Prologue
"Close the door," he said. I obeyed, confused but calm. I had learned from a young age how to read his face but tonight, it held a kind of storm I hadn't seen before.
"You are old enough now," he began, leaning back. My heart raced. "There are decisions I made, things I have hidden even from your mother. You will marry one day, and you deserve to know what it costs. My child do not be scared, I did it for your sake" my father said.
Hearing those words struck me hard. If it was a good situation, I would have hugged my father. This was a sad one, knowing what he did will be a reminder of who he is. Standing up angrily, my voice came out angrily and in a harsh tone. His face masked a surprise reaction. I am a daughter who obeys her father and takes everything in, but this was the height of it, I can't keep shut anymore.
"No father, you had a choice, leave me out of this. How could you do this?"
Without waiting for his reply, I bolted out. Is this the person I have been living with? I don't have any words to call that behavior. Will I say my father is a monster? My childhood memories came rushing back. All the love he has shown me, how he brings gifts for me whenever he comes home from work, how he stands up to protect me whenever I come home crying. How he promised to be there for me when my mother died. How can I trust him after hearing the truth? I hid myself under the covers in my room crying bitterly.
The remaining days went by without talking to him. He still continued showing love towards me, showering me with different luxurious gifts. I really wanted to forgive him, but he really went too far. I eventually gave in and forgave him, but I could not withstand it knowing the house reminded me of what he did. I made a bold decision. I decided to leave the country to start anew. My decision killed him, but he knew better not to talk me out. I bought a flight ticket and visa. No one knew the country I was going to.
On the day of my departure, I saw my father break down in tears. That was the first time he cried, during my mother's death, he didn't shed a tear. I was sad to leave him, but I can't continue to stay there. Acting like I wasn't affected; I left him and went to the airport.
***********
The plane touches down smoothly on the tarmac. When the doors finally open, warm air rushes in, carrying a foreign scent. I step out slowly, my fingers tightening around the handle of my small suitcase. Climbing down the stairs, I held my breath. Pushing behind me the memories I choose to forget. My shoes touch the ground.
"This is it, I made this decision, no turning back, I need to start anew." My inner mind said. I breathe in slowly, lift my chin and walk forward, leaving the plane behind. Inside the terminal, the air was cool and heavy. Screens were blinking with arrival and departure time. Names of cities rolling past like reminders of lives still in motion. After completing the formalities and checking in, I am cleared and ready to go. I open the sliding doors and step out of the airport building.
"You can do this" I close my eyes and say a prayer.
Opening my eyes, I choose a taxi at the pickup lane to take me to my destination.
"Princall University please." I say, sliding into the taxi. The driver stops at the mighty gates. The elegant letters 'Princall University' greet students like a promise of greatness. I make my way into the compound with my suitcase, passing gardeners trimming the flowers and cleaners gathering the fallen leaves. Students stroll towards the building, each carrying boxes in different colors, a quiet parade of routines. Approaching the clear in desk, the clerk looks up.
"Welcome to Princall University, how may I help you."
I give her my details, her fingers dancing around the buttons on the keyboard. She asks a few questions, which I answer before directing me to someone else. I check in with my resident advisor and am assigned a room. Entering the room, I am greeted with silence. The room have two beds, which means I have a roommate. Looking at the other side, it is neatly arranged. Seeing the bed perfectly made, I guess my roommate is out. By the time I finish arranging my luggage, I feel tired and lay on my bed. My body gives in to sleep, when I wake up, I see her.
"Hello, I am Alisha, nice meeting you" I say with a smile
"Hi, I am Anna, it is my pleasure and welcome to our paradise" she says in a sweet tone, making both of us laugh.
"When you settle in, I will show you around the campus, is that fine by you?"
"Yes please."
"Perfect, there is a party by 9pm, I hope you bring a lot of party outfits because we are gonna have a lot of fun"
"A party???"
That is gonna be difficult, knowing myself all well. I am not a freak of parties.
Seeing my reaction, she stops arranging her bed and move over to mine
"I guess you are not fond of parties"
"Yes, I prefer being indoors and reading my novels"
"That is not gonna happen on my watch. I will be your fashion police, so get your naughty ass together and follow me to the party"
"Aye aye captain" raising my hand in a form of salutation to her. We lay on the bed, laughing.
The party is around 8am but my roommate drags me to the mirror for my makeup. Sitting on the stool she offers me while working on my face, singing along to the lyrics blasting from the speaker. Each stroke of her brush sends a thrill down my skin. Foundation smoothing across my skin, eyeshadow layering in shimmering cues, eyeliner sharp enough to cut through. I watch her reflection, her brow and eyes stare into mine in concentration, then breaking into grin as she mouths the chorus of the song.
"Tada, make up done, now to your hair. Don't look into the mirror till I am done"
"Yes mummy" I say
She laughs, then continue working on my head.
Three minutes later, she stops.
"By the count of three, you can look into the mirror. 1.…2….3" she removes her hands and gives me a mirror.
Looking into the mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. A dolled-up face stares back at me. Eyes lined with precision, lashes curled like whispers of elegance, lips painted in a shade that feels bolder than my usual self. The shimmer of highlighter catches the light, making my skin glow. It is strange, seeing both me and not me at once. The reflection feels like a character waiting to step into the world, someone braver, louder, more dazzling. For a heartbeat, I wonder if this is who I have always been, hidden beneath the everyday. The mirror doesn't lie, it shows transformation, artistry, and the thrill of becoming, but a story written across my face.
"Chop, chop, let's get you a dress" she says, looking into my wardrobe.
"This will do" she says, handling me a bodycon pink gown, sleek and strapless. The fabric felt cool against my fingertips, soft yet commanding, promising to hug every curve with confidence. My roommate watches me with smile, but my eyes drift to the mirror where the dolled up face stares back. The gown is more than just an outfit. It is a reminder of my 18th birthday, the day my father placed it in my hands with pride shining in his eyes. Thinking of my father, I wonder what state he is in. Seeing tears almost rushing down, I clean my eyes not wanting to ruin the make up.
"Wear the dress, let me quickly freshen up." she says and run into the bathroom. Before going into the bathroom, she spreads her outfit on the bed. It wasn't up to five seconds before she comes out. One hour later, we are ready for the fun. I wear my black boots and simple jewelries. My roommate wears a blue crop top that shimmers under the room light, pairing it with a sleek black mini skirt. She is a brown skin girl. Twirling for me, "is this okay?"
"It is perfect, you look like you are about to own the night" I say.
Drowning in laughter, we step out and enter her Toyota corolla.
The car stops at a white mansion, I can literally hear the music playing from the speakers. Swaying our hips, we enter the house. Everyone was being a party animal, cups scattered, some having make out sessions with their partners while others were having a blast in the center which becomes the dance floor. Couches push aside to make space. Laughter fills the air, voices overlap, and someone starts a game. Outside, more students lean against the porch railing, talking in clusters, while others wander in and out, greeting new arrivals with cheers. The air smells of pizza, perfume and the faint tang of spilled soda. She sits alone on the couch as her roommate is already at the dance floor upon their entrance. Facing the drunk students on the dance floor with a cup in her hands, a guy sits beside her.
"Hello, I am Ian"
"Hi, I am Alisha, nice meeting you"
"Same here, why is a beautiful lady all by herself tonight?"
"I can't dance to save my life" I say smiling
"Not a problem, this ugly face will teach you, let's go"
"Oh no, don't bother yourself" I say not wanting to go to the dance floor
"I insist, now don't keep a gentleman waiting" he says holding out his hands.
Holding my hand, he leads me to the dance floor. Guiding me through the dance steps, he asks some questions to which I reply.
"What is Alisha doing in Princall university"
"Obviously to study, duhhh" I say rolling my eyes.
"I know, I am indirectly asking for your field of study"
"Ohh, I just gain admission to study accounting, today is my first day. My roommate doesn't want me to spend it on the bed, so she drags me here. She is obviously having fun" I say, looking over to her side.