Last updated on May 16th, 2023 at 09:56 am
TW: This episode contains a discussion of sexual abuse.
“He did it again.”
“He raped you again?” God, I have refrained from using that word, and here goes Vic.
“Last night.”
“With all the way he was screaming at you?”
“After everyone left and everyone had slept, he came inside naked and did it.”
“Lape, what’s happening?”
“I don’t know.”
When I got home yesterday morning, Jude’s parents and his father’s sisters were there. My parents were also there, with some of Daddy’s sisters. They were all in the living room.
“Look who has returned.” One of Jude’s aunts, Aunty Bunmi said. My mother was there weeping with my father holding her shoulder. Everyone was looking at me like I murdered someone. I imagined this will have happened if I had aborted Dolapo. I entered and greeted everyone.
“See my grandchildren, Oluwa oo.” Jude’s mother cried out. “See how dirty they look. Lape, God will judge you. My dead mother will judge you.”
“She is even leaving today.” Jude’s other aunt, Aunty Biola said.
“Ahh, Aunty Biola, please.” My dad’s sister replied. “E jo ma.”
“Don’t beg us o. Beg your untrained daughter.” Aunty Bunmi said. Mummy kept wailing with all the exchange happening. I had my head bowed and could not afford to look at anyone. After being quiet all through. Jude’s father started.
“Jude, let us start. What happened? Just so everyone is clear.”
“Brother mi, you are still asking ni.” Aunty Biola replied. Jobless people.
“Shh, Biola. Let us do it the proper way even if she is leaving today.”
“Before Jude replies, because he is obviously too hurt to even talk, let me say something if you will permit me.” Aunty Christie, my aunt said.
“Ehn talk, let it not be as if we did not allow you.” Jude’s aunties replied. This was part of the reason I avoided his family.
“My own is even that, I called this girl sometime back when she started working and warned her. See, see what I was saying. Not too long, she feels like she has arrived.” Jude’s mother said derisively.
“Abi, she has arrived na. LaDiDa Wears.” Aunty Bunmi said. She and Aunty Biola started laughing.
“Decorum!” Jude’s father screamed and everyone kept quiet at once. After some seconds, he continued, “Jude, speak, you are a man!”
We all waited, then Jude started, “This evil woman I married, took my children to Lagos to see a man.”
“Ahhh.” Everyone chorused.
“Lapee.” My mother wailed again.
“You are a disappointment.” My father said, rubbing his wife’s shoulder.
“If you will allow me as I was saying earlier…”
“Talk na.” Aunty Biola said eyeing Aunty Christie. Aunty Christie got up and went on her knees.
“Lape has disgraced us all. We raised her better, I lived with my brother when the kids were young and my brother tried his best.” It did not escape me that even as a solicitor, Aunty Christie was still throwing shades at Mummy. “Let us temper justice with mercy in whatever we decide today. If we send her out of her husband’s house, what’s left for her life?”
“She should have thought of that before going to a man’s house na.” Aunty Bunmi said shifting restlessly on her chair.
“I said decorum!” Jude’s father roared again. “Lape, let’s hear your own part.” I was suddenly dumbfounded. Not like I expected to even get a say in this kind of gathering.
“Talk my friend.” My daddy said this time around.
“I… I, I.”
“I I I, kneel down and talk to us jare!” Aunty Biola said.
“Omo oshi ni. Useless child.” Aunty Bunmi replied.
“I, I did not go to a man’s house.”
“Where did you go, Lape?” Jude’s mother chirped in. “Where did you go with three children? Omo meta!”
“I told Jude I was going to Lagos.” I said. Jude is such a manipulative liar.
“Ehn, that’s the same thing he said. Where in Lagos did you go?” Aunty Christie said.
“I went to see Vic.”
***
The most embarrassing moments of my life had been since I became an adult. I doubt I was ever embarrassed even as a teenager with less shame and nothing to lose. Yesterday was horrifying. With Dolapo strapped to my back, I was on my knees for so long, my knees almost gave out. Jude’s jobless aunties were only there to aggravate the issue. At last, I was given a stern warning not to ever do anything, not even breathe they actually said this without Jude’s permission. This was after my parents pleaded, with my father eventually prostrating. My mother was only crying and begging on her knees at this point.
I was embarrassed. I was also numb and could not even let off some steam by crying. I was currently on punishment. They told Jude not to give us our allowance for two weeks. I didn’t know how it made sense, to make the kids suffer because of me. I did not get up until Dolapo started crying. Aunty Biola came to collect her from me and told me to kneel down, threatening to slap me if I got up.
This morning, I woke up to my parents’ call. After last night and Jude coming again, I really wanted to enter into a hole and never come out again. But my parents’ call could not be avoided, since I already unblocked them. It was a long, boring talk and passive warnings. I felt helpless. Talking to Vic was my reprieve. At least I now knew not to exclude her from my life’s issues. All these people didn’t know me nor want the best for me, not the best that’s good for me.
