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The project aims at looking beyond the smiles of the next person, to see what’s really beneath, what’s really going on? How people really need help and won’t bother saying anything about it but would rather cover it up with a façade of strength, with a smile.
It’s time to look beneath the smile and lend a helping hand. People are going through real things, these are their stories.

We hope that you’d be kind enough to leave a comment. Your feedback is important to us.

Today’s story was sent in by one of our readers, who has asked to stay Anonymous.

This is her story.

Please Read.

The ‘Beneath the Smile’ Project.

Hi, people! Though, I have a wordpress blog, I’ve never written anything because i don’t know what to start with. So, I’m not a writer and I apologise in advance if this story seems all over the place (not well-arranged). I came across this blog accidentally, but I’m glad I did because maybe I’ll finally get the inner peace I need by sharing my story.

I am heartbroken and no, it’s not by a boyfriend or just any guy but by my father.

I’m an only child and this is the reason: my father cheated on my mother for 12 years before eventually marrying another woman. He claimed he wanted another child. My mother has tried her possible best to get pregnant again and even had to undergo a surgical operation. My father is the same person who wouldn’t go to the hospital because “he knows he’s alright”… When I was 12, he told me to my face that if I do good or not, it’s my problem because he’ll soon have another child… Not bragging but I’m the kind of child some parents wish for because I performed very well in school. Anyways, i digress.

Years later, his wife is still child-less. Then, early last year, the transfer of aggression began. He hated me and my mum, as if we are the cause of his wife’s barrenness. He eventually packed out of the house but comes once in a while to cause series of problems but the final one was when he came to the house at night and he poured boiling soup on my legs ’cause I said I can’t go with him and I’d rather stay with my mum (who has catered for my needs)… What if it was my face????

It was like a dream and that was the end of it all because my mum couldn’t take it anymore and neither can I. The incident made me hate guys and I can’t let any guy close even if I like him, I always think he’d end up like my father.

I am fatherless without having a dead father.
I wish I didn’t have the recurring nightmares.
I wish I had my father back.

Even with the much love I get around me, it’s still not enough. I’m not happy but I have to stay strong for my mum.
A friend told me recently that I smile a lot but Beneath My Smile is a broken-hearted girl who wishes for a better life.

I hope this gets published because I think it’s going to help me overcome the pain in my heart.

• • •

Don’t just read, say a prayer.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

N.B. The project goes on with Tomorrow’s ’Her Story, XXXIII’ by an Anonymous writer.

You can still send in your own true stories to obafuntay@gmail.com

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