OPEN UP
The sitting room was cold but had inviting decor and cozy furniture giving a modern comfort. Leah sat on a sofa, her eyes swollen and red from crying uncontrollably.
"I am tired of this life," Leah sobbed, her voice thick with despair. "I am so messed up, and I don't even know why my parents left me to suffer here alone. Where do I begin from?"
Mrs. Adams, a gentle woman in her fifties,wrapped Leah in a long, tight hug.
"What really happened to you?
Leah choked on her tears, and couldn't speak. She remained mute, continuing to sob into Mrs. Adams' shoulder. Understanding the need for patience, Mrs. Adams refrained from pressing further, knowing Leah needed to release her emotions before she could explain.
"Lily dear, you should probably get some rest,". Mrs Adams said softly. "The guest room is yours, and the restroom is at the right-hand corner. Use it at your convenience. You are always free and welcome here".
"And if you need anything else, please don't hesitate to let me know," she added, walking into the kitchen.
"Okay, Mrs. Adams. Thank you so much," Leah replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leah sat there, staring into the blank spaces, lost in thoughts. For a while, she lay back on her couch, trying to rest.
Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, and Mariam worked in.
Mariam approached Leah, who was still lost in thoughts, and gave her the tightest hug. Regaining herself, she hugged back, grateful for the comfort.
"Heyy… you're choking me, I can't breathe" Leah managed to say, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"Oh, sorry. I just felt you needed it, Mariam replied, releasing her.
"I do, but you don't have to strangle me," Leah said, smiling and playfully pulling Mariam's cheeks.
They exchanged greetings while Mrs. Adams watched them with a warm smile. Mariam then reached out to her mother and grandmother for a welcome hug before heading into the room with Leah to catch up.
"Now, can you tell me what happened? I mean everything! Your eyes are so swollen. Have you recently looked at the mirror? You look like you've been through hell, Mariam said, concern evident on her face.
Leah heaved a sigh of sorrow. "I never wanted our maker to ordain me as his strongest soldier. I can't live this miserable kind of life. You won't understand. The hell you just talked about, I went there and came back, hurt, bruised, wounded and violated, it's a long story." She lamented.
Leah wasn't ready yet to discuss what had happened to her. She hadnt found the right words to describe the rape, the gang of men, or even her family and husband. The shock was still overwhelming. "Where would she start from?" She needed to regain her strength first.
Mariam respected Leah's decision to wait. "You can stay in my room with me, Leah," Mariam offered. Though she never loved sharing her room, her bestfriends condition called for consideration.
It was just a matter of time before everything would be sorted out.
"Dinner time...Mariam, Leah," Mrs. Adams called.
They gathered as a family, ate together, and retired to bed for the night. Leah was appreciative. Deep down, she never wanted to be a burden in her bestfriends house, but they made her feel like family.
The following day, a weekend, Mariam offered to take Leah out for some fresh air, maybe have an ice cream date. Her-go-to-mood-lifting solution. Maybe it would help Leah feel better too.
Leah had never felt this loved by her family. Despite all their riches, her own family isn't close to being a good and happy place. But Mariams home was filled with love and happiness, even without wealth.
Tears welled up in Leah's eyes as she dressed up. This family had taken it upon themselves to care for her unlike her own family, who treated her like a maid.
During their outing, Mariam refrained from bringing up what had happened, she was willing to wait until Leah was ready to talk and discuss the issue.
A week passed, and Lea, slowly emerging from her misery, was seen laughing and chatting with the family.
Everyone was convinced that she was gently and gradually returning to her old self-cheerfulness and playfulness unlike the fake Leah they had been staying with for the past few days, boring, quiet and always on her own.
She is gradually withdrawing from being outgoing and extroverted due to the challenges she has faced.
Mariam decided it was time to address the past. "It's better to hear from the horse's mouth than to assume," she murmured to herself.
"Leah, I hope I am not making a big mistake, but I just want to know how you are feeling and to at least explain to me what happened…Don't we at least deserve to know the truth?".
Leah's countenance changed. She had tried so hard to forget everything that had happened, but she couldn't. Even if she wanted to, reminders were everywhere.
She decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag.
Tears welled up again, but this time, they wouldn't stop her from voicing her pains.
"If you're not ready to tell us yet, we'll wait," Mariam said, more worried than ever.
"No, I will explain everything. You've already had enough patience with me."
Leah began to explain all that had happened to her, the reason she needed to clear her head, and why she had kept silent for so long.
Mariam couldn't hold back her own tears. "You mean you went through all this, and I didnt even know? I didn't know you endured such cruelty from fellow human beings. I'm so sorry, Leah".
"They wanted to render me useless, taking everything from me, even planning for my pride to be taken away and succeeded. I'm so tired," Leah said, her voice trembling.
"But how can your husband and family be so cruel?" Mariam stood up and consoled Leah, holding her tightly as they both cried, finding solace in each other's presence.