Chapter 3

Flashback

Many Years Earlier

  CHINENYE

  "Are you pregnant?"Emeka asked instantly. His grip on my arm tightened which made me shudder in fear. I couldn't even look him in the eye as I put my face down trying to fight the tears that were threatening to spill over my cheeks.

What would he think of me now?

A prostitute. A shameless girl. Nobody would believe me when I tell them the real truth behind my pregnancy. The society will call me shameless, they will all say I put on something revealing which is why I got raped.

I hadn't even told my mother yet. My family name will be ruined, my child will be a bastard.

My silence was already an answer to Emeka, I could feel his gaze on me like a knife piercing into me.

I really loved him but now he will think I'm shameless and a prostitute.

But why?

Why is the society so quick to judge a female when she gets pregnant outside marriage?

Why do they say "it's because she's wayward"?

 

Why don't they listen to our own side of the story?

It didn't matter now, I planned to tell Emeka but I was so scared. I'm sure by now he already knows.

I just couldn't hold in the tears anymore and I let them roll down my cheeks.

"I'm.. I'm sorry" I manage to cry out whilst still facing down.

Emeka's grip on my hand softened.

"It wasn't my fault please...you..you..have to believe me"

Emeka then cupped my face with his hand and brought my face up so I can meet his gaze.

Looking deep into his eyes, I couldn't see any disgust for me on his face which shocked me. I was just seeing a young man who deeply loved me.

"How did it happen?"he asked calmly as his facial expression softened.

"I was..was.."my voice trailed off. I suddenly lost my voice thinking of that uneventful day.

What if he doesn't believe me?

"Raped"I said in a whisper as more tears kept on rolling down my cheeks.

"What?!"Emeka shouted.

I was taken aback by his sudden outburst.

Maybe I was right, he wouldn't believe me. He probably thinks I'm trying to cover it up.

"Where?when? Who is that animal that forced himself on you? How dare he?"

Now I became perplexed. He didn't shout because he was angry at me, he reacted that way because he was angry at the person who raped me.

I couldn't have asked for a better partner. I hugged Emeka tightly and crying onto his chest. He hugged me back and patted my back.

"It's ok honey. I believe you. I know you are not promiscuous"

"You--you do?"I whispered softly.

I didn't know how to feel. One part of me felt disgusted for carrying another man's baby, whilst the other part was happy because I now know I've gotten myself a partner that would never doubt my modesty.

  "Yes I do"he replied whilst patting my back.

We stayed like that for some seconds before I pulled out facing Emeka who smiled at me.

He then started asking me how I got raped.

I narrated to event to him and I saw his fist was clenched and his anger was rising.

  "You really don't know who did it?"He asked again. This was like the hundredth time he asked me that same question.

I shook my head and he cupped my face in his hands once more.

But now that he had forgiven me, will he accept my baby?

Will he love this baby?

How can he? He isn't the father. I don't even know who the father is.

"I'll take care of this baby"Emeka said cutting into my thoughts.

I gasped in surprise. It was like he knew what was on my mind.

Before I could say anything else, he cut me short.

"Yes I'll. It's now our baby. I love you and I love our baby ok. Just always know that"

I was so speechless. He wants to take care of another man's baby. God what did I do to deserve this kind of Man!?

I couldn't control my self anymore. I hugged him so tightly and kissed him.

"Emeka..thank you...for everything..I love you"was all I could say after the kiss.

"I love you too honey"

He pulled me again for a kiss and I wrapped my arms around his neck deepening our kiss.

****

Lydia kept on watching Chinenye and Emeka as she eve'sdropped on their conversation.

"Ok so she is now pregnant. It's good atleast now I know my Francis will take his eyes of her and face only me" she said to herself with a smile forming on her lips.

Then she suddenly frowned"why didn't she die while getting raped? Couldn't he kill her?"

   Lydia really hated Chinenye. Every thing Chinenye did annoyed her. She always thought that Chinenye liked to show off as the good and modest daughter everyone wanted to have. Even her own mother compared her to Chinenye.

And Chinenye only made her hatred for her grow by stealing Francis away from her.

She just wish she could kill Chinenye.

Suddenly there was a glint in her eyes.

"Maybe Emeka might still accept her,but will Nne accept her? And what will the society say about her? It will be a shame if somebody goes and turns the story upside down"Lydia said to herself  again with a sly smile curved on her face as she thought of the many ways to ruin Chinenye's reputation.