"Till It Happens To You" - Fiction

                    "Till It Happens To You" (Once upon A Time)- CONT'D

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 11-

Chioma arrived at her house and her legs were shaking. Why couldn’t she control her legs? She used the door post as support and tried to catch her breath. Her phone started ringing. She brought it out and switched it off when she saw Kunle’s name on the caller ID.Why wasn’t she happy for him? It was good news he was going to the university and she was supposed to be celebrating his success but instead she acted like he had betrayed her.Why did she feel like this? Kunle was her support system and in two weeks she will have to support herself. 

Two weeks!

That was reason she was so angry. He didn’t give her enough time to get used to the news. Two weeks was a very short notice for her to get used to him not being around. He was the first male she would ever get to know. Her daddy was never around; traveling for business reasons. Her father told her and her siblings he was doing all of it for them. He wanted them to have the best lives and his current job was going to provide that life for them. She had tried to understand it, but now sitting at the doorpost to her house, breathing so hard and crying without control, she didn’t understand how this was the best life for them. For three years she got to know a male figure and Kunle is the good one which made her assume they were all good.

He was all she knew and now he was leaving her when she needed him the most. She needed her father. She cried out daddy without even knowing it. Perhaps, Kunle could not stand being around her anymore. She was now defiled. He was there only when she was pure but now that she is unclean, he found an excuse to be far away from her.

Kunle had seen her in far more provocative clothes and they had both hung out in the wee hours of the morning after night vigils in Church and he never abused her.She should have known that since Kunle was the “goody goody two shoes”, they were bad ones out there. No one told her about men. Not her mother or her father.She felt hurt, angry and afraid. What will she do with herself? She once thought she was a strong girl but see where that got her.

She didn’t even fight Jude off her. She just kept saying “No”. 

That wasn’t what a strong girl would do. A strong girl would have fought. Bitten him, scratched his eyes out, kicked hard, pushed him off but she just lied there and said “No”.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 12-

She is now afraid to be by herself. She can’t stand the touch of men even when it’s casual. She once over reacted when a man touched her to get her attention that her mother was calling for her. The man was embarrassed and so was her mother but Chioma’s mother never talked about it. She also avoided sitting in the front passenger’s seat because it brought back memories. She could not remember the last time she really looked into a mirror.
She had not looked into one in months. She was stupid to think everything is fine. Chioma thought she was doing just fine going through the stages of rape. The problem was, she was going through the post-trauma stages all wrong. The first stage of adjustments for victims was the shock; here they have feelings of fear, hurt and guilt. The second stage was denial, they make attempts to forget the whole thing, discuss very little of the incident and deny any feelings. The third stage was integration; where they start to act like it never happened. Instead, Chioma started with stage 3, moved over to stage 2 and now she was presently in stage 1.The good news was, medically she was going through those stages correctly which was a positive sign of healing. Chioma’s mother was cleaning the living room when she heard weeping coming from outside.
 

At first, she wanted to ignore it because she didn’t know her neighbours well and didn’t want to get involved with them or their children. They asked a lot of questions most times when she sees them, she hated answering and tried to avoid them .Like where is your husband? What school do your children go to? What do you do for a living? They were very nosy and Chioma’s mother did not like them. The more she ignored the cry, the louder it got. The woman could not stand it anymore after a while. She dropped all she was doing and stepped out to find her first born whom she thought was in a friend’s house right at her door post crying and calling for her father, she was shocked.
This was the first time she was seeing her daughter this way. So her instincts as a mother kicked in and she knew her daughter needed her care more than ever. Chioma’s mother held on to her daughter and the girl first reacted frightened but when she saw it was her mother, she embraced her mother and wept on her chest telling her everything.To Chioma’s greatest surprise, her mother was calm the whole time and she just rocked her daughter. Holding her tight and telling her everything was going to be okay.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 13-

Everything wasn’t okay after that day. Chioma refused to eat well, didn’t leave her room often and refused to talk to anyone. She waited for the day Kunle’s flight will leave the country. She kept telling herself that she needed the solitude; it will help her go on with life when Kunle leaves.

Kunle made it very difficult for her because he didn’t stop calling. He couldn’t go to her house because Chioma’s mother appeared difficult and Chioma attended no Church program since the day she left his house. Not picking his calls made him scared, and he wondered if she was okay. He asked his mother questions everytime she comes back from Church on Chioma. Wanting to find out if Chioma’s mother had raised any concern on her daughter to her friends but knowing Chioma’s mother so well, he concluded that she will never give no one the impression things were not fine at home. Instead, Chioma’s mother will put up an act and pretend that things were great. He is right because; his mother’s response is the same every time he asks.

 “Chioma is fine, she is just preparing for exams”. 

Then, Kunle’s mother will tell her son; “Kunle, if you are so concerned for her why not go to her house?” He will respond to his mother “I will go there when she asks me to come. You said, she needs to prepare for her exams”. He will roll his eyes, shrugged his shoulders and leave his mother confused. The next week when Kunle’s flight is scheduled to take off, his mother couldn’t take the questions anymore. She went over to Chioma’s mother in Church and told Chioma’s mother that her son is worried sick concerning her daughter. Chioma’s mother did not say a word, she laughed at the notion that Kunle cared for her daughter and it made Kunle’s mother look ridiculous. Kunle’s mother goes home angry and insisted Kunle never brings up Chioma again, he should man up and go visit her.So a day before his flight is scheduled to leave Lagos, Kunle walks over to Chioma’s house in the evening after rehearsals. The walk to her house made him present every possible conversation that may ensue between them to him. 

He looked crazy to passers-by who saw him talking to himself but he is oblivious to them because the drama that was before him was more ludicrous than what they saw him doing. He envisioned the worse that will happen but he didn’t envisage what eventually happened. Kunle stood in front of the entrance to Chioma’s house and dialled Chioma’s number. When he heard it ring, he traced the sound to the nearest window. He went over to the window pane and called out Chioma’s name.

“Chioma, its Kunle. Can we talk?”No response...

“I know you are in there”.

“Please, I need to tell you something important”.No response...

He dialled the number again and this time, it wasn’t ringing Chioma turned it off and the door to Chioma’s apartment swings open and out comes Chioma’s dad.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 14–

Chioma is in her room doing nothing as usual. She has her head phones and the music underneath was too loud, just the way she liked it. She had stumbled on the song by Lady Gaga “Till it happens to you” while browsing and the single became her ring tone, on playback all the time twenty four hours, seven days a week.
Her father came around earlier from his trip but Chioma is not interested in bonding with him and this behaviour is unusual. He asks Chioma’s mother why Chioma is so withdrawn and Chioma’s mother tells him Chioma is experiencing puberty and girls liked to be alone when they go through that stage in life.

               

Chioma’s father is both confused and happy. Puberty meant Chioma is a woman now, and it made him so proud. As her father, he needs to be more protective than ever before, now he is aware that his daughter is a woman, he thought to himself. He will need to be at home more and bond with her so she knows men. He will tell her pregnancy or promiscuous is not allowed in his house and if he ever finds out what isn’t aligned with his cultural beliefs, he will disown her but he knew Chioma is well trained. Although, her mother did more than he but whenever he is around he ensured he did his best in being a father. He provided for their every need and that was important.
As he pondered on how fast his Ada had grown in the living room, he heard another male’s voice beckoning on his daughter by the window. He stood up and went over the window to find a young man starring straight into his daughter’s bedroom window. “She entered puberty and men are already coming?” He said to himself.

“Mba! ọ dịghị nke ga- eme eme” I am  the only man in the house and it will stay like that till I says otherwise. So Chioma's father dashes out of the house to confront the young man. 

“Yes, can I help you?” Chioma’s father asks. Stuttering, Kunle tries to compose himself as he sees the heavily built man who wasn’t smiling starring right back at him. Kunle thought long and fast of what to say, how to explain why he was at Chioma’s window at that hour.

“Sir, Please I came from Church to find out why Chioma was not at rehearsals today”. Kunle said stammering.

“Is that why you were peeping through her window?” Chioma’s father asked with a stern look on his face.

“I am so sorry sir, I tried Chioma’s number but it kept ringing and she won’t pick up the phone so I traced the sound to that window and assumed she will respond when she hears my voice”. Kunle answered

“Chioma didn’t go for rehearsals because she is busy and I never want to see you by that window ever again.” Chioma’s father roared

“Yes sir”. Kunle responded.

“I am so sorry” He continued as he walked past the heavy man and headed straight for the gate.It is Kunle’s turn to run. He ran faster than Usain bolt, he knew just how fast he ran because he was home in less than a minute. Panting and trying hard to catch his breath.

Kunle was never going back there, and that was the end of his worry for Chioma. He went to his room, went on his knees and thanked God for sparing his life.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 15-

Nevertheless, Chioma’s mother had seen the whole event peeping through the living room window. She felt sad for Kunle and is ashamed of herself of how she treated his mother. It wasn’t her fault; she is now on the defensive since her daughter was molested. Who won’t be? When her daughter told her the incident, she first suspected it was Kunle and planned different ways of how to kill Kunle but when she realized it wasn’t him, she looked stupid and guilty for thinking thoughts of murder.

When Kunle’s mother had approached her in Church, she laughed at the notion Kunle cared for her daughter because she assumed his mother is being sarcastic. “Kunle knows my daughter was raped and you have the guts to approach me that he is worried for her?” She thought and wondered if Kunle told his mother and she is just being nosy to find out if it is true so that she can tell everyone Chioma isn’t preparing for any exams but instead she is being examined due to rape.She will never let her social life be ruined by the event and she planned to keep the whole drama a secret for as long as she lived.
Her conscience took control of her and she knew she is over reacting. So she goes over to her daughter’s room, removes the head phones from her ears and tells Chioma to look through the window. Chioma looked bewildered but just in time to see Kunle dashing out of their compound and a big smirk on her father’s face.

She made a move to run out of the house but her mother stopped her half way and told her it isn’t a wise thing to do.

“But he is travelling tomorrow and I may never see him again.” Chioma said almost in tears.

“You can go over to his house tomorrow before he leaves for the airport” Chioma’s mother responded.

“I heard Kunle’s mother tell someone in Church that they will leave for the airport at noon tomorrow” Chioma’s mother continued.

“How will I leave the house without daddy knowing?” Chioma asked

“Leave your father; I will take care of him”. Chioma’s mother responded.

Chioma’s mother left the room leaving a very anxious Chioma. When her mother is out of sight, she picks up her phone and dials kunle’s number for the first time in two weeks but the phone is switched off
 

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 16-

The next day, Chioma wakes up very early and finishes her chores before any wakes. Her father sees her vibrant for the first time since he got home and he couldn’t help but stare at her. She smiles back at him and heads for her room but he stops her half way and requests that she comes to the living room with him for a chat.At eleven- forty-five in the morning, Chioma is in the living room with her father. She is now frustrated and can’t wait to leave for Kunle’s house.

She will never forgive her father if she misses Kunle and not get the chance to say goodbye. Chioma’s mother walks into the living in time to tell Chioma to run and get something for her at the market.

“Can’t she go later?” Her father inquired

“I am preparing soup for us to eat this afternoon. I need those ingredients as soon as possible” Chioma’s mother responds.

“Okay, Chioma you can go but we will continue this discussion later in the day” Chioma’s father says

Chioma gives her mother a “thank you “ look and dashes out of the living room straight into her room to wear a pair of jeans and tees.She grabs her phone and heads for the door. Chioma dials Kunle’s number while she makes a run for his house. It rings and no one answers but she doesn’t stop dialling.

As she approaches Kunle’s house she sees his mother’s car in front of her and panics.

“No! No! No! Kunle don’t leave me without saying goodbye” Chioma whispers as she picks up speed behind the car.

“Kunle! Kunle!”  She screams at the top of her voice.

The car stops.

Kunle comes out of the car while Chioma stops running and tries to catch her breath.Kunle walks towards her and smiles at the sight of her panting.

“Hope you were not going to leave for the airport without saying goodbye?” Chioma asks without thinking

“I was going to branch at your house but then the thought of your dad squeezing me into one of my boxes and throwing me away was enough for me to change my mind” Kunle responded.

They both smile.

“I am sorry Kunle”. Chioma said

“Don’t apologise, I understand and I am sorry I have to leave you now but I am not dying Chioma. I will be there when you need me. We will keep in touch as often as possible as long as we can.” Kunle replied

“I guess. It’s not the same as having you here.” Chioma said

The driver horns for Kunle.

“I have to run so that I don’t miss my flight.” Kunle informs Chioma

“Okay. I truly wish you the best this time” Chioma says smiling. 

Kunle moves closer for them to hug and as awkward as it looked, Chioma gives him a half hug and pats him on the back before he turns to leave. Chioma stands there for a while and watches him get back into the car and as she waves him goodbye a tear drops from her eye.She cleans the tear off her face and heads back home.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 17-

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months as Chioma is in school preparing for her first term examinations in SS3 class. Kunle and Her, chat every day on social networks; twitter, facebook, whatsapp and they post pictures daily of their individual activities. Her phone had become her new best friend. But the results of her first term examinations come out weeks after the second term starts and Chioma did badly on all subjects.
She brings home her report card and her mother almost has a heart attack.

“What are you going to do with these grades Chioma?” Her mother asks

“Mummy, I tried my best. I put effort into this exam...” Chioma stuttered

“C’mon shut up!” Chioma’s mother shouted.

“What effort did you put in ehn? If not on that phone of yours...Give me that phone.” Chioma’s mother reaches for Chioma’s phone, struggling with her daughter a bit. When she gets hold of the phone, she grabs it and drops it in her bra.

“Ada ahapụ a ekwentị” she calls out. “Come and take the phone from where I put it.” Chioma’s mother continues with a sigh

“Mummy, the phone has kept me from killing myself” Chioma blotted out

“Shut up!” Chioma’s mother lashes at her.

“I am sick and tired of your playing the victim.” Chioma’s mother continues

“You want to destroy your life but I won’t let it happen, ọ dịghị agaghị m. Are you the first person to get raped?” Chioma’s mother yells at her Chioma starts to cry, profuse tears running on her cheeks. 

“I watched you for months act like the world have come to an end and I kept quiet. I sucked my opinions in but I will not stand by and watch you bring stupid grades to this house. What will I tell your father ehn?” Chioma’s mother continues 

“Mummy, I tried my best” Chioma said in tears 

“No you did not! You did not try. Don’t you want to study medicine and become a doctor?” Chioma’s mother asks 

“I don’t...”Chioma responds but is cut short by her mother screams. 

Her mother shouts “Chineke” so many times and holds on to her chest. “You are going to be a medical doctor Chioma, whether you want it or not because I have not laboured in vain. I may not have been a good mother but, I learnt my lesson, I will guide and protect you until you can do it by yourself” Chioma’s mother speaks out “You cannot give up on your dreams. Rape is not the end of the world my daughter. It is not the end of your future.”She continues 

“Phone is not what is keeping you from killing yourself kwanu? The motivation to live is not in a phone or in someone else, it is in you!” Chioma’s mother continues while Chioma cries

 “I know what you are capable of doing and this grade is not you Chioma. So, if you don’t pick up on life, I will tell your father”.

Chioma’s mother warns 

“No. Please don’t tell Daddy, he will kill me”. Chioma cuts in 

“You said you want to die nah, why not let him do it for you?” Chioma’s mother says sarcastic

“Mummy, please do not tell him. I will do better” Chioma promises

“Your mock examination is coming up in less than 2months. You must prove you will do better so I know how to keep my mouth shut. Else!” Chioma’s mother said having discovered Chioma’s trigger point is her daddy; she decides to buttress the point further.

“I promise. No more bad grades, please don’t tell daddy”. Chioma begs

Chioma’s mother gives her a smile and draws her to her chest to pacify her. She reaches inside her bra and hands Chioma back her phone while cuddling her daughter in her arms.

“I wanted you to be a banker but, I decided to support you on being a Medical Doctor. It will suit you and shame the devil. Everything will be just fine, I promise you.” She whispers into her daughter’s ears.

-FICTION-

 -CHAPTER 18-

A car pulls up into a building. The building has a big micro-finance bank on the ground floor. The passenger in the car comes out of the car and heads straight into the bank. Guards in uniform at the bank greet the passenger from the car as the man slides pass them into an inner office. The man knocks on the door of the office and Jude’s father asks the person on the other side to come in. Chief enters with a disapproving gesture, ready to make trouble. As Jude’s father sees the man, he knows there is trouble and tries his best to comport himself.

“I saw your car on the driveway and the thought came to my mind to remind you of the money you still owe me.”The man said

“Chief, why don’t you take a sit?” Jude’s father said

“This is not a courtesy visit; I am getting impatient with you”. The man said

Jude’s father takes a deep breath and replies him “I understand it is taking too long but I am doing everything I can to pay up. I don’t have the money now; when I do get the money you will be the first I will call”.

“I said I am getting impatient with you. I give you one month. If I don’t get my money, you will have to consider a merger”. The man replies and walks out of the office before Jude’s father could say another word. Jude’s father stands up and closes his office door. He brings out his phone and places a phone call and speaks to his son on the other end. “Jude, a merger is the only option I have and I need you not to mess this up”. Jude father says and hangs up

Jude drives into a compound and parks in the driveway. He comes out of the car and a woman welcomes him with an intimate hug. Jude carries her and takes her into the apartment.

“How was the talk with your father?” The woman asks

“It went well” Jude replies

“Tell me all” The woman says with enthusiasm

“I don’t want to talk” Jude replies

“Tell me how you intend to woo the chief’s daughter into marrying you?” the woman says teasing him. Jude stands up from the bed where they lay and heads for the living room while the woman follows behind.

“I don’t need to woo Sandra. It is a business transaction, we are getting married to save our parent’s businesses” Jude responds

“I know, you have told me a million times. Your father is deep in debt and a merger will save him money. I know the story Jude what I don’t understand is where I fit in as your pregnant girlfriend”. She calls out

“I can’t back down on this merger. I am the sole heir of my father’s business. He has never asked me for help in his life and as much as I hate him, I can’t turn my back on him. I will get married to her and in ten years, I will file for divorce and we can be together as a family.” Jude replies. 

The woman moves and slaps Jude on the face.

“Ten years?” She asks

“Okay, 5 years. I can’t do less than five or it will look suspicious and I might not be able to split the property half way.” Jude responds

“You are pathetic”. She tells Jude

“Mind your language woman”. Jude yells at her

“What will I do with myself while you sleep with another woman for 5years?” She asks with disgust on her face

“You will find something creative as you always do” Jude replies. He holds her close and looks into her eyes. “I am doing this for you, for our unborn child. I hope you can see that?” Jude continues. The woman jerks herself from his grip.

“No Jude. You are doing this for you” She replies as she walks back into the bedroom. “Please lock the door behind as you leave” She continues not looking back.

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 19-

Jude walks into his marital home and places his suitcase on the table in the living room. There is silence in the empty house and he heads for the bedroom. In the bedroom, a video player plays footage from their wedding a year ago. Sandra, his wife is cuddled up on a couch in the room backing the door and watching the video recording with a glass of juice in her hand. She smiles as the moment where they exchange their vows. Jude takes her hand and promises to trust honour and love her all the days of his life. She is caught up by the scene and did not hear her husband walk into the room. Jude approaches her and hugs her from behind which startles her. She stands up and turns off the video.

“Hi dear, I didn’t hear you come in.

"How did your trip go?” Sandra asks

“It went well. How are you?” Jude asks. Sandra goes back to the couch and looks away from him. Jude senses something is wrong so he walks towards the couch and squats in front of her.

“Have you been having morning sickness?”He asks

“No?” Sandra responds

“Is something wrong?” Jude asks

“I did not know how to tell you on the phone. I expected you back last week but since you took a week more, I decided to wait for you to come back” Sandra spilled out

“What do you need to tell me Sandra?” Jude asks

“I lost the baby” Sandra tells him crying. Jude wraps his hands around Sandra and whispers “I am sorry” in her ears”

“It happened a week ago, I was going out and I felt blood coming down my dress. I called the doctor and an ambulance was sent to the house but the doctor confirmed that I lost the baby”. Sandra says while weeping on Jude’s chest

“Have you told your father?” Jude asks

“Yes, I have. I am so sorry you didn’t know first. I didn’t want to alarm you in anyway” Sandra said. Jude kisses her passionately and tells her he is glad she is alright and that is all that matters to him but Sandra is not happy. She is sure nothing is right in this marriage.

Jude is cuddled up in the arms of his son as the boy’s mother walks into the living room and collects the boy from his father to feed him.

“So where did you tell your wife you were going to this time?” The woman asks as she feeds the child

“Business trip” Jude responds. 

The woman laughs and asks “How long will you continue to lie to her Jude?”

“Four more years” Jude says “After that I can divorce her and we will be together”
“You can’t keep drugging her“The woman tells him with a smile on her face

“I know, I feel very bad for her. I will have to get her someone, a nanny or maid who will stay with her and help out around the house, keep her company” Jude explains

“Can I help?” The woman asks

“That will be a great idea and I won’t have to go back and forth anymore” Jude replies. The woman laughs at Jude and says “Not me. I meant Jamal’s wife. I can help you get Jamal’s wife?”

“Why not you do it?” Jude asks

“I can’t stay with your wife under the same roof Jude. She needs someone who will take care of her and not someone who will think of poisoning her. I can live knowing you are with her so that you can end up with me but I can’t survive being in the same house with the both of you.” the woman explains

“Okay, but Jamal owes me money” Jude tells her

“Well, his wife will have to pay his debt through her services as a maid” The woman responds

“Are you sure we can trust her?” Jude asks

“I am sure” the woman replies

  

-FICTION-

-CHAPTER 20-

The woman who bore Jude’s child is Elizabeth. As she walks towards Jamal’s house with her son strapped in front of her, she remembers how she met Jude. Jude attended a private university and one day while he was in a night party, Elizabeth walks into the premises looking exactly like Chioma. His heart had stopped for a while when he saw her and she noticed because he was looking at her inquisitively to find it if it was Chioma.

Elizabeth has never gotten such a connection from a man before so she walks towards him with a seductive sway of her hips but as she moves closer, Jude realizes it’s not Chioma and he looks away. Elizabeth sees the guy’s countenance changed as she walks towards him but she doesn’t stop walking.

“Hi”. Elizabeth said

“Hi” Jude responds

“Can we dance” Elizabeth asks

Jude looks at her and swears she resembles Chioma even up close.

His heart misses a beat, and he follows the girl to the dance floor. As they dance, Elizabeth could tell he comes from a rich home because of the shoes on his feet. She danced as a stripper
Jude is taken by her, she was turning him on in the right places and he liked it. After the event that happened with Chioma, he has not looked at any girl twice so this feeling he was getting is what he needs. He whispers into her ears he wants to take her home with him and to his surprise, she agrees.

The next morning, Elizabeth lies on Jude’s bed with a blanket covering her nakedness. She rests on her palm watching Jude dress up.

“Where are you going?” She asks

“I have a lecture to attend.” Jude responds.  Elizabeth gets off the bed and picks up her clothes from the floor.

“What are you doing?” Jude asks

“Getting dressed so I can go back to my hostel” Elizabeth responded

“I don’t want you to leave.” Jude tells her

“You don’t even know my name.” Elizabeth replies. Jude laughs. She can be called Aboriginal, he did not care. She wasn’t going anywhere because he has found someone as witty as Chioma but this girl, unlike Chioma allowed him to express himself without refusing.

“If you have to go, I won’t stop you. “ Jude explains

Elizabeth looks at Jude and sees in his eyes the plea for her to stay. Jude and she had just spent the night together and other guys she has been with will want her out of their rooms before the break of dawn but this guy is asking her to stay.

“I have no plans for today. I can stay till you get back from class” Elizabeth tells him

Jude walks up to her and kisses her deeply. His own way of telling her how much he appreciates her decision to stay. He grabs his school book and a pen, walks out of his room and leaves a happy Elizabeth behind.

Elizabeth has found the love of her life.