IT was two months since Rachel started living with Paschal. They lived as lover birds,besides they still loved each other. Marriage was the only remaining legal bond to make them one.
"Who are you?!" Paschal came back from work one-day, shouting. Rachel was dumbstruck. She thought very carefully before answering; "what do you mean?"she asked. "Who...are...you?!" He repeated.
Seeing that there was no expression on her, Paschal threw a news paper on the table right in front of her.
Boldly written on the first page was thus; MISSING JOEY. Please if you see her report to this number (852) 524-8021. Thanks...
She was more than surprised. My parents are looking for me?
"So can you explain yourself?!" Paschal was out of patience. She shook; "I can explain"
"explain what?! That you're a sister? Named sister Shirley? Or you're a missing daughter? Named Joey? Or what?! I don't understand anymore Joey! I don't!" He was mad at her.
"Paschal listen to me,I can explain" she tried to convince him.
"Get out-- "he barked at her.
Everything was crumbling.
Everything they've struggled to build together was fading because of her past.
She was in tears.
She never wanted this part of her to return back to her again but now,she had to tell him everything.
She wasn't going to leave him. Not now,not ever.
Paschal turned, expecting her to be approaching the door,but she was crying towards him. "Don't you dare touch me you imposter!" He said sternly. "Why me? Why me Joey? Of all the men in this state, you chose me! Oh... I get it you wanna damage my life right?" His heart was torn. "There's always a Jack or Mack or even Justin beiber for Christ's sake!" He broke down in tears. Swallowing hard he continued pouring his heart. "I trusted you, I loved you, I was willing to marry you Ra... I... I.... I don't even know what to call you! Is it Rachel... Joey...or sister Shirley?! For Christ sake Rachel!" He scattered his work on the desk frustratingly and they chartered on the tile floor.
"Shut up Paschal!"she screamed.
"Don't! Don't talk! Not another word,just leave" he resigned.
With down pour of tears,she let out; "I was raped by my father"
Paschal's expression changed for a while and then with a smirk he clapped. "Good one Rachel. Good one. You nearly got me fooled but not this time around"
She opened her eyes wide. "Do you know what it means to be raped by your father? The shame? The stigmatization? The...the pain?"
"No you don't know. You don't know what it means to be ripped apart and being disgusted by your own father!" She wailed.
"Do you know what it took me to change my personality? Leave the people that were so close to me and starting a new life with an entirely new personality?!. Of course you're living a glorious life,what are the odds? You have a wonderful family,you've never even been humiliated once in your life. You're a star for Christ's sake!" She screamed. The pain rushing back. Her past. Gasping for air she continued.
"Don't you get it?! You've been asking me about my family and I just close up. I find a way to avoid the answers. I'm ashamed of my life Paschal!" She hit her chest.
"when I see other girls,walk with their daddies hand in hand, do you know how jealous and ashamed I feel?"
Paschal was shocked. He watched as down pour of tears came down from her eyes uncontrollably. "Seriously Joey,you think I'm buying all this?"
He was so buying everything.
She wiped her stubborn tears. "I-- I've been trying to hide this disgusting side of me for a very long time. You've GOT to believe me Paschal"
Paschal was shocked. This was a whole new story. He looked through her now red eye balls,he saw nothing but truth there. He was going to give her another chance. "Tell me all of it".