“ I was raped…” I said to Mmesoma and Bro Kennedy later that morning when Mmesoma joined us… “ Who?” Bro Kennedy asked violently “ It is not someone you know, better still, it is not people you know!” I said “ People, What do you mean?” Mmesoma asked “ Were you gang raped?” Bro Kennedy asked with pain in his voice “ Yes!” At that, Bro Kennedy stood up really pained. He walked towards the wall and kept hitting the wall. I continued my fake story. “ It was that weekend I went home about 3 months ago that I was raped by some hoodlums on my way home. I don’t think I know them if I see them during the day, so getting pregnant from a gang rape was really traumatic. The next thing on my mind was getting the fatherless baby out of my body” I said “ Hmm…, It is well, I can understand how it feels, but abortion was not the best option. You could have given up the child for adoption after delivery if seeing the child would have been traumatic for you.” Mmesoma said “ Hmm… Mmesoma you are right but I never thought about that.” I said still watching Bro Kennedy’s quiet but pained reaction. I left the hospital after 24 hours with Mmesoma caring for me like a sister. Bro Kennedy was always in our room, treating me like a sister in the Lord, buying me provisions… After about Four days, I asked him a question when Mmesoma stepped out to get refreshment for Bro Kennedy… “ Why are you being so nice to me?” “ Am I not meant to be nice?” He said laughing “It is just my nature..” “ Are you sure it’s not beyond your nature?” I said using a seductive voice and a cute puppy eye. “ Well, I guess emotions don’t quickly die… My heart still yearns for anything that concerns you, but I guess that is in the past…” “ You are right, who will love and marry a woman who has been raped and has committed abortion…” I said “ No, that’s not it, it’s Mmesoma, when you told me you were not interested, I had found solace in Mmesoma..” “ But, She is yet to say Yes to your proposal!” I said “ She told you already?” Bro Kennedy asked very surprised “ Yes…, but what if she turns you down, would you still be interested in me?” I asked indirectly proposing to Bro Kennedy Bro Kennedy did the most unexpected thing, he started sobbing. I didn’t understand why? I kept asking him, why he was sobbing but he said… “ Why ? Sister Timi, why now?” “ I am sorry, I didn’t know you were this nice, I judged you by your appearance” “ I cannot hurt Mmesoma even if I forget the rape and abortion!” “ I know…” I said calmly Thankfully, I took my seat on the bed before Mmesoma opened the door. As Mmesoma came in, Bro Kennedy rushed out of our room… “ Bro Kennedy, Bro Kennedy!” Mmesoma called Bro Kennedy didn’t look back but kept running. “ What happened, Timi?” “ I don’t know, but I think he said something about loving me more than you and that he doesn’t want to hurt you…” I said with no iota of humanity in me… Mmesoma looked confused… “ I don’t understand…” Mmesoma asked “ Mmesoma, I am sorry but it is not my intention to hurt you, but I am aware Bro Kennedy told you he asked me out before and I refused, he was just confiding in me that he only saw you as a place of solace for him, but now he is having second thoughts.” I said Mmesoma didn’t say a word, she just laid down on her bed and started reading her Bible…. My phone beeped and it was a long awaited message. It was from Papa: “ Well, my heart hurts knowing you have been hurt and I am trying everything possible to forgive myself for the mistake we both committed. I took time off to be with the Lord, and I think the best thing for us to do is to confess openly at the fellowship and serve the necessary punishment so this terrible sin does not stand against us in future. Thanks, I expect your favorable reply” John My hands were shaking… Papa was about to destroy my plan of getting Bro Kennedy back. If he made an open confession, Bro Kennedy was going to know the truth and that was going to hurt him real bad…. Sudden Hatred for Papa enveloped me and I felt like killing him….
To be continued
