Chapter eight

"Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truths win. Love never gives up; Love never loses faith. Love is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance."

#

"Dear diary, Dad got home drunk. Again. But this time he brought home one of his mistresses. He took her to the room he shares with my mom. I can hear mum begging and crying telling him to stop hurting her but like always he never listens. I can hear him hitting mum with his belt in the presence of his guest. Dear diary, why are men this wicked? Why should my mum be subjected to this slavery called LOVE? Each time I ask her why she endures this and not sue him she keeps saying I won't understand because it is a Lovers quarrel. I tried reporting to grandma once but mum denied it. She has perfected the act of covering her bruises with makeup and faking her smiles. I am the only one that sees beyond the fake smiles. I told my mum I hate my dad for always hitting her and when he becomes sober, he returns the next day putting up the act of a good husband while trying to butter her up with gifts, mum warned me to never make such statements especially not in public. The one time I tried to stop him from hitting her, I landed in the hospital and spent a week been hospitalized. Since then, even I feared the monster he was becoming. I hate my dad. I hate my teacher for always looking at me weirdly and I hate my uncle for turning a blind eye to what my dad has been doing. The male gender is the worst creation ever. I hate my mom for being silent about all this. I once heard her tell her friend she was keeping it all in because of me. why should she suffer because of me? I hate myself for being born. If only I was not born, she probably would have up and leave already. Dear diary, if this what Love is all about, I, Mo. want no part in it."

#

'for the past couple of weeks, Gina has been acting all sneaky and strange and this is pretty unusual of her. If you know Gina, you will know she is like an amusement park, a different package of fun on each day.'

'I kept trying to pry her open for whatever is wrong with her but she is all locked up and not battling an eyelid against all of my antics.'

'more reason why I am alone in this diner right now enjoying my favorite waffles with strawberry syrup and orange juice. My BFF bailed on me again'

"I need to sit her ass down and make her spill ASAP''

The environment of 'Pearl's Diner' was pretty lit and amazing. There's a secluded area just at the far-left corner for lovers needing some privacy from the rest of the world.

The door of the diner chimed, announcing the presence of another customer.

'the diner opened a couple of months back and since then almost everyone wants to have a taste of their special delicacies.'

Pleasantly enjoying her lunch and the ambiance of the diner with wanderlust by will post playing in the background can this day be any better.

She noticed the vibration of her phone for an incoming call from an unknown number 'hello! Yes. One and only. How can I help you? Yes, I do. What? Which hospital? I will be there in fifteen. Thanks.'

'this girl won't be the end of me' she placed her feet on the table placing the juice cup on it and hurried out of the diner.

Driving as fast as the road of Lagos would allow her. She arrived at the hospital in ten minutes. The benefits of using the Google map.

'good afternoon Nurse. A friend of mine was brought in a few minutes ago. Her name is Regina Matthew'

Inputting a keyword in the system before her, the nurse replied 'yes ma'am. And who are you to the patient'

'she's my friend. I've been listed as her emergency number'

'alright then. Go straight down, make a turning by the left, the third door to your right'

'thank you, Nurse'.

Taking note of the directions the nurse gave her. She was able to locate Gina's ward.

''Gina! What happened to you?" She called out softly. Gina opened her eyes to see her friend sitting beside her bed. "were you drinking and driving. I know what you can do Girl"

Gina kept looking at her friend intensely without saying a word.

"cat got your tongue or what?"

Then tears came streaming down from her eyes "Oh my goodness! I am so sorry Gina I shouldn't have said that" she pulled her friend closer for a hug and kept patting her back "what happened to you"

Gina kept crying and the tears don't seem to stop.

''sheesh! I am here for you girl. Just let it out"

'What in God's name is happening. What could have happened to Gina to have brought her to tears? This is so rare'

"do you want to talk about it"

She wiped her tears and poured a cup of water to help her calm down.

''I understand if you're not ready to talk about it. No need to rush. Just rest. I need to see the doctor about the bills and ask when you can be discharged."

She tucked her in properly and was about to step out when she called out her name "it was Christian" Mo froze by the door and was perplexed.

"what do you mean Christian" she moved back in and closed the door. "which Christian? Oreoluwa Judge?

"the same one" Gina answered

"tell me everything. From the beginning"

''I've known Christian since I was a child."

"what!" Mo. Exclaimed loudly with a face full of surprise and confusion.

"yes! I know you must be wondering why I never said anything after our encounter at the club. It was because I was scared"

"Scared? What do you mean?''

''Christian lost his parents at a very young age. My dad was is father's younger brother. My parents were the guardian. But who would have thought that making such a move would jeopardize the happiness of my family?''

"few months after we took him in. the little monster made life a living hell for my parents because he was a spoilt brat."

Sobbing and dabbing her eyes with tissue "I lost my dad because of the frustrations he put us through"

"oh my God! I'm so sorry dear. You seemed like such a happy child when we met. Who would have thought you had to undergo so much at such a young age"

"that's not all"

"Everything seemed to return to normal. But then, it was too good to be true. We shared everything. My mum treated us like siblings but the devil wanted more."

"I began to notice his weird interest in me. he kept giving me weird glances. Unnecessary touching when no one was around. I tried telling mum. She said was imagining stuff"

"I knew he was evil but I never knew he is such a bastard as well. What happened next?"

"he kept making advances at me. I was so scared and there was no one to tell me because. He looked like such an angel at face level."

"Until one day. He made an actual move. I was alone in my room. I heard a knock quite late into the night.'' She sniffed '' I thought it was mum, I didn't ask I just opened the door. I challenged him but he turned a deaf ear and waltz into my room. I kept asking what business he had in my room. But he didn't reply''

Mo couldn't help but cry along with her friend at the words she was saying she kept imagining how scared she must have felt. Scared and helpless.

"he slapped me Mo." She burst into tears "I wanted to shout but he was stronger. He pulled me by my hair and dragged me to bed. And then he touched me. he kept touching every part of my body. I have never felt so dirty and used"

She kept crying profusely "Mo. I begged him to stop. I did but he refused to listen to me. he said I was only pretending because he knew I wanted this as much as he did"

"I screamed for mum but no one came to my aid, I felt disgusted and dirty"

"mum can't hear you; 'he said I've laced her tea and she's not going to wake even if aliens invade the world this moment"

"now! I'm sure you know better, not to tell anyone. No one is going to believe your words. I am the orphan boy that needs to be loved"

"those are his exact words"

"I was always so scared of him in the house."

"One night. Mum went to a party with her friends. I was alone at home. I was glad for the peace because he left with her but then my happiness was short-lived, He arrived sooner than expected. He seemed drunk and burst into my room."

She kept wailing "He tore off my clothes and almost raped me, mum arrived at the right time and caught him in the act."

"he ran off because mum threatened to have him arrested for sexual assault and violence"

Mo. Pulled her closer for a hug and they both cried their eyes out.

"more reasons why I hate that particular Gender. Why are men so devilish and evil?" seated in a café opposite the Hospital. Mo. Kept thinking back to Gina's revelation. "I mean, I never really liked the guy but who knew he was such a devil with first-class training"

"I will do anything to make my girl get justice for this undeserving punishment melted on her by that bastard.''

"oh my God!" she exclaimed deeply bowing her head in deep thoughts.

(Back at the hospital. Phone conversation between GINA and her mom)

"Are you sure she believes you?"

"of course, mom! Have you forgotten whose daughter I am?"

"well-done dear"

"I know of her past. Her deep and intense hatred for men. It just made everything a whole lot easier and believable"

"I trust your actions. Moving on to the next phase of the plan"

"Absolutely. She vowed to do anything to punish him and I know just what needs to be done.'

''Nice. Update of any development"

"I will mum. Don't forget your meds. They're important"

"I won't "