IMPERFECT TIES

Chapter one: Shattered silence

Alzira froze by the cracked open door, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't supposed to be eavesdropping, but the words drifting through the thin walls pulled her in like a magnet.

Her mother's voice, strong but firm whispered from the other side, "I've thought about it long and hard mama, her father can come and stay with us."

The air went thick and cold. Her breath hitched. She blinked back the sudden sting in her eyes- Her father, the one who'd been gone most of her life, the one whose shadow still haunted the corners of her past- was coming back?

The kitchen clock ticked louder than usual, a fist forming in her hands as anger formed in her chest. Every memory she tried to bury clawed it's way to the surface, the angry shouts, the doors slamming, the bruises she and her mother wore in places no one can see...

Alzira pushed the doors open, stepping into the dimly lit room " You're letting him come back!?" Her voice cracked like thunder in the quiet room.

Her mother's eyes flickered towards her guarded "It's not in your place to question me."

" But after everything, you want him here? Alzira's hands shook " You know what he did, to you, to me!"

Her mother's jaw tightened." We f*****g need him alzira. we need his money. For now, baby. It's not forever. "

Alzira's chest tightened." You don't care about me. You never did".

The room thickened with tension, breath caught in the silence between them. Her mother's lips pressed into a thin line and for a moment, Alzira thought she would say something, something to fix the broken pieces - But then the doorbell came.

Her heart stopped.

Her mother's face tightened.

But then her mother walked right past her to open the door.

And there he was. Her father. Older. Worn. But still the same dark eyes that had haunted her nights. He stepped inside, carrying a cold smile that made alzira's skin crawl.

"Alzira" His voice hoarse and cold. " You should come hug me. Your father's home" He said as he stepped closer to her and she walked back, her eyes teary.

"Get the f**k away from me!" She said as she stormed away, into her room.

**************************************************

The days that followed were worse than the silence that filled the house before. She tossed and turned on her bed as anger filled her chest. This was her routine. Anger blooming in her chest as she tucks herself in bed and anger blooming in her chest as she wakes to the rays of sunlight seeping into her room through her cracked windows.

She got out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make some tea for herself. Life since Davis, her father got into her house has been dull and shattered. As the kettle noise rattled in the kitchen, he walked in.

"Davis, why are you here?" Alzira asked, nervous. She made to walk out but he grabbed her hands and pinned her to the wall.

"Argh" She grunted as his fingers grazed her skin

" You've been locking yourself in that damn room, baby. You don't wanna see your daddy?" He whispered into her ears as she struggled to pull free.

"You are not my father. Get your hands off me!" She said to him as she whined to pull out from his hold.

"Don't fight me". he whispered, voice thick with menace.

She twisted and pushed, struggling to break free. but his grip was like that of iron. Thick . strong. painful.

" please" She pleaded, heart hammering in terror " Don't hurt me, please"

He leaned in, and for a moment time slowed . The cold of his breath sent a shiver down her spine.

Then with all the strength she could find, Alzira shoved him away, stepping back, " No, stay away!"

His eyes darkened and his voice grew into a dangerous growl, " You'll regret this, girl."

Alzira didn't wait for what might come next, she ran out of the kitchen, tears streaming and barged into her mother's room, slamming the door behind her.

"Mom! Mom he tried to touch me.... !" Her voice cracked like a whip in the stillness.

Her mother jerked up from the bed, her eyes wide, staring at her with an unreadable stare.

"Alzira, don't be ridiculous." She said flatly" You're making this up."

"Mama I'm not! He's in there. He tried to f*****g touch me!" Her voice broke as she tried to get her mother to understand.

Her mother stood from the bed and for a moment, alzira thought she was going out to confront the beast, but instead her mother came to her and landed her a heavy slap.

" Stop this nonsense, why are you trying so hard to tear this family apart?!" Her mother said as her face was stern with anger and disgust.

Alzira's cheeks burned where her mother's hands landed. Pain mixed with betrayal flooded her. How could the woman who was supposed to protect her turn her away because of a man?

" Mom ,you slapped me?!". alzira asked in disbelief as she stared at her mother, tears dripping from her cheeks.

"And I will again if u don't keep that damn mouth of yours closed!"

"Get out of my room." Her mother screamed at her.

As she made to leave, the door creaked open and her father walked inside.

"Baby what's happening here?" He asked ,his face filled with concern as he looked between them both....

" Oh nothing baby, it's just a mother and daughter issue. Alzira was just about to leave." Her mother said as she stared at Alzira, ushering her to leave.

Alzira stared at her father in disbelief as he put up a coy smile.

" Are you okay ?" Davis said as he made to come close to her

"Don't you dare!!" Alzira growled at him as she stumbled out of the room, the silence between them now shattered - but in a way more painful than before.

She walked out the door slamming hard into the wall.