Episode Three
1084 Words
For the first time in two weeks, I am having dinner with my family in the dining room. I’m seated close to my dad, my dad opposite my mum and my siblings in between my parents. We are having jollof rice, plantain and chicken washing it down with the nice zobo drink my mum has perfected. The atmosphere in the dining room is so cold, everyone absorbed in their own thoughts that is except my little sister who is trying to make conversations to brighten up the room a little bit.
Folake: Brother tunji, guess what I learnt today?
Tunji: Folake, please don’t bother me right now, you hear?
Dad: Tunji! That wasn’t nice! Apologize to your little sister right now!
Tunji: mabinu aburo, shogbo?
Folake nods her head as tunji pulls her closer and kisses her forehead.
Folake: Mummy, this meal is so delicious! You really are the best cook in this world! I want to be just like you!
My mum lost in her thoughts doesn’t respond
Folake: mummy?
Mum still doesn’t respond
Folake moves closer and taps her
Mum: Folake? What is wrong with you? Why did u tap me like that?
Folake: mummy, I’ve been trying to get your attention for a while but you didn’t respond. I was just complimenting the meal you made for us today.
Mum: oh, I’m sorry dear. Thank you my darling.
Folake: so mummy, will you teach me to cook like you?
Mum: Folake, this really isn’t a good time. Okay?
Folake: okay mummy (sighs giving up)
Dad: ah ahn, temi you’ve just been playing around with your food, you aren’t eating why?
Me: oh, dad it’s nothing. I’m just not that hungry ni.
(Actually, I have no appetite, I just came out to eat to please my mum ni)
Dad: hmmm, sha try and eat something.
Me: smiles.
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After dinner, my siblings and I settled down in the living room to watch television. My sister goes through the channels on DSTV and finally settles on nickelodeon. Brother tunji didn’t oppose her choice which is a very abnormal thing, normally he would have wrestled the remote from her and changed it to supersport or wrestling. SpongeBob squarepants is what’s showing on nickelodeon. For real, can Patrick get any stupider? He’s seriously asking if mayonnaise is an instrument? (face palms). I feel a pair of eyes and me and look in the direction to find brother tunji looking at me awkwardly. Now that I think about it, he has been acting weird for a while now. He immediately averts his eyes. Hmmmm! What’s that all about? My mum comes into the living room.
Mum: temi, come into my room, your father and I would like to speak to you.
(sighs! I already know what it’s about, I stand up and follow her pass the dining room into a passage dah leads to the rooms and the kitchen. Her room is the second on the left down the hallway. It is a creamed colored room with brown furniture. My dad is seated on the bed and he motions at me to sit on the sofa in the room while my mum sits down beside him.)
Dad: Temi, your mum said you had something to tell me? What is it, my daughter?
Me: uhm, daddy…... (stutters)
Dad: yes, dear?
Me: Two weeks ago, the day I went to visit Esther…. (starts to cry)
Dad: ah! Kilode? Kilo shele? Why are you crying? Akanke, talk to me? What happened? Why is she crying?
Mum: adekola, the most horrible thing that could happen happened o. Our daughter was r***d! (Starts sobbing)
Dad: what? What did you say?
Me: yes, daddy, I was r***d. I am so sorry. I couldn’t stop them? (crying)
Dad: them? How many boys exactly?
I look up to see my dad at the verge of tears. Desperately trying to keep it all together and failing!
Me: Two guys (downcastedly)
Dad: oh my god! How did this happen?! Oh my princess! I’m so sorry! Who are they? They must pay! They just must pay for laying their filthy hands on my daughter! I will have them castrated! (speaking frantically)
Mum: adekola calm down! She doesn’t need all these now. Our daughter needs our support and love right now. She needs us to be there for her. We can talk about getting those bastards later.
Me: I just want all these to be over. To be able to forget that night. That’s all I want.
Dad: Aye mi oo! Asake ola! My daughter, I am so sorry. Oh god! I don’t even know what to say. Are you alright? Did you go to the clinic afterwards?
Me: no daddy, you and mum are the only two people that know. I couldn’t bear the shame of telling another person what happened to me.
Dad: oh dear, I am so sorry but you have to go to the hospital to have you checked, not just for pregnancy but for stds and internal injury. Also, would you like to see a psychiatrist? Someone to help you get through this if you don’t feel comfortable talking to us or letting it out?
Me: do I really have to?
Dad: Yes, sweetheart, it is important!
Me: okay then. But I am not seeing a psychiatrist. I am fine. I can handle it on my own.
Dad: if you change your mind, let us know okay? You are not alone in this so you are not handling anything alone okay? We will get through this. (squeezes my mum’s hand)
Me: smiles. Thanks dad.
Dad: I love you so much asake mi, so so much. I wish it was me in your position that night. I am so sorry. I am so sorry.
Me: dad, it’s not your fault. Don’t beat yourself too hard over this. Please?
Dad: But…... (my mum interrupts him)
Mum: adekola, it’s alright. All she needs is our love and support. Come here princess.
I scooch over to my mum and she engulfs me in a hug. My dad joins and engulfs us both in a hug.
After a while……...
Dad: spend the night here okay? With me and your mum.
Me: Sighs. Okay dad.
Dad: I am going down to the mosque to pray okay? Y’all should say your prayers. I will be back soon.
Mum: okay dear
Me: Smiles.
**
It’s 3am and I haven’t gotten an ounce of sleep. I am terrified of closing my eyes, of the nightmares that would be awaiting me as soon as I fall asleep. Looking at my mum sleeping soundly beside me. I know I told my parents I’m fine but I’m falling apart, far from being fine!
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Meaning of the Yoruba words in this episode❤️
Mabinu aburo: I’m sorry younger one
Shogbo: you hear
Aye mi: my life
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- Writer
