The date for me to meet Ryan’s parents was set, so I went to browse at Mr Price for a new dress. I needed to look good. My parents were giving me the silent treatment, so they did not give me spare money. I was a lucky girl, though. Ryan gave me money. I used the money and bought some books and a pen needed for school. I used the rest of the money for the floral dress I wanted to buy. I also found matching pumps, and I used the remaining money on lunch at college.

One evening, I announced to my parents that I was going out on Friday, and that I would return the following day. I did not lie to them, and I told them that Ryan’s parents wanted to meet me.

“This kid is getting on my nerves,” my father shouted.

Instead of responding, I walked to my room. I did not care anymore, but I saw that my parents were not happy with my choices. I thought my mother would follow me and give some advice, but nothing happened. Maybe my father had stopped her. She had been talking to me with signs while avoiding being seen by my father. She would shake her head, or put her finger on her lips, or tell me not to worry by waving her hand. It was probably my father who wanted me to feel bad.

**********

On the day of the date, Ryan was excited when he saw me. He lifted my small thin body into the air, and held me tightly. Of course, students still murmured behind my back. They thought we were a couple that like showing off. I loved it, though, because it felt good to be loved. People were jealous and they wanted our relationship to end, not knowing we were real. I let Ryan know that my parents knew I was visiting him, but he saw how anxious I was even though I did not want him to see it.

“Give them time baby,” Ryan assured me while rubbing my hands softly. “Are you ready for tonight?” he asked.

I nodded in response, but I was more nervous than I showed. What if they did not accept me? “Did you tell them I’m black?” I asked, and my voice was shaky.

Before responding, Ryan kissed my forehead and sighed. “Stop worrying babe!” he responded, then he raised his eyebrows and made me laugh. I felt better, and I knew there was nothing to worry about.

Soon after our lessons for the day, Ryan dropped me off at home, and I took a shower and hymned the song “It Is Well’. When I was done bathing and I was busy wrapping my body in a towel, my mother entered the room with her arms folded.

“Baby girl, you are going to get hurt. Please don’t go to that white boy’s home,” my mother pleaded.

I had a bad feeling about what she was saying, but I ignored her and applied my vanilla moisturizer on my body. In order for me to know what would happen there, I had to go. What if she was wrong, and what if my thoughts were wrong too? I did not want her to distract my love for Ryan anymore. What if he was the only one who ever loved me in the world?

“You will regret it,” my mother said, then she left my room. She was cursing me, but I did not want to fight anymore. So, I remained humble and looked at the bright side because I knew that Ryan loved me too much!

**********

“Ryan, how could you bring that girl in my house? Wait until your father comes home,” Ryan’s mother hissed when I got to their house, and I looked at Ryan worriedly. She grinned and breathed through her teeth. She did not look at me any further, and she clicked her tongue before storming out, leaving the tension hanging in the air.

“Don’t worry! I will talk to her,” Ryan said, planting a kiss on my cheek, then he left me in the lounge.

After Ryan left, I was devastated, and I was losing my posture because I was trembling. My heart was pounding, and my head was getting dizzy. It was all caused by the stress that I had, so I sat down on the black leather couches. After sitting down, I browsed the room, and it showed that they were wealthy. I clinched my arm on the couch, wishing it was Ryan holding my hand, telling me it would be okay.

While I was sitting down, I noticed from the things outside the house that Ryan came from a rich family. Everything looked valuable. There were sparsely furnished rooms everywhere, and their house looked newly painted, unlike the other houses which looked old with falling paint. His parents had their own company. But then again, that night was promising nothing but dread and horror. It was dark, and the light outside could not enter. I wanted to leave because I believed that the dinner was spoiled.

“That girl will make you dry to poor,” Ryan’s mother shouted.

I heard her shouting from wherever they were, and I also heard Ryan pleading with her. While they were busy, the front door opened and a short man with Ryan resemblance entered the house holding a brown briefcase. He threw his jacket on the table, and he was not aware that I was in the room.

“Good evening, sir,” I said calmly.

After speaking, I stood up to show respect, but I was shaking. The man gave me a disgusting stare from head to feet. I figured that maybe I was not good looking and my dress was bad, so I checked it out then knew ‘trouble had arrived’. My stomach was rolling, and I wanted to puke, but I held it in even though I was horrified.

“What are you doing here? I told my wife we don’t need a helper,” Ryan’s father shouted, then he dropped his briefcase on the floor.

“I … I …” I said, but the words could not come out of my mouth. I was struck, and I avoided unwanted attention, but Ryan’s father would not let it happen.

“Leave my house,” Ryan’s father said, yelling. He then opened the door harshly, and I felt the cold breeze pass through my thighs.

While Ryan’s father was still holding the door open, Ryan came running towards us, and I thought it was because he might have heard his father’s shouting. “She is my girlfriend,” Ryan announced boldly, then he took my hand and held me tightly.

“What?” Ryan’s parents said simultaneously.

There was a moment of silence right after, and Ryan’s parents seemed like they were digesting the news. Ryan’s father strolled from left to right twice, then he looked at me devilishly, but Ryan stood by my side. I was safe with him by my side, but I was also scared they would shoot me. White people always have guns, I know!

“Get out of my house,” Ryan’s father said calmly.

“If she goes, I will go with her,” Ryan protested. I tried walking away, but he held on to my waist with all of his strength.

“Go and never return,” Ryan’s father said, unconcerned, then he strolled away.

While Ryan’s father was walking away, his mother picked up his jacket and briefcase, then she rushed after him. I looked down on the floor and feigned at the sorrow of my demise.

“I will go baby,” I said, then I grabbed my pink handbag and left.

While I was walking away, I thought Ryan would follow me, but he did not. I did not know how I was going to get home in the dark night. I was lonely, and I knew that our relationship was doomed. Firstly, it was my parents, and now it was his. Maybe it was punishment for what my parents had done to Ryan. At the time, I did not know that a gloomy morning herald a terrible night, but I will never forget it.

***

Tell us: What do you think is going to happen next for their relationship?