ABUSED
Episode38
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Thursday seems slow in coming, however it’s here. The day we have been waiting for dreadfully; mother has been restless since morning when Fr. called to inform her that he will be coming at dusk.
I clearly understand how she feels, meeting with the person that ruined your life after so many years is like open a can full or worms, peeling off old wounds.
I felt her grieve last night when Ella and I talked to her. Maxwell had initially plead with her to let by gone be on Tuesday; he talked to her through scriptures. She wept bitterly
” He ruined my life. I should be happily married to Ken the love of my life. I should be in UK with him. Maxwell, how can someone ruined another’s person life in a bid to fulfill his lust? An action that changed the course of my life. I tried to kill myself but I was found out each time. Clement ruined my life, never did he approach me. He took advantage of my jovial and free nature, he abused me and turn my sweet live into a nightmare overnight. I cursed the day I met him…” She poured out in tears
” Mother, how long do you want to hold on to yesterday? How long do you think holding onto it will help you? No mother, it can never help nor change that day rather holding will keep you in bondage forever. Anger, bitterness and gloom will all surround you. You need to drop this Babbage, it pulling you down mother” he said to her
They were both in the living room while I stood at the entrance of the kitchen eavesdropping.
” Maxwell, my morning is over and my afternoon is almost over. I have no time to enjoy the things of life. My evening is by the corner”
” He can restore those years eaten by canker worms.”
She kept quiet looking at the floor as if reading something on it.
” Maxwell my child, I will try’
” Mother it’s for your good”
She inhaled deeply and wipe her tears. I was about to tip toe out of the kitchen when her next statement held me back
” Maxwell, your parents are they fully in support of your marriage to my daughter knowing about her past? See, don’t get me wrong. I feel ashamed to say it to you but honestly, Ruth has suffered a lot from me. I truly desire her to be happy in her home. I can’t fix those years but I can part of her happiness in future. She suffered the burnt of her father’s action. I made the poor child’s life terrible out of my anger. She deserves a happy life, it’s no fault of hers”
” Mother honestly it wasn’t easy, I was interrogated thoroughly. I prayed and God led me to her. when I met Ruth, she was lost herself in pain it took divine intervention and prayers for her to finally see her self worthy of God’s love. It took her ages to accept me, I was patient with her because God was working on her. After much scrutiny from my parents and support from my brother, they accepted her seeing she has changed. Yes! Adaora is yet to accept her, you know women…”
They both laughed, for the first since we met Fr. Anthony mother laughed wholeheartedly. I smiled in satisfaction and thanksgiving the way things are turning out
” I have watched you too and I know you genuinely love her. You both shall be happy in your home”
” Amen”
I left for my room as they continue in their conversation. I was encouraged too by his words, the bitterness I had for him was dying down.
Maxwell called to inform me he was about leaving, I went downstairs to see him off pretending to be oblivious of their discussion.
I saw him off to his car
” Everything is going to fine Ruth”
” Thanks”
” It’s nothing”
” On Thursday I believe God will take control… Adaora will understand better”
He hugged me, I felt relieved and wished he would linger.
He got into his car after saying goodbye and zoomed off.
That day has set the pace for today as we all wait for the arrival of fr. Anthony and his brother.
Maxwell, called to check on us this morning, he spoke to mother for some time – I believe to remind her of their conversation.
He told me to inform him when they arrive. Ella encouraged mother too.
” Ruth, line are falling in pleasant places for you dear. God is restoring your family. I wish mine were alive” she spoke with a tone of sadness
” We are family Ella. We might be of different tribe but the bond we share is stronger than what most brothers have”
” I’m glad to witness this turning point for you before…”
” No Ella, you are stuck with me. I don’t want to hear the rest”
She smiled faintly. We had breakfast in silence, each of us left to our thoughts.
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The day was slow as we waited for their arrival, I decided to go to the boutique later in the day.
The staff were busy with our costumer as I strove to the office, the greeted me quickly as they tried to wait on the costumer.
I went into the office, I went through our records; sales are a down this month I could tell from the record but we aren’t doing bad totally
In a bid not to spoil my mood, I left for our jewelry store.
It’s been quite long I went there, Ella and I co- own the store. She hired the manager who handles the store and report to us monthly.
The blast from the air-condition made me feel cold as soon as I stepped in.
I greeted them and commend their dedication towards keeping the store running. I walked around to see the new collections – they were beautiful.
” Madam we can’t buy this jewelry from you. It’s out of fashion and besides you don’t have the receipt to prove your ownership” one of the staff was speaking to a costumer.
I ignored them as I kept looking around
” Please, buy it. Any amount, it’s partly gold, it’s been long I bought it” she pleaded with a tone laced in distress
” No ma. It’s old”
I decided to see what was going on,
” What’s going on here?”
” Ma, she wants to sell her jewelry but it’s out of fashion”
I turned to the seller to address him, I was surprised to see her
” Oluchi” I exclaimed
She looked at me for some time
” Ruth”
I took the jewelry from her and took her to a quiet place
” Hey! Aunty Ruth, you look different”
I inhaled trying to understand why she is dressed shabbily
” What happened to you”
” It’s a long story”
” Follow me”
I led her to the office to the surprise of the staff. I offered her a sit and sat across the desk
” This place is nice, so it’s your store”
” Yes”
” You are a big madam o”
” I thank God’
I called one of the staff via the intercom to get food and drink, Oluchi looks hungry one could see.
” Aunty Ruth, please consider this jewelry. It’s costly o, I am willing to sell it any amount”
I looked at the shiny metal on the table and return to her
” What happened?”
” Hmmm. Where do I start ?”
” Somewhere’
” Ruth, Ade is not just a playboy but also a fraudster”
I was marvelled by her sayings
” I thought you both got married’
” Hmmm. You know our boss auctioned his shop, I acquired it from the money I got from my mother after she sold my father’s land. I was doing well, you know how we use to get loads of work. I fell for that devil, Hah! He deceived me into marrying him. I can’t say it all”
The knock on the door interrupted our conversation, it’s was the staff I sent to get food.
He placed the tray on the table and left.
” You should eat”
” Hah. Thank you”
She ate hungrily, no grain escaped from the plate as she devoured the meal
” That son of Jezebel robbed me off everything and left for Ghana. ” She said as she munched the last spoon. She gulped down the soft drink to last drop
” He is married now to God knows who. He really dealt with me. The people he brought to my place were hired o. I got to know he is fraudster, who goes about preying on innocent women’
I was speechless, no wonder he lives in a well furnished apartments and claimed it’s his uncle’s who is based overseas.
” My joy is that I didn’t loose my shop, I loosed money, expensive materials and entire savings to that wizard. I need money to start up, so I am selling every valuable I have”
” How much do you need”
” Ten million Naira. Yes! I surety for him when he took a loan claiming it’s for a business. I have sold every machine, my car, to meet up. I will use the money to clear the remaining debt and start over”
I felt for her
” How about I take over your shop, revamp it fully. You work under me and I will pay you monthly. Your hands are good, I know”
” Ehn! You mean you will pay me ten million to have my shop and still retain me”
” Yes! The paper work will be done if you agree, I will contact mo lawyer right away for transfer of ownership. So, you manage the shop in my name and give me returns monthly in which you get your share.”
She pondered for a while and sighed
” I agree”
I shook her hands, contacted my lawyer giving him every details needed. I connected him to Oluchi.
” Ruth. Why?”
” It’s purely business Oluchi. No strings attached no hard feelings”
She exhaled
” He is quite irresistible, I envied you both then and wished to be in his arms. I felt I deserve him not you. I guess he noticed it each time he comes around looking for you. You were naive, so when he approached me telling me dirty stuff about you, I fell helplessly”
” That’s all in the past Oluchi. Nice doing business with you. If you don’t mind I shall be leaving. I have got something important to do”
” Thanks”
” My pleasure”
She picked her jewelry and left. I just expanded my business. Mr. Hassan shop is bigger and spacious than mine.
I will make there the headquarters of my fashion house.
I looked at the clock, it’s past 5pm, I need to get going.
Fr. Anthony may have arrived I thought, I picked up my bag and left for my house.
To be continued..
