Twice burned twice desired

Chapter One: I Will Pay You “If I don't get my money today, I will lock up this woman at the police station” one of the creditors said. “Your husband has been owing me for six months now and you do nothing about it, do you think I do charity with my money? You better find a way to get that money ready before I come back next time” Another creditor said as she pushed Sophia's mother to the ground. Aaah!!! She cried out out in pain. Sophia just returned and she stood at the gate witnessing everything. She ran to her mother immediately. “Mother, are you okay?”. Sophia inquired as tears ran down her eyes. She could see the pain in her mothers eyes. The embarrassment made her hide her face in her palm. “I know my family owes you people but please exercise some patience, I assure you, we will pay you your money” Sophia pleaded. “Did she just say she will pay us,” one of the creditors sarcastically and the rest laughed. “What patience are you talking about? we have been patient enough and now we want our money” “And how do you intend to pay us? Or do you want to pay us in kind,” asked one of the male creditors, staring at Sophia's beautiful face and skin. “What do you mean?” Sophia asked and they boast into laughter “ You are such a beautiful girl and you have lovely curves, if you can let us have a taste of you, we will forget about the money,” one of the creditors said sarcastically Sophia's mother raised her face and tightened her fist ready to punch any of them, she warned…. “Don't you dare touch my daughter, we are owing you and we will pay. If anyone of you should lay a finger on my daughter, then I will show you how much a mother loves her children.” Sophia who now understands the meaning of the words stood up releasing her mother from her embrace. Sophia's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward and walked very close to the creditors. “That my family owes you people is not enough for you to look down on us like this, we are not the first to owe people, so be careful what you say to me and my family” Sophia walked very close to the male creditors and stood in front of them, she asked, “Don't you have daughters at home?. Imagine someone say those words to your own daughter, how would you feel?” “Look at this child trying to lecture us even when they are owing us, look you better pay us.” One of the creditors said pointing at Sophia. “I would pay you your money, I only ask that you exercise some patience. And stop harassing my mother”. Sophia begged The creditors looked at each other with mixed feelings and one after the other they left murmuring to each other. While the creditors were gone, Sophia hugged her mother very tight, and they cried in each other's arms. “Sophia please forgive me and your Father for not giving you and your brother a better life.” “Mother don't say that, we love you two so much and we appreciate your love and care for us.” Sophia breaks free from her mother's embrace and wiped her tears with her palm. She said, holding her mother's face in her palms. “Mother, please don't cry I believe that this too shall pass, we will be okay again.” Inside the house Sophia's Father laid on the bed, he struggled to move his hands,and legs but couldn't, he felt helpless and ashamed of himself Earlier he heard everything the creditors said and how they spoke to his daughter. He felt his heart shrinking inside his chest as tears rolled down his face. “If only I can get free from this illness we will be happy again.” He thought to himself. Sophia helped her mother up from the ground and they went inside. Sophia sat close to her Father and held his hands, she noticed that his eyes are wet. “Father don't cry, we would get through this, just hang in there and have faith in me.” Sophia encouraged. She drew close and laid her head on her Father's chest. Her actions made her Father tear up the more. *********** The moon is very bright tonight that one would think it is morning already, Sophia thought to herself. Sophia could not sleep after what happened earlier from the creditors, she tossed from one side of the bed to the other with many thoughts in her head. “How do I pay the creditors? Where do I get money?”. These thoughts kept Sophia awake till the next morning. “Sophia! Sophia!! Sophia!!!. Goodness Sophia I have been calling for ages. What kind of friend would treat a friend like this?” “Sophia you look pale, and there are black spots on your eyes. Don't tell me you were awake all night watching romance movies.” Vanessa inquired Sophia remained in the same position, she kept mute, without any expression. “Sophia what's wrong? This is unlike you. You are not happy today,” Vanessa asked, sitting close to her. “The creditors were here yesterday and they harassed my mother and pushed her to the ground.” “What!! This is too much, these creditors are becoming more aggressive.”Venessa opened her mouth in shock. “ I promised to pay them their money.” Sophia spilled. Vanessa turned to her, held her shoulders and shook her body “Have you lost it Sophia? How can you make such a promise? Now tell me how do you intend to pay them?” “ I don't know Vanessa, I am confused. I thought about it all through the night” “And?” Vanessa asked curiously waiting for an answer. Knock, knock, came the voice of a young boy. “Good morning sister Sophia, good morning Miss Vanessa.” “Breakfast is ready, mom is calling you two to come downstairs.” “Alright Michael, we are coming.”Sophia replied. “Sophia we aren't done discussing yet.” Vanessa reminded her. “After breakfast Vanessa, I need to wash up so my mother doesn't find out I did not sleep at night.” Sophia replied as she headed to the bathroom.