FREEDOM AT A PRIZE

The room was flooded with overwhelming happiness. Mel was never this happy in her entire life. She couldn't even pack properly everything was a mess, she couldn't careless though cos she was moving out to college after all. She looked at her two full suitcases and did a little dance! Hope am not forgetting anything ; she thought. She had on a dark green dress with tiny white flowers and a white coat she usually wears to church. She did not own anything from long dresses and skirts , not that she was ashamed of her clothes but she knew no one in college wore what she called clothes. She looked at the huge bedroom mirror one more time and thought; 'Not bad!' Melody Augustine was your average height girl standing about 1.58 meters , thin waist, not too wild hips and an angel face. She is 18 and had soft curly black hair about shoulder length. She had a very fair and smooth skin from a girl born from african family, you could easly mistake her for a mixedrace descendent .She wore glasses most of the time because she was short sighted, other than that she was beautiful indeed. She is the last born of a very strict head of ministries James Augustine and an equally strict mother Susan Augustine. She has 2 older brothers who's are also studying to be pastors not because they liked it but because they'll do anything to please their parents especially their mother, whom never fails to remind every one of her sacrifices she made, for them to be who they are today. back in the bedroom Mel sigh; 'Hhhm! ' She kneels down next to her bed and looks in her bedroom once again and start praying for safe travelling. Once she was finished she took her luggage and went to her parents who were waiting for her in the family living room. Mom! Dad! I am ready! Did you pray? ; that was her mother an uptight 43 years lady that was forced to give in to her father's arranged marriage to Mel's Dad. And now everybody was in the receiving end of her wrath and hate. She asked not even bothering to look up from what ever she was reading. Her mother was always angry, she really sympathized with her, she did but sometimes it was just too much. Yes mom I did ; She could not wait to go away from it all! the chores, the constant daily prayers. Not that she was tired of praying but she wanted not to feel obligated and forced to do it in every passing hour. The constant nagging of her mother about how bad the college can be and how she must always be a good girl and never embarrass the family was also weighing on her soul very much. Alright put your bags in the car , I will drop you off the bus station. Her father was the man of few words. He only said what was needed of him and he'll be quiet. He went in their bedroom to retrieve the car keys and went outside to start the car and off they went. There was maddening silence in the car and Mel couldn't wait to be alone in the bus.They arrived in the station without no one saying anything, though she could feel her father wanted to say something. She open the passenger door to go out, before she could her father spoke. hhmm! She froze in the sport, waiting on what her father had to say. I know we can be a bit to much sometimes but we only want what is best for you. I want you to go in there focus and make us proud.i know you said you don't want to stay with us and study ministry like your brothers but maybe its not the bad idea afteall me and you mother knows what's best for our childr... Mel couldn't take it anymore because she knew where this was going. Her parents have stopped at nothing to try and talk her out of college. She was damn tired of it all, she wanted to make friends, have a damn bestfriend let alone finding her self and her interests! she wants to study what made her happy, be free like any other kids. Was that too much to ask? Dad please! we have talked about this already. I am going to be fine and I will behave dont worry! She said that and got out of the car to take her luggage out of the truck of her father's old Mercedes. Her father was fuming! She did not even let him finish what he was trying to say. Who does she think she is? Just because she was letting her persuade what ever she wanted do study did not give her an authority to speak to him how ever! She just went out like he was not saying anything at all. The nerve off this child! He held the starringwheel like his life depended on it. He was seething, seeing red if you may call it. Seeing this Mel did not want to even come closer to the car, so she shouted her goodbye from a distance. Goodbye Dad! send my regards to mom ! She waved her hand and turn, grateful to see the bus was already on the stand. She went and put the luggage in, scanned the ticket and sat down. She looked outside and saw her fathers car take off with so much power and aggresiveness as it barrel down the narrow gravel station road ! All she could do was hope for the best. She did a small prayer before the bus could take off! Hear me out oh Lord , I don't know how it will all go but You've never failed me, and you won't start now. Amen! 'Attention all passengers! please be seated we are about to take off and please keep your windows closed I have the aircon on! ' The bus driver announced! Hhhmmm! it's now or never Mel you can do this baby girl. she sigh and self motivated!