"That's my story." I concluded and turned away from the audience, then back to the judge. I was given the opportunity to share the little story of my life, before final judgement. There were shouts and wailing every where in the court, as the court clerk shouted immediately.
"Order!"
"Order!" The court became calm again. The judge spoke strictly to Florence.
"Miss Florence Smart Idoko, Your story is indeed pathetic. You still have no right to take away the lives of others, just to satisfy your anger. Well, the law must take its full course." Before he pronounced his verdicts, Dad raised his hand to say something. He was allowed to speak.
"Florence, why did you do all this? After investing so much in you? You decided to disgrace your family and yourself! No matter the kind of anger welled up in you, You have a good life now even though you are HIV positive. You are not on the streets! You live with a responsible family. With all these, look at where you've landed your self. Do you know what people said behind our backs when we adopted you? Unfortunately, you didn't know that. Oh dear, why didn't you tell me that you were passing through all these in school? Of course, something would have been done." Dad said in tears.
"Father, I thank you so much for what you did for me all this years. I couldn't have achieved all this far without you. You are really my hero. I am very sorry dad and mum. I know I have disappointed you, and I apologize for that. I couldn't stop myself from doing all I did. If you watched me closely, you would realize happiness never for once stayed permanently in my life. If I die today, I die a fulfilled person. Thank you once again, dad and mum, for being good foster parents to me."
Dubem was equally in the court. He was the saddest man of the day. He equally wanted to speak.
"After you Mr, we will take no other speech." Dubem stood up and spoke sadly.
"Florence, what will happen to our marriage? I planned a beautiful future for us together, and now you have ruined that with your hands..."
"So sorry Chidubem. I hope you find a better wife for yourself. But know that I love you and I will always will." Tears flowed freely from Dubem's eyes, as he sat down slowly.
* * *
After Florence stopped speaking, something amazing happened. Something that was never seen or heard off before. In place of the tears that Florence cried out almost every day, came thick blood. Blood flowed from her eyes like fresh tears. She broke the world's Guinness book of record!
All phones and cameras were on her, trying to catch a glimpse of that surprising event. The court became rowdy, and the court clerk immediately shouted;
"Order" Soon, the court became calm again.
"According to section 319(1) of the Nigerian constitution, 'any person who commits the offence of murder, shall be sentenced to death'. Therefore, you Florence Smart Idoko, shall be sentenced to death via firing squad. On the scheduled date; 5th October, 2015." The court became noisy again with people shouting;
"Pardon her!
"This is unfair! The law should temper justice with mercy!" The judge stood up and the court clerk immediately commanded;
"Court!" Every one stood up to respect that.
* * *
As soon as the judge left, people trooped out of court, into different directions, gossiping about what happened. One man shouted;
"This was an 🇦 🇳 🇬 🇷 🇾 🇭 🇪 🇦 🇷 🇹 seeking for vengeance and this is what she gets in return! What a painful wasted life."
THE END😘