LEILANI
I spent the entire day roaming aimlessly at the park. I was hungry, barefooted and tired. But I wasn't going to go home yet, knowing that my mum was still there, probably waiting for me to come back. I found an empty seat, I lowered myself into it. My mum had a church programme to attend in the evening, so all I had to do was wait till it was past five before going back. Although I have made up my mind to go find my baby daddy, I didn't want to go to him looking like a beggar, I need to get back home, tidy up and look good before going to find him. Getting pregnant outside of marriage doesn't make me less human. I still had my dignity to uphold.Finally, the time I have been waiting for came, I rose from the seat and found my way out. Getting home, I find Sienna pacing around the living room worriedly. I slowly entered the house and shut the door.Sienna turned around at the sound of the door shutting. Her eyes widened on seeing me, she hastily ran up to me and pulled me into her embrace."Lani, where the heck have you been? I have been searching for you the entire day. I was worried to death," she cried.Pulling me out of her hold, she held me at arm's length and turned me around as if inspecting me."You are okay, right?" she asked, staring worriedly at me.I bobbed my head and she sighed in relief."Come," She said and led me to the couch. Hastily she ran into the kitchen and soon, she returned with a glass of water."Drink this."I gulped down the entire content of the glass, exhaled and returned the glass to her."Did you meet my mum?" I ask."Yes, she left a few minutes before you got back," Sienna replies, and stared tenderly at me."You staring at me that way means she said something. Tell me, what did she say? And Sienna I want to hear her exact words, don't filter any.""She didn't say much. She just instructed me to escort you to go get an abortion. But Lani, I will only do as she says, if it is what you want. I will stand by every decision you make." She placed her hands on mine."I'm not getting rid of the child, Enna. I'll give birth to it. And Enna, I found my one night stand."Her eyes widen on hearing me."Seriously Lani. What did he say? Did he accept it?" she asked, staring at me for answers."I haven't met him yet, just saw him on the billboard. I'll be going to him tomorrow," I said, more to myself than to Sienna."Lani, I think you should meet your dad first, tell him about the pregnancy, and hear what he has to say before deciding on whether to contact your baby daddy or not," Sienna advised."I don't know, Enna." I sighed."Let's just sleep over it tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will know what to do."That night, I couldn't fall asleep. Thinking of what tomorrow had in stock for me made me anxious and restless. I kept tossing from side to side, my hands were on my stomach the entire night. I couldn't let go. Knowing the type of mum I have. Once her mind is made up, she never changes it and she goes to any length to get what she wants. I couldn't sleep comfortably, knowing that she might suddenly find her way to my house and barge into my room and harm me or my baby just to protect her reputation."I have been blind all these years," I muttered. So blind to see my mother's wrongdoings. But now that I happen to experience it, I couldn't help but shudder at the thought of all the vile things she has done, in the pretense of being a church leader.Perhaps, Sienna was right. I had to speak to my dad first and hear his thoughts. Maybe, he could even help me stand up against my mum. With this thought in mind, I dozed off into a dreamless sleep that didn't last long, as my alarm blared, announcing the start of a new day.Getting up from bed, I did my morning business and dressed up. I called my company to take a week leave, as I needed time for myself. Being one of the most hardworking employees, the leave was granted immediately.Sienna and I stepped out of the house, while she headed for her workplace, I on the other hand took a cab to the church to see my dad. Being a church leader, he had his own office in the church, where he counsels people.Getting to the church, I paid the cab driver and found my way into the church. Like always, my dad had a long queue of people waiting to speak with him. Not wanting to bring any attention to myself, I entered the church. Kneeling in front of the altar, I mumbled words of prayer, asking the lord to protect me and my unborn. After spending some hours inside the church, reading the rosary and praying. It was finally time to go speak to my dad."Make him understand, oh lord." I clasped my hand together. Rising from my seat, I left the altar and headed to my dad's office.I tapped the door gently."Come in," his soothing voice sounded.I pushed the door open and walked in."Dad," I called, making him look up. His lips curved into a beautiful smile."My daughter finally remembers me.""It seems like Mum hasn't told him of my pregnancy yet," I thought.He gestured for me to sit. I obliged and lowered myself into the seat. I stared at him nervously. Like my mum, he was also keen on having a spotless reputation. I didn't know how he was going to react, but one thing was sure, his reaction would be better than that of my mum. My dad always understands."You've been gulping since you got here. You have something to tell me right?" My dad asked.I laughed nervously."You know me too well Dad.""So?" he mutters, looking at me."I don't know how you will take this, I know you will be disappointed. But Dad, it wasn't entirely my fault. It was a mistake. No… the act was a mistake, but the outcome is no longer a mistake to me," I rambled."Go straight to the point young lady. Don't leave me hanging." He pulled off his glasses and folded his hands gazing at me."I'm pregnant, Dad," I dropped the bombshell and waited for the worst.My dad broke into a fit of laughter."You almost got me," he says.I stared blankly at him, making him pause and look at me."You are serious?" he asks.I nod slowly.The loving smile on his face wipes off instantly. He stared at me with anger, resentment and disappointment."Dad, I…" I tried to explain but he cut me off."Contact your mum and get rid of that thing. Otherwise, I will never consider you my daughter again."His angry face made me aware of the fact that he was dead serious.Tears rolled down my face. I stood up and turned my back on him."I mean every word I said, Leilani. Make the wrong decision and quit being a Miller. "I didn't reply, nor turn back, I walked out of the office, shutting the door behind. I wiped my tears and leaned on the door. My hands subconsciously found its way to my tummy."I'll find a way to keep you. Even if I don't get any support, I will find a way. Let's go meet your daddy and hear what he has to say."MALCOLM "Mum, I would really appreciate it if you leave. I'm busy here and you aren't helping at all. Your constant scolding is making me lose focus." I clasp my hands together, pleading for her to leave.My mum has been in my office since 8 Am trying to make me see reasons why I had to get married. It's already 1 pm and she hasn't shown any sign of leaving."I'm not stepping out of this place until you agree to what I said. You have been together with Isabelle for two years, so why are you hesitant on getting married to her?" My mum asks, her eyes gauging me.I pretended not to have heard her and focused my attention on my laptop. Even though I couldn't concentrate, I still stared blankly at the laptop. I wanted to give my mum the impression that I wasn't listening to her, so she would leave. But who am I kidding? BANG My mum forcefully shut my laptop, making the screen crack. I look up at her, anger clouding my vision."You broke it," I growled."So what? If you had answered my qu
LEILANI I yelped in pain as the steaming coffee came in contact with my skin. I felt my skin burn and tears clouded my vision."Get lost," the lady who had just splashed hot coffee on me said, staring daggers at me.I gazed at my one-night stand, who stood there watching the entire drama unfold with a nonchalant expression. Tears rolled down my eyes without restraint and I quickly looked away. I heard murmurs and looked around, only to see that employees were gathered watching us. Embarrassed was an understatement of how I felt. Hastily I turned around and ran as if my pants were on fire. I ran with all my strength and might, I bawled my eyes out as I ran. Embarrassed and dejected. I felt like the universe was suddenly against me. I kept running, twice, vehicles nearly knocked me down. But I cared less. I kept running to get far away from that awful place.Finally stopping at the bus stop, I lowered myself into the empty seat and stared blankly into the space, lost in thoughts. My bab
FIVE YEARS LATER LEILANI "Mummy, can you take me to school today, please?" my little bundle of joy asks.I crouched down to her and held her hands, smiling lovingly at her."Don't you want your nanny to take you to school?" I ask, gently caressing her hand."No, nanny scolds a lot. Nanny is so scary," my five years old daughter complained.Hearing this, I felt anger cloud my senses."Who the heck did the nanny think she is to scold my precious daughter and make her scared," I thought, annoyed.I abandoned my handbag on the couch, carried Melinda and stormed towards her nanny's room."Sarah!" I yelled in anger.In a split second, the nanny hastily left her room and came to meet me.I watched as she gulped nervously, on seeing Melinda in my arms."I pay you to take care of my daughter, right?""Yes ma'am," she answered and bowed her head, taking in shaky breaths.I exhale and tried to calm myself down."Tell me, why do you always scold Linda?""I'm sorry ma'am, it will never happen ag
LEILANI "Mum, where are we going?" Melinda, who I had just woken up asked, staring curiously at me. "California," I answered and led her to the bathroom to brush her teeth. "Why are we going to California?" She asked. I couldn't help but notice that she was staring expectantly at me, as if there was a specific reply she wanted. "We are going for business, we will return soon," I replied. But then her face fell. "What's wrong baby," I asked worriedly. Linda shook her head. "Nothing." I was not satisfied with her answer. I know my daughter and I can recognize each look on her face. Melinda seemed to be holding back on voicing out her thoughts. I gazed at her and feigned a hurt expression. "I will be hurt if you do not tell me what's wrong with you." Her brilliant little eyes stayed on my face for a while, and then she sighed. "I was wondering if we were going to California to finally see Dad. But then you said it was for business. I couldn't help but feel disappointed," Meli
MALCOLM "I don't think it's necessary for you to go to New York yourself, I can just go alone," Michael said for the hundredth time today. We had just arrived at the airport and were rushing over to the checkpoint, as we were already late. Michael kept trying to make me see reasons why I shouldn't go to New York, but then, my mind was already made up and nothing was going to change it. I needed to know what was going on with the company. "You should save your strength, Mich. I won't change my mind," I said with a note of finality. Michael sighed and didn't say another word. Silently, we hurried over to the checkpoint. "Mr!" I heard a tiny voice call out. I wasn't the only man at the airport, so I didn't bother to look back. "Mr!" The calling persisted. "I think you are the one she is calling," Michael who had turned back said, making turn back as well. My eyes widened on seeing a little girl running over to me with my passport and wallet in her hands. "You dropped this," she s
MALCOLM "Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I will claim her and make her mine. Then watch you wither in anguish," Lucian said, making me glower at him. "Don't try me, Lucian. You know what I'm capable of," I warned, my eyes flashing. Lucian laughed mockingly at me. "I'm hundred percent aware of what you are capable of. You are a loser who runs away from your responsibilities. Isn't that what you can do most?" He asked tauntingly and stared at me, his eyes glinting in mischief. I felt my anger dissipate, guilt took over. "It has been years, Malcolm. You shouldn't keep blaming yourself," I whispered to myself. But then, I still felt guilty. "I'm sure you abandoned your daughter and Leilani. But do not worry, I took very good care of them. I'm sure they will prefer me to you," Lucian mocked. "Don't stress your poor self, I'll take very good care of them," he said, dusting invisible dirt off my shirt. "Just don't show your face to them again. I'm sure you don't want them to suffer
LEILANI The car pulled up in front of a magnificent building, I couldn't help but gasp in awe at how beautiful it looked. Just looking at the house brought tears to my eyes, never in my life did I imagine that I would be so rich to afford a building this big. Smiling, I pulled a sulking Melinda into the house. I stared at the entire decoration of the building, it looked so stunning. At one corner of the compound stood a statue of a sad pregnant woman, next to it is a statue of the same woman, smiling with a little girl in her arms. When I bought this house, I requested for these statues to be built. I wanted to show California and all those that rejected me that I excelled. I wanted them to know that my daughter and I were healthy and smiling. Just staring at the statue brought back memories. Memories that were unpleasant in the past, but pleasant to me in the present. "Mummy, why did you walk off like that? I wanted to get my look alike's number," Melinda whined beside me. My a
LEILANI "Sienna?" I muttered and looked behind immediately. My headache stopped instantly, tears clouded my vision as I watched Sienna who hadn't even noticed me. She looked so lean and weak. Tears rolled down my face and I sniffled. "Si…Sienna!" I called out. She paused her movement and looked at me. Her eyes widened. "Lani!" she screamed in disbelief. She took slow steps towards me, her eyes fixed on my face. "It's really you," she exclaimed and quickened her pace. Getting closer to me, she engulfed me in a bear hug. "God, where have you been Lani," she asks. "I…" I had barely said a word when she suddenly pulled away and glared at me. "What's wrong?" I ask, startled. "You are seriously asking me that, Leilani. God, you suddenly disappeared into thin air and the first thing you ask we finally meet again after five years is what's wrong. Really, Leilani?" She asks, tears rolling down her face. "You know why I came over to this place? It's because someone informed me th