My Story - Episode 5

 

'Why are you who you are?' Standing on a  stage with numerous eyes fixed on you could be a daunting task. I had been invited for an outreach in a prestigious secondary school. The hall was jammed and both the the students and staff were all seated. 'Why do you behave in a certain way and why will you likely take a different decision with the person next to you when placed under the same conditions? Its as a result of two factors; nature and nurture. Nature can be related to traits passed down from parents to children while nurture is a process whereby our behaviours are learned and shaped through interaction' . I exhaled, regaining composure I continued. 'The society, our environment, the family niche has sought to define how we live. Our experiences and past mistakes has left an indelible mark on our lives and thus colour our decisions. Are we going to keep dwelling on our past mistakes and let it taut and hunt us down? Are we going to let that terrible experience we had in the past colour our decisions today? Are we going to let ourselves remain bound by ills meant to destroy us or are we going to rise to the challenge? Are we going to move past that error? Are we going to let go of the past? Are we going to seize the opportunity we've been given to maximise our potentials and pursue purpose'. I raised my right hand high and continued, 'despite all odds, I stand for purpose and I stand for being a whole woman,' I said and took a bow

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

. The applaud I heard was fulfilling, many were standing on their feet. I took a sigh of relief and smiled broadly. This was the first time I had faced such crowd and I had felt that I had nothing to say. 'Purpose is everything' I said happily to myself.

I felt bad after she left. I didn't think she meant any harm. I was the weirdo and she was just being kind. I loved her smile and there was something about her. Something strange yet welcoming. She seemed to have an unusual aura. I can't quite place a finger on it but I surely know I won't forget. 'Mrs Joy, that's her name right?' I thought. I sat down to take in the cool breeze and serenity. I had thought that I needed to be left alone but she was right, I have to let it out. I have to talk to someone before I go crazy. I wasn't used to talking much to people let alone telling them about myself or my family. 'Be careful who you talk to concerning your life and family' my mum would say. 'Most people would use that same information to mock you. Its difficult to find people who are trustworthy'. 'What have you been thinking Ifeoma?' I thought to myself, 'no one must know'. But Father abuses her and she says nothing and does nothing. Now, the worst has happened. All hell has been let loose. We are now on the run. 'I'm loosing it. My mum too. I'm afraid of what she might do. I'm afraid of how we might live' I thought. 'Be courageous Ifeoma, this is something you can handle. You have to be strong for your mum now. Besides, he deserves it. He deserved what he got'. 

'I loved him. We met two years after my husband died' Mrs Daniels started. 'I wasn't prepared for love. I wanted to concentrate on my career and raise my daughter. He was cute and charming. I tried so hard to resist him. He wouldn't stop coming to me. I asked him severally why he would prefer a widow all in an attempt to get him to change his mind. I didn't want to forget my late husband in a hurry but I was convinced by family that my husband would want me to move on. My mum and friends convinced me that it was okay to love again'. She paused with a smile. 'Our friendship was overwhelming, I felt secured in his love. I was happy. We were like two love birds; inseparable. He loved my daughter and took her as his own or so I thought. He would bring her back from school and help her with homework, how could I have known?' She paused to dry her teary eyes. 'How could something so right turn out so wrong. I wouldn't have thought that Ekene could do this. He should have at least dumped me instead of messing up my daughter' she said angrily almost shouting. All this while, all I did was just listen to her. I kept eye contact to let her know I was paying attention. She needed to let it out. She needed to pour her heart out.