Vehicles moving to and fro, all what Amara could do was stare at them with her hand placed under her chin sitting by the road side with a Moody expression....

"What will I do with the bottle of drinks now?..... where will I start for..? And it's getting dark here.. " She mumbled to herself... Seeing here mates moving to and fro the highway.... Running after cars, while it's still moving...

Amara who is envied by her step sisters and step mother... Form a polygamus family.... Her father a well known chief of izoro community.... Loves beautiful women with fair skinned complexion, tall and beautiful posture, Amara being the first child of the family and the only child her mom gave birth to, still a tender when she lost her Mom and life hasn't been easy on her, her father never looked at her face... Even in the festive period when other children are celebrating with their new dresses... She is either in her room...or running errands... Or cooking, when ever a slight mistake will happen.. she will receive hell on Earth

She has seen life in another direction... When ever it's closing hour's... Her step sisters goes home with group of guys chatting and laughing loud

While still thinking Doyin tap her on the shoulder..."Amarachi what's happening... ?? Why aren't you selling the drinks.. are you okay?" Doyin sitting close to her...

"Oh mine!.... I completely forgot... Thanks Doyin am fine, just a bit worried " Amara said with a sad tone

"I know you are... But I know you always over come your fears and strong at anything that comes your way... Babe I don't like this your mood ever since we returned from school..." Doyin said staring at her

" Hmm.... Am sorry... Let's go and continue the hustle.." Amara said smiling to assure her bestie she is fine....

Doyin has been are childhood friend... When she is bothered Doyin has been the one giving advice, cheering her up... And they happen to attend the same school, both girls love what they do most presently with their hustling to help keep them Going to school and paying their fees

Unlike Amara father who never showed interest in her education.... But has been the one paying her step sisters fees... Changing their wardrobes.... Attending to their needs and lots more... But never care about her... She had come to live her life like that.... Her step sisters never liked her because she always comes top position in class when ever the term is over....

*********************************

Done for the day, she was overwhelmed by her sales though it was little... But glad she sold all.... On her way home she met Nicole... One of village tout

"Amara baby is that you??... What are you still doing in my yard now??" He asked with a cigarette in his mouth....

"Hello.... Nicole am on my way home..." She said walking a bit fast because it was dangerous at night to be seen with him at night..... Then she stopped and turned back

"I don't think you should go that route because there are police men out there.... " She said... On hearing what she said, he ran with speed not to be caught....

Although Nicole being a tout respect Amara so much because she was well reserved than the other girls in the community... Unlike her step sisters who goes around with different boys.... Disrespecting elders and lots more....

On seeing his action, she laugh heavily while walking home... while some little ones where chanting her name.... She gave them sweet .... Biscuits and pat there heads hugging them..." You are all adorable little ones" she said smiling while they surround her.... "We love you Amara" they all chorused...

She had love little children.... Even now she turned sixteen... Behaving like a child speaking like an adult.... After sharing the sweet and biscuits... Bids them goodnight.... And went home

On arrival, her step mom was at the entrance of the building... Sitting majestically with her legs and arms crossed nodding her head.. with the sight of it... Amara knew things will be tough again this night... Locked the gate and carried her sales bowl by her side... Walk towards the door

"Hey you! Come over here..... Where are you coming from by this time of the night?"She thundered hitting her hand on the door...

" From the market...ma"She said standing firm staring at the wall.... She knew this was going to happen.... She had been feeling this torture six years ago.... When she started hustling for her needs... Like nobody cares if she exist in this house.... now she wasn't home on time to prepare dinner and she won't escape this punishment today

" So.... You have grown up to the extent that you discard my orders in this house isn't it?... And left the kitchen for me to come home and cook?" She said angrily entered her room to fetch her cane... While ifeoma and oluchi were shouting for her to receive the punishment.... Adaeze kept begging her mom not to punish her.... But got pushed away by her two sisters...

Her step mom holding the cane flog her Amarachi to the extent she had injuries on her back crying profusely with her body covered in mud...

"You went about... Going out with local champions... And return home innocent, you think you can deceive me? "She said as she spat on the ground and left.. while her two sisters were jubilating and insulting her.....

" You think you are the nicest and smartest in this house..... You haven't seen anything yet... Be forming good girl isn't it?... Am now the bad child isn't it?" Ifeoma said and walk around her and spat on the floor....

Adaeze kept crying, she don't know why her family so much hate Amara.... She ran out of the room with a bucket of water to clean up the mud on her body.. Amara was so weakened

All Amara could do was cry.... Hot tears flowing down her cheeks, this she has lived for the past six years ago till now, is there something forbidden about her that the hatred they have for her, still on the mud crying in pains with sore injuries on her knees and fore head

"Sister Amara.... Please get up, am sorry for what Mama did to you, please get up"Adaeze said trying to get her up from the ground, took her to the bathroom and clean her up.... Adaeze never support her mother's hatred on Amara... When ever her sisters would do something irritating and abusive.. she will support them, even at times when they go to night parties, getting drunk and arriving home late at night, in the morning she will ask them how was it.... Adaeze is like a sister Amara could ever asked for... Caring, jovial and respectful at her tender age... She is reserved than her two sisters, ifeoma and oluchi..

After cleaning her up, brought her to the room and sat on the bed"how are you feeling now... Sister Amara"She said with a teary eyes.. kneeling and holding Amara hands...

" Thanks to you Adaeze for you Care.... I will continue to love and cherish you dearly..."Amara said touching her cheeks with a faint smile....

" Don't be worrisome dear, I will be fine and I don't want you to fall ill too... Okay!"Amara said patting her head..

" I won't fall ill... Let me get you food and drugs to relieve you the pain"Adaeze said hurriedly left the room to the kitchen...

Few minutes later, brought a tray of food with two spoons on it..." Sister Amara.... I want to eat with you.... Though have been waiting for your arrival so I could have dinner with you"She said while placing the food on the stool

On hearing this, tears roll down her cheeks, what a sweet darling sister she has.... But immediately wiped it off not to be seen by adaeze.. sat upright on the bed and smiled

" Did you actually made the food..?"Amara asked smiling and the plate of jollof rice...

"Yes I did.... Just as you have taught me, I followed the instructions and procedures.... When it was past five I knew you won't be getting home early so I had to cook... That's when mother saw me after making dinner" She said smiling

" Wow you learned so fast that I could imagine.. little sis... Get ready for more recipes am so proud of you"Amara said patting her head and smiled

Both of them eating joyfully, playing ludo after eating though it rained cat and dogs that evening with thunder lightening.... Adaeze couldn't go to her room because of the sounds of thunder... Then slept in Amara room, both sisters slept peaceful... Amara couldn't sleep because of the pains she had sustain from her step mom... All she hope for the day to come to light then buy drugs the next day.. but unknown to her lies something else

Birds chirping, it's Saturday morning and she has to get up early... Clean up, make the dishes, and sweep the compound... Still on bed, groaning in pains then she heard a loud knock on the door....

" Where is that good for nothing girl.... You went to my kitchen without my permission...."She shouted walking to and fro at the entrance of Amara's room...

Before she could attend to her.... Adaeze opened the door..."good morning mum" Adaeze greeted standing at the entrance

"Didn't I warn you to stay away from her" she shouted... moving adaeze from the door.... Before she could get in, Amara came out...

"Good morning Mama"She greeted bowing down her knees....

" Keep your greetings to yourself.... Am not interested in that... You see those clothes close to the tap.... Make sure you wash them thoroughly..... I repeat make sure it's clean"She said while holding her ears

Amara was shocked to see the heap full of clothes...."I have never wash your clothes before... What about the service of the woman who always wash your clothes...?"She asked been surprised at the sudden task.... Before she could say anything... Ngozi slap her...

" How dare you talk back at me.... Who are you to reply me....are you sick in the skull"She shouted holding Amara arm tightly... On the other side Adaeze kept pleading for her mom to stop the scene ....then finally let go of her...

"Make sure you finish everything in this house.....why am I even talking?... Ifeoma and oluchi add your clothes to it.... Let me see how you will this house to see your touts of a boyfriend" She said and hissed....

Amara couldn't fathom what's happening this morning.... Why have she suddenly change about her laundry?.... Where will she start from with all the chores.... And also going out to sell her goods.....

Still on the floor a tear drop from her cheek...."am stronger than this... This is not new to me anymore..... nothing will change my personality"She said to herself and stood up with a faint smile

"Sister Amara!.... Am sorry for causing trouble for you...."Adaeze said crying profusely....

"Hey!... It's fine and stop crying Adaeze"She said hugging her firmly.....

"After mom goes out.... I will sweep the rooms and wash the plates....so that it won't be more stressful"Adaeze mumbled to Amara ears.....

Amara smile broadly and pat her head..." My hardworking champion..... Don't get caught okay!.... And also don't prepare the food.... I will do that"Amara said and let go off her....

Amara knows how to play her game very well.... How will she go out to hustle for fees today.... Saturdays are the best day to have more sales.... Now her step mom had crush her day off

While arranging to start the laundry.... Oluchi and ifeoma drop their clothes on the floor...." Mom asked us to.... Hope you have no problem with that...."Ifeoma said with her legs crossed with gum in her mouth.....

" Must you tell her everything.... Drop it for her.... hey! Amara make sure you wash it clear....."oluchi said and walk away.....

Though oluchi were of the same age and class with Amara...... And never liked because she were of the same class with her