LAUGHTER

Chapter 3 The price we had to pay

Annabelle's POV

A whole year had passed since Bella and I moved into my uncle's house.Life had changed in ways I never imagined possible.My parents savings were gone,my uncle said,and so I was forced to transfer to a government school.The fees at my former private school,the one my parents worked so hard to pay for were now "too much of a burden"

Bella's fate was even harsher.She stopped schooling completely.At just fifteen,her textbooks were traded for trays of sachet water,and every day she walked the scorching streets with sweat dripping down her face,calling out for customers.My heart broke every time I saw her return home,exhausted and barefoot,but my uncle and his wife never seemed to care.

In that house,Bella and I were treated like we didn't belong.My cousins,once my playmates,now ignored me completely.They went to one of the best private schools in town,chauffeured to class in neat uniforms while I walked to my crowded government school.They didn't lift a finger at home either.All the chores were left for Bella and me,as if we were servants,not family.

My uncle's first son was already twenty,fresh out of university but jobless and arrogant.His second child,a girl of seventeen,was preparing for her high school final exams.And then there were the twins, Paul and Paulina,both my age,both getting ready to write the same middle school exams as me.Long story short,they hated us.They mocked Bella,they mocked me,and their mother encouraged it.

Now,my own middle school exam was fast approaching,and I needed to register.The fee was twenty three thousand.Twenty three thousand,that was the price of my future,the ticket to sit for an exam that would determine whether or not I moved forward in life.

That evening,I waited for my uncle to return from work.My heart pounded as I rehearsed the words in my head.When I heard his car pull up,I gathered my courage and stood before him as he entered the living room.

"Uncle,welcome"I began softly."I… I wanted to ask you for the money for my middle school exams"

He dropped his briefcase and loosened his tie.His voice was calm,almost too calm."How much is it?"

"Twenty three thousand,sir"I replied,clasping my hands together.

Before he could speak,his wife cut in with a sneer that made my stomach twist.“Honey,we don't have that kind of money.The only money we have is forty six thousand,and that is for Paul and Paulina's exams.”

I looked at my uncle,hoping for some trace of kindness,some reminder that I was his brother's daughter.But all he said was,“Did you hear my wife?There's no money.So,there's only one thing you could do…”

My chest tightened.I already knew what was coming.

"Ahh,Uncle,I can't do that now,"I protested weakly,my eyes stinging.He wanted me to join Bella in the streets,selling water under the burning sun, saving naira by naira to pay for my exams.

From behind,Bella's voice rose,trembling but firm. “Sir,please… let her stay at home.Use the money I make to save up and pay for her fees.”

Immediately,my aunt exploded."No!You see? You people pamper her too much,that's why she can't do anything.Whether you both like it or not,she will sell water.She will make that money.In fact"her finger stabbed the air in my direction"you start tomorrow."

And just like that,the verdict was sealed.

My education had a price tag,and the payment was sweat,humiliation,and the kind of childhood no one should endure.

Life took a sharp turn after Bella and I were forced to hawk water in the scorching sun. Every day, with trays balanced carefully on our heads, we walked through crowded streets, calling out to strangers who were often too busy to notice us. Sometimes I would stay behind in the shop, arranging goods and pretending to be busy while Bella moved from one corner of the road to another, chasing after buses and cars to make a few sales.

Whatever profit we made,I handed over faithfully to my uncle's wife each evening.She would collect it without a smile,as though it was her right.At times,passersby,touched by pity,gave Bella and I little money.Those we did not surrender.We hid them carefully in a small corner of the shop,saving them against the long nights when no food was served at home.

After several weeks of saving,I sat down one evening and calculated the money I had been giving to my aunt.My heart swelled with hope the money was finally complete according to my calculations. That evening,I approached my uncle's wife and told her with excitement that the savings were ready.

She barely looked at me.

"Okay,"she muttered and disappeared inside.

Five minutes later,her voice pierced through the house like thunder.She raised an alarm,screaming that the money had been stolen.My blood ran cold.I stood frozen,not knowing whether to cry or to plead.

Suddenly,her eyes darted toward me.

"It's you! It's you and this Bella of a witch! You two stole the money!"