where the light failed

Assessment

“When are you doing your final assessments?”

Layla asked as we were having dinner at home. I wanted to be a choir in our church but had to go through 3 months probation after which I'll be assessed and will officially join the choir as that's the norm in my church.

“Two days time”

l answered her. Layla is my sister who likes to pretend and get me into trouble with my parents a lot. The only time my parents ever treated me well was when I decided to be a choir and it brought fame to my parents. Choirs are like sacred people in my church and their parents are always held in high esteem for teaching their children well. All my life I've longed for my parents' love and I'm happy I finally have it.

“I'm happy my baby is gonna officially become a choir in two days time.”

My mum said.

“I'm proud of you darling.” said my dad.

“Thanks mum and dad.”

I said and focused on my food. The following day I was at home relaxing and reading a book when my phone rang and I saw it's my best friend Axel. We've been friends since we were kids up till now. He's always been there for me. He's been out of town lately and hasn't been around but we are always talking on the phone.

“Hey Axel how are you?”

“Sup Ally, I'm good, what are you up to?”

“Nothing really, just reading. Tomorrow is my final assessment” I told him.

“ I'm so happy for you Ally, well guess what? ”

“What's that Alex? You know I don't really like to guess.”

“Well…. I'm I town”

“Are you serious? When did you get back?”

“I just got back today and decided to check on you”

“ That's good news, so you'll be around for my assessment tomorrow?”

“Of course, I wouldn't miss it for anything. How about we hang out for a bit and do a little pre-celebration?

“ Well, that sounds cool, won't stay for long tho. Need to prepare for tomorrow"

“ No problem Ally, see you soon.”

He says and hangs up, I stand up from my bed where I've been reading for a while now and get dressed to go see Axel. Axel smiled and hugged me once I reached his apartment. It's not my first time being at his apartment. But my parents still don't know I have a male bestie. I'm sure they wouldn't have allowed it.

“What drink should I get you? I ordered pizza already, it should be here soon.”

“ Water is fine.”

“ I'll be right back.”

I watch Axel enter the kitchen and start to look around the apartment, nothing has really changed since the last time I was here, except that his curtains are kind of dark now and I guess he used air freshener. That's strange, he has never used an air freshener before. While checking out the house I started feeling dizzy, my head’s pounding and I suddenly feel weak. What's going on with me? I watched Alex walk out of the kitchen with a weird smirk on his face.

“it kicked in faster than I expected. So I heard you'll be matchmaked with a fellow choir when it's time to settle down and prior to that there will be no dating?”

“ why are you asking me that kind of question Axel? And what kicked in faster?”

“Nothing, I just can't imagine you with someone else other than me.”

“What are you talking about Axel?”

I guess I should start going,I don't have a good feeling about this at all, I tried getting up but I couldn't, I can't even move any part of my body except for my mouth.

“ What's going on Axel? what did you do to me?”

“ nothing really I just sprayed something that will make you weak”

He says smirking and touched my thigh through the jeans that I'm wearing, I wanted to move but I couldn't move I was weak and my voice was also weak I couldn't shout I couldn't move any part of my body, he went to kiss me but I turned my face away and he held my face trying to forcefully kiss me but I spat in his face and he became very angry and slapped me,he kept slapping me over and over again till I lost consciousness next next thing I know I woke up completely naked in his bed and saw him smirking. I was so terrified and ashamed. I looked around and saw my clothes on the floor. I picked my clothes up, put them on and started throwing anything and everything I see around at him.

“God will judge you Axel, may you never know peace all the days of your life.”

I say and ran from his house, before he does more horrible things to me. I quickly stopped a cab and got in after giving him my address. I kept crying in the cab till I got home. The cab driver asked me many times if I'm ok or would like to go to a police station or hospital. I just had to keep telling him I'm fine. That he should just take me home. I got home still crying hoping my parents were home and could comfort and fight for me. I stepped inside and I was immediately knocked down by a slap from my mom.

“Why are you slapping me mom? what have I done?”

“What have you done?"

Then she showed me her phone and on her phone is a picture of me naked in bed with Axel. I was shocked and couldn't find my voice for some seconds. I tried explaining myself that he drugged me but my parents didn't believe me. They said they already got a call from church that said there is no more assessment for me, I have been banned from joining the choir or any other unit in church.

The choir is for holy people not fornicators like me apparently the choir leader also got the same picture. I tried checking it on my mom's phone again to know who sent it but the pictures were gone. It was sent to them via w******p and it was set to only view once.

“You are a disgrace and I regret ever having you” mum says

“I hope God forgives your sin you b***h” dad said and spat on me and left with mom.

I just sat on the ground crying, devastated and have no idea what to say or do, I don't even know who to talk to. I heard someone laughing and look up to see it's Layla. She's been standing there all along and now she is laughing at me? What kind of sister laughs at her younger sister's predicament instead of helping her?

“ I hope you enjoyed the d**k? She says smirking.

I cringe at her choice of language and stand up from the ground. As there's no point sitting there, nobody believes me and my own sister is laughing at me. I started going to my room and stopped when I got to where Layla was standing.

“Your woe days are coming, sooner than you think. And I'll be there watching and laughing at you, just like you did today. Trust me when I say, you'll need my help and I'll remind you of today and all the other days you've bullied me.” I tell her