The Gangster wife

The Gangster Wife

Chapter 1: That Time of the Month

They insist that a girl should still attend school while on her period, just as a woman is expected to show up for work. “It’s just nature,” they say.“Women tend to exaggerate.”But they have never experienced what I experience.

Every month, when this time comes, I find myself begging God to make the pain disappear. It feels as though I am fighting for my final breath. It is the kind of pain I would not wish upon my worst enemy. Overcome with frustration, I sweep all the books off my small table. They crash onto the floor, pages scattering everywhere.

I groan and toss restlessly on my bed, unable to find a comfortable position. Minutes later, the nausea becomes unbearable. I quickly lean over the chamber and vomit. My younger sister,

Prudy, rushes into the room.“Sis!” she cries, hurrying to my side.She gently pats my back before helping me settle onto the bed.

“Sis, I don’t want to leave you alone like this,” she whispers, worrying, filling her voice.“You can’t miss your exam,” I managed to say weakly. “You have to go. I’ll be okay.”Prudy looks at me uncertainly.

She clearly doesn’t believe me, but she knows how important her exam is.After hesitating by the doorway for a few seconds, she finally walks out.

BRIGHT MINDS HIGH SCHOOL

**MATRIC — FINAL YEAR**

At the school gate, Prudy runs into Miss Daisy, our new English teacher.Miss Daisy is only twenty-three young, graceful, and observant. She always seems to notice things other people overlook.“Hi, Prudy,” she greets her with a smile. “Where is your sister today?”

“Hi, ma’am. My sister isn’t feeling well today. She asked me to let you know that she won’t be attending your lesson.”Miss Daisy’s smile fades slightly.“What’s wrong with her? Prudy hesitates before answering.“It’s that time of the month.”The school bell rings sharply.“I’m sorry, ma’am. I have to go,” Prudy says quickly before hurrying toward her classroom.

4:00 PM — HOME

Prudy should be home soon.The moment the thought crosses my mind, another severe cramp tears through my stomach.

“Aah!”I groan as I slide off the bed and onto the floor.The pain is so intense that I can barely stand.I lift the edge of my top slightly and press my bare stomach against the cold cement. The chill provides a small amount of relief.

So I stay there.Trembling.Waiting for the pain to ease.Then I hear the front door open.A few moments later, the door to my bedroom opens.I assume it is Prudy, so I don’t bother looking up.“Why are you sleeping on the floor?”My heart skips.That voice doesn’t belong to Prudy.Slowly, I lift my head.

Miss Daisy stands in the doorway, staring at me with an expression of shock and concern.Before I can gather enough strength to answer, Prudy speaks from behind her.“Ma’am, it helps her a little when the cold touches her stomach.”

Miss Daisy looks down at me, her expression softening.“I didn’t realize it was this serious.”Before I can respond, another wave of nausea rises inside me.

I quickly crawl toward the chamber and vomit.Miss Daisy immediately kneels beside me.Her hand moves gently across my back as she waits for me to finish.

When I finally lift my head, she pulls a dusty-pink handkerchief from her pocket and gently wipes my lips.

Our eyes meet.For a moment, everything around me seems to disappear.There is something about the way she looks at me so gentle, so concerned—that makes my heart flutter.Then, completely against my better judgment, a thought enters my mind.I imagine my lips brushing against hers.

My eyes widened.“Oh my goodness, Hope. What are you thinking?She is your teacher!”Reality snaps back into place, and I quickly look away.I’m eighteen years old, in my final year of matric, only weeks away from graduation.But she is still my teacher.

Miss Daisy helps me to my feet and puts me toward the sofa beside my bed.“Is there anything you need?” she asks softly.I shake my head.I’m too exhausted to speak.She notices me struggling to lie down and immediately helps me, carefully placing a pillow behind my back.She looks at me with pity.

It is the same look Prudy gives me whenever I’m like this as though she wishes she could take the pain from me, but knows there is

nothing she can do. Unfortunately I have to carry this pain on my own. I force a small smile, hoping to reassure her.It doesn’t work.Her worried expression remains.

A few minutes later, Prudy returns after clearing the chamber.“Ma’am, it’s okay. I’ll take over from here.”“Since I’m already here, let me stay and help,” Miss Dais replies.Prudy looks at her uncertainly.“Are you sure, ma’am?”“Yes, I’sure.”Prudy smiles gratefully.“Then I’ll be in the kitchen making dinner.”

She walks away.Miss Daisy turns her attention back to me.“I brought some cooling relief gel. It might help ease the ache. May I apply it?”She waits patiently for my permission.I nod faintly.She carefully keeps my clothing in place and applies the gel over my top, gently massaging my lower stomach.

The cool sensation spreads across my abdomen.For the first time in what feels like hours, my body begins to relax.I close my eyes and take a deep breath.“My bubbly, fierce girl,” Miss Daisy murmurs softly.I open my eyes slightly.“The girl who is always smiling and talking endlessly in class…”She pauses, her voice becomingquieter.“To see you like this so weak and in pain…”Her words fade as a memory comes rushing back.

BRIGHT MINDS HIGH SCHOOL — FIRST MEETING

Footsteps hurry up behind Miss Daisy.“Good morning, Miss Daisy!”She turns around.“Good morning,” she replies.I grin at her.“I’m Hope. You’re going to be my new English teacher.”Miss Daisy raises an eyebrow.“Hello, Hope. How did you know my name?”“I heard the other teachers calling you,” I say.

Then I look her up and down curiously.“I didn’t expect you to be this young.”She laughs softly.“Well, I’m not as young as you think, Hope.”I smile.“I’ll see you in class, ma’am.”I wave before walking away. Miss Daisy watches me go, smiling to herself.

PRESENT DAY

The memory fades.Back in the present, I slowly drift to sleep as Miss Daisy continues soothing my stomach. In my hazy state, I feel something soft, a gentle kiss on my forehead, Protective. Almost maternal.The kind of kiss a mother gives a sick child.

I remain asleep.Miss Daisy slowly rises from the sofa and quietly leaves the bedroom.In the living room, she finds Mrs. Adams.“Good evening, Mrs. Adams. I’m Daisy, Hope’s English teacher,” she introduces herself with a warm smile.Mrs. Adams smiles.

“It’s lovely to finally meet you. Hope mentions you quite often.”“Only good things, I hope,” Miss Daisy says lightly.“She speaks very highly of you, rest assured.”Miss Daisy smiles.

“I was on my way home, but I decided to stop by and drop off Hope’s notes for her upcoming exam. She missed school today, so I thought they might be useful.”

“That is incredibly kind of you. Thank you so much.”“It’s my pleasure.”Miss Daisy glances toward the bedroom.

“I should get going now."“Goodbye, ma’am. Thank you for today,” Prudy calls from the kitchen.“Goodbye, Prudy. I’ll see you at school.”Miss Daisy gives Mrs. Adams one last smile before walking out.

The door closes gently behind her.And none of us know that this simple visit will be the beginning of something that will change Hope’s life forever.