VOICES UNHEARD

 

CHAPTER FOUR

       Dele was working on his homework when he zoned off in thoughts. He had become a timid kid all of a sudden, from the death of his mother and up to when his father got married to another woman. 

That wasn't his own problem. Though he had been very close to his mother, especially for the fact that he was an only child and his father was barely at home due to one business trips he had to go for or another.

His father was a rich business man, they had people coming around to work for them, though the workers were not permitted to sleep in the house except for one, the gate keeper.

      He hoped and prayed for a time when he could actually spend more time with his father, who kept giving him hopes on achieving that someday. Those times never came, but deep down in his heart, he prayed that someday, it will.

         "Dele, Dele." Esther called out, waiting for his response. 

Dele who had been lost in thought did not hear when he was called and therefore, did not respond. As an eleven year old boy, he was quite too young to be in such deep thought.

       Esther forced her way into his room which of course wasn't locked. The forceful entrance and banging of the door brought Dele back to reality.

       "Mother." He said, jumping up to his feet fearfully. "I was just doing my homework." He added, without being asked.

Esther stared at him with fury in her eyes. "Have you grown so much wing that you now have the audacity to ignore me when I call? She asked.

Dele quickly knelt down to plead for his life, as he knew that he would be in a lot of trouble if she got angrier. "I am so sorry mother. I swear I didn't hear you call, I swear. I wouldn't ignore you intentionally." He swore, touching his chest to prove his innocence.

        Esther smirked, walked up to him, took his homework book and stared at it for a while. "This doesn't look like you've been working on it. Dele, so you now take me for a fool? Esther asked.

At that point, Dele knew that he was in serious trouble and only a miracle would save him. Getting into trouble with her was torture. He tried all his best never to get her annoyed, but he decided that adults knew how to get annoyed unnecessarily.

        "Mother, I was working on my homework honestly. I really didn't hear you. I wasn't trying to be stubborn or rude or anything like that. Please, forgive me." He begged, with tears dropping down his cheeks, as he reached out to wipe it out with the back of his palm.

        Esther reached out for his belt from his wardrobe. "You know I detest lies so much, it makes me not want to ever believe you." She said, now rolling the top part of the belt around her fingers. "You know what happens whenever you annoy me, so arrange yourself." Esther commanded.

Dele had no choice than to lay on the bed with his trousers off. At the first flog, he shrieked loudly, begging to be forgiven.

       Esther laughed as she dealt with him mercilessly. "You know what happens whenever you get on my wrong side, you know the rules, don't you?