The Agony of Beauty

as this?" My Aunt exclaimed. "I

ll be well. Don't worry, you have another Dad h

ly you know who your husba

k you,

dear, now let u

avoided Mr Badmus. We hardly talked. My

ke my husband, Beau

.. I...Aunty, I am

ered why the two of you ha

burning. I quickly disappeared into the kitchen and n

had a very good score. I did excellently well in my 'O' levels too. Luc

overjoyed. I was so glad that at least, my entrance into the

o the South West to attend a family function so I was left at home with her husband. She was meant to spend thr

who stayed with her grandmother down the street. I lied to them that Mr and Mrs Badmus

back before nightfall but she didn't. When I realized my Aunt might not return tha

ight, I was already sleeping

a spare key to my room. He inserted the key and flung the door open. He immediately switched on the light and I sprang up

his house that very night and never return if that was what he wanted but he refu

raped me and still threatened to kill me if I ever told my Aunt. He also add

till dawn. Where will I go to in t

said. Maybe it is true that no one would believe me. I remembered my Aunt. She doesn't deserve this. It will break her marriage if I ever speak out. Sh

this while, I would have summoned the courage to tell her.

accessories, etc all in a bid to silence me. I always refused the gifts but he would insist and would dump them on my bed. I kept every single it

cared. I had no one I could confide in so I waited for an opportunity to tell Mr Badmus one on one. My Aunt had bought me a phone already so that I could use in communicating with them when I

e TV in the living room. Aunty Tope said she was tired and would like to go to bed. Her husband told her

e my Aunt was out of earshot, and t

!? He nearly shouted and q

d that

question is th

ns to miss one's period, you see what you

ill take care of

. 'Get rid of what?' I nearly screamed. 'The pregnancy of course', he affirmed.

two pills to swallow the next day. Hours later, I had a flow of fresh red

e I once had in myself. All my dreams seemed to be fa

rch which I did attend with Mr and Mrs Badmus. Will the Pastor believe me? Mr Badmus was a fervent Sunday School te

ortion I committed. I wet my pillow with tears every sing

ing daughter is still a virgin till now. I shivered at the thou

the bus was ready to move. I bid her farewell as tears clouded my eyes. I had a mixed feeling of joy and pain. Joy, because I would no longer have to see Badmus day after day, and pain because I would mi