UNSHACKLED

UNSHACKLED: "Parental love shines in life's darkest moments

Clara woke up to find breakfast on the side drawer of her bed, accompanied by a note that read:

"Clara, my future daughter-in-law,

Thank you for loving my son. He is a good boy, and I love him dearly. Please take care of him; he's the one who took care of me when I was desperate. He's a kind person; please cherish his love. You have brought joy to his heart, and I expect you to love him dearly, as he is yours.

Tembengkosi"

Clara's eyes widened in surprise as she realized Tembengkosi had already left. She quickly made her bed and began her day.

As she entered the kitchen, she found Nelly busy with the morning chores. "Good morning, Nelly," Clara said with a smile.

Nelly looked up, her face creasing into a warm smile. "Good morning, madam."

Clara chuckled. "Please, Nelly, don't call me madam. I'm just like a daughter to you. You can call me Clara."

Nelly's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you, my child. Sometimes it's not hard for me to work, but I'm getting old now. Sometimes they ask for my daughter to come and help me, but you know these children...they don't listen to their parents, they don't appreciate us when we're there."

Clara's thoughts drifted to her own mother, and she missed her and wondered why she hadn't tried looking for her.

Three weeks had passed, and Joe's appetite had returned with gusto. However, Clara couldn't shake off the feeling of homesickness and longing for her friends. One morning, she woke Joe up at four with a bed-and-breakfast tray, saying, "Wake up, my love. It's our special day – we're getting married!" But Clara's enthusiasm was short-lived. As they drove to her family's house, she was taken aback by the lavish preparations for the African traditional Lobola day. The decor, food, and festivities were all in place, but Clara's excitement was dampened by the presence of her toxic family members from her father's side – people who had neglected her in the past. Among them was her long-lost aunt, Auntie Mary. Clara's emotions were further complicated when she saw her mother, who refused to hug her. Before Clara could even talk to her mom, Auntie Mary whisked her away, leaving Clara feeling frustrated and helpless.

As the celebrations drew to a close, Clara felt a sense of dread wash over her. She knew that her life was about to take a dark turn. The marriage, she realized, was going to be a nightmare. How Joe have planned the entire wedding without even consulting her? The thought sent her reeling.

Seeking solace, Clara wandered away from the festivities and sat under a tree, lost in thought. That's when she saw her mother and her heart skipped a beat. She rushed to her mother's side, ignoring the curious glances from the revelers.

"Mom, I've missed you so much!" Clara exclaimed, trying to hug her mother once more.

But her mother's response was icy. "You've missed me? Clara, how can you say that? You chose this life, my daughter. You sent me a message saying you were giving up on school and that you wanted to be a married woman. You told me you were grown up and didn't need education."

Clara was stunned, hatred and shock warring within her. Her mother's words cut deep, and Clara felt a pang of regret.

"You've disappointed me, Clara," her mother continued, her voice heavy with sorrow. "I educated you to break the generational curses, to be different. But it seems you've chosen to follow in their footsteps instead," she said looking at Clara's aunties.

Clara's mother's words hung in the air, laden with pain and disappointment. Clara's eyes welled up with tears as she tried to explain. "Mom, you know I would never do that to you."

But her mother's expression remained skeptical. "Then explain the messages you wrote to me," she pressed.

Clara was taken aback. "What messages are you talking about? I never wrote any message. I don't even have my phone."

Her mother's voice turned cold. "Clara quit the drama. Just admit that you've failed me, just as I've failed you as a mother."

Clara's heart sank. She felt like she was living in a nightmare. She turned to look at Joe, who was laughing and celebrating with their guests, oblivious to the tension between Clara and her mother. The festive atmosphere seemed to mock Clara, and the chilly evening air sent shivers down her spine.

The mother's parting words cut deep: "You're lucky I don't have my phone but we all know the truth. You quit school." As she spoke, Joe appeared, wrapping a jacket around Clara's shoulders. "My love, it's getting chilly. I don't want you to catch a cold."

Clara forced a smile, but her eyes never left her mother's retreating figure. "I'll bring you your remaining," her mother called out, disappearing into the crowd.

Clara's gaze lingered on the spot where her mother vanished. Joe's voice broke the spell: "Are you okay, my love?" Clara's expression turned icy. "Joe, how could you do this to me? How could you betray me like this?"You lied to my mom I know I didn't write any message.

Joe's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Mind your words, young lady," he growled. "You're now my wife. You'll address me with respect, like a submissive wife. Who do you think you are to question me?" His voice dripped with menace, and Clara felt a shiver run down her spine. He kissed her neck and he went to join those who were dancing and drinking.Clara walked into her house, searching for her mother. She found her in the bedroom, packing clothes into a suitcase. Clara's eyes widened as she asked, "Don't pack all of them, Mom. This is still my home. I'll come back i cant live with a monster forever ."

Her mother turned around, a mix of concern and skepticism on her face. "What is it, my child?" she asked.

Clara took a deep breath. "I never ran away from you, Mom. I don't even have my phone.That guy kidnapped me. He threatened to harm my friends and family if I didn't marry him."

Her mother's expression remained unconvinced. "Try calling my phone," Clara urged. Her mother dialed the number, but it went straight to voicemail. "The number you're trying to reach is not available."

Clara's desperation grew. "If I had a phone, Mom, wouldn't I have turned it on to take pictures on my rooro/ lobola day? You know i love pictures.You have to believe me. Joe is a monster."

But her mother shook her head. "You're lying, Clara. Look at Joe – he's a lovely , successful and a sweet guy."

Clara's tears began to fall. "That's what he wants you to believe ,Mom. But I know the truth. He's obsessed with me."

As Clara explained the events leading up to the wedding, her mother's expression softened. They sat on the bed together, Clara's words spilling out in a desperate bid for her mother to understand.

Finally, her mother wrapped her arms around Clara, holding her close. "Whatever this is, my child, I am with you." ‎

"Tell me, my child," her mother asked, "why are you leaving with him if he's as bad as you say? Why did you agree to marry him?"

Clara's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "We had no choice, Mom. I'll figure it out."

Her mother's expression turned worried. "But my child, I don't want to see you suffering."