Mama

He hit her. She asked him to stop.

 He hit her again, harder this time. She gave an angry stare.

 

He threatened to break her arm. She did not flinch.

 He held her arm and twisted it.

 

“Fine", she screamed, I’ll do as you say. Now leave her”.

 "Go get the knife", he instructed.

 

She went into the kitchen and brought the knife.

 “Good, now give it to me”, he sneered.

 

She carefully passed on the knife making sure the tip faced towards her. He took the knife and asked her to give her hand. She resisted. He threatened to twist the arm further. Reluctantly, she extended her hand.

 

Then, carefully placed the barbie aside, he took the apple from her grip. Cut it into four pieces, and handed them over to her.

 

She put one piece into her mouth, straightened her barbie's arm, brushed her hair and comforted her “Don’t worry, I’ll tell mama about him”.

 

“Please don’t tell mama”, he was terrified.

 “No, I will. You hurt my best friend”, she mumbled as she nibbled an apple piece.

 

“I am sorry, please don’t tell her”, he dismally beseeched.

 “On one condition”, she grinned.

 

He knew her condition. She has been at it since a while.

 “From tomorrow I will go to the bus stop by myself”, she remarked.

 “Ok, you are big enough now, I give in”, he sighed.

 He kissed her good night, put her to sleep, and closed the door behind him.

 

She peeped out of her blanket to see if he was gone, and very quietly, opened her bag. She pulled out a walkie talkie and a notebook. Carefully looking for a gap in the notebook with the edge of her thumb, she opened it.

 There she was. Her mama.

 

"Hello Mama. How are you? Today again daddy made me eat an apple. I don't like apples Mama. Don't tell him I told you. And I told daddy not to come with me to the bus stop from tomorrow. I know he cannot see because of the accident. I don't want to give him any trouble. Good night mama, I miss you. Good night God, take care of Mama"

 

There was a silence. She was restive.

 "Good night God, take care of Mama", she said a little louder.

 

He pressed his hand against his mouth, trying hard not to break down, wiped his tears, and whispered into the walkie talkie, "I will, good night".