silly fighting stance that made me chuckle.

"Wow. Kanye's pidgin is way better than yours." I found myself saying.

She turned to me with a scowl. "Fuck you."

On second thought...

I withdrew my thumb from the biometric scanner. 

"I should stay with you guys." They all looked up at me. A little company wouldn't be bad after all.

"Duh." Idera threw a throw pillow at me and I caught it. "Of course you should, because that's why we're here, Okoro."

With a chuckle, I made my way to the fridge and brought out 4 packs of gummy bears. Tossing one to each of them, they thanked me and dug in.

"So," I tore open my pack and sat on my bean bag. "How's school?"

"Sindara and Oma almost fought again oh," Lora spoke, chewing on her gummy bear.

"Again ke? Did we almost fight the first time?"

"Well, you would have hit her back that day if Dami hadn't broken that her broomstick arm."

I groaned, tired of hearing anything related to Sindara. That girl has proved herself to be nothing but a total nuisance all these years.

"Can you change the topic from that girl, please? She gives me a headache."

Lora jammed her hands together.

"Okay. On another episode of Idera and Jide," She began with all eagerness. "Dami, you need to have seen the slap Iron woman here gave Jidenna."

I arched my brow. "Why?"

"They got into their usual argument again, and as usual, it escalated. And Jidenna started saying pretty hurtful words to her."

"Thank God I removed the compass from the table, if not." 

"He looked as if he wanted to beat the crap out of her."

"Guy! I was freaking scared for Idera. Hugo had to hold him while Umar and Leo took her out of the class."

While they spoke, my gaze was solely fixed on Idera who was quietly munching on her snack and scrolling through her phone.

What is she feeling like? The only girl that can stand up to Jidenna Kalu?

Tch.

Like that's an achievement.

With an eye roll, I looked away from her and to the rest of the girls who had all their attention on the ongoing episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians. 

I would never get the hype behind reality shows. Why in the world would people go ahead to air their private and intimate lives to the public with no discretion whatsoever? If that is not insanity, then I don't know what is.

The loud vibration of a phone filled the air which was followed by the soft crooning of Doja Cat's song, So high. Oma picked up her phone and swiped left, rejecting the call.

The ringing began again and she did the same thing. The third time, she didn't pick it and let it ring.

"Oma," Lora called when the ringing had gone on for too long.

"Hmm?"

"Your phone."

"What about it?"

"It's ringing. Aren't you going to pick it?"

"No."

I sensed something off, but I didn't want to probe. Oma could get nasty when queried about something she clearly doesn't want to talk about.

Her eyes were fixated on the TV, but I knew her mind was anywhere but here. That call had made her unsettled and I could see it from the way she continuously tapped her feet on the carpet.

"Who's calling?" I asked.

"My sister."

"What if it's urgent?" I asked, and she just shrugged.

The phone rang again and kept on ringing until she got fed up, stood up and went into my bathroom to pick the call.

The rest of us continued watching Naomi Campbell on the runway. The Kardashians, thankfully, was over, and now E entertainment was giving us highlights of a fashion show.

Idera and Lora happily conversed about the show. They had their lives intact so they have every right to be happy. While mine was in a mess, falling apart. 

My parents grew out of love for each other and got divorced, all because of me. My sister hates me and wants nothing to do with me. What in this world am I useful for when all I do is ruin things?

I ruined my parent's marriage, ruined my relationship with my sister, and keep ruining my friendship with the girls. 

They didn't want me in their circle anymore and I was going to do them an obvious favour by staying away from them since they wouldn't want to say it themselves.

"And so? What do you want me to do?" Oma's harsh whispers from the bathroom brought me out of my thoughts.

I sat up subtly as my full attention was on her conversation with the person on the phone.

"Look, I'm not having this conversation with you over the phone. If you want to talk, carry your stupid ass down to my house. Then we'll talk."

Definitely not her sister.

Oma walked out of the bathroom almost a minute later and flung her phone on my bed. She seemed even more displeased than she sounded a few seconds ago.

Who was that caller?

"That didn't seem like you were talking to your sister."

"Can you mind your business please?" She snapped, gaining the attention of the other two girls. And before I could react, I heard the familiar hum of a car engine had me getting up and hurrying towards my window. 

Just as I thought.

"What is it?" Lora's worried voice came.

"It's my Dad, he's home." I turned back to them. "You guys have to leave."

Because I will be so screwed if he sees all of you  here.

"Through the window again?" Idera asked.

"How else did you come in?"

"God Dami." Oma let out a frustrated groan, annoyance and disbelief etched on her face. Who was I kidding when I said she hated me? I ditched her during training and now this. But that wasn't my biggest concern at the moment. My ass was about to get busted.

She angrily grabbed her phone from my bed and stormed towards the window.

She seriously wanted to take the window?

Well, you didn't give her much of a choice, did you?

"There's an exit in the safe room." She halted, then turned back. I could hear my father's loud laughter loudly from somewhere in the house, which meant he would come upstairs to check on me.

Quickly, I dashed to the door and tapped in the access code. As I reached the biometric scanner, I pressed both my thumbs against it,  turned the doorknob, and pushed the door open. They rushed in right after.

With a sense of urgency propelling me forward, I hastened my steps towards the door. Focused and determined, I swiftly punched in the access code, ensuring each digit was accurately entered. As I reached the biometric scanner, I pressed both my thumbs against it, feeling the cool surface beneath my skin. With a decisive motion, I turned the doorknob, its familiar resistance giving way as I pushed the door open. In a synchronized manner, they quickly followed suit, entering the space without delay.

Quickly, I dashed to the door and tapped in the code. Then, I put my thumbs on the scanner, turned the knob, and pushed the door open. They rushed in right after.

Halfway in, I paused behind them.

"I can't see you guys through so just take the second door to your left." Idera nodded quickly, grabbed Lora's arm and hurried off.

"Oma..." I held her arm and she looked back at me angrily.

I'm sorry. You wouldn't understand.

The words became lodged in my throat. I tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. In response, she scoffed, forcefully withdrawing her arm from my grasp before storming off.

My heart clenched.

You're one step closer to becoming hopeless and alone.

"Damilare!"

"Shit." I left the safe room, closing and locking the door behind me. I looked around the room, and thankfully everything was in order.

"Damilare!" 

Just as I sat down on my bed, the door opened and my father strode in, adjusting his Agbada with an expansive grin that seemed to stretch from one ear to the other.

Well, someone had a good day.

"Welcome sir." I greeted as he approached me and placed his hand on my cheek.

"How are you feeling?"

I forced on a smile. "Better."

"The medications are working well then. All you need is a few more days of rest and you'll be right back on your feet." He said and I nodded in reply. 

"How was work?"

Even without asking, he consistently provided a thorough account of his day. Attending political rallies, going for charity visits and whatever politicians do to garner public validation.

It sounds like a lot of stressful work.

"Stressful, but we thank God. Personally  monitoring a construction site is tedious work..." 

His words trailed off as he continued to stroke my hair, while I pretended to be interested, smiling and nodding occasionally, even though I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying.

I had done wrong. I had done terribly wrong. And i felt terrible too. I wasn't sure whether to call Oma and the girls to offer an apology or just leave things as they were.

"Have your rest now, my dear. Ring for help if you need anything okay?"

"Okay."

Then he got up and left my room. 

───────•••───────

Who deeeyyyyy????🤩🤩🇳🇬🇳🇬
Nigeria against Egypt and we won!!😩😩 I'm so happy ehn😂
They want to chill with the big boys😂

Nothing much to say here. Just patiently anticipating Qhupid_247's Beyond the reef on the 13th, which is just one day away.🤩

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