The day was bright but could have been brighter. The house was calm but the calmness was not enough. If one looked closely and stared hard at the sun, its face would be seen. The expression will be seen and you’ll know how it felt on rising that morning.
Ayo has been a very nice addition to the world. Her parents were blessed with her when they least expected it. She was born when Mrs Agba was in her mid-forties, what more can her father’s age tell? Loved and cherished by all, Ayo herself was blessed. While there was no sibling, her mother filled the position of a sister and her father, of a brother. She lived a good and happy life which she was grateful for. Her gratitude was expressed in her actions. She made trips to the old’s age home with the volunteering society she joined in secondary school. She also made trips to the orphanage where she treated the kids not with pity but with admiration. She was a perfect one sent to her parents. Right?
At the age of 20, Ayo had bagged a first-class Bachelor’s degree at a renowned University. At the age of 22, she got employed and was paid handsomely. What more could she ask for? But, she had a wish; to have a crown. In Yorubaland, a woman’s crown is her husband. Ayo wished to have one but had refused every proposal that came her way.
Many ask, why then does she want a man if she keeps rejecting those who want her as a wife? They gossip and share rumours about her. No one blames them, not even Ayo, who keeps ignoring their lies. She alone understands her phobia for intimacy. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Agba were a busy couple. Prior to the birth of Ayo, they worked as long (or short) as they liked but on Ayo’s arrival, they worked for long hours. They wanted the best for Ayo. Though they worked late, time was spared for their baby girl. They showered her with love and care and money. But when she was to attend secondary school, she was made a boarding student. While in the boarding house, Ayo got exposed to quite a lot of things. The worst of them being teenage sex.
She attended a mixed secondary school. There was the boy’s hostel and the girl’s hostel. In the boy’s hostel, only male staffs can be seen and in the girls, only female staffs. But, while the school was strict about opposite-sex staff, the same can’t be said of the students. In most schools really, there is the “senior” and the “junior”. The senior who breaks the rule, steps on the Management’s toes and sometimes gets caught- sometimes being key. Jayden, a senior student in the school is known for his gentle nature in class but outside the class, no good thing can be said. He sees a litter on the floor, a junior student has to pick it up. While this is a supposedly good act, he steps on the Junior’s hand. Why? For he believes the junior could have done it without being asked to. He was known for his double-sided behaviour but like most things in the country, he wasn’t paid attention to.
Ayo, a junior student, was assigned to the organising group headed by Jayden. He took an interest in her and she assumed it to be normal. Perhaps, he did also but when the “demon” came calling, she was alone with him and the rape happened. She did scream but her voice was not loud enough. Someone heard her but she had been raped. She was taken to the hospital, her parents were contacted. Jayden’s parents were also contacted and he was expelled. Ayo’s system was flushed, she spent two weeks at home and resumed school normally. The someone who heard her was a close friend of Jayden. The school didn’t make an announcement of it so most students didn’t know of it. She was applauded for being as strong and tough as those who knew, though she had lived through it remarkably. Once again, she alone understood the rage and pain she hides within her.
On the day she graduated secondary school, an announcement was made in the hall concerning Jayden. He was dead – committed suicide actually – on knowing he had a mental disorder. On hearing the news, Ayo took it to heart. She made sure to remember the words and actions of that day. Ayo reached a conclusion, she caused his death. This scared her greatly.
Despite the unresolved guilt, pain and rage within her, she still craved for marriage. Without a second thought, really sad, she approached her mum to help fix a wedding. She cared less and accepted an arranged marriage. Mrs Agba, her mom, found a suitable man for her only daughter. Just 30 years of age yet controlling millions, indeed, Michael was a good one. He fit into all Mrs Agba wanted in her in-law and at first sight, Ayo could see herself living with him. Agreed there were no feelings but there was hope. She could see something if not feel. The wedding date was set. The shopping was done. The preparations were made merrily and indeed the wedding took place.
Exactly a week after the wedding, Michael sat in the Agbas living room looking forlorn. Mr and Mrs Agba had the gravest looks on their face. And there was a doctor in the room also. Ayo had been pronounced dead. How? What happened? Why? So many questions but again, only Ayo had the answers.
Yusuf, Fathia Abolore