I was happy one day when my father came back and told me my mother was fetching me for holidays. Bright and Lovemore wouldn’t rape me when my father was here. They treated me well and pretended to be caring. My father stayed for two weeks in the village and for those two weeks I was safe.

“Shamiso, let’s go and buy some sweets. Don’t you want some?” Bright asked.

“No, she can’t. Martha must help her wash her clothes and pack, she is leaving,” my father said.

I was happy because this was a trick for Bight to rape me. My father defended me as if he knew what would happen on the way to the store. I went with Martha carrying my clothes to the river. We spent more than three hours washing and got back home late. We sat round the fire while Melody dished us food.

“Shamiso, do you mind fetching my jacket in the bedroom?” my father said.

I nodded and left to go to the hut which was my father bedroom. I found the jacket and came quickly, afraid my stepbrothers would snatch me and abuse me. As I was walking to the kitchen hut, Bright snatched my hand and started to pull me.

“You think Papa will protect you?” he said angrily. I tried to pull away so I could break free but he was stronger, his hand went on my neck. “I will kill you if…”

“Shamiso, what’s taking long with my jacket? Bright, what are you doing to her? What’s going on here?” My father shouted standing by the door. Bright left me and pretended as if he was playing with me. I smile, if only I could get lucky like this always.

“We are just playing right, Shamiso?” he replied and I walked and gave my father his jacket.
Bright was angry, I could see it in his eyes. My father was telling Melody that we were very close.

“Bright is very fond of the little girl. She must feel loved, I am happy they treat each one well. She is their sister too, after all she is my daughter too,” Melody spoke with pride.

“That’s wonderful, Sarudzai will make her stay here longer,” he replied. I just wished they knew what Bright and Lovemore were up to.

My mother arrived and I was overjoyed but my mother sensed something.

“I am happy to see you are looking after my daughter,” she said as she took my bags. I hugged Melody and her daughters and waved to the boys. They just stared angrily at me as if they knew their secret will be out. As we sat in the bus to Harare, my mother stared at me curiously.

“How is Melody treating you?” she asked.

“Good,” I replied avoiding eye contact with her. I couldn’t tell her what was happening in the crowd of people in the bus.

“You don’t look good and fine, Shamiso. I know you more than that,” she said and hugged me.

It was a long way to Harare so the secrets would have to stay hidden a little longer.

***

Tell us what you think: Will Shamiso find the courage to tell her mother?