The moment I stepped into the living room, I knew I had walked into a storm I hadn't prepared for.
My mother stood with her arms folded tightly across her chest, her lips pressed into a thin, trembling line. My father sat rigidly on the sofa, his jaw clenched, his eyes sharp and burning as they lifted to me. The air felt thick, heavy-like it might choke me if I breathed too deeply.
"Where are you coming from?" my father asked.
The tone alone made my stomach twist.
"School," I answered quietly. "I—"
"Don't lie to us!" my mother snapped. "People have been calling. Do you know what they are saying about you?"
My heart dropped.
I shook my head slowly. "What people?"
"They said you're moving around with a man," my father growled as he stood up. "A man. Is that why we sent you to school? Is that what we suffered for?"
"No," I said quickly, panic rising. "That's not true. I'm not living with anyone. I don't even—"
My mother laughed bitterly. "So you're calling us liars now? They said they saw you. Do you think the whole street is mad?"
I took a step back instinctively. "Please, listen to me. It's just a rumor. Someone is trying to ruin my name."
"Your name?" my father scoffed. "You've already ruined it."
The words hit harder than a slap.
"You've turned into a shame," my mother spat, her voice shaking with fury. "A prostitute. Is this how girls behave now?"
I felt something tear inside my chest.
"That's not who I am," I said, my voice breaking. "I would never disgrace you like that. Please, believe me."
But my words only seemed to pour fuel on their anger.
"So you have mouth now?" my father shouted. "You stand there and talk back?"
I barely saw his hand move before the sting exploded across my cheek. I gasped, stumbling sideways, the room spinning as pain spread through my face.
"Baba...please," I cried.
Another slap followed, then a shove that sent me crashing into the table. My elbow screamed in pain as I fell. My mother didn't stop him. She only stood there, watching me like I was a stranger she despised.
"Get out of this house," my father yelled. "Before I lose myself completely."
I pushed myself up, my body shaking, tears blurring my vision. My cheek throbbed. My arm ached. My heart felt shattered beyond repair.
"This house is no longer for you," my mother said coldly. "Go and meet the man you're sleeping with."
"I have nowhere to go," I whispered.
"That's not our problem."
The door slammed behind me.
I stood outside for a long moment, numb, my whole body trembling as reality sank in. I didn't even have my phone. I had left it on my bed in the rush to leave earlier. The night air was cool against my skin, stinging the bruises I already knew would darken by morning.
I didn't know where else to go.
So I walked.
Each step felt heavier than the last, my thoughts tangled with shame, fear, and heartbreak. By the time I reached Lia's apartment, my legs were weak, my eyes swollen from crying.
When she opened the door and saw me, her face fell instantly.
"Morayo?" she whispered. "What happened to you?"
I couldn't speak. The moment she pulled me into her arms, I broke completely.
She didn't ask questions right away. She just held me, rubbing my back gently, letting me cry until my chest hurt and my breath came in sobs.
"You're safe here," she said softly. "You're not alone."
For the first time that night, I believed it.