I never thought I would find someone that would love and care for me the way my mother does. She's the only love I had and will always have.
But meeting up with these people I call friends made me realize it's okay to care for someone other than my family and now I regret everything I've done everything.
I lost myself to my uncle when I was 19, my father died of diabetes he suffered a great deal before he died he lost two legs and an arm I saw how my mother worked endlessly day and night on my Dad and I was in SS2 going to 3. I had to stop schooling cause my mom wasn't able to go to work and care for dad at the same time, I had to choose, my school or family.
I choosed my family cause mother always say family comes first. I hawked and did chores for people just to get enough money for food and hospital bills. I even had to fetch woods and sell outside our home just to make a living.
Day after Day I kept doing that, sometimes I hardly eat for a whole day after having breakfast I go out in search of money that I forgot to feed myself not knowing that's what I need to keep me going. Gosh life was so hard and thole to bear.
Two months later, dad died. It was the hardest thing for me to believe that the one person I wanted so bad to be okay and see me successful was finally gone.
We settled in with my dad's elder brother Uncle Bala and his wife who at first showed us love and care, but after a while when everything was okay they changed. I went to my uncle told him I was ready to go back to school. He said I shouldn't a beautiful girl like me should think of settling in with a man now and not to think about education.
Female education isn't all that useful he said, the only thing a female is most useful at is being loyal to her husband in the kitchen and bed. I felt disgusted at him and left his room immediately. I went to my mom crying on her shoulder and told her what happened, she only smiled and agreed to what uncle Bala said. I felt my world crushing down on me, all hopes and dreams were gone. Not you too mom I cried.
Things kept on happening in that household I was the eldest in the family they have only two children whom are twin a boy and a girl both 5 years of age. I became a slave I worked my ass out day and night I never had time for myself. My Uncle's wife called me lazy despite all the work I've being doing. My mom didn't have a say to all that happen to me and whatever decision is to be made.
My mom and uncle's wife decided to go on a wedding celebration one day, to spend two days with the children and am to be left alone with my uncle.
They all left that day after doing the chores and dinner, my uncle was out since morning and didn't return till late midnight. He came back and called out my name I went to meet him and brought his dinner. After he was done I washed the dishes and decided to go back to bed.
But all that seemed like a bad idea for me. I was half asleep when the door creaked opened unaware of what's to come, I was in only a vest and a wrapper that covered up my body cause the weather was hot. I was enjoying my slumber when my uncle decided to do the unexpected.
I heard the door shut with a bang sound and jolted up seeing him in just a long pants he walked towards me, gently telling me to calm down everything would be alright I shook my head abruptly in fear for what's to come trying not to let him come closer.
I was about running out of the room when he grabbed me by the wrist and throw me unto to the ground straddling on me trying to take off his pants.
I screamed he slapped me on the face telling me to keep my mouth shut or he would dealt with me. I begged him not to do so, I pleaded. He ignored, I tried to fight him off, but was too strong on me. I was just a 19 year old girl trying to fight off a 54 year old man.
I screamed harder and cried but no one came to my aid, I told him to stop but he only gwaffed and kept on with his business.
After he was done, he got up sweating like a Christmas goat, smirking evilly at me saying that when next he decides to come back for another round and I try to fight him off, he would make sure he deals with me mercilessly. He cursed before leaving me in a state of confusion, hurt, disappointment, regret and very very pissed off.
I never told my mother what happened that night, I couldn't. I never hid anything from her and this situation was a very hard one for me to keep. What do I do, how do I tell my mother Uncle Bala gave me a mark. A stainful mark that will never go away.
Hhhhhhh mother always say a woman's pride is not having that stainful mark. It's a mark that doesn't fade away. I had to keep it to myself I had no other choice.
And yet that old thwart never let me be, he follows me around like a dog hungry for more. Hungry for satisfaction, he didn't stop there he invited more of his friends to have a piece of what he'd enjoy when no one was around.