Agony Of The Heart - Episode 3

 

I can't believe it,So Tolu is pregnant. Bunmi,one of Sarah's friends asked.
Ha!Bunmi! How did you know?Rebecca asked.
Did you not see her when she ran out of the class to vomit this morning? Her body has changed a lot, she is getting fat. Don't you know Tolu before? She used to be very thin. Bunmi said again.
That doesn't mean she is pregnant, my friend . Rebecca replied.
Sarah,why are you so quiet? Bunmi asked.
I don't know what to say. I have a lot going through my mind right now. Sarah answered.
My friend,what is troubling your mind? You know a problem shared is half solved if not solved completely. Rebecca said putting her right hand across Sarah's shoulder.
Sarah sighed, I don't know what I did wrong to my mother,she treats me like a slave. Sometimes I wonder if she truly is my mother. Last week I told her about our WAEC registration fee and she said she has no money to send me to school. Sarah said.
But why? Bunmi asked.
Rebecca quickly interrupted her.What about your father? She asked.
Please don't mention him here at all. My father does not believe in sending a female child to school. He said if I am lucky,one of those white men's workers will marry me. Sarah replied.
Yes,and take you to the white men's land

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/agony-of-the-heart

. That is all I have been dreaming of,I want to go to the white men's land. Bunmi said.
Are you okay at all? Sarah asked angrily. What about my dreams,what about my life. I want to grow to be more than just a village girl. I want more than just this village life. You can say that for yourself but life means more than the white men's land or marriage to me right now. Drops of tears were already making their way down her cheeks.Excuse me. She wiped her face and ran towards home.
Bunmi,why did you say that to her. You have really hurt her feelings. Rebecca angrily asked Bunmi who was just speechless. I need to go and calm her down. Rebecca hurried after Sarah leaving Bunmi behind.

Weeks later,Sarah walked to her father who just came back from his beer parlour to remind him of her WAEC fee. He pretended not to hear what she said and asked her to bring him a cup of water. Sarah brought him the cup of water and knelt in front of him pleading.
Her father dropped the cup on the bench he was sitting on.
I have told you that a woman's place is in the house not in the walls of the school. You are a woman my child and your responsibility is to your husband and children. Your job is to take care of the home and your family. I warned your uncle not to send you to school back then but he refused saying he will take care of the expenses. Where is he now? He left with his white master to their land. David said.
Papa uncle told me he will be back. I know the money is not small but uncle Peter promised to return it all when he comes back. Sarah said crying.
Then go and borrow it. Now stand up and get out of my sight. David shouted angrily threatening to hit her with his walking stick if she doesn't leave at once. 
Sarah quickly stood up, took the cup and left.She had no one to turn to,she has begged her mother so many times but she turned deaf ears to her.
The only option she had was going with Uyoyo to the place she promised to take her to. Uyoyo had offered to help her when she saw her in the back of the house crying. Uyoyo was a drop-out,she couldn't make it pass Jss 3. She had told her to follow her to a place where she would get more than the 1000 naira she needed. Uyoyo borrowed her some of her new clothes since all her clothes were old.
Is this gown not too short? Sarah asked.
No it's perfect, Uyoyo replied.
But.. 
But what? Do you want the money or not? Uyoyo asked looking at a broken piece of mirror in her hand.
Sarah said nothing. She worn the gown and combed her hair. 
They got to a place Sarah saw the sign board which read LADO hotel. 
What are we going to do here? Sarah asked.
When you get there,you will know. Uyoyo replied and walked into  the compound,ignoring Sarah. 
Sarah sat down looking at girls dance around men. Uyoyo urged her to drink a cup of palm wine. Some minutes later,Sarah was fast asleep. Uyoyo called one of the men sitting on a table next to theirs. He carried Sarah into a room,laid her on the bed and removed his shirt.