ALMOST UNFIXABLE.

032 - Shutter Speed and Small Talks.

"I'm pretty sure I can be very subtle in school. It's not like I'd have a reason to go shirtless, or someone will just open up my shirt to see the slashes." I answered him and he exhaled, continuing what he was doing.

I winced when he touched a deep spot.

"Besides," I continued, my face contorting into a deep frown. "I think my Father eliminated all chances of suspicion when he decided not to take me to a hospital but instead, had you clean the cuts up for me. Cuts he inflicted." I couldn't stop my voice from sounding so bitter and venomous.

Tola stared back at me for a moment and I held his gaze. Then he looked away, sighed, and told me to sit up. He took the three bandage rolls from where they were seated on the tray and began to lose them one by one.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop him." He whispered after several minutes of uncomfortable silence, rolling the bandage around my middle. When one finished, he clipped it up and picked another.

I sighed.

"There was nothing you could have done," I answered, exhaling deeply. Rubbing my hand over my face in frustration, I added, "I'm just so tired, Tola. I don't know if I can continue to live like this. I don't think I can take it anymore."

"You have to endure..."

"Endure?!" I repeated, cutting him off sharply. "I have to endure this kind of pain for the rest of my life? Why does being his son hade come with so much pain? Is it natural? Is it until I die in this house? Tell me, Tola!" I screamed, hitting the bed with my fist in complete frustration.

Tola looked at me, shaking his head slowly.

"There is nothing that can be done about your father, Jidenna. You of all people should know that." He whispered. Wasn't sure if he meant those words to have a double meaning in my head, but they did. It felt like he wasn't just talking about the abuse.

It felt like there was something more. But I was too tired to even try to decipher it.

So instead, I scoffed.

"That's right." My lips quirked in a small, sarcastic smile. "Because he is Kingsley Okojie and he's so unstoppable, right?" I asked rhetorically, but still expected some sort of response from Tola.

But, he didn't answer. He stared back at me, something between sadness and pity marrying his expression. He was sad for me, pitying me. I exhaled, looking away from him as I threw my hand over my face.

I was tired. Exhausted.

Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, and even Psychologically exhausted.

I can't get used to the pain. I just can't.

But I can't do anything about it either

Tola and I didn't say anything to each other till he was done covering up the slashes. I didn't say anything to him as I stood up, walked to my sofa to pick up the long-sleeved hoodie sweatshirt sitting on it, grunting slightly when I threw it over my body,

"Where are you going?" He asked me. I picked up my phone from the bedside table.

"Out of this house," I answered monotonously, shoving my feet into my slides.

"Should I drive you?" He asked again.

"I'll order a Uber," I answered back in the same tone as I made my way out of the room. Tola didn't argue or try to stop me.

He let me go.

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