The Huntress Within: A Heroine’s Tale of Empowerment and Freedom

RAISING COUNTERATTACKS

I looked back and found out that Simon had disappear I to thin air.

I tried calling but he wasn't picking up. I couldn't go into the movie theater because I wasn't with my ticket.

He had both with him including our snacks. I decided to leave for home hoping I'll find him when I get home. I didn't go out with my keys as we were going together and coming back together. On getting home I realized he had locked me out. without thinking twice or telling me what I did wrong that warranted that behaviour.

I kept calling and calling to no avail. I then decided to spend the night at Tash's place.

Her mum was less concerned about my presence. She looked at me from head to toe a couple of times and then went I to her room to continue her business.

Tash was obviously worried about me and why I decided to still remain with a man that treats me this way.

You should just stay away from him, he doesn't deserve you, she said.

I looked up at her and smiled because it felt good to have someone look out for me.

You know I love him dearly and he helped me out of my griefing after I lost Kenneth. I have depended on him to be stable emotionally which I know is bad but I can't help but do. The relationship became my everything, I took solace in him and he was there for me.

He's going to change, I said to her.

She looked me in the eye and said. I know you deserve better and you need to make yourself open for the better that is to come.

A man in his mid forties walked in and asked after Tash's mum.

I could see the disgust in her eyes as she looked at him.

She said nothing, stood up pulled my by the arms go her room and shut the door behind us. Who was that? I asked.

No one, she said but I was still worried because the look on her face showed that she was terrified and scared of the man she had just seen.

After a little bit more push from me. she opened up and said the man had raped her when she was much younger and is now in a relationship with her mum.

Who would she thought Feminist Tash had such a past? She didn't press charges because she thought no one would believe her as her mum trusted him and even shut her up when she tried telling her about the incident.

He was her babysitter for a short period of time when her mum had to leave town.

He was the only adult that was close to the family.

so she entrusted her safety to him.

He asked her if she could go into the woods with him as he need to a log to light the fire.

He spoke to her as they went on and made her feel comfortable after going deep into the woods for a while she started asking questions because they had gone past a series for logs that he didn't pick up.

He said they weren't dry and wouldn't make the fire burn well.

He suddenly grabbed her, ripped her clothes off and committed the wicked act.

She recalled she ran off afterwards and found a house she ran into after which she fainted.

On waking up she had been cleaned and washed by an elderly woman who was taking a nap on the chair opposite the bed.

She didn't wait to thank her before she ran home and sat outside the door crying.

Her mum had gotten back. A report had been filed at the Police station stating that she was missing.

She went in and saw the rapist and her mum on the couch.

she recalled screaming that he be sent out of their apartment and he was evil but he came forward and tried to touch her pretending like he didn't take her innocence away.

She dogded him and went being her mum saying. please mum, just said him away. I need to talk to you right now.

Lo and behold! She didn't believe a word she said. Commending him on his efforts to find her.

Saying that since she ran off he had been worried sick searching for her and if anything had happened to her while she ran away she shouldn't lie against a good man.

Ever since, she had a strong hate for both her mum and the man.

It became worse when she found out that the same man who had raped her is now sleeping with her mother.

She had been having second thoughts on pressing charges now that she knew better about these things.

All that's left is to get proof that he did rape her then he'll serve the term.

I moved close to her as I tried to console her. I was really happy she could confide in me and tell me some of the things that bothered her.

I hope to deepen out bond as we go on. I needed to change into more comfy clothes and she gave me hers to put on. It was really a bonding time for us.

We got to hang around each other outside school work which is wonderful. We played games and laughed for most of the night.

School has become a one of my hiding places as going back to the house wasn't an option. Moreover Tash already advised I stay away for sometime which I totally agree with her.

Greg sat right next to me the following day in class. Hi Mel, he said.

I moved away from him at first because he is the reason why my fiance and i have not been on good terms for days now.

I left the seat to go somewhere else and he followed. What do you want from me I screamed at him suprising everyone in class. I felt so embarrassed as he caused unnecessary attention to be on me because he was following me around.

I quickly apologises and ran out of class to catch my breath because it almost felt like I was choking on the attention that suddenly became mine.

I'm sorry Mel he shouted from afar and went back into the hall.

I summoned the courage to go back as I couldn't miss class just because someone made me feel somehow.

This time he came to me calmly and apologized for his behaviour.

I wasn't ready to draw any more attention to myself so I quickly accepted his apology and it ended there but he didn't leave my side.

We had class sitting side by side. It was quiet so I didn't mind.

Tash didn't make it to school that day.

So I was on my own to find my way around and roam school all by myself.

I didn't feel so lonely because of course Greg made it a duty to follow around helping with my note books and bag.

I got less worked up and I started enjoying his company down to the train station and I found myself not wanting to end the fun and let him go.

I guess having male friends isn't so bad after all. I just didn't know how Simon would take it because ewe have a pending issue already because of this same guy I was getting comfortable with.

I surely am playing with fire sprinkled with a touch of heartbreak.

I really would have broken down if not for Tash's presence.

I haven't been able think about the fact that my man there me out of his place all because I was having a conversation with someone.

Not even a random guy, he's my classmate for crying out loud.

The train ride was a quiet one as I wasn't even sure the next thing to do or the next step to take. Love persevrs right?

On getting to Tash's she wasn't home yet. I took a quite bathe to take a nap but I found myself thinking about my new friend, Greg. Gregory is a nice guy but who knows when he'll switch up? You can't trust these men.

My mind became a war zone as I was raising counterattacks to the sweet thought of Greg brewing in my head.

He sure has a good physique. I like his white teeth and dark skin.

They complement each other so well and his wide and cocky smile there me off balance and I know I Pretend to be pissed by it in his presence but spending a few hours with him made me begin to find interest in him and get to know him

more and better.

How come you know so much about someone you just met? The battle went in and on in my head.

I didn't realize I had slept off until I woke up when I heard the door to the room open and slam shut. Tash had come in crying. I quickly jumped out of bed to console her. After she had cried to her satisfaction she said she was ready to talk.

Her boss had yelled at her at work for processing the wrong order and for picking a call while on duty.

Realizing she would have had no one to tell about her bad day just made me pull her in for a cuddle. She didn't complain or say a word she just lay in my arms and slept off.

The urge to go further began and for real it was so hard to watch her lay down and sleep so beautifully in my arms without craving more of her. Her perky boobs and and protuding n*****s were so visible under her camisole.

I soon slept off myself as the mind can only wander for so long. I woke up with a slight headache.

it's been almost 4 days that I hadn't spoken to Simon.

I was beginning to get worried.

I only wanted to give him sometime to himself and to let him breath and also miss me and maybe realize that he overreacted but seeing how he hadn't spoken to me for days and he didn't even bother rot drop a text or call made me get scared.

I definitely don't want to lose him. He's everything to me.

Times like this would make me think about Kenneth.

He would always make sure we settle Evey issue we had before we both retired to bed, not leaving room for quarrels or malice.

This definitely looks like a grace to grass scenario.

I was not sure about this relationship anymore but I know love would at least try to make things work before giving up.

I made up my mind to go see him and settle things once and for all. I miss him.

Melissa! He exclaimed as he saw me walk in. I didn't know how to interpret it. I mean the reaction on his face.

Why did you have to leave me hanging like that and lock me out, I immediately attacked him.

I wasn't in the right state of mind, I was overpowered by Jealousy and I only realized it after I missed your presence when I could have had all your attention to myself. Yet, I gave up all that merely because I couldn't control my anger and my feelings. Baby I should have done better, he said.

I was touched by his speech and all the anger within me disappeared and he suddenly looked like the most innocent man devoid of all his sins.

He got me a very beautiful necklace to celebrate our reunion. We made peace and made love. I hoped this will last.

Greg became a regular at sitting beside me in class and asking for my opinions and explanation in some areas he didn't understand.

We go to the library together with Tash to read and to write assignment and do research work.

We soon became very close friends and we would plan to do everything together.

whether it was relating to school or not.

Happy birthday Mel, Greg suddenly said from behind me. It was then it struck me that it was my birthday.

How come my Fiance didn't even remember to wish me a happy birthday before I left the house.

Greg faced me with a hug and it felt nice that he remembered it was my birthday. Shortly after mum called me to also wish me.

I suddenly heard Lissa Lissa and I knew that was grandma, only Grama calls me that and she made sure she sang me a birthday song.

My granny doesn't want to accept the fact that I'm an adult now bite hat can we do with out old parents? Nothing but love them.

Tash got me a friendship bracelet while Greg got me a mini cake from my best cake store. The cake city, I was really touched by their gestures.

On getting home I didn't meet Simon and I still hadn't gotten a call or text from him about my birthday or anything relating to wishing me.

I was upset I have to be sincere. Even my friends remembered to and the man I share my bed with everyday forgot to wish me.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he has a suprise planned out for me, I smiled within myself and that was why he had said nothing till that moment.

I really wanted to believe that was the situation of things because if it isn't it would hurt me real bad.

I had gone to bed before he got back. I started preparing for my usual boring day when it was day break. Simon said nothing about forgetting or missing that my birthday was the day before until I confronted him.

Am I really that unimportant to you? I asked. I was badly hurt and I wanted to know if he just didn't deem it fit or he forgot that it was my birthday.

Baby, what is this about again? He asked .

It's about my birthday.

Oh! Oh baby! I totally forgot about it, I'm so sorry. I had a bad day at work , is as at the mechanic all day trying to fix my car and it just escaped my mind and I was really looking forward to it. I totally had it in mind but the situation of things yesterday didn't make matters easy for me, he replied.

Fuck you for all the excuses you make each time you're wrong, i said and drove off.

Why does he keep messing with my mind? I asked Greg as soon as I saw him .

Who is messing with your mind, he asked innocently.

Who else? I replied.

Oh! your boyfriend, sorry Fiance, he said without feeling.

I rolled my eyes and walked away. I wasn't ready to hear anything about how he isn't treating me right and all that talk.

Not now maybe later. Tash came to find me as usual in the toilet crying about how I loved a man that wasn't treating me right.She was furious.

Not this again Mel, she said.

I thought you've at least gone past crying over this guy.

You need to accept that he isn't going to change and that would help you not get hurt by his words and actions.

She hugged me after realising that her words made me cry more.

I felt better and headed home from there after getting home i showered and took a nap to ease my headache because my head was banging from the way I cried. I made up my mind to wake up full of energy and vibes to continue the day and not let anything weigh me down after my moment of breakdown. I made plans to bake it is one of the things I do to calm my nerves, it is therapeutic for me. It boosts my energy and morale making me feel good about myself and the day. I decided to pour my energy into that I was 25 already. I needed to stop being a baby who had received so much love from her mum as an only child and now understand that the adult world is not an easy one.

It is surrounded by fears, pressure, pain, unhappiness and disloyalty. Adults help themselves out of this situation by being deliberate about it. Their mental health, physical health and many more depends on their will and if they broke down each time they had issues or were faced with situations who would the young generation look up to? I was thinking as i drifted off to sleep.

It was already an hour past 5 when I woke up, that was a deep sleep I said out loud and I loved the new energy I woke up with. Headed down t the kitchen to make ice cream and meat pie. From preparing the dough down to the sauce it was all fun for me i put on my music box and listened to Cardi b rap while moving and singing along to her songs. She's such a music icon I thought as I continued working.

I also made sure not I burn anything this time because it was already becoming an habit, I laughed out thinking about the last time Tash came over and I burnt the chicken.

I set the table for that because I made no other plans for dinner.

A quick snack not too heavy and just right for me.

I wanted to put on weight and move a size higher.

I wanted to put on weight and hit the gym to carve out that beautiful body that would look just outstanding in my office wear when I launched my own law firm.

It hasn't been easy managing life while doing what I love doing like baking and being a law student with the work load of the courses I have to read and understand since I got in three years ago.

Simon's elder brother Mark also graduated from Law school and I remember him telling me how he managed his life in school.

He still isn't married till now because he made no time for love and he still doesn't have the time to.

He said he didn't want to make any woman suffer because he was sure that he wouldn't be available to give her attention as much as she would want him to and he knew that would be the beginning of the end of the relationship.