GONE ASTRAY
EPISODE2
My house was a 5 minute drive from the church, We arrived in no time. The catechist jumped off the bike, with like a professional high jumper.
The look on his face was one of excitement rather than anger, i couldn’t understand why. He banged repeatedly on the gate with so much vigor, as if he was trying to drive a nail through it with his bare palm.
“Yes? Coming” , an obviously irritated voice replied from the compound.
The gate flew open, and i was surprise to see Osas. How did he get home before me? I wondered. He too was bewildered to see me soaked in tears, with the catechist maintaining a firm grip on my hand, as if I was a criminal.
“Goodevening sir” he muttered.
“is your father at home?” The catechist queried…..
yes but……
He interrupted before Osas could finish the statement. He pushed him out of the way, and dragged me along, i was already sobbing uncontrollably. Osas locked the gate quickly, and ran after us.
The sitting room door flew open, there was my father. He was lying on the sofa with a copy of the “awake” magazine covering his face. His glasses Hung on his nose. He was so engrossed to notice who just entered the sitting room.
” Epa dormon” the catechist greeted in Benin language.
My father recognized the voice, and quickly sat up on the sofa. He turned around, and immediately saw me crying behind the catechist, sobbing loudly. He sprang up from his seat, and rushed towards me.
“Ella, are you ok? Where have you been, what happened to you?.
The catechist jumped in.
“Epa, you won’t believe were i saw your daughter just now. This small girl is now a LovePeddler”
my father was startled, a look of confusion enveloped his face.
” what is he talking about?” He quizzed, directing a stern gaze at me.
The catechist continued. ” you know that house we are building for reverend father, the one at the other end of our compound. I have been going there to inspect the place for more than one month now, each time i go there every Saturday morning, i always pick up condom sachet, and even used condoms. So today i said i must go and see what is happening there every Friday. Epa as i got there, behold! i saw your daughter, with that useless boy, eh eh Ehiagwina’s son. He was enjoying himself ontop of your daughter. Chai, see the way your daughter was shouting like a female dog. Even when i wanted to correct them, the boy started fighting me”………
“Enough!” Thundered my father. He turned towards me with blood shut eyes,
“Ella, so you have decided to disgrace me? After all my discipline?”……
No daddy i did not….
A slap landed on my cheeks before i could finish. I had barely recovered from the shock of the slap, before my father took off his slippers and began to give me the beating of my life. I tried to run away, but daddy grabbed hold of me, threw me to the floor and kicked me.
” you want to bring shame to my name? You want to make me a laughing-stock? So this is why you wanted to go to practice alone eh? So that you can sleep with that . You refused to come home with your brother. I will kill you before you disgrace me. Foolish “.
I was on the floor, writhing and screaming in pain.
My immediate elder brother Ighalo rushed out from his room. My agonizing screams must have alerted him. He rushed straight at me on the floor, and shielded me from my father’s wrath and slippers.
“Ighalo get out of my sight, let me kill this LovePeddler” dad roared.
“No, daddy, It’s enough, she is the only sister i have, maybe you should kill two of us.” Ighalo fired back.
Dad struck him in the head with the slippers, before putting it back on.
“your mother will continue from where i stopped when she returns from work” he said, As he made his way towards his room.
Ighalo helped me up to my feet, the catechist and Osas were nowhere in sight. as he carried me off to my bedroom.
I laid motionless on my bed, staring at the ceiling with tears falling freely from my eyes. my whole body ached. A lot of thoughts rushed through my mind.
I was guilty, but the catechist exaggerated the story. Daddy did not even listen to me. He now thinks i am a LovePeddler. Well maybe mummy will listen to me, she will understand that i am not a bad girl….so I thought, but little did I know that another surprise awaited me!
I must have been in the room for close to two hours, lost in my own thoughts. I wasn’t crying anymore. A blank stare registered on my face.
My door flew open suddenly, the sound of the door knob slapping the opposite wall jolted me back to reality. I must have been so carried away, I didn’t notice she had returned from work.
She hasn’t undressed at all, she was still wearing her white three-piece suit and trousers. It was her uniform She is a nurse, who runs her own maternity somewhere in the heart of Benin city.
Her presence brought about another round of tears. I actually thought she was going to pet me, or at least listen to anything i had to say.
But the look on her face told a different story. It was a look of indignation and outright disappointment. She stood there looking at me for a few seconds before she finally spoke
“so you have started sleeping with those small small boys in church abi?”
“Mummy i did not…..”
“shut up”
“it wasn’t……. ”
“Keep quite, i said! Now tell me, how long have you been sleeping with him?”
“Mummy, it’s a lie, i didn’t sleep with anyone, i have not done it before I’m a virgin, i swear….i replied, crying, hoping my tears would convince her.
“hmmm, we will see about that, I’m coming” she said, as she walked away from my room.
I stayed on my bed, confused, and wondering what my mum was up to. I couldn’t tell if she believed me or not. At least she hasn’t added to my father’s torture,……yet.
Twenty minutes passed, i must have been falling asleep when my door flew open again. My mum was back. She had taken off her uniform. She was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. She was clutching on to a pair of surgical gloves. Gently, she locked the door, and began to wear the gloves.
A lot ran through my mind. Why did she lock my door? What does she need surgical gloves for? Today was the day all my affection for my mum died! .
Take off your pant and spread your legs”, my mum ordered.
“But why?” i inquired
“you said you are a virgin abi? Oya let me check whether your hymen is still intact”
Those words hit me like a bolt of lightning. The very thought of my mum inspecting my virgin hole infuriated me. My countenance changed, i started to cry again.
“No mum, you can’t do that, It’s degrading. I won’t let you touch me”
“Osas! Ighalo! Come here” my mum shouted from my room.
” if you won’t co-operate with me, i ll tell them to hold you down for me, It’s either me and you, or you allow all the men in this house to see your unclothedness today”
Osas and Ighalo were already outside my door, inquiring why my mum wanted them. My crying intensified, a feeling of frustration enveloped me.
“Oya I’m waiting, or should i open the door for them?” My mum said impatiently.
Slowly, i took off my panties from underneath my skirt, with tears gushing out of my eyes in torrents.
I laid still, and moved my legs apart. My mum buried her head between my legs, i could feel her fingers. What she was looking for, or hoping to find I had no idea.
By the time she was through, i wasn’t crying anymore. My countenance changed. It wasnt just sadness anymore. I was bitter. A feeling of anger and hatred overwhelmed me.
My mum, propped herself up, and walked away, without saying a word to me. She probably discovered i had told the truth, but pride and shame won’t let her apologize.
I turned around and looked at the wall clock, it was almost 1am, i have been deep in thought for hours. My mind went over the day’s activities.
My parents have locked me in a cage, my mum humiliated me. My father wants to kill me. I felt alone and depressed.
There was only one ray of sunshine for me today. Somebody loves me. He told me himself. I had never felt so loved before.
Despite all that happened today, i ll do anything to get that kiss again, to fall helplessly into his caring arms.
He ll be my shoulder to cry on. I must see Ehis again, no matter what it takes. He alone can help me find happiness in this little world of mine.
But how do i escape from the watchful eyes of my parents? I know after today, dad will never allow me attend practice again. But i must find a way, i know just the right people who can help me. Ruth and Hannah. I can’t wait to see them.
I spent my Saturday in isolation, i barely came out of my room or talked to anybody. The only person who bordered to find out how i was doing was Ighalo. My mum only came to remind me to eat.
Sunday came along with a lot of promise for me. The thought of seeing Ehis again put a smile on my face. I felt that usual flutter inside me again. I kept wondering how i would see him without my parents finding out.
I got up slowly from my bed, and walked lazily to the sitting room. My family had already started morning devotion. I found some space beside Ighalo.
All through the prayer, i merely mumbled some incoherent words. My mind and heart were far removed from the prayer. All i could think about was meeting Ehis again.
The devotion ended. I got up quickly, hoping to dash out of sight before anyone noticed my presence.
“Ella come back here, we are not finished with you” my father’s voice halted me in my strides.
I turned around with a frown on my face, and hands folded across my chest. My parents had already taken up seats side by side.
“sit down,” my mum ordered.
” I’m ok like this” i replied, looking upwards with disgust. I have never replied my parents like this before. I guess times have changed.
My father cleared his throat and continued.
“You have now decided to bring shame upon me. To the extent that you now sleep with small boys in the house of God…..”
“daddy i did not…….”
“shut up!” My dad shouted, getting up from his seat,
” if you interrupt me again i ll break your head” he thundered.
As menacing as he sounded, i was largely unflustered. The anger that had built up in my heart far exceeded the fear I had for my father.
“hence forth”, he continued, in a harsh and authoritative tone. ” you will not go to that practice again. Infact go and tell them you are no longer an altar girl”
“Apart from church and school, do not leave this house to any place. If I see you with that useless boy, or any boy for that matter, i ll kill both you with my bare hands………silly child”
” okay, is that all?” I asked, in a mocking tone.
“My friend get out of here” my mum replied, obviously irritated by my demeanor.
I turned around, and walked lazily towards my bathroom. I wasn’t ready to do any house chores. Whoever wanted me to work, will have to kill me first, i resolved in my heart. Thankfully, nobody disturbed me.
I returned from the bathroom, with a towel tied around my body.
I stood in front of my mirror, For once i appreciated how pretty i was.
I opened my drawer, and brought out all my make up accessories, which in total included a comb, face powder and body cream. My mum wouldn’t allow anything else. I applied everything meticulously, making sure it was all perfect.
I looked through my wardrobe, searching for my favourite gown. It was a blue dinner gown, tailor made to my body. It brought out my exact shape, and had a way of making my bosoms look big.
I stared at the mirror, turning from side to side, making sure I looked perfect. I wanted Ehis to admire me today, if i get the chance to meet him.
It was all perfect, as i stepped outside to meet my parents in the car outside. My mum had her eyes fixed on me, as i took every step towards the car. I could guess exactly what was going on in her mind. We zoomed off. Today, i ll find a way to out smart my parents. I had an ally.
We got to church quite early, as it is our usual tradition. The compound was already bubbling with life. Different brands of cars packed around, reflecting the social status of the parishioners.
The entire compound was saturated with human activities, hawkers and petty traders displayed their wares anywhere it would be visible.
People walking to and fro the walk ways, dressed in different attires. Some were simple and elegant like me, others were extravagant and flashy. Some modest and decent, others wild and provocative.
This was a typical Sunday service, the good, the bad and the ugly all meet here, some to worship the lord, some for entirely different reasons.
Which group do I belong to? I wasn’t sure anymore. I used to be a good girl, but the thoughts that have preoccupied my mind for the past two days, makes me doubt my own self.
Normally, everyone will go his separate way as soon as we arrived. My mum and dad would find a seat, Osas will meet up with the man servants, while i join the altar girls. Ighalo was always a freelancer.
As i alighted from the car, i made towards the entrance to the church hall.
“did you not hear what i said this morning”? My dad said rather loudly.
“you are sitting next to me hence forth”
I did not want to cause a scene, so i stopped and waited for them.
My parents had a knack for picking seats at the front. This means i had to walk almost the entire length of the hall. The different eyes staring at me made me shy. I scanned through the audience hoping to catch sight of Ehis.
Mid way through the hall, i spotted Ruth among the crowd. I fixed my eyes firmly on her, hoping she would turn towards my direction.
She sighted me from her position. I’m very sure she would have come towards me, if my parents weren’t in front of me. My mum hated Ruth and Hannah. They weren’t the most decent of girls anyway.
She made a sign with her hand, to notify me that she will get in touch.
I marched along with my parents, with my head up high, trying not to notice the eyes staring at me.
We got a seat at the front row and settled in, waiting for service to start. Friends and well wishers stopped by to greet my parents. I was really uncomfortable sitting beside them.
My eyes kept roving about the hall, hoping to see Ehis. He was nowhere to be found.
I turned round, to look directly behind me, i scanned face after face discreetly.
A little tap on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I turned round to see who it was.
It was Osato, my little friend. Though just 10 years old, he was a little too smart for his age. His mother is a friend of our family.
He greeted my mum and dad, and sat quietly beside me. Osato has always been fond of me. We had developed quite a bond. His sitting close to me did not raise any suspicions.
I could feel him nudging me with his arm several times, so thought the space between us was too tight for him.
I tried to move away a little. Just then, i noticed his palm outstretched, between our tights. There was a neatly folded sheet of paper on it. This has to be a message, i was sure of it.
I looked side ways towards my parents, they were deeply involved in a discussion with the catechist.
I snatched the note from Osato’s palm, and hurriedly tucked it inside my bible.
Osato got up, and hopped away. His mission had been completed.
I opened my bible slowly, looking for the page were i had hidden the note.
I spotted the white paper, and pretended to be reading my bible. The message was short, but It’s very content excited me.
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