Beautiful Ruins

II 》Home...where the heart is, right?

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With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
-Max Ehrmann.

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♡○Toviella○♡

The metal clanged against the wall, then fell to the floor, rattling a few more times before it finally stopped.

I had just killed my alarm clock.

I raised my head slightly, my eyes a bit groggy from sleep but my bedside lamp allowed me enough clarity to see the shards of glass from the face of the clock, scattered in different locations across my room.

Well, I didn't except anything less, considering the brute force it was slammed against the wall with.

Great! Just great! Now I had to sweep my room and get myself another alarm clock.

One point for clock, none for Tovi.

Running a hand through my messy braids and using the other to massage my eyes, I slid off my bed and into the gray fluffy slippers placed by the side. I reached out, above my head board, pressing gently on a small button and in no time, white florescent light dominated the room.

The barest wisp of a breeze penetrated into the room, prompting me to strode towards my window, my eyes perusing the kaleidoscope of slowly changing colours from a warm orange to a dull pink, piercing the sky.

I shut my eyes, inhaling the scent of the aromatic morning wind that instantly calmed my being, bringing a whole new level of serenity, one I hadn't experienced in a very long time.

"Don't get too caught up," I reminded myself, "You have somewhere to be."

I turned away from the breathtaking view and proceeded to gather the pieces of the glass with a broom afterwhich I disposed. Then I cleaned up, getting ready for school.

My school uniform consisted of a dark red short-sleeved shirt, paired with a marigold pleated skirt that stopped right at my knees then a long marigold tie which I seldomly wore.

There was also a blazer, but it wasn't compulsory because there were three other options: the knitted sweater which I thought was the coolest, the sweater vest then the hoodie. All in the same colour; dark red with the school's initials embedded on a golden crest by the breast area. Then lastly, was a red ankle socks.

Putting them on immediately, I walked to the vanity to style my hair which I braided the day before yesterday. I hoisted it into a ponytail, leaving two strands out, and then, I laid the edges.

Thankfully, the bruise that had been on my left cheek when Dad punched me some weeks earlier had already healed so I only applied brown powder, mascara and a nude lip gloss.

My look wouldn't be complete without my contact lens so I took them out of the case and put the light-brown lenses on. My eyesight started deteriorating a year ago, and because I didn't want glasses, Dad was forced to get me medicated lenses.

Catching my reflection in the full length mirror, I examined my appearance. I looked good, good enough for the first day of my last year, so let's get this over with, yeah?

I pulled the baggy knitted sweater over my head, shoved the tie into my bag, slung it over my shoulder and stepped out of my room. At the same moment, Sekani also came out of her room, across from mine with an ever radiant smile plastered on her face.

Her uniform was the same as mine only that her skirt stopped slightly above her knees while mine was knee-length, and her shoes were a pair of mary janes instead of the sneakers which I wore.

She chose to wear the blazer today and I couldn't help but smile at how prim and proper she looked.

"Good morning, Tee." She greeted, linking her arm with mine while the other held her small bag in place.

I flashed her a smile of my own, responding, "Good morning, Sekani."

Miss Sarah, our house keeper wasn't on duty today. She usually came for five days in a week. Every other day excluding Mondays and Sundays which was the reason why we hadn't met breakfast, already prepared for us.

We were used to it anyway, and instead ate breakfast at the school's cafeteria. It had the best meals afterall.

Carefully, we tip-toed down the stairs in order not to make a noise and wake the Devil for a Dad up. Unless I wanted a slap, or kick for no reason but pleasure from him.

We made it out of our stupidly massive mansion unharmed, then headed straight to the gateman's house, a small bungalow, which was some feet away from our house.

"Uncle Tunde," I called, knocking on his metal door which had my knuckles slightly aching from the impact.

We got no response from him but just as I was about to knock again, there was shuffling on the other side before he opened, peeking his head out.

On seeing that it was us, he came out fully, smiling brightly. "Oma," I cringed inwardly at his failed attempt in pronoucing my native name, coating it in his thick Yoruba accent instead. "How una dey?"

I passed him a smile and answered, "We are good. Good morning."

He smiled again, and went inside his room to retrieve the keys to the gate. "Una driver no dey come today?" He asked as he unlocked the numerous padlocks on the gate.

Security wasn't something my Father joked with, considering that he was one of the top Lawyers in Nigeria and that there was bound to be enemies who wouldn't hesitate to go any length if given an opportunity.

Our house, no scratch that, Dad's mansion had barb wires to go with the insanely high fence surrounding it. The gate was mighty as well, equipped with codes and a face ID which only I, Sekani, our driver and uncle Tunde could access and of course, the owner of the house.

There used to be a wicked looking Rottweiler too. Sadly, she passed away a year ago.

"No. He called yesterday to let us know he wouldn't be coming." Sekani said.

He gave a nod, just as he finished unlocking the gate, holding it open for us as we stepped through, that kind smile still on his dark face.

I tightened my grip on my sister as we strode out, into the quiet streets of the estate but not before looking back at the mansion, which was just a four-lettered word to me-the place I was forced to call home and sighted a silhouette of a man or rather my Father standing by the window and staring down at me.

A/N:
Hello beautiful people, it's me again!🌚
So, whatcha think? I'd really love to see your comments, tell me everything. Even the tiniest details.
I don't have much to say so, see you when I see you and stay serene!😁💜