I went outside, not liking the idea of taking my bath at night in the public bathroom. I preferred the cool evening air and the freedom to think without being confined. As I bathed, I gazed at the marks on my skin, wondering how someone could be so cruel. I knew I disobeyed, but the beating seemed excessive.
The pain lingered as I finished my bath and headed back inside. My mom was back, and they were discussing what happened. I thought she'd be on my side, but instead, she scolded me.
"You're always playing with Bquis, and that's why you don't do your chores," she said. "Stay away from that girl. She's a distraction."
I felt a pang of resentment. Why did they always have to resort to beating me? Couldn't they just talk to me, explain things to me like I'm a person, not just a child to be scolded?
As I helped with dinner, slicing yams and putting them in boiling water, Taniel was fast asleep, oblivious to the tension in the room.
When the yam was ready, we sat down to eat. The atmosphere was tense, with my parents exchanging disapproving glances. My mom's eyes seemed to bore into me.
"Stay away from Bquis," my dad reiterated. "She's a bad influence on you."
I felt defiant, wanting to argue back. Why did they have to dictate my friendships? Bqis was my friend, and I wouldn't abandon her just because they disapproved.
But I couldn't talk back,I would receive a worse beating than I received just now….
I just cleared the place we ate,swept it and spread my mat to sleep….
I went to bed feeling down, unsure of what to do. The thought of losing Bquis , my best friend, was unbearable. We'd shared so many memories, laughter, and adventures together. I recalled the times we'd hold hands, support each other, and make beautiful things together.
As I lay in bed, memories flooded my mind. I remembered how I'd squeeze out money from my own pocket to pay for her transport fare, just so she could join me go to the market. Or even days we would eat together from the same plate...Those moments were precious, and the thought of letting go of them was hard to accept.
I thought about how Bquis had my back, how we'd screw around together, and how she'd always be there for me. The idea of distancing myself from her felt like a heavy weight on my chest.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I drifted off to sleep, my mind torn between pleasing my parents and holding on to my friendship with Bquis.