Helena's POV
It all started when I was in my final year in highschool. I attended Delphine's high. It was a boarding school but mainly for girls. I was among the prefects of the school due to my diligence and academic success. I was always busy with my studies that I don't even look at materialistic things. Sometimes, I felt odd among my peers but sometimes, I just don't care.
Many a times, Cassandra and Amanda the big chicks in class would jeer at me saying that I was old fashioned but I never gave a damn. After much persuasion and jeers, I decided to join them and as soon as I made them my friends, all the insults ceased. They spent money lavishly, had slot of clothes and other things but unknown to me, it was my doom approaching but I was just too blind to see it.
Soon after, I joined them in sneaking out of school to attend parties, go out on dates and visit friends.
Imogen and Sharon my very close friends before my attitude began, warned me but I refused to listen rather, I turned my back on them,this I am regretting now...
One day, after returning from one of our escapedes, (a party). Amanda gave me a present and when I asked her who it was from,she told me it was from a secret admirer. When I opened the present, I saw a brand new infinix note 4. I was surprised and afraid at the same time. Surprise because I never expected any gift from anyone, afraid because I don't know what to tell my parents when they see me with it. So, I rejected it Amanda wanted to know why I rejected it and I told her. She told me that if they asked, I should tell them it was a gift for being the best student in school.
The next party we attended was where Amanda introduced me to the almighty "secret admirer "-Andre. He asked me out but I declined knowing what mum said about such things but that did not last long because Andre did all he could to get me. He promised me heaven on earth. He spoilt me with all kinds of goodies and soon after, I sheepishly gave into his proposal because Amanda told me that he was rich and that rich guys upgrade your lifestyle and secondly I started falling in love with him.
My final year exams soon came knocking at the door but I was so distracted. During the holidays,I travelled to see my parents and when they asked me about the phone, I told them what Amanda asked me to tell them. Poor old pals! How will they no their daughter is becoming something else?
Returning to school, I continued my stupid acts and it affected me badly because my academic performance was really bad. Andre on the other hand, just let me ask once before he gives me anything.
On 22nd September 2002, to be precise was my birthday I got a call from Andre asking me out on a date in respect to my birthday and that he had a special birthday present for me.
Unknown to me, the monster had it all planned!
I immediately told Amanda whom I was familiar with in the game or should I say act. She was happy for me and showed some ladies jealousy. Deep down, I was feeling proud because I felt I was now a big girl with a rich boyfriend who loves me.
Amanda helped me with my make up which we his secretly in our hostel rooms and also helped me select a beautiful dress which Andre bought for me on our previous date. She helped me sneak out and I left to see Andre happily.
I met him waiting for me at our normal spot, I hopped into his car and he drove to a popular resort-"Glow's garden" .
After eating,he told me to follow him to his house since he forgot the present at home. Like a rain soaked puppy seeking for shelter, I followed.
On getting to his house, he took me into the 3_bedroom apartment and locked the door behind us. I became curious and asked"why are u locking the door? Aren't we leaving soon? " he did not reply rather, he started caressing me and planting kisses on my body I became conscious of myself. So, I tried to stop him but he slapped me and pushed me to the bed. I pleaded with him but it all fell on deaf ears, he was determined to carry out d act. He said that the gifts and money he spent on me was not in vain. I cried and told him I would pay him back but he refused. I wanted to scream but he held my mouth tightly and before I would say Jack Robinson, he was inside me pounding vigorously and then, I passed out. I woke up minutes later feeling pains all over my body and injuries sustained from struggling. I managed to take my bath and prepared to go back to school.
Then the monster came in with a wrapped present in his hand from God-knows-where. I knew what had happened and since the rape was my fault, I decided not to tell anyone not even Amanda my fellow accomplice. He took me back to school. No one said a word to each other even when he dropped me off. Amanda was very anxious to know how it went but I just cooked up one or two things and told her.
The said present happened to be the sum of ten thousand naira and a note which read thus:
"U are such an amazing damsel
Never knew u were a virgin
Sorry if I hurt u
Love yah!
*Andre*
I wept bitterly and regretted my actions. I decided to amend my ways but Alas! It was too late.
Two weeks to my exams, i started feeling sick and also noticed some strange changes in my body. I met my usual counceilor "Amanda" and we went to the hospital where i was confimed pregnant!. I didn't know what to do. Amanda asked me how it happened and i narrated everthing to her. She was angry i lied to her at first. She adviced me to tell Andre about the situation on ground since he was resposible. I adhered to her advice and went to tell Andre. I expected him to be happy and propose to me since he claimed to love me but to my disappointment, he told me he was not ready to father a child. After some minutes, he went inside his room and came out with a syringe and a liquid substance i couldn't identify and a few tablets. Before i could say a word, he injected me with the liquid substance and forced me to take the tablets.
After taking the drugs, i left his house.
At exactly 4pm the same day, i started having severe pains. Soon after, i started bleedin At exactly 4pm the same day, i started having severe pains. Soon after, i started bleeding. As usual, Amanda came to my rescue. We left for the hospital. After some treatments, I was discharged. Money was not the problem because I normally save the ones Andre gives me. The next day, I was as healthy as I used to be. Amanda told me she had something to tell me- a doctor's report she called it but I told her to keep it to herself.
I started reading my books tirelessly cuz I've missed a lot...
Two days to our examination, Cassandra was missing and the principal called us (Amanda and I) to ask if we knew anything about her whereabout since we we're her friends but we told him we knew nothing, and truth be told, we knew nothing.
God so kind, we finished our exams and I came out as the third best. When I returned to school to collect my results, Amanda told me that Andre was apprehended by the police because he was a druggist and had many people working for him. I cried because that was the kind of person I got myself involved with.
She also told me that Cassandra's body was found days earlier close to a popular hotel with some of her sensitive parts removed.
I got admission to study science lab technology in the Rexha's university_one of the best in the country.
Towards my third year in the university, I met another guy_ Marcel. He picked interest in me but I was careful to prevent a replay of my past experience but Marcel was serious about our relationship.
Marcel was serious about our relationship.
On 23rd April, 2005_ my graduation day, Marcel proposed to me.
And soon after three months, we became man and wife.
After two years without a child,Marcel's mother started making life miserable for me. She called me a witch, a baby-eater and names of all sorts. This made me restless.
One day, Marcel decided that we should visit the hospital, then my problem set in -Marcel was fine but the doctor gave the shocking news that I can never be able to carry my own child because my womb had been damaged by strong drugs in the process of an abortion. This made Marcel very angry and he did not speak to me throughout our ride home. When we got home, I begged Marcel to forgive me even though he won't accept me back and explained everything to him. He forgave me and accepted to adopt kids. This did not last long because his mother came un with another woman as his wife and as soon as she got pregnant, Marcel's behavior changed towards me and soon after, I was out of the house. I lost Marcel and this hurt me so much because I loved him. My parents we're very disappointed when they heard about it.
Now here I am with a good job, three broken engagements at age 30.
I wish I could turn back the hands of time to corrext y mistakes. I wish God can give me another chance to carry my child just once. I will forever live to regret my mistake of getting involved with Andre-the monster behind my doom.
