AGONY OF BEAUTY:: Episode 6

The Agony Of Beauty - Episode 6

"Jesus! Why are your eyes as red as this?" My Aunt exclaimed. "I just remembered Daddy", I lied.

"Oh dear, please don't do that now okay? All will be well. Don't worry, you have another Dad here,

you will be fine". She gave me a warm hug.

"Another Dad indeed! If only you know who your husband truly is..." I thought.

"Thank you Aunty."

"You are welcome dear, now let us serve dinner".

During my stay with Mr. & Mrs . Badmus, I avoided Mr Badmus. We hardly talked. My Aunt noticed

it so she queried me one day.

"You seem not to like my husband, Beauty" I was shocked.

"No.... no.... no... I...Aunty I am..." I stammered.

"It's alright, I only wondered why the two of you hardly talk, but never mind"

I pretended as if the food I was cooking was already burning. I quickly disapprared into the kitchen and never entered the living room till it was dinner time.

Exactly eight months after I got to Jos, I sat for the UME examination. I had a very good score. I

did excellently well in my 'O' levels too. Luckily for me, I gained admission into the University to

study Accountancy

. My Aunt was so proud of me, likewise my Mum and siblings were overjoyed. I was so glad that at

least, my entrance into the University would stop me from seeing the man I hated so much.

On a fateful day, about three weeks to the time I was supposed to resume fully at school, my Aunt

travelled to the South West to attend a family function so I was left at home with her husband. She

was meant to spend three days on the journey. The very night Aunty Tope travelled, Mr Badmus

made the move to have sex with me again.

I escaped from his grip and fled from the house. I went to stay with a friend of mine who stayed

with her grandmother down the street. I lied to them that Mr and Mrs Badmus had attended a

function in the neighbouring town, and I was too scared to be home alone.

I returned home on the evening of the third day with the hope that my Aunt would be back before

night fall but she didn't. When I realized my Aunt might not return that day, I quickly entered my

room, locked the door and kept the key near my pillow.

It was in the middle of the night, I was already sleeping but it wasn't a deep sleep.

I kept waking up almost every five minutes. Then I heard a sound at my door. It didn't occur to me

that Uncle Badmus had a spare key to my room. He inserted the key and flung the door open. He

immediately switched on the light and I sprang up from the bed. I wanted to run but he caught me.

I screamed. He used his hand to press my throat till I started coughing.

Mr Badmus is a wolf in human skin. I started begging him, i told him I would leave his house that

very night and never return if that was what he wanted but he refused. I struggled and struggled to

no avail. My strength was nothing compared to his.

That very night, Mr Badmus had sex with me again without my permission. He raped me and still

threatened to kill me if I ever told my Aunt. He also added that no one would believe me because

he was a fervent worker in his church.

. I cried and cried. I couldn't sleep till dawn. Where will I go to in this big city? I do not know

anybody.

I thought of borrowing a phone to call my Mum and tell her what I was passing through but I

dismissed the idea immediately when I remembered what Badmus said. Maybe it is true that no

one would believe me. I remembered my Aunt. She doesn't deserve this. It will break her marriage

if I ever speak out. She has been so good to me. She has been responsible for my feeding and

clothing. She even promised to sponsor my schooling to any level I wish to attain.

If only Mummy had found time to come and visit me in Jos all these while, I would have

summoned the courage to tell her. I burst into fresh tears as I sat on the floor of my room...