THE UNTOLD STORY OF A RAPE VICTIM (Series 2)

She tried listening to the Agricultural Science teacher but her mind kept replaying the events of that day, wishing she could turn back the hands of time. If she had not walked that day, she would still be a virgin. Maybe if Ifeanyi had not given her the gold wristwatch and her teacher, the lead-actress role, she would not have walked. Looking at the watch now, strapped on her wrist, feeling no iota of the elation she felt that day. Jerked back to life by a tapping on her table, she realised the teacher was in front of her desk asking her a question. Mumbling some non- commitant words, she rose to her feet. Her teacher perceiving that she looked lost inquired if anything was the matter, she said no. the bell went, and that ended the class. The next day, Ifeanyi was in class and she dreaded the confrontation. She avoided him during the lunch break, but he caught up with her after school. He beseeched her to tell him what happened, he sought her eyes but she couldn’t look him straight in the eyes. After a lot of cajoling, she broke down in tears and narrated all the gory details. He wanted to take her in his arms but she shrinked back still in horror. Stroking her hair, telling her it was O.k., he gently took her in his arms, but still she pushed him away. Not knowing what to do, they stood looking at each other, she with wet eyes, and he with a pained look till they heard a car horn. Instinctively knowing it was her mom, she turned to go, he called her name and said, “I still love you.” With fresh tears, not turning back, she ran to the car.
For two weeks, filled with mixed emotions, she avoided him. A part of her wanted the relationship they had before the horrible event happened, another part of her did not want to have anything with the opposite sex. In school the next day, during Math class, she felt an urgent urge to vomit and ran to the toilet, she was there for over 10 minutes, felt someone handing over water to her, then a handkerchief, she turned and saw Ifeanyi, with unshed tears in his eyes. He had been staring outside, unable to concentrate in class and had seen her run past. Exams were in two weeks, yet his head was in shambles. Though he was just 18 in S.S.2, Jennifer was his first love, they have been dating since she was in J.S.S 3, and now, he just wanted her to take him in, to share her pains, her fears, and her worries with him, like they’ve done for two years now. Still feeling nauseous, she requested that she wanted to go home and he offered to take her. He called a cab, on the way to her house, he told her how he felt, letting her know he just wanted her to share her worries and fears with him. She didn’t reply. When they got to her house, she alighted, mouthing “thank you”, she entered the house. Her mum wondering what the problem was, for her to be home so early inquired. Flippantly, she answered, “I vomited in school”. Filled with dread, her mind quickly darting to the events of the events of that day, she scooped her up, ushered Jenny into her car, and left for the hospital. On arrival, a series of tests were taken. Thanks for 21st century technology; results were ready in 30 minutes. As Jenny and her mother wee ushered into the doctor’s office, she sought his face but it was a mask specially built over the years. Both were gently but thoroughly questioned, when was the last time Jenny was sick? Has she been sexually active? Does she have a stable partner? At this instant, it was as if a volcano erupted inside her, “yes, I have been sexually active, I’ve been fooling around with my boyfriend of two years. Finally, I had sex 3 weeks ago. I was raped doctor. Are you satisfied now? Yes, I was raped. Yeah, I was raped! I was raped… like the rhythm of a traditional ballad! Story, with each new sentence, her vocal increased till she had to be forcefully given a sedative. At this juncture, the doctor broke the news of the test results to her mom, “I’m sorry ma, but your daughter is 3 weeks pregnant.” As if the screaming torch had been passed, the mother began, “oh, my God, pregnant?… she is only 15!

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