The deed episode 5 – 6

TITLE: THE DEED

THEME: WHY DID I RAPE HER?

EPISODE 5

“You have done what you came here to do. You want to ruin my son’s life. He made a mistake, so you have decided to punish him so gravely. Why did you do all this?” Dayo’s mother asked in tears.

“I think you should ask your son that. Why did he defile my daughter? I will not rest until he does the honourable thing by marrying her. If he refuses, I will take the evidence to the police and take the case to court.”

“Labake, did I hurt you so badly that you are taking this type of revenge on me? Forgive me. Please, save my family. Please.” Dayo cried to her.

“How does she save your family? Abortion is an abomination where we are from. So, is she the one to suffer for your indiscretion? She didn’t ask for this and cannot suffer it alone. Labake, our work here is done. Je ki a lo, let us go.”

That settled it. Labake stood up and left with her mother. It was unbelievable. Dayo had been dealt a bitter blow. It would be difficult to wriggle out of it. She felt sorry for his innocent wife; she didn’t deserve to have all these problems. It would never have crossed her mind to involve her and her family.

“Feel sorry for who? You are thinking from the wrong angle. That man had s–x with you without protection. Did he know your medical history to do that confidently? He should know whom she is dealing with? Do you think you are the only girl who has had s–x with? I know men. This is what made me leave your father. He was chasing women up and down without a conscience. He will not drop money at home for upkeep but he will spray money at parties to attract women and spend on them. So I am the fool meant to suffer? I left him sharp sharp. They accused me of all sorts but I didn’t care and I still don’t care. The bad woman, the impatient woman is the one he is begging to come back to him. I cannot go back o. After he has used up his youth I should come and manage carcass. Me too, I like the good life.”

Labake looked at her mother in awe. Where did she come from? She wished she could have such believe in herself to stand up for what she can’t take. From now on, she would listen to her and do as she says.

“You will come and stay here with me. I have two spare rooms I am not using. I know he will come to your house to harass you. Give him this address to come and look for you.”

“I will still see him at work Ma.”

“You will change job. I will talk to one or two people for you.”

“But, will you make him marry me? I don’t want to marry him oh. I don’t even want the child.”

“You will want the child. Only a foolish girl aborts at 35. You will keep the child here for me if you don’t want.”

“How can I have a child outside wedlock? As a single mother? That was never my plan for my life.”

“Life never plays out the way we plan dear child. Whatever life throws at you; you have to make the most of it. You will not marry him but you will have the child and he will pay for the upkeep of that child. He will pay for what society will say to you. He will pay for reducing your chance of getting married. Just allow me deal with him.”

It dawned on her. Her life had changed forever. If she has this child, everything will be different. Even if she doesn’t have the child, her life has changed. She was hurt; very pained. She was no longer feeling sorry for Dayo; he brought it on himself. The painful thing was that he would still win. The wife would take him back. He will continue to run after other women but would be more careful. He would give her stipend for the child while his life moves on. What will become of her?

“It is now you are understanding what I am saying. It is this child that will make you happy. This child will cause you all the joy and happiness you are looking for. It was my children that made me work hærd and be where I am today. That is what this child will do for you.” She looked at her closely and could see the panic in her eyes. “Are you afraid? Afraid of what? Once you deal with this guy, the fear will reduce and once the baby is born, you will see, your joy will be full.”

“But Ma, the wife will go back to him. She will forgive him and go back to him.”

“And so? Will she be happy? He has a child outside wedlock while married to her. Will she ever forget that? Will she trust him again? Going back to him is like her signing both their death sentence. There will be no more happiness and peace in that home. If she goes back, she is going back of her own accord. Her parents will not support her return to him. If she still goes, they will both lose. Her parents are very influential; he needs them. He will work more on his father-in-law’s forgiveness than the wife’s. He has sense.”

“Will they forgive him?”

“Eventually, they will. The man is no better. He also womanizes but has not brought home an illegitimate child so why should Dayo? If it was just the rape, there would be no case. But the pregnancy is the problem. Dayo will crawl on the ground to beg you to abort; don’t agree. Tell him you will die if you do.”

“I never expected this to happen. I regret my action. I should have investigated him. I shouldn’t have gone with him for the Bachelor’s eve. I had a strong feeling something was wrong but I got carried away.”

“It’s not your fault. He didn’t ask for s–x; he took it by force. Yes I agree, you should have known the kind of person he was before dating him but that doesn’t give him the right to rape you. He is lucky. In my hay days, I would have arranged and cut off that thing he calls a manhood. He would not know what hit him.”

“Ah Ma, no oh. What if he dies from it? I can’t commit murder oh!”

“But you want to abort the pregnancy. Isn’t that murder?”

“That’s different.”

“What is the difference? Nobody is dying, you hear me. The baby is staying. If you don’t want; give me after delivery.”

As predicted, Dayo came begging. He sent countless messages asking her to please remove the pregnancy. He begged her to meet with him and talk since she had moved in with her mother whom he dreaded. She agreed.

“Labake, I accept I offended you. But, you cannot use a sledgehammer to kill an ant now. Please, forgive me.”

“Is it my forgiveness you want? If it is, there is no problem. I have forgiven you. After all, you are the father of my child. If it is that one, there is no problem at all.”

“Emmm, concerning that, you don’t need the stress now Labake. Do us both a favour and abort the pregnancy. You don’t need the child and I don’t too.”

“Which child are you talking about? I hope it is not one in my womb. I should abort? It is an abomination where I come from.”

“Please, drop all these superstitious beliefs. Put our miseries to an end. Abort this pregnancy.”

“Ok. I agree. But it will be only after your wife aborts her pregnancy then we can all start afresh.”

“Are you mad? Are you crazy? What rubbish is this? My wife should kill my child?”

“But you want me to kill our child. It is only if she would kill her child I will kill mine.”

“You are not well. Why can’t you use your head? You will be a single mother. Who will marry you then? I didn’t know you were this senseless.”

“I am senseless? Where was your sense when you raped me? Where was it when you did it without protection? Now the result is out and you are talking down at me? You want your wife to have her child and I should kill mine? Well, I will do no such thing. You will live with your mistake and be responsible for it.”

“You lie! I tell you, you lie! I will have nothing to do with you or the child. I never knew you were this wicked. I saw you as a good person with a good heart…”

“And you decided to take advantage of me. You raped me because you felt I will keep quiet. I understand. I look timid right? I look like someone you can use and dump. My looks have deceived you. You will be responsible for this child or I will be a pain in your ass. I will ensure you have no peace. Take my word for it.”

“I came here to reason with you; I didn’t know it was a waste of time. Do your worst”

“Oko iyawo meji, husband of two wives, no vex. We will take care of you.” She picked up her bag and walked out on him.

EPISODE 6

“So what happened. Tell me quickly.”

“He wanted me to abort the pregnancy. I asked him to tell the wife to abort first before I remove my baby. He said I have no sense and I gave it to him. He said he will not be responsible for the baby.”

“Did you record the conversation like I said?”

‘Yes, Ma.”

“That’s all. Send it to me. I want to anonymously send it to his father-in-law.”

“Won’t he know it is from us?”

“Does it matter? I want to keep the man abr–st of what is happening.”

“I don’t think so Ma. Let us gather them as evidence and keep until we are called for a meeting. I am not in a hurry.”

“My daughter has mind now.”

“The way he spoke to me, it was as if I was nothing. I was just an object he wanted to play with. I felt like strangling him there.”

“That’s men if you give them a chance. If you had grabbed him by his blokus when he raped you and created a scene, he would never try it again. If he sees you, he will fear you.”

“It is not too late Ma. I am ready to learn.”

“He will try to force you to abort. Maybe he is getting pressure from his in-laws for you to terminate the pregnancy.”

“It is possible.”

“Let us watch his game plan. It will soon unfold.”

Three weeks later, Labake got a call from her father. He invited her to his house. She hærdly got along with him after he watched the way his second wife treated them and kept quiet. It was when they reported to mother that there was a change. She started treating them nicely. Why couldn’t father stand up for them?

They fell out completely when he had the last wife. She was so rude and disrespectful to them. Whenever Labake cooked, her stepmother would throw the food away and tell her she didn’t take permission before cooking. She hid food items away from them. Her brother had gotten tired and left the house. She stayed back to save on house rent. Her mother was abroad at that time. She endured and completely ignored the woman but she would always look for something for them to quarrel over.

One morning, when she was set for work, her stepmother started her trouble again. She was calling her names for no reason. She ignored her. Just as she was about to leave, her father stopped her. He said she should stay off work for them to resolve the issue. She told him she couldn’t; she had the office keys. He insisted and told her through the prompting of her stepmother that if she leaves, she would move out of his house. She said ok and she left. They were both shocked. She moved out that day and that was it. When she didn’t have anyone to fight with; she decided to fight her husband. The marriage scattered not up to a year after she moved out. She never forgave her father for siding with his wife over his daughter who did not offend her in any way. She didn’t want to go over to his house but he insisted.

When she told her mother she encouraged her to go and hear what he had to say.

“Labake, a man came here with his family to appeal to me. He said you went with your other to their house to disgrace them in the presence of their wife and in-laws. Omo mi, why didn’t you tell me what was happening?”

“Baba, I am wondering why I should tell you. It has to do with my life and decision. You have never had interest it in. Why are you interested now?”

‘I know you are still angry with me. But, you should have told me and I would have advised you accordingly. They told me you are pregnant. How many months are you now?”

“Two months sir.”

“That is fine. Have the baby and take care of it. You are 35 and not getting younger. As pregnancy came your way by chance, I will advise you take advantage of it.”

“You are not worried I am having this child outside wedlock?”

“I am not. The only thing I want you to do is to leave the man and his wife alone. I will support you with the child. You can move back here and stay until the child is born.”

“I should leave my rapist and the father of the child to go scot-free while I suffer alone. I will have the child and then train the child with your support which will vamoose immediately another woman comes into the picture. Thanks but no thanks.”

“You are listening to your mother who is a troublemaker. She will destroy your life. Drop this idea of him marrying you. Stop threatening them with the rape. It will only bring shame and ridicule to you. Your mother is a troublesome woman. She only knows how to create problem and fuel it with pleasure. Let this thing die a natural death.”

“Thank you sir. Thank you for your advice.”

‘So, are you moving in here?”

“You want your new wife to chase me out with my pregnancy? I can’t stay with you. I don’t want wahala.”

“I am not marrying again. I have repented. I am waiting for my wife to come back. If she comes back now I will be happy.”

“Which of your wives?”

“It was only your mother I married officially; others were not wives. I am talking about your mother. Talk to her to come back.”

“Is it not the same woman you were badmouthing just a few minutes ago? You want me to talk to her to come back? Oda, I will talk to her. You will get her reply. I have to leave now.”

“When are you moving back in?”

“Never.” And she walked out the house.

She narrated what happened to her mother.

“Don’t listen to him. Leave who alone? I knew Dayo would pull a stunt like this. He has just wasted his time. We will continue to harass him with what he has done. I have my informants; once he is about reconciling with his wife, we will take the case to the Police. They are on standby to pick him up.”

“Just tell me what to do when it is time.”

“Oko mi. My husband.” Labake called out to Dayo when she met him in front of their office building.

“Who is your husband, please respect yourself.”

“You are my husband and the father of my unborn child. Are you denying you did not rape me and did so without protection? You wanted a child that is why you did that.”

“Labake. Respect yourself and avoid me. You and your evil mother think you can destroy my life but watch and see how it plays out. You will be the loser.”

“Evil never ever prevails over good Dayo. It might look like I am losing but in the end, we will see who loses.” She walked away from him.

Dayo was making progress with his wife, Fila. He had been begging her for forgiveness and had travelled down to Rivers state to spend the weekend twice. She was still upset but he knew with time she would come around. At least, she is agreeing to see him. Her father, on the other hand, was proving difficult. He said his daughter won’t live with a man who has an illegitimate child. He insisted on the termination and Labake is refusing to compromise. He has to find a way of getting the pregnancy aborted. He had been thinking but hasn’t come up with a brilliant idea since the visit to her father failed.

Fila was graduating. Her parents and other family members were attending but her father refused her husband and his family from coming for the graduation. This infuriated Dayo so much that he hurriedly devised a hideous plan. He had to put an end to his misery. It was getting out of hand. Once his plan succeeds, he and his family will be free from Labake and her troubles.

To be continued…

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