Redeemed

The sound of plates hitting the kitchen counter woke Amara. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the faded ceiling above her bed; she stared for a few seconds. Another plate clattered against the kitchen counter, then came Grace's voice "Amara!" She sighed in frustration. Of course! She pushed herself off the bed, looking at the small clock beside her mattress; it was barely six in the morning. She had been studying until almost midnight. Not because she had an examination or anyone had asked her to But she just couldn't let the years she had wasted become completely meaningless. Amara had never been allowed to attend university. According to Grace, education was a luxury for girls with rich parents. According to her father,r there had simply never been any money. But Amara had been sure there had to be another way. She folded the thin blanket on her bed and placed it neater at the foot of her mattress. "Amara!" "I'm coming." She hurried out of the room. The small house was already filled with the smell of fried eggs and onions. Her father sat silently at the dining table as he looked at his phone; his shirt was wrinkled, and there were dark shadows underneath his eyes. David Williams looked older than his forty-eight years. Amara stopped when she saw him. "Dad?" He looked up, and for a moment his tired face seemed to soften. "Is everything okay?" "I don't know." Amara hesitated. "Dad?" "Hmm?" "Can I ask you something?" "Anything." "Do you still remember what I wanted to study?" David smiled. "Business administration." Her face brightened. "You remember." "Of course I remember." "When I was eighteen, you promised if things improved you would help me to go to university." David avoided her gaze; the smile vanished from his face. "I remember." "And?" He rubbed his forehead. "Things haven't improved." Amara's heart sank. "I know." "I've tried." "I know, Dad." "Your mother's medical bills before she died..." His voice trailed off; he spoke even more quietly "...then the shop failed, then the debts." "I understand." "I wanted better for you." "I know." David looked at his daughter. "You deserve better than this." Amara smiled sadly. "Then let me work." David shook his head. "No." "Why?" Because I don't want you to struggle as I did." "But I'm already struggling." David didn't say anything. Amara sat beside him. "Dad, I'm twenty-two. I don't need you to give me everything; just give me a chance." David looked at her; there was something pained in his look. "I'll find a way." Amara wanted to believe him; she really did. But she had heard those words before. I'll find a way. Soon. When things improve. Maybe next year. Those promises had followed her from seventeen to twenty-two, five long years. Five years of waiting. Five years of watching girls she knew graduate from university while she had remained at home. Five years of being told her dreams could wait. She stood. "I'll finish the dishes." David nodded as Amara returned to the kitchen; he didn't see the woman who had been eavesdropping on the conversation from just outside the house. Grace had ended the phone call; she was staring into the dining room window, her expression cold. "Twenty-two," she whispered. Then smiled. "Old enough." She looked at her phone; a new message had appeared. Is she ready? Grace typed her reply. She doesn't know anything yet. A second message appeared almost instantly. And David? Grace looked at her husband, who sat alone at the table, staring at the floor. She smiled. He'll agree. Leave him to me. She deleted the messages as she slipped her phone into her handbag and returned inside. Amara was still washing the dishes. "Amara." "Yes?" "Your father and I need to discuss something with you tonight." Amara turned. "What is it?" "Nothing you need to worry about." "Is Dad okay?" Grace smiled. "He's fine." There was something about the smile that made Amara feel uneasy; she turned back towards the sink. "Okay." Grace watched her for another second or so before walking away. Amara didn't know it, but the discussion she would have with her father that evening would change everything. By the time the sun had set, the house was unusually quiet. David got home later than usual; he looked tired. Grace had made him dinner, something that in itself should have made Amara suspicious, because Grace rarely ever made anything for her. "Sit down," Grace said. Amara looked at her father; he avoided her gaze, and it made her stomach knot. "Dad?" "Sit, sweetheart." She slowly pulled out a chair; David sat opposite her. Grace remained standing for a few seconds; nobody said anything. Then David cleared his throat. "Amara..." She waited, her heart beating faster. "I've received an opportunity today." "What kind of opportunity?" Grace stepped forward. "It's about your future." Amara's eyebrows drew together. "My future?" David nodded. "Yes." Grace smiled. "A very good future." Amara looked at both of them. "What are you talking about?" David opened his mouth, but no words came out; Grace replied for him. "There's a family interested in you." Amara looked at her. "A family?" "Yes." "For what?" Grace's smile widened. "Marriage." The room seemed to go completely silent. Amara looked at her father; he didn't meet her eyes, and her heart pounded in her chest. "Dad?" David finally looked at her; the words he spoke next frightened her. "I'm sorry." "Sorry for what?" David swallowed. "They've made an offer." Amara slowly stood. "What kind of offer?" Grace's voice was calm. "They will help settle your father's debts." Amara stared at her. "And in exchange?" Grace smiled. "You will become part of their family." Amara's face went pale. "No." David closed his eyes. "Amara..." "No." She shook her head. "You can't be serious." Grace's expression hardened. "Watch your tone." Amara ignored her; she looked straight at her father. "You promised me." David's eyes were full of guilt. "I know." "You promised you'd find a way." "I thought this might be the way." Amara's eyes were filled with tears. "This isn't a way." Her voice broke. "It's my life." Nobody said anything, and in the silence, Amara realized something terrible: her father had already made his decision; he had just yet to tell her. Outside the house, Grace's phone vibrated in her handbag. She looked at the message. The agreement is ready. Grace looked at Amara, then smiled. Amara didn't see it; she was watching the man she had trusted slowly become a stranger.