GHOST

HARMLESS GHOSTS OF MY PAST

Some said it was because I wore short skirts all around the house. Others said it was because I was fair complexioned and my skin was always screaming for attention. The kind ones concluded that it was my mother's fault for not noticing anything was wrong. The wicked ones blamed her for being too busy.
 I heard everything and I could only smile even through the pain.  Listening to their comments about what happened to me only made it seem more surreal. And hardened my resolve to take permanent action against my ghosts.

My name is Veronica, My story is one that might elicit pity from you. But please do not share that emotion. Learn from it and move on. Just like I have. I lost my dad when I was 13. And as painful as it was, it was much more painful for my mother who immediately assumed the role of breadwinner for my sister and I. She worked from 7am till anytime She could come home.

We learned to take care of ourselves and tried as much as possible not to bother her in any way. As the first child, I assumed the role of mother and took care of my sister to the best of my ability.
Then Came Uncle Innocent. Uncle Innocent was my dad's brother who all the while lived in South Africa.  He Came to Nigeria and my mum felt obliged to accommodate him since no other close relative lived in Lagos.

He brought a lot of goodies and made us all happy as he gradually became a part of our lives. Buying us our necessities and taking care of us. He attended all PTA meetings when mum couldn't and drove us everywhere. He was our God sent angel.. But then it only took a little while for me to realize that this angel wasn't so innocent afterall.

One afternoon Uncle Innocent sent my sister to get him some vegetables from the market. I protested because I felt she was too young to go all the way there besides the fact that we didn't need vegetables for anything in the house at that moment. He silenced me saying he wanted to make a delicacy they eat in South Africa and we would like it.  I just said okay. Excited that I'd get to eat foreign food.

As my sister left, he Locked the door and began to take off his trousers.
I was astonished. He had never done that. Before I knew what was happening, I received the slap that changed my life. He didn't utter a word.
I had heard of Rape, I experienced it first hand. I Shouted. I struggled. But his huge body didn't even allow me succeed a little. Being a hot afternoon,  everyone had gone to work. My screams yielded no attention from neighbors.
When he finished, he told me I wasn't to utter a word, else the same ordeal would be my sister's lot. The mere thought of that shut me up.

 I suffered in silence. I didn't know who to tell. I was just a mess of a broken spirit and a used body. After about 3 months Uncle Not-so Innocent left our house escorted by the police when a neighbor of ours heard my regular shouts and broke the door one afternoon. He was home on leave and heard me struggling as usual.
The story broke out to the whole community and everyone had their fair share of commentary. We had to leave the vicinity.

My mother was so sorry. She promised to reduce her working hours.
I was placed under observation in the hospital and given millions of tests and injections.
I had psychological help and a lot of counseling to help me out of the trauma. I'm 20 years old now. 7 years after the incident and I'm not the Veronica I was. I know better and I'm stronger. And even if my past has ghosts, they are completely harmless.
*****Story by Ayegba ENE,  400level Psychology, OAU*******

THERE IS NEED CRYING OVER SPLIT MILK. SINCE YOU CANT CHANGE THE PAST,  THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE IS TO FORGE AHEAD WITH LIFE AND STRIVE NOT TO MAKE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN. DONT ALLOW THE MISTAKE/SORROW OF THE PAST ROB YOU OF THE JOY OF TOMORROW.
*Always Remember You Can Preach A Better Gospel With The Way You Live Your Life Than With Your Lips*
Hope you enjoyed the story  and was able to learn something.  Don't forget to drop your comments and suggestions. Till we come your way again next week.
#HarmlessGhostOfMyPast
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#NoLookingBack
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