CHAPTER TWO: My nightmare!

KRITI POV

Date: 24th May 2024

London

16:30 pm

I went home and got ready to face my papa (dad) to tell him my choice for September.. 

I am afraid that he will say no again to the college I want to go to because of the distance from home but I tried to find one closest to home to follow my dreams to become a beautician.  

I am 19 and still treated like a child and it really annoys me as at 16, three years ago my papa said he wanted me to do sixth form and I thought that would be the last time he orders me but, no here I am three years later otherwise, I would have been doing what I want right now, living on my own but thanks to covid and Brexit, prices had raised and it's harder to find a part time job especially close to home from where I live so I am jobless witnessing my classmates having jobs including my friends it's really hard but I am still going forward. 

I took a breath, standing behind the door of my papa's bedroom door. You're probably wondering why I didn't say anything to my parents, huh? well, it's a long story that will be addressed in the near future. 

I balled my right hand into a fist and gently knocked on the door. 

I heard my papa's voice booming from the other side of the door. "Come in." 

I swung the door gently open pushing the door with shaking hands. After I took another breath in and out, I walked in with a straight face and held hope in my heart with courage in my voice. "Papa..“ I said as he lifted his head up from his laptop to look at me. He was working on his laptop for his work. 

I took the courage to say, "I have applied for September at a college.." I spoke. 

"Where did you apply, beti?" (daughter) he spoke, raising an eyebrow. 

I started speaking in a shaky breath "I took your advice and chose to attend Crown High College this September" I was upset by this decision but I had no choice or he would have kicked me out as he said a while back that if I ever disrespect him which he had spoken lot and yes I am afraid of him. 

I mean, who isn't? everyone is scared of one of their parents. In my case it's my papa and he isn't like any of my cousins' fathers which I find  strange. 

Unfortunately, I am not the only one who is suffering from this as my little sister is also as unlucky as me. Her name is Diya and she is three years younger than me and yes she is currently 16. 

She has it stricter, unfortunately, as our papa wants her to go to university. You're probably wondering why he doesn't want me to go to university.

It's because he doesn't think I am smart enough but I guess I am luckier than my sister but I can't help her with this one as you can guess what type of papa we have yes a very strict and bossy father. 

After speaking with my papa, I went to my room and laid down on my bed. 

My eyes shut down as my head hits the soft pillows below my head. I was tired and sad about my decision but I had no choice. You're wondering why I am upset about going to this college. I want to study beauty therapy and hairdressing to have my own salon to make other girls like me smile and feel beautiful in themselves but the staff in the course. 

Unfortunately, when I attended the interview, the people who interviewed me were not nice. Why? because of my skin condition, which is not fair. I guess you guys are shocked. Well, it’s true. I don't like it when people put me down and when I tried to explain it to papa he didn't understand so my nightmare came true! 

My life has only been falling apart, but when I told papa about my decision to go to that college, he was obviously happy. 

At this point, I am tired of being the bigger person all the time. 

I heard a notification from my phone. I reached for my phone and opened my phone with my fingerprint. 

As I opened my eyes, I saw a text message from my Maya. I opened the message to see, "You won't believe what I heard! Who else is going to Crown High College in September!" I raised an eyebrow from the message, and I replied in a second. “Who?” Maya replies “My cousin? Samir? from India? The same age as you? remember I showed you some photos of him during a few vacations I went to with my family and I would always say that whenever I talk to him about you he would always ask questions about you?” 

My face turned to a look of shock. I typed quickly on my keypads “Oh him?” She replies “yes him” I tap on my keyboard “So? Why are you telling me this?” 

She responds after one minute “To tell you that even if we don’t study in the same place you have someone, you are not alone, I will tell him to keep an eye on you” 

My eyes widen in surprise “Please don’t say anything to him. I can look after myself. Besides, I don’t want to be a burden to your cousin” 

She read my text and her face softened and she replied saying “Don’t be ridiculous Ki, You won’t be a burden to him besides i am sure he will be very happy to see you everyday” 

I read her message and sighed in frustration “Mai enough with your shipping. How many times do I have to tell you I am not interested in your cousin” 

She laughs after reading my text “Girl you haven’t met the guy yet. Please just give him a chance. You guys can’t even date, so at least get to know him as an individual? I sigh “Fine but I am only doing this for you” She laughs “Fair enough. I will see you tomorrow at prom” 

I replied back “Yeah, see you tomorrow”. 

I put my phone on my table and looked at the time, it's 6 pm. I got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower, taking my pyjamas with me. 

After my night routine, I turned off my lamp and went to bed, not feeling hungry but feeling my heart burning and sad that nothing was going my way. 

As I let sleep envelope me, negativity eats me up, causing tears to fall from my eyes unconsciously..