Luckily for me, I met one of the Ushers in the Church premises. I told him I needed a description of the Pastor’s house because I must see him urgently. He gave me the description, thank goodness the house was not far away from Church. I also collected Pastor’s phone number from him in case I didn’t meet anyone at his residence. I thanked him and off I went.
I arrived at Pastor’s house some minutes past eight that evening and fortunately for me, I met both the Pastor and his wife . I did a brief introduction of myself as Mrs Badmus’s niece. They both welcomed me and I went straight to business.
I narrated my story from the beginning. How Badmus defiled me when I was 10 and all my encounter with him since I arrived at Jos till that very evening. I dipped my hand into my bag and brought out my diary which contained every single detail of what happened with dates and time. I also told them that I still have all the gifts he bought for me inside my wardrobe as evidences. I kept them all, I didn’t tamper with any of them.
Pastor and his wife were both astonished. They kept shouting Jesus! over and over again. ‘Why did it take you so long to speak out?’ Pastor’s wife asked.
‘I was so much afraid of his threats ma and besides, I thought no one would believe me, I cried.
‘It’s alright daughter.
. All will be well’, Pastor consoled me and told me to go home that they would join me in a jiffy.
I went home and just as I was about to knock at the door, I heard the following conversation between my Aunt and her husband.
‘Where is Beauty?’ Aunty Tope asked.
‘She came home not quite long and later went out without telling me her whereabouts and besides Honey, there is something I have always wanted to tell you about Beauty’
‘Yes Dear, what is it? I hope she didn’t offend you’
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. Mr Badmus continued, ‘In fact, it is a real offence. Do you know that Beauty has been seducing me since she entered this house? I just kept silent about it because I do not want to ruin your family ties. When she came home this evening, she demanded that I must sleep with her today before you return from the market. When I refused, she left the house angrily.
‘What?!’ Aunty Tope screamed in horror. I threw my two hands on my head where I stood outside the door and wept quietly. Human beings are so wicked! I silently prayed that Pastor should arrive on time.
‘You don’t mean what you just said Badmus’, my Aunt countered him.
‘I know it will be so hard for you to believe Honey,’ Badmus continued. But did you notice that we two hardly talk in this house. I mean myself and Beauty?
I never liked her. That girl is wayward. I do not want her to take me away from my wife and destroy my marriage, so if you value this union so much, it’s better you send her back to wherever she came from.’
Jesus! My Aunt exclaimed, it is true that I noticed you both hardly talk in this house. Ha! I am finished…’
I could not bear it any longer, I bit my lips hard and knocked at the door.
‘Who is that?’ Aunty Tope shouted angrily. I have never heard her sound that way before.
It is Beauty, I responded and opened the door. I stepped in and greeted my Aunt. Before I could say anything further, she landed a hot slap on my face.
To be continued tomorrow morning……