*EPISODE 8*
(THE GIRLS CLUB)
Still in shock and worry, Philomena dashed out of Madam Flora’s mansion straight into her car. She drove as fast as she could down to the airport where she booked an emergency flight down to the state where her sisters were schooling. When she arrived at the school clinic, she saw Luisa waiting impatiently at the entrance of the school clinic.
“Luisa what’s wrong? Where is Vera? Is she okay?.” Philomena asked all at once with her heart beat racing very fast.
“Sister……” Luisa said crying profusely.
“Speak to me Luisa. What’s wrong? I hope nothing bad has happened to Vera.” Philomena said worried.
“Sister what should we do? Vera…. Vera is pregnant.” Luisa revealed.
“What?.” Philomena shouted feeling shattered and disappointed.
It was like the Earth was rotating as her legs could no longer carry her body. Her world came crumbling against her. She reached for the nearest seat and sat down to regain herself. Luisa could not help but cried.
“How did it happen? Was she raped or something? What in God’s name have you girls been doing in school all these while? Tell me, who is responsible for her pregnancy?.” Philomena gathered the strength to ask after a while.
“Her school boyfriend Yizef stories who is currently in his final year in Economics department.” Luisa said.
“What?. A student?. What exactly was Vera thinking when she opened her legs for that boy? Has she forgotten how we’ve been managing to survive on our own all these years? How does she intend to raise the baby? What will now happen to her studies? I really can’t believe this. I put all my hopes in you girls and this is what I get in return?.” Philomena asked with tears in her eyes.
“What’s so wrong in getting pregnant for the man I love?.” Vera asked coming out of the school clinic.
“How dare you?.” Philomena shouted at Vera standing to her feet.
She walked up to Vera and gave her a sound slap.
“Love? What do you know about love at your age? You are just 21 and here you are bragging about getting pregnant for a fellow student. Don’t you have any atom of shame in you? Is this how you want to pay me for all the sacrifices I’ve made to see you girls through school? Do you know the things I have been tolerating for your sakes? What’s so wrong in studying and graduating before thinking of raising a child? Have you forgotten where you come from? I can’t believe I gave up everything for you girls and this is what I get in return for all my efforts and sacrifices.” Philomena raged at Vera who broke down in tears.
“Who forced you to sacrifice so much for us? Didn’t you do all you did because you felt it was your responsibility?.” Vera asked Philomena with tears in her eyes.
“What?.” Philomena asked in disbelief.
“Vera….” Luisa tried to stop Vera.
“Leave me Luisa. I have to give her a piece of my mind today. Tell me big sis. Do you now feel ashamed of having a younger sister who got pregnant out of wedlock? Are you suddenly thinking of what people will say about the almighty Philomena who is a member of the girls club? Or what people will say about the ever righteous Philomena who is the face of different products and different girl child’s educational programs and foundations?. Never for once have you paid attention to our personal lives. All you wanted us to do was study, study, study like our lives depended on it. Even girls from poorer homes enjoy the freedom that you never gave us. You have never for once introduced us to any of your friends. You have never for once allowed us to pay you a visit in the city. You have never introduced your so called rich and influential boyfriend to us. We only get to see you both online and on screen. We brag about being your sisters but never for once have you felt proud about us. No one will believe us if we say we are your sisters cause you hid us from the eyes of the world. I guess it’s because you are so ashamed of letting the world Know that you have classless sisters like us. Which is why you even came here wearing a sunshade. I guess you are trying to avoid being recognized. Yet you claim to care about us. You just wanted us to graduate first so you can now be proud to announce our existence to the world. You have never spared time to be with us. Always forming busy. Madam boss lady. Incase you have forgotten, then let me remind you that charity begins at home. If you had time to discuss personal stuffs with us, then Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place. If you had proven that you loved us the way we are, then I wouldn’t have gone in search for love elsewhere. Cause he made me feel something strange and different for the first time in my entire life. I came to realize what it means to be important to someone else. He made me feel the love I have always desired from you. All you were concerned about was to send us money whenever we needed money. Let me ask you. When last have you paid a visit to grandma in the village? Are you suddenly ashamed of letting people know what your home in the village looks like? You moved to the city and joined the big girls group called The girls club. You now drive different expensive cars. You’ve been flying in and out of the country on several occasions with your girls and your boyfriend. But never for once has it occurred to you to let us share in your joy. You have been selfish and self centered. Always claiming to be righteous. You think because Mom is dead you can now take over her position in our lives? No way big sis. Your selfishness just proved that you are not qualified to be a mother over us.” Vera spilled.
Philomena was short of words as she stood speechless trying to process all the hurtful words that came out of her sister’s mouth.
“Hahahaha…” Philomena laughed with tears dropping from her eyes. “This must be a joke right? You didn’t say those hurtful and inconsiderate words to me right?.” Philomena asked with her head spinning.
“You heard me right big sis. You are just too selfish and too protective. Allow us live for ourselves and not for you. We’ve done enough by studying hard to obtain good grades just to please you. Now you have to allow us discover ourselves and live our lives for ourselves. Same way you are busy living the life of your dreams over there without restrictions. I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to put some restrictions in our lives.” Vera said.
“Unbelievable. Vera I gave up my dreams of going to school so you both can get quality education. I sacrificed my body, soul and dreams just to give you both a better life. I have never for once thought about myself for the past 5 years. It was mom’s wish that I become a mother to you both once she’s no more. She made me promise her that we will get good education and be independent. Vera you don’t know what I’ve been through all these years yet you open your mouth to judge me. You know what, maybe both you and madam Flora was right after all. Nobody forced me into this. I made the decision to live for you girls. And right now, I regret ever living my life that way. I’m going back now to start living for myself. I hope you girls get to live for yourselves as well. You are free to do whatever you feel like doing. Whenever you hear about me in the news, just go on with your lives like I never existed. Cause I had high expectations of you two. From now on, I wish you both luck.” Philomena said out of anger.
As she turned and walked away, Luisa followed her from behind pleading while Vera broke into tears.
“Why are you following me? Go back to your sister who knows it all. She thinks she has arrived because she has started sleeping with a man. After all I’ve been through because of how bad I wanted you both to become a graduate.” Philomena lamented.
“Big sis please forgive her. She’s just scared and probably out of her mind right now. Please. I believe with time she will get back to her senses and realize her mistakes.” Luisa pleaded.
“What about you? Do you also resent me in your heart? Do you also feel that I’m not proud of having you girls as my sisters? Do you also see me as a selfish and …..” Philomena asked with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“…….Not at all sis. I believe you have a good reason everything you’ve done so far for us. And if there’s one person who loves and wants the best for us, then it will definitely be you sis.” Luisa said.
“I doubt if that’s how you feel about me in your heart. These few days has been tough on me.” Philomena said putting away her sunshade.
That was when Luisa saw her swollen eyes.
“What happened to your eyes?.” Luisa asked with curiosity written all over her face.
“This is nothing compared to the scar my blood sister has given to me today. The scar you see on my face, is one of the scars I got from living my life for you girls. I will be heading back now. And I will send you some cash later on. Make sure to invest it into any profitable business that will sustain you through school. I will also send some to Vera. She can use it to take care of herself and her baby. And as well start a business. Every child is a gift from God and I hope she keeps the baby. At least, I have fulfilled mom’s wish of making you both independent. Take care of yourselves.” Philomena said wearing back her sunshade.
When she left, Luisa went back to the school clinic where Vera was still seated sobbing.
“Is she gone?.” Vera asked.
“If you were in her shoes, would you have stayed back? Look Vera. I know all these things are getting to you but you shouldn’t have spoken to big sis the way you did. It’s so unfair. You even said she wore sunshade to disguise herself in order to avoid being recognized by someone. Meanwhile, she wore a sunshade to cover her swollen eyes.” Luisa said.
“Swollen eyes? What happened to her eyes?.” Vera asked feeling concerned.
“I’m afraid. I think big sis was beaten. She had the kind of scar mom used to have after getting into a fight with Dad. When I asked her what brought about the scar in her eyes, she told me it was nothing compared to the scar you gave her today. And that the scar was from her sacrifices for us.” Luisa said.
“What? Oh my God what have I done?.” Vera asked feeling remorseful.
“You were too quick to judge her sis. You didn’t give her the chance to explain herself. You and I know that big sis has never had the opportunity to live for herself ever since we lost our parents. Back then in the village, she was ready to give up her secondary school certificate just to raise money to keep us in school. The very night when mom and dad died, she was the only one who witnessed the whole thing. She has always been the scape goat of the family. What makes you feel that she has changed now? I believe she have a good reason for not introducing us to her boyfriend and to the entire world. What if she was only trying to protect us? Honestly, you disappointed me today.” Luisa said after which she walked away leaving Vera in regrets and tears.
When Philomena flew back into the city, she went through her bag and brought out Joshua’s business card. She copied the number on the card and dialed it.
“Hello. This is Joshua from daily news magazines. Who am I speaking with?.” Joshua asked as soon as he picked her call.
“Hello Joshua. This is Philomena speaking. Please can we meet?.” She asked.
“I thought you wouldn’t call again. Sure we can meet if you wish.” Joshua said.
“I’m ready to tell the world my story. I will forward the location to you. Please let’s meet as soon as possible.” Philomena said.
