I got to the road and sat down quietly on a bench, contemplating on the next move to make.
"Where is God?" I asked myself bitterly.
"Was I born to suffer miserably and die like that? Oh sweet parents, may your spirits continually guide me in everything I do." I cried silently. Suddenly, an idea occurred to me.
"I will go to uncle Timothy's place. I hope am accepted there".
* * *
Uncle Timothy, was my dad's only brother. My dad in his blessed memory, was a good, loving and generous man. He assisted him and other family members in every way. My dad trained uncle Tim in the higher institution and secured a handsomely paid job, when he graduated. My dad went as far as buying a car and getting a luxurious apartment as a wedding gift for uncle Tim.
That was my last option. I picked a cab and headed to his house.
I arrived, and was warmly received by uncle Tim and his children. The wife seemed not to be happy as I suddenly appeared, and with travelling bags.
" Ah ah Florence! You didn't even inform us that you were on your way here. At least, we would have prepared something for you. Anyway, you are welcome, but I hope all is well?" He asked, pretending not to know what happened. He ushered me to the sitting room and we sat down.
"Thank you sir." I said great fully. Rachael his wife, shot a disgusted look.
"So why did you pack your things here? What is the matter?" Rachael asked. My eyed clouded, and tears dripped.
"I have lost my Parents! "
"What! Is this some kind of joke?" Uncle asked, in pretence.
"No jokes uncle, I am deadly serious". He came to me and held me close.
" Its okay my daughter. Your parents were good people. You can be living with us. I will take good care of you." Uncle Tim said, and Rachael snorted.
"Let me believe you are joking?Anyway, we shall see!" She hissed and stormed out from sitting. Shocked by her reaction, more tears streamed out.
"My dear, don't mind my wife. That's how she behaves. So welcome, feel free okay? Cherry! Come and show your cousin to her room." A twelve years old girl, came and led the way to the room. I locked the door and knelt down to thank God for shelter and my uncle's show of love.
Few weeks later, I gradually became a full fledge member of the family. Unfortunately, Rachael's attitude became unbearable. She insulted and maltreated me most times when uncle Tim was away. She practically turned me into a house help. I suffered a lot of humiliations and was constantly reminded of the death of my parents, all thanks to Rachael. I could only but bear, because this was the only place I could call a home.
One day, Rachael said to me;
"You this witch! Who do u think you are to walk into my home and inconvenience me? You were the one who kept eating up all the babies in your mother's womb , that was why she was unable to conceive again. As if that wasn't enough, you killed your parents. Maybe so you could inherit all their properties. You wicked Murderer!" I couldn't utter a word because her words hurt so much. So I moved on.
* * *
Months later, uncle Timothy changed drastically. He acted weird and strange towards me, as if been under a spell or something. Each time his wife and kids were away, he would undress and come to me, touching me in an unusual manner. I had pushed him down once and ran outside, until his family came back.
One faithful day when his family was away, he locked the front door and approached me in the kitchen, where I was doing the dishes. He held me and did some hikes. I turned and he dragged me into the room and forced me to bed. He threatened to throw me out of the house if I told anyone.
All I could do was bear the pain and suffer it. Who would believe that my own Uncle, raped me?
#Maybe this home was marked my grave# I thought.
Another day, the same action was repeated. This time I was with a knife. When he wanted to touch me, I raised a knife, then he scampered for safety.
That was the last straw that broke the Carmel's back.
* * *
At dawn, Uncle Tim and his wife came into my room.
"You this ungrateful brat! You thought you would succeed in killing me with a knife right? After all I have done for you! Now, begin to pack your things. You are leaving my house this instant!" Uncle Tim said. I was shocked beyond words and tried to speak, but no word came forth.
"You have heard my husband. Blood sucking demon cannot succeed in my home. I am glad my husband's eyes have finally been opened. You want destroy my home; turn me into a widow, and my children fatherless abi? Your end is today. You murderer". I just listened to them and shook my head in tears.
" And what is she still waiting for?". Rachael dragged my bags outside and pushed me.
"Leave and never return! Murderer!". Uncle Tim mercifully dropped some money with me. I looked at my Uncle with tears.
" Uncle Timothy, you will regret all your actions towards me someday. I assure you of that." I was a bit glad that a burden was lifted from me.
Then the thought of where I would live struck me. #Well, where ever God leads me, there I would go#. I said in finality.
I left the area, and headed to the road. I made up my mind to leave Lagos, the city that reminded me of all my pains. I boarded a bus that was heading to Abuja, and journeyed my way to the unknown.