CHAPTER 5

Mrs. Tonia smiled faintly at Anita as she stepped aside to let Glory pass with the tray of soup. Anita entered the kitchen without saying anything to her mother, her face showing a deep sorrow that her mother understood well.

"Anita," Mrs. Tonia gently called her name.

"What is it, Mom?" Anita asked, walking over to her mother.

"I want you to know that your father loves you just as much as the rest of your siblings and isn't against your success," Mrs. Tonia said, holding Anita's hand.

"Hmph," Anita sighed.

"I know, Mom. But I don't care about that. Whether Dad likes me or not, he'll always be my father, and that's all," Anita replied.

"Anita," Mrs. Tonia began, but Flora entered the kitchen, interrupting them.

"Mom, where's the fufu?" Flora asked, looking at Anita before approaching the kitchen cabinet.

"Mom, why are you holding her hands and talking to her? Are you pleading for something?" Flora asked, crossing her arms.

"No, Flora. I'm just advising Anita," Mrs. Tonia replied, looking at Flora.

"I don't care, Mom. That's beside the point. I came for the fufu because Glory only served us soup. Where's the fufu?" Flora asked again.

"It's over there, Flora. Check the chair beside you," Mrs. Tonia answered. Flora turned, spotted the fufu, picked it up, and left the kitchen.

"As I was saying, Anita, don't hold any grudges against your father, okay? You'll never get another father, and I swear with my life that he is truly your father," Mrs. Tonia said.

"Mom," Anita frowned.

"There's no need to swear. Let's go eat first; I have some work to do and need to call Temisa to see if she's home," Anita added.

"Okay," Mrs. Tonia finally let go of Anita's hand. Anita washed her hands at the kitchen sink and then joined the rest of the family for dinner. Her father also joined, silently eating the delicious okra soup his wife had prepared.

The dining hall was quiet, and after dinner, Glory was the first to finish her meal. She cleared her plates and went to Anita and Flora's room to wait for Anita, as she wanted to talk to her.

Once dinner was over, Lisa cleared all the plates, as it was her turn to wash the dishes. She shared this responsibility with Glory, washing dishes weekly. Anita returned to her room and found Glory waiting for her.

"Glory! What are you doing here, baby sis?" Anita asked in surprise as she entered and sat on the bed she shared with Flora.

"I came to talk to you, big sis," Glory replied. Anita stared at Glory for a moment, noticing how much her little sister had grown and advanced in her questions compared to when she was ten years old.

"So, tell me, what do you want to discuss?" Anita asked. Just as Glory was about to reply, Flora entered coldly.

"What are you doing here, Glory? Go back to your room now!" Flora commanded.

"No, Flora, let her stay. We have something to discuss, and I just got back," Anita replied, but Flora flared up.

"I wasn't talking to you. Stay out of this!"

"What do you mean?" Anita stood up from the bed, crossing her arms as she faced Flora.

"I've been quiet long enough, Flora. What do you mean by not talking to me?" Anita asked, staring at Flora coldly.

"You heard me right; I have no business with white witches. Glory, leave now; I want to rest," Flora repeated. Anita smirked and sat back down.

"Tell me, Glory, what do you want to ask?" Anita inquired, unzipping her bag to retrieve her laptop and phone. Glory looked back and forth between Anita and Flora, confused by their quarrel.

"Glory, leave!" Flora commanded again, moving closer to pull Glory away.

"Don't you dare touch her!" Anita warned as she unpacked her laptop and phone, placing them on the bed.

"Or what? What will you do?" Flora challenged, and Anita looked up at her.

"Step away, or dare to touch Glory first!" Anita warned.

"No big sisters, I'm leaving; I'll ask you later," Glory nervously said.

"No, Glory!" Anita glanced at Glory, causing her to shiver.

"Step away now, Flora! If you're here to rest, the bed is there, but stay out of my conversation with Glory!" Anita warned. Flora stared angrily at Anita, who was slim and curvy, whereas Flora was chubbier and thought she could overpower Anita, being taller and larger.

"And what if I don't?" Flora quickly moved towards Glory, dragging her by the arm, but Anita wouldn't tolerate the disrespect. She stood up and pounced on Flora, pulling her hair and slapping her face multiple times, engaging in a fight.

"What's going on here?!" Mr. Joshua demanded as he entered, separating them.

"Father, she started it!" Flora pointed at Anita. Anita adjusted her clothes, breathing heavily. Mr. Joshua knew Anita wasn't one to fight, so what had led to this?

He looked at Glory as the rest of his daughters and his wife entered the room.

"What happened, Father?!" they asked, looking from Anita to Flora, who was breathing heavily, and to Glory, who seemed worried.

"What happened, Glory?" Mr. Joshua asked, and she stammered.

"Father, I came to talk to Aunt Anita, and Flora came in and told me to leave, but Aunt Anita refused, and the fight started," Glory explained.

"Flora, why did you tell Glory to leave when Anita was talking to her?" Mr. Joshua asked, giving Flora a stern look. Flora's cheek was swollen, and Anita's cheeks was visibly red, though Flora was crying, seeking her father's support.

"Father, she slapped me first!" Flora pointed at Anita.

"I didn't ask that. I asked why you sent Glory away," Mr. Joshua repeated.

"I wanted to sleep, and I can't if they're talking," Flora sobbed.

"Hmmm," Mr. Joshua hummed, knowing it was partly his fault.

"Let this be the last time I see any disrespect towards your big sister, Anita. If it happens again, I'll deal with you. Flora, pack your bags and clothes. You will share a room with Lisa, and Glory will share this room with Anita from now on. Any more issues, and I'll handle it," Mr. Joshua warned.

"Father!" Flora exclaimed, but Mr. Joshua was already leaving.

"You caused this, Flora. Why disrespect your big sister?" Mrs. Tonia asked, but Flora frowned.

"Mom, are you siding with Anita because she won two awards?" Flora asked.

"Be quiet, Flora. Aren't you ashamed? You had carry-overs last session and can't learn from your big sister. All you do is bad-mouth her," Mrs. Tonia retorted.

"Mom!" Flora sobbed, while her sisters frowned and crossed their arms.

"Apologize to Anita before packing your bags!" Mrs. Tonia ordered.

"I won't, Mother," Flora refused.

"I insist, or you'll deal with me now!" Mrs. Tonia warned, leaving Flora speechless as she looked from her mom to her siblings and to Anita, who was on the bed, typing on her laptop.

"No, Mother!" Flora screamed, and Anita finally looked up.

"It's okay, Mom; I don't need her apology," Anita said, entering her laptop password.

"No, Anita, Flora must apologize, or she's no longer my daughter," Mrs. Tonia declared.

"Mom!" they all exclaimed, shocked, as Mrs. Tonia turned to face them.

"Yes, consider this a warning. I can disown any of you if you disobey me. Now, Flora, apologize!" Mrs. Tonia insisted. Flora reluctantly looked at Anita and muttered, "I'm sorry, Anita."

"Say it louder," Mrs. Tonia instructed.

"Mom!" Flora pleaded, looking at her mother.

"Now!" Mrs. Tonia was firm.

"Fine, I'm sorry, Anita; please forgive me," Flora said.

"It's okay, Flora. You can leave," Anita replied, focusing on her laptop. Flora packed her clothes and dragged them out, leaving the others speechless.