ABUSED
Episode 39
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The sun is down which made my heart beats fast as I drove home to face the man whose sins I atone for.
The ride home seems to long, swerving through the road that leads to our estate made me feel jumpy.
I drove slowly as got close to our house, I noticed a car parked outside. I knew they were here. Putting of the ignition I took a deep breath and muttered a little prayer, asking God to help me. I stayed in my car for some time trying to calm my nerves. There is a back door that leads to kitchen, I will quietly go through it.
I texted Maxwell telling him they have arrived. I got down from my car, walked towards the back door quietly.
Good thing life door was ajar, I let myself in quietly. Then I tip toed towards the living room and stopped as I heard him speak
” Damilola, I can’t erase that day though I wish I could. Please forgive me, I have suffered for that act๐ฉ๐. ”
He pleaded on his knees
I moved closer to get a view of everything, Fr. Anthony was sit on the couch facing mother directly while Mr Udok knelt by her side. Her eyes were filled with tears I could tell as she held her mouth. Ella was consoling her.
” Damilola to err is human to forgive is divine. Please I beseech you forgive. ” Fr. Anthony pleaded๐
” Clement, how did I offend for you to tear my life apart” mother cried out๐ฅ
” It’s lust”
” You never hinted me you like me not much love. I saw you as a brother but you have evil intentions in your heart and took advantage of my free nature. You are married now but look at me. I’m at the loosing end๐ญ”
” Damilola, I don’t know what to say please I beg you with anything you hold dear…”
” You took that dear thing away from me! You took Ken away from me! You made my life bitter and left your seed in me to nurture! Oh she received the burnt of your deed. ” She bellowed
” Mother take it easy” Ella interjected
” Dami, kill me if you want to. Do whatever that will make you happy but please forgive. I have suffered terribly for my sins. My marriage is hitting the rocks, my life is miserable by the day. I’m rich but wretched in misery. Damilola, please forgive me for what I did to you” he cried out
Mother wept bitterly as gazed at him,
” It feels like yesterday Clement! The pains is all over, Ken deserted me because of you. I was scorned by my friends… You took my innocence from me!”
That hit me hard, the memory of how Ade betrayed me flashed, I gave him mine and he dumped me like a rag. My face was wet
” How do I pay for my sins, Dami please free me from this weight, it’s heavy on me. If not for anything for the sake of our child and my poor wife who has nothing to do with this, for the sake of God. I beg, I am dying slowly. I look healthy outside but I am dying inside. ” he prostrated before mother wailing
I couldn’t hold it anymore I walked through the kitchen to the living room
” Ruth” Fr. Anthony called out
Like one beaten by a snake he turned up to face me
” Ruth!” He bellowed
” Yes it’s me, Mr Udok”
Fr. Anthony was surprised
” You both have met?”
” Y…es” he stuttered
” What are you doing here?”
” She is the child you left me with. The result of your lust”
He was paralyzed with shocked as mother spoke. He looked at his brother, then to mother and Ella and finally to me.
” Y….ou are my dau….ghter”
” I am the one who atoned for your sins and these years. I was ill treated by those I wish to show me love. I suffered all because of your action. You made me miserable all my life”
He was speechless looking at me like one who has seen a ghost
” And you were busy flirting with her Clement๐๐”
Fr. Anthony was taken aback looking at his brother expecting something
” Ruth, you have all right to detest me, but please find it in your heart to forgive me. Appeal to your mother to forgive me too. You don’t know how much I have suffered”
” Every action you take has an equal pay. You planted the seed of bitterness yesterday you are reaping a bountiful harvest of sorrow”
” I know and I deserve it and even worse. Dami, I repent, please pardon me. My child have mercy on me” he held my leg
I cried out loudly remembering the insults and everything I have been through, mother joined as we both wept for the path we have been through. Ella held our hands as tears spilled from her eyes
” My child please” he kept saying
I feel strange as he addressed me as child.
” You both have to let it go’ Fr. Interjected
Just then a knock, Fr went to open, it was Maxwell. He wasn’t alone, he came with his family as well.
The atmosphere was tensed and hot, Mr Udok couldn’t uplift his face.
Fr. Anthony ushered them in, Adaora stood by the door she was obviously trying to comprehend what was going on.
Maxwell Father exchange greetings with Fr, then cleared his throat.
” I believe we are family since our child would soon walk down the aisle. I’m not oblivious of what happened Mrs Damilola. Maxwell relayed everything to me and your daughter is aware of our coming. You have to forgive dear. It’s not easy to forgive but it is the only choice we have as christians, that no matter what we should let God have his way in our heart and forgive” Maxwell father said
He spoke for a who quoting scriptures to back his words to which Fr. nodded in agreement.
” My dear sister, it’s ok” Maxwell mother’s added
Mother sniffed, look to Mr Udok
” I forgive you”
He closed his eyes and bow down to mother
” Thank you for freeing me Damilola. Please pray for Michelle and I. I repent of my old Ways from today” he pleaded
She stood up and with a heavy heart she prayed for him in tears asking God to open the womb of his wife
” Amen!!” Everyone chorused
Hy turned to thank everyone, Adaora countenance changed as they both looked at each other for she has been standing by the door and hasn’t seen his face.
She looked at me then to Maxwell, her facial expressions changed sadly. She was surprised at the whole thing
” Let’s rejoice for salvation has come to his Household” Fr. Exclaimed happily
He crawled to my side
” I don’t know what to say to you, I am truly sorry. I promise to act right and be responsible. Please forgive me๐๐”
” Who am I? I forgive you wholeheartedly Mr Udok”
I helped him up.
” Praisssse the Lord everyone” Ella shouted
” Hallelujah” we chorused expect for Adaora who seems aloof
This Thursday marks a new beginning in my life. With a full house, it’s was splendid. We prayed, hugged one another. Adaora barely touched me, she was ashamed I could see.
It looks like she is been loosing all this while and always end up in shame.
I introduced Mr Udok and Father Anthony to my future inlaws formally.
They were excited, especially Fr.
Mr Udok still looks remorseful. He was trying to adjust to everything.
The atmosphere changed, the peace and joy that forgiveness comes with is inexplicable.
I ordered our house to serve drinks for us to mark this beautiful reunion.
Mother hugged me๐ฅฐ
” I feel something departed from me this day” she whispered
” I feel free”
” Thanks my child”
We turned to a smiling Ella, we both hugged her.
Maxwell father is having a good time with Fr. They both discussing religious matters.
His mom and elder brother were admonishing a repentant looking Mr Udok
Adaora felt alone, she finally sat down beside a smiling Maxwell who has his eyes fixed on me
I muttered an inaudible thank you to him.
I helped the house help with the serving. It was indeed a great night.
Fr. Anthony prayed once more. We all held hands, saying amen to every prayer.
Soon, they were set to leave. First, Maxwell family, then Mr Udok and Fr.
It was a happy reunion.
We have a wedding to plan..
To be continued
