Chapter 2 “Say Cheese!"

Mr. Gupta jumped up like he had been stung, my wrists hurt from his brutality but I still tried to clutch closed my damaged blouse.

"I was warned about you Nigerian girls, but out of the goodness of my heart I gave you a job and this is how you repay me?" Mrs. Gupta screamed at me

I swivel at her in shock, my pain and humiliation momentarily forgotten at this completely unfounded and unfair allegation. I can feel my eyes widening and the tell-tale sting of tears brimming my eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I ask incredulously, a fortune teller wasn't required to understand what had just taken place.

She came at me forcefully, and grabbed my shoulders,

"Get out of my house" she screamed pushing me towards the door.

"Mrs. Gupta…" I start, but the crazed look in her eyes tell me I'm wasting my time. I sneak a look at Mr. Gupta, I hate him so much right now. He stares at me, no sign of remorse, not bothering to cover his dangling blotchy red object of shame.

"I never want to see you again" she continues raving, the unfairness of this all swamps me. What am I going to tell Yetunde my flat mate when I get home, that I couldn't hold on to a job even one as measly as this? Would she still give me time to come up with my share of the rent?

"Your husband tried to rape me Mrs. Gupta and I will report him to the police"

For a split second she paused, then continued pushing

"Didn't you hear me" I ask her

I could see self doubt flickering in her eyes, subconsciously I relaxed. This was a woman, a woman like me. She wouldn't let her husband get away with something so vile, but just like a candle flickering in the wind, my hope was extinguished.

"We are in Nigeria or have you forgotten, it's our word against yours. Who do you think they will believe? You, a penniless maid or we who know the commissioner of police" she smiled evilly

"That does not mean I believe you, you are a dirty prostitute who came into this house to better yourself but just so we are clear, if you in anyway try to soil the name of Gupta, you will be locked away and forgotten. Don't try me"

She then shoves me out the door and I hear the locks click.

~ ~ ~

I stand outside my shared apartment door, shivering. I don't remember how I got here I just know I need a hot shower, a good cry and a lot of chocolate in that order. I let myself in and head towards the bathroom.

It's a cramped one bedroom apartment, usually I sleep in the sitting room but since Yetunde has travelled on a work related conference I plan to definitely use the bed.

A muffled sound, some scrapping… a lot of grunting.

I walk cautiously towards the bedroom and carefully ease it open.

A sweaty male back, his waist and naked hard butt moving in and out. I can't move, this doesn't happen in our home.

Yetunde and I are devoted Christians and have always talked about preserving ourselves for our wedding night, but there she was withering under the onslaught, her eyes closed, she seemed to be biting her thumb nail while making moaning sounds.

I stand still, frozen. Then as if on cue the man stops and turns round.

A sharp knife feels like it's being plunged into my heart, the pounding of my heart is growing stronger and louder with each passing second, I feel myself falling backwards. Grabbing the wall for support I force myself to leave the scene.

"Martina, wait… it's not what it looks like… ok… it is what it looks like but… I can explain"

"Explain… explain what? Haba, Pastor Tunde" I say, using his title in hopes of shaming him more.

"You don't have to be nasty"

"Nasty, really… you have the guts to accuse me of being nasty… me…" I feel the tears running down my face. "Tunde, how could you"

"Martina… "Yetunde said hurrying out of the bedroom, "I didn't expect you home so soon"

"Oh really, is that why you are having sex with my fiancé?"

"Lower your voice" Tunde hissed, only now remembering that he was still butt naked. Quickly, he picked up his boxers near the potted plant. It was testament to how much the Guptas upset me that I hadn't noticed pieces of clothing strewn in different parts of the house.

"How could you do this to me, how could both of you do this to me?

"Martina, will you stop freaking out and let me explain" Tunde said

"Look, all of this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you."

"Excuse me?"

"Why are you pretending, we are courting… yet you never let me even touch you"

"Tunde, what's wrong with you? We are Christians and you are even an associate pastor in church, in charge of the young people…"

"Don't give me that rubbish, am I not a man with a man's feelings, after all am I the only one that does it?

Yetunde was leaning on the bedroom door frame.

"Yetunde, why?" I asked tearfully, "How could you do this to me?"

"To you…? Who do you even think you are? Is it because you have been living in my house free of charge this past year. I wouldn't have even taken you in if not for Tunde just so you know."

"But…"

"I hate you, I've always hated you… you left school with nothing to show for it, you wear my hand me downs and yet you are the first person that the church gives responsibilities to"

"The church… this is about the church?" I ask incredulously.

"Of course not… well not just the church, it's you… you disgust me"

"You are both a disgrace to the church and our religion, I'm going to tell the senior pastor"

"Tell the… Martina, is marriage by force… ah ah, I've tried to reason with you but you are proving stubborn. It will be your word against mine.

I was crying again, it appeared like that was the only constant thing in my life

"You know what, you deserve each other" I say while walking out the door "but before I leave, I just have one more thing to say"

Yetunde walked towards Tunde and draped herself on his body

"What?"

I smile, the feeling bitter sweet, I point my phone towards them

"Say Cheese!"