9/12

TW: Incestuous rape

I don’t really have the words to describe this feeling. Is it disgust? Perhaps shame? It’s an unease at the top of my belly, a constriction in my throat. I feel queasy and sick. I keep a bucket beside me in case I wretch. I feel dirty, so unclean. I have scrubbed my skin really hard and tried to wash away the shame with scalding hot water. My skin stings all over…it seems the shame burns even brighter now. I can’t look at myself in the mirror. I hate what stares back at me. I hate that person and worse, I hate that I can’t hate who did that to her, to us.

I was transported back to a time in centuries past. I laid flat on the marble slab in what I can only describe as an Ottoman Haman. I had a body scrub for my legs. I was trying to get them soft and beautiful. I worked the scrub in gently but firmly. It was soothing and relaxing. I was so lost in my own world, basking in the moment, that I did not realize I was no longer alone. Somehow, he had joined me. He was laying next to me and expecting me to scrub him too. I couldn’t be disrespectful, I couldn’t be rude so I obliged. He told me how he was sorry I had to care for him being so young. He told me life had been unfair to him and he wished things could have been different for me. He poured his heart out but all I wondered was whether or not he noticed my naked form and if he did, why he thought this was acceptable. But I could not be rude, I could not question his actions. I had to bow my head in obeisance and do as I was asked.

It was not lost on me that his member was starting to get excited by the contact and probably my nakedness. I did my best to ignore it; the body will react the way the body will. I scrubbed his legs, trying carefully not to come in contact with the rising member. He must have noticed my hesitation and tried to coax my hands along his now erect part. I pulled away instantly. He urged me not to shy away and pleaded with me. My mother had ignored him for many, many years and he was not even sure he could be a man anymore. My mother had denied him her touch, so he needed me to have mercy on his poor soul and give him the gift of his manhood back. As if I stole it in the first place. This was not right, I knew that in my heart but I could say nothing, do nothing. I regarded his member and thought it looked shriveled up and old like the person it was attached to; so sad looking, a shadow of what may have been great in the past. I felt powerless and I just laid there as he slid into me. It helped that there was moisture from the bath we had been taking; at least it didn’t hurt. Not physically.

I was worried that my body would betray me. After all, I too had been deprived of love and intimacy for a long time. I could relate, so I feared my body would welcome his touch. I didn’t hate him, so would my body feel something? No. I felt nothing. I was numb physically and emotionally. It was like flipping the pages of an empty book; it sparked no kind of emotions. Then suddenly, we became a spectacle, under the watchful gaze of passersby. Visible, yet unseen. It was as though everyone who looked upon us merely looked through me. People had the nerve to ask for directions, ask for information but not a single soul pointed out the forbidden intertwining. Everyone merely continued on their merry way after getting what they needed from me. No one raised a cry for help. I supposed I couldn’t blame them. After all, I also carried on conversation as if all was normal. If I did not reach out for help, how would they know I did not want to be in this position?

I tried to drown out his cries of pleasure and his moans of thank you. He was thanking me for helping him feel something again but all I wanted was for it to be over. People continued to pass by. I asked if we could change positions, he had laid down behind me long enough. I asked if I could be on top. Maybe I could hide his face from the world so my shame would not be on such great display. Maybe I could suffocate him while he reached ecstasy at the expense of my soul and dignity. Maybe this could all end faster. I pushed his head down so the world could not see him. A small crowd began to gather. They were still watching. An old lady began to laugh and walk away. My eyes followed her through cobblestone alleys until she found my mother. She asked my mother about me. ‘No’ I had thought to myself. My mother bragged about how I was such a good child.

“You must not know then,” the lady said to her.
“Know what?”
“That she lays with your husband, her father, a shameful spectacle for the whole town to see.”

I felt my mother’s pain and shame. I wished so desperately that she would come to free me from this prison, so we could run away and leave this horrid town and family for good. She never came. She ran away leaving me behind. I guess the heartbreak was too much. My father found completion and I was finally released. I like to think I died that night.

Every day, I have tried to burn my skin off, scrubbed hard to rid myself of that horrible memory. Every day, I am reminded of that terrible time. Every day, I feel that unease in my stomach, the constriction in my throat, the nausea that threatens to take over me. What is it I wonder again? Disgust perhaps? Or an abomination growing deep within me?

The Girl of My Dreams


Over 3 decades ago…

She sat across the table from me at the senior staff canteen 

Staring me in the face, her gaze seemed to pierce my soul in a warm way

This ebony beauty! All mine to behold!

In a soft and balanced voice, she asked “What is your name?”

Still shell-shocked, I muttered “…..”

Then she went on “Which department do you work?”

By this time, I had regained some composure

“Mechanical”, I managed to man up

I cannot remember exactly what else we talked about

But how could I forget the smooth voice echoing in my head and melting my heart

I must have said a few things, but she owned the conversation

I could not help but wonder at her grace, voice, choice of words, gesticulations

Her smiling eyes, most beautiful set of teeth I had ever seen…

Every word, and sentence was carefully packaged and delivered

Every trip her hand made from her plate to her mouth seemed to be calculated: pace and delivery

The munching was mechanical; I could almost feel myself moving to her rhythm

Words and food rolled into one beautiful symphony in my heart as I watched and listened

Beauty and brains!

She must be an angel! An angel is sitting across my table!

I was totally mesmerized that I almost completely forgot my food

She seemed to be eating for the two of us

With every spoonful of hers, I was filled and fulfilled

A soft touch on my hand brought me back to life

“Okay, see you around sometime” and she slid out of her seat to drop her plate

“Okay” I said dreamily

As her slim graceful figure disappeared into the afternoon sun behind the revolving doors I suddenly remembered my plate

I quickly rushed a few spoonful down my throat and made it in time to my department

Back at my desk, I could hardly concentrate

I had always seen her from a distance, admired her qualities but never had the courage to walk up to her to say “Hello”

I made several trips to her part of the administrative building with the hope of running into her

I saw her chatting with other people; the possibility of me doing same existed only in my dreams

She seemed so confident with everyone, the junior staff and even the big bosses

And today, oh today, she chose my table at lunch! And no one interrupted us; what luck!

It was like everything and everyone froze with only the two of us moving

I felt like the luckiest man on earth

My heart tripped with all sorts of possibilities and questions …

“If I could …” How will I …” “How will she …”

Then fear crept in …

 

It was another two weeks before I was able to catch up with her again after lunch

The canteen was the high point of the day for us in the factory; lunch time was our own social convergence

There was always some work that delayed me in my department; like the forces were against me

Then I tried to match her timing to lunch but my table always filled up with men before she got her food

On the flip side, if she was seated before me, her table was over-subscribed

No surprises there; I had stiff competition in an environment of 99.9% male population

But I was not going to give up just like that

So, on this fateful day, I rushed my food and caught up with her as she made her way back to her office

Without rehearsal, the words rolled out of my mouth before my heart stopped, waiting for an answer

“Hello, good afternoon. Would you mind me having your home address? I will like to visit you”

Her soft eyes backed up with the most lovely smile I had ever received was her immediate response

Those white teeth seemed to be receiving the right amount of calcium

“Okay, that will be nice” came next. My heart started beating again

She reached into her pocket; out came a pen and a sheet of paper, which she tore a part of

She scribbled something on it and said a few words

I was dazed. I could hardly believe it. Such a simple task that had taken me weeks

Her soft skin grazing on my rough factory hand brought me back to the present

I managed to mutter “Thank you. See you tomorrow” and made a dash to my department

I could not wait for confirmation of the day for fear of rejection

My head and heart were about to explode!
I managed to contain my excitement as the day went on

Getting back to the single room apartment, I got ready my best shirt, trousers and shoes

Sleep eluded me that night. I could hardly wait for the morning to come

I was going to meet the Girl of My Dreams!

 

The great, unforgettable and disastrous encounter … 

By noon, I was at her address

As a true African beauty, she was having her lovely black hair done in braids ready for the next work week

I received a warm welcome, and that smile again …

She took me into a room and served me a bottle of chilled Coca-Cola and homemade chin-chin

Poor timing, I guessed, she hardly had time for me

My liver failed me when I saw the rows of shoes neatly organized in the room

“She is definitely out of my league” I concluded

From then on, I discountenanced myself as being worthy of this angel

On her part, I seemed not to exist; like I was just a ‘nice’ work colleague who dropped by

After her summer vacation job and my internship at the factory, we both moved on

Yet her image remained ingrained in my heart and soul

She is the Girl of my dreams!

I longed to run into her one day

I prayed and searched for her, to no avail

Her qualities I searched for in every lady I came across, but none matched

Time was running out, I had a business with great potentials and needed to settle down and start a family

My mates already had children in high school

I reasoned, “Surely, she must be happily married to a lucky bloke out there”

But the Girl of My Dreams never left my heart; I still longed for her with every fabric of my being …

 

Out of the blues, at a function, came another work colleague from back then; an intern too

I called out his name and introduced myself

After catching up for a few minutes, and with great control, I inquired if he was still in touch with some other names I mentioned

I hoped he would help me find the Girl of My Dreams

And yes! He had a number for her! Oh, what divine arrangement!

I could not believe it; 33 years searching for her and getting her number just like that!

Getting home, I wasted no time …

“Hello, is that …?”

“Yes please. May I know who is calling?” … came the angelic sound in my ears

“My name is … We worked together at … in 1983; … gave me your number”

“Oh, really?” she giggled, and my heart sank. Then something more reassuring “How are you?”

After the pleasantries, I went down memory lane carefully touching on the nice spots only

But the Girl of My Dreams had only a faint recollection of the events

I cannot blame her though; I never made my intention known

And she probably got more concrete advances

I was just a faint and distant memory …

Anyways, we chatted over the next few weeks on phone

 

Finally, we had a lunch date set up

I had to look my best … I wondered if I would still feel the same way when I saw her …

No longer as slim as I remembered, but with no less grace in her steps

With maturity, she looked more elegant and graceful

Her ebony skin still glowing, even better than I remembered it

Those beautiful black braids adorned her hear, neatly bunched up on her head

She strode across the floor to my table, every step mechanically coordinated

My table, again!

But this time, it will be different

I was not going to leave this table without making my intention known, I resolved

The afternoon wore on and we lacked nothing to discuss, moving from one subject area to the other; one discipline to the other, for hours, over lunch and after lunch, running into dinner time

She was just the way I remembered her, just more alluring

Once again, the world around us seemed to have stopped as we chatted, laughed, ate and drank
.
Before departing, and almost without a second thought, I blurted out my 33 year old script, “… will you marry me?”

“Where did that come from?” she calmly asked, in her usual characteristic, her eyes dazzling and a chuckle in her throat

“I will not repeat the mistake of 33 years ago” I declared in a confident tone.

We left the question hanging

I had fulfilled the desire I had lived for, for over 3 decades – seeing her and asking for her love, her response notwithstanding

But life has its own complications …

A glimmer of hope …

 

Today… 

 

The Girl of My Dreams is my friend once again

What tomorrow has in stock for us is yet unknown

All I know is that I have her in my sights, and I intend to keep her there, whatever her answer …

 

Author: Yemisi A. Ikuomola

Mine (9)

“So where are you from?” he asked as he packed my plate with food to hold a nation for a year.

Am I really that skinny that I look starved? And here I was thinking I was healthy. I knew I had lost a few pounds since I got here; apparently, oyinbo food and I are not particularly compatible. He stopped when he noticed me staring at the monstrosity that was supposed to be my food. I finally tore my eyes away from Goliath and faced him.

“You’ll need your strength later,” he said as he tried to hide his grin, but his eyes held a promise of something. Something I couldn’t quite place my hand on…until…click!

“Oh”, I half-whispered, and then giggled thinking to myself, ‘thank God I’m black. The last thing we want to do is start blushing like a goat’ (I know goats don’t blush, please leave me). That didn’t stop me from smiling like a fool, although I looked down at Goliath in order to avoid David’s burning gaze.

“So, where are you from?” he asked again, as he moved to his spot beside me on the island.

“Nigeria,” I said, bracing myself for a lengthy discussion spent discrediting common misconstruction about Africa, and African countries, and also preparing not to lose my cool.

David was straight out of my favourite, most exciting erotic novel, but that doesn’t mean I won’t lash out at him the moment he says something stupid. Maybe I could even exaggerate things a little bit, so he could beg me with that sweet sweet tongue of his. What the…keep it together woman!

“I figured you were from an African country, the accent. I didn’t know how to say it without sounding rude, so I…”

“You’re fine,” I smiled, “I don’t think it would have been rude.”

“You miss home?” he asked, and then suddenly, I began to reminisce on the ‘good ole days’ back home.

“As a matter of fact, I do. I miss my home, I miss the people, I miss being in a place with culture, I miss the food- the tasty, spicy food.”

I said the food bit with my eyes closed, licking my lips, and daydreaming of some hot pounded yam and egusi soup. God I miss home!

“So I take it you’re not too fond of the food here,” he asked, looking almost sad.
I am confused for a split second; is he such a patriot?

“Oh,” my eyes light up at the realization- the restaurant, his restaurant. “The food here is great actually, not as much spice, but I love it. Except for the part where some sauces and the chicken are sweet. I like my chicken spicy, not sweet; that confuses me a lot. But the food here is amazing!” “Honest,” I added for emphasis, hoping he’d believe me.

“It’s fine,” he sounded like a defeated child, “you don’t have to like my food.”

Aw hell! Mummy warned me, but I didn’t listen. She warned me to stop being so darn picky and choosy, and try to be adventurous for a change, but nooooooo, I just have to hold the whole world to my ridiculous standards. Ugh! I felt like I had been punched in the gut.

“I’m sorry,” I said, almost begging, “adjusting has just been difficult, even though it should have gotten easier after two years.” I felt so embarrassed, “I’m sorry, I tend to be quite picky.”

Suddenly, it looked like Goliath just grew a size bigger. I pushed the plate of food away as I fought back the urge to cry.

“I’m sorry,” he put his hand over mine, “it’s just that thinking of some Nigerian hunk cooking you your favourite spicy meal makes me a little bit sad.”

I couldn’t hold back the laughter that erupted from what seemed to be my stomach.
“You really think I’d leave you for some Nigerian hunk just cos he can make spicy food? I might as well leave you for myself then.”

He smiled like a little boy who just found out his crush likes him back. The next thing that came out of my mouth was really deadly. I should have thought this through, but by the time I realized that, it was too late…


oyinbo- Yoruba term for white person or pertaining to the Caucasian race.

egusi soup- A Nigerian dish. It is a soup made from melon, usually accompanied by a carbohydrate morsel.

Random Lines to Make a Story- with Joy, Khawla, and Jewel

The boy walked into the forest. The tree branch tripped the boy. And Uncle Sam said “it wasn’t me”. There was a big pile of leaves and he slipped all the way down, and the boy cried “wolf”. The wolf chased after the boy until he met his doom. He was hit by Rafiki on a chocolate bar. And he saw into his future which consisted of three blind mice running in circles. The first blind mouse was named Paul, and he was addicted to sugar. The second blind mouse was named Bon Qui Qui who worked in the fast food chain, but only because that was her side hustle. The third blind mouse was a fairy godmother, and they would each help the boy on his journey towards becoming a man.

He was a Woodstock (a Hippie), and he wore Birkenstock, bell bottom jeans that were ripped down the side. When he farted, there was fairy dust that formed the fairy godmother. The fairy godmother introduced the boy to marijuana, but only so he could create art, calling him little Basquiat. On his journey of artistry, Bon Qui Qui developed the boy’s voluptuous body so that he could completely fill all his pictures. He escalated to such high status in the art world that he was able to build a cabin in San Francisco. However, in his cabin, he developed diabetes and died of heart failure because Paul slipped sugar into all his meals and drinks. This resulted in his arteries being clogged, and his eventual death.

The End.

Mine (3)

“Thirty-what?! Are you out of your mind child? Are you sure you didn’t have a drink too many? What the… No! You’re joking right?”, she was laughing now, “you’re joking. Of course you’re joking.” Yvonne could be so annoying when she decided she wanted to play mummy. “Look. It just happened okay. It’s not like I purposefully went out in search of some 35 year-old Greek god of a man. We’ve been together since we got here. Stop giving me that look.” I walked away from her. Stupid girl. “Look Stacy, I know you’re young, and feeling adventurous, and whatnot, but I have a really bad feeling about this. What if he’s married? Or has some pregnant girlfriend stashed away somewhere? Stacy…” “Stop it! Stop! I never said we were dating, nor did I say we were screwing around…” “Well, his intentions seem pretty clear”, she smirked. “Oh for the love of Christ Yvonne! Cut me some slack!” I stood looking out the window in silence for a few minutes, trying to figure out how I was going to tell her the rest of the story. Should I? Should I not? She’s just going to blow this all up in my face. Bit- umen… Ugh!

“We’re staying till the end of Spring break. David will arrange for us to be taken back to school.” I didn’t turn to look at her, but I could feel her staring intensely at me, mouth agape, in utter disbelief, and partly shocked. “And who do you think is about to pay $600 for a hotel room, on a college student’s budget?” she quizzed, even though we both knew the answer. She continued, “so he has already started spending money on you? What does he do for a living? What if he’s some psychotic criminal? You surprise me Stacy, honestly. I mean…” She heaved a sigh of exasperation, “I’m going back to school tomorrow. You can stay here if you like, but I’m going back.” I dashed to her on the bed, “but please Yvonne, I need you to stay with me. You keep saying I don’t know him, I don’t know what he does, he could be a psycho, and now, there’s an opportunity to get to know him, but you’re refusing it. Come on”. “But Stacy, he’s 35 for crying out loud!” “I don’t care if he’s 35 for heaven’s sake.” She gave me the straight face. “You like the fact that he’s 35, don’t you?” “So you’ll stay?” I smiled. “Well, to keep you from getting into trouble, yes, I’ll stay.”  I hugged her and said thank you.

The next morning, we had a ginormous breakfast courtesy of David, and then we were driven to the spa, where we were pampered like little spoiled little babies. Spring this year felt like summer; the weather was beautiful, and Yvonne was even beginning to lose the skepticism in her voice. After our mani’s and pedi’s which came last, we were taken to lunch, where David at last joined us. “I imagine you ladies have had a good morning”, he smiled, almost looking like he was glowing. Inside of me, I was melting into a pool of goey stuff, but outside, I was hard rock, no emotions. “It was okay”, I shrugged. He simply smiled, and signaled to someone who came to take our orders. Yvonne looked around, “no business today?” she asked. “I didn’t want any disturbances”, he replied. Yvonne laughed, “what are you? the owner or something?” He smiled, looking at me this time, “are you okay? We didn’t exactly conclude our night well. Did you give my proposal some thought?” Yvonne froze, and shot me that ‘I’m about to kill you now look’. “Proposal?!” she almost screamed. “I see she already discussed it with you.” “Yes, she only forgot to mention the part of it being a proposal, and that she hadn’t yet agreed to it.” “Well then, I guess she wants to. Do you want to Stacy?”

How could he sit there and be so calm? Was he crazy or something? I’m just 20. I mean, my fake ID says I’ll be 22 soon, but I’m really just 20. What if he’s really a criminal, a psychotic one like Yvonne had said. Was the room spinning? Was I dreaming? Oh crap. “Excuse me”, I ran to the bathroom. I spluttered my insides into the pristine toilet bowl. I felt so sick. What was happening to me? I felt someone’s hands helping to get my hair out of my face; they were not Yvonne’s. I spat into the bowl, and got up. He helped me to the sink, where he cleaned me up. I was crying now. He didn’t ask what was wrong, I was glad. “Would you like to go up and lie down for a bit?” “Yvonne…”, I said. “She’ll meet you upstairs.”

The room was big, and beautiful, with a breathtaking view of the city. The sheets were so white I was tempted to ask to sleep on the floor, but it looked so inviting. He peeled off the edge of the comforter, and I sat on the bed; heaven. He bent down and took my shoes off quietly…in the most sensuous manner I could ever imagine. At some point, I wondered if he was going to kiss my feet. Then he got up. “Are you leaving?” What the devil?! Shut up Stacy, shut up! “Ummm…yeah, to get Yvonne.” “Can you stay?” “Ummm…I don’t…uhhh…I guess…” Wow! I just had to laugh, it was weak, but I had to “who would’ve thought that you could ever be tongue tied.” “I’ll let Yvonne know.” He disappeared for a few minutes, and by the time he got back, I was in bed, wearing just my oversized t-shirt, with my back turned to him as he entered. He got into bed, without a word, and put his arm around me.

In that moment, I felt so content, and at peace. His embrace made me feel so tiny, and cared for. He pulled me closer to him, as if to say “mine.”

Mine (2)

A few minutes into dessert, I heard the sounds of the street, which meant the door to the restaurant had opened. I didn’t look up, but I felt someone walk past our table. I turned around, but no one stood out. There was chatter, dining, laughter; everyone seemed normal enough. Then I felt the eyes burning into my back. I turned around, and spotted a man at the bar, but he wasn’t looking at me, he was talking to the bartender. The guy who did appear to be looking in my direction was some dude who had had a few drinks too many; I doubt he could even actually see me.

“I feel like someone is watching me Yvonne. Bartender. Look. Discreetly.” She mad it look like she was looking at me. “I can’t tell. If he is, then he’s pretty good at hiding it.” As if prompted, I took my purse and got up from the table. I moved to sit beside the man who had been speaking with the bartender. I asked for a martini. “Sure you’re supposed to be having that?” the stranger asked. “What business of yours is that? I retorted without even taking as much as a glance in his direction.

“So you like your dress…” I froze at the spot. I finally turned my head, probably a bit too mechanically, to look at him. “D-David?” I asked. He smiled…that heavenly corner smile. Dark hair, brown eyes, clean shaven, toned body, looking very sharp in black, looked and smelled like money… “B-but I don’t know you”, I swallowed the lump in my throat, “I don’t remember meeting any David”. “I never said we met. Hi I’m David.” He stretched his hand out to me. “Stacy”, I managed to say, ignoring his outstretched hand. I turned back to look for Yvonne. “She’s back at your hotel room, not too worry. I had arranged for her to be driven back there.”

“Thank you . I like the dress.” “The dress should be eternally grateful to you”, he smiled. I took a sip of my martini. He took the glass from my hand. “I need you to remember tonight”, He said. He took my hand, and walked me get my jacket. A car was already waiting outside to take us back to the hotel. He requested for the keys, and asked his chauffeur to go home. We drove to the parking garage at the hotel. We were parked for about 2 minutes when he asked, “how old are you?”. I was a bit taken aback. “20. You?” “Why do you want to know?” He asked, as his left hand found it’s way up my dress, as his lips visited mine. There was just something about that moment…something that was just pure energy…

This was crazy! Absolutely insane, and stupid. I pushed him away. He smiled, “35. I’m 35.”

Mine (1)

So we decided to visit Atlanta. Strange how I have to go through this city to get to school, but I’ve never really been to it. It’s actually pretty decent…I mean, not bad for a city. But too much ratchetness, and quite frankly, I ain’t about that life. (lol…that sounds so ratchet! =D ) Anyway, so here we are in Atlanta, Yvonne and I; two college students taking a break from the busy student life. I’m Stacy by the way 😀

Being the mildly egocentric individual that I am, I had persuaded Yvonne that we had to stay in one of those $150/night hotels. She had looked at me and laughed, until she realized I was being serious. She suspected that I had something up my sleeves, as I was never really the type to spend so much money on a hotel room. I said even if it’s just for two nights, then we can be able to tour the city during the day. Thinking I wouldn’t follow through with the plan, Yvonne agreed to it. That look on her face when I brought out my card to pay for both nights! =D We got up really early the next morning, and began our pre-booked tour of the city. We visited the CNN Center, the World of Coca Cola, the Georgia Dome, Aquarium, we went to the High Museum, and ended up dining at some fancy restaurant a few blocks from our hotel. But it didn’t happen that fast…

We had indeed spent the day touring the city, taking pictures, flirting with some, ignoring others, and the day had been terrific! We arrived at our hotel at about 6:00pm, and we were starving! Yvonne had said we should stop by the hotel restaurant, but I had insisted we go some other place fancy, after all, this was probably our last night in Atlanta. Reluctantly, she had agreed. We spent the next hour showering, and putting on makeup for the night (my idea). I was about to get into my dress when I heard a knock on the door. No one requested room service… The hotel staff at the door suddenly had his tongue tied, tugging at his bow tie as if it was on too tight. “What’s this?” I asked again. “It’s a uh um…it’s uh umm uh uhhh…de uhhh for uhh” and then finally, “you.” I took the box from him, and picked up the $20 bill lying on the table, and handed it to him. He couldn’t even say thank you, it was like he went into shock or something.

I closed the door behind me. “What was that about?” Yvonne called from the dresser. “Apparently, I have a package,” I wasn’t exactly sure myself. “Well, did you order anything? Did you ask the boy who it was from? Cos it could have been sent in error you know.” I sat on the bed, still staring at the box, “well, I guess. The boy looked really distressed, he could barely speak.” Yvonne laughed, “and I wouldn’t suppose that had anything to do with the fact that you had no clothes on.” “Don’t you raise your eyebrow at me,” I hissed, “he knocked on the door at the wrong time.” Yvonne just laughed and shook her head, “so typical of you. Well open it.”

I opened the box, and it was the most gorgeous sweetheart cut dress ever. It was covered in black sequins, and it looked so elegant! Yvonne and I stared straight at each other as our jaws dropped. There was a note in it: “I had guessed you’d be a size zero when I first saw you. Hope I’m right -David.” My heart was on some fast and furious ish!!!! Who on God’s green earth was David? I hadn’t met any David throughout my time here, this was room 520, I was a size zero, and the only size zero in the room for that matter. I turned to the other side of the note, it had an address, and a table number scribbled on it. It was the restaurant down the street. I was scared, but excited at the same time. It could have been some serial rapist or murderer, but the mystery was just too sensual. I mean, he didn’t even have to hide his name; whoever this guy was, his mystery game was 100% yo!

The dress was perfect! And I couldn’t get over the fact that it was such a luxurious black. I rummaged through my luggage for my strappy heels and purse. Well, I guess it’s an all-black night tonight then. Fragrance, finishing touches, and within 10 minutes, we were seated at the fancy Italian restaurant down the road. Turns out we needed reservations to get in, and who knew we already had reservations; Table 3.

It was set for just two, and the person who made the reservation wasn’t going to be joining us, so it was just for Yvonne and I. I was uneasy throughout the entire dinner, but struggled to maintain my calm, and composed air. Then it happened…

Tranquil (Part 8- FINALE)

8.

“Emeka is dead”, she emphasized for utmost clarity.

I froze, staring at her in disbelief. I could tell almost exactly how it had played out.

“How did you do it?” I asked, knowing already that she had done it.

“Poison”, she said, “I watched as he begged for his life. He was weak and pathetic. I hated him and even more his seed that I am carrying.”

She sat beside me and examined my scars. She wept bitterly. She was sorry, but she knew that sorry wasn’t going to be enough.

“It’s not alive”, she said.

“What’s not alive?”

“The child died two days ago, and it was impossible for it to be removed. They tried all they could, but to no avail. The dead child has refused to come out. So just as you said Onyeka, the bastard hates me and wants me dead.”

I looked at her swollen tummy and I cried for her; I finally cried with my sister. I held her close and told her she wouldn’t go alone.

I promised to go with her.

That night, we lay in bed together, recounting the good old days when we were young and happy; before life robbed us of all our innocence.

“Onyeka, what will you miss most?” she asked.

I knew my answer straightaway.

“The calm and newness after the rain”, I said.

“Me too”, she said.

I would miss the peace, the serenity, the sudden calm after the heavy roaring of the thunder, raging of the lightning and the mighty downpour of the rain. I would miss the rains.

But as the blood dripped from our wrists that night, a new kind of peace began to dawn on me.

“I will miss Chike” she said.

“Chike. I will miss Chike as well. He will never forgive us, but someday, I hope he will understand.”

And with that, I kissed my sister goodbye and set to concentrate on the new feeling that was overtaking my body.

Tranquil.

Tranquil (Part 7)

7.

“You’ve made the nightmares come back. You want to kill me in my sleep. Why not just drive a knife through my heart? You have already killed me; I am merely a walking corpse now.”

Her voice was still, calm and emotionless,

“I had no idea the hurt was still as fresh as this. But you see, he was my husband to be, and you almost killed him.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Ngozi had sold her heart to the devil.

“Ngozi he raped me! He raped me. Your husband-to-be raped your own sister and you knew it, you know it, you’ve always known it.”

I paused to pull back the unruly tear that was trying to escape.

“You slapped me the first night I encountered the rats Ngozi, you slapped me. And you left the next day.”

“I was young, afraid and confused. I had to protect my marriage”, she said wearily.

“No Ngozi. You were afraid and ashamed that your husband-to-be had raped your sister. You blamed him, but you couldn’t punish him, so you decided to punish me instead. I had a feel of hell on earth Ngozi, and all you did was to pour salt water into my wounds.”

I looked out of my window. The moon shone so brightly. I was in the same room. The rape, the fire and the torture room, the betrayer present with me.

“I am sorry Onyeka. Forgive me.”

I looked at her.

“Don’t bring that bastard into this world. He will be just like me and he will hate you and curse you in spite with much more passion than I. He will even be the one to kill you.”

I waited for her to say it; I yearned for her to say it. She knew me too well; she said it.

“It is Emeka’s child.”

A very loud silence fell on the room.

Forcing myself to break the silence, I asked,

“And how is Emeka?”

“Dead”, she said. 

Tranquil (Part 6)

6.

My cousin lost an eye that day to help get me out.

I lost an entire layer of skin.

Emeka told everyone I had lured him into the room, and when he had refused to go to bed with me, I hit his head with the lantern and then set fire to the room because, according to him, I said “I couldn’t live with the rejection.”

By the time he rushed out to wash away the blood which had filled his eyes already, my room was already up in flames.

He said he had tried to free me, but he couldn’t and so he went to look for a machete or saw to cut through the ceiling.

He begged my family not to be overly angry, but to be lenient and patient with me.

They believed him.

I didn’t sit for my school cert that year or any other year in fact.

I wasn’t allowed to speak. I had brought shame upon my family. I was forced to recuperate in that same room where I had been raped and nearly killed.

That was my punishment.

The nights were terrifying. The most terrifying was when the tiny rats that played in the roof jumped onto my bed due to the absence of the ceiling there.

They fell right onto my burn wounds. I screamed in pain and complete horror.

Ngozi ran in and simply stood and stared at me.

I called out to her.

“Ngozi I’m scared.”

She walked up to me.

“You’re scared?” she asked.

“Yes”.

She slapped me hard. The pain was excruciating. It tore through every muscle, every nerve and every cell in my body as I screamed awake to realized I had only been dreaming.

I looked at my scarred body; it all happened, just not on this night.

This night, I had only been dreaming about the events that marked the beginning of the end of my life.

Unlike the last time when she had eventually left me to go away with her husband, Ngozi was here with me tonight. She was here in my room, watching me in the darkness…