Her Healing

CHAPTER TWO.

    " People start to heal,
the moment they feel heard".
~ Cheryl  Richardson.  

  A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. " Come in" I answered . A fragile looking lady in pastel coloured short and black skirt and black rimmed glass entered .
" Hi, am Lola your secretary."
" Hello ,nice to meet you."
" Here are some cases the boss told you to look into "
"Right, thank you". I said collecting the files from her. I heard the door shut after her.
Skimming through the cases, a particular one caught my eyes, a peculiar one about rape. The mention of the brought back memories i have tried to get rid of, before demons of the past could grip me , I dispersed the thoughts and concentrated more on the report.
A twenty three year old woman allegedly accused her boss at work of sexual assault. Needing more enquiries on the case, I made my way to Mr Azeez's office. Entering his office after being asked to come in, I asked for more enquiries on the case and was given permission on investing the case and defending the client.
          Making a call to set an appointment with the client at exactly one p.m, I  checked the client's personal info.
NAME :Yusuf  Adeola
AGE: Twenty Three
OCCUPATION: Personal Assistant at Damex Engineering.
        Ringing of the landline  broke me out of my reading. "Yes" I answered.
"Ma, your one o' clock appointment is here".
"Oh! " I exclaimed, checking the time and I realised how invested I was in the profile. " Send her in" .
    A  beautiful light skinned young lady of average height entered timidly.
" Good afternoon" she greeted shyly biting her lips . She looked nervous and unsure. Above all, her the look in her eyes gutted me. It was haunted and ......... empty. A fierce feeling of protection cut through me. I stand up and gave her a warm smile ti ease her nervousness.
"Hello , am Barrister Anita . Pleased to meet you". I said offering my hand for a shake.
"Hello , I'm Lola". She replied softly arresting my hand in a light but firm handshake.
"Sit down" I said sitting down as well. She sat down as if wanting to be swallowed up by the chair. Trying to make her feel comfortable, I moved away from my seat to occupy the one next to her. " I heard about your case, and I have an interest in it. I don't want to rely on the statement written here so I am going to need you to tell me yourself". As soon as I said this, she started trembling and she turned pale.
Noticing her uncomfortable manner, I stood up to get her a cup of water and offered it to her. " Here, this will calm you down". She took the water with trembling hands and took a sip, then handed it back to me.
    " Well, i....w...h..en...tr..ied... " She stuttered. Putting my hands on her back to calm her down " come on, count to five breathe in, out yeah like that". She did this until she started breathing normally. "Now calmly and slowly, explain to me. Because if I do not confirm the truth from you, I will not be able to defend you. So you have to tell me the truth and nothing more". Taking a deep breathe she started.
"I started working at Damex Engineering six months ago, as a personal assistant to one of their top engineers. A week after I started the job, I sometimes noticed him leering at me or looking at me in ways that creeps me out but I always try to avoid being alone with him for too long as it is impossible to not be alone with him as I was his P.A. I always make sure to leave the office before it is deserted after closing hours. On many occasions, I have noticed him feeling me up but always dismissed it as a mistake or a figment of my imagination. But how wrong I was....". She broke down with sobs wracking her entire body. I offered her some tissue which she used then continued.
     " On that particular day, we were so caught up with work about a new project that by the time I realised, time had flown past and the whole area was deserted. Hurrying up to leave the office, I rushed to round up my work. As I was trying to pack up, there was a power outrage. I was scared but tried to get out fast. While I was trying to get my phone so I can  switch on the flashlight, I felt a presence behind my back and I knew he was the one. I tried to escape his grip but he was too fast and pinned me to the wall I scratched, fought, and even bit him but he was too strong he defiled me and threatened me not to tell anyone about it and left me on the floor. I managed to pull myself together and get home that day. I got home and took a shower and called my sister.  Who came and convinced me to go the police station to file a report of assault the following day. When I finally got the courage to do that two days after, it was too late as all evidence of rape has vanished. The police refused to get an arrest warrant and dismissed my claim as Mr Adams was a very influential engineer.".
   Hearing all these, I was overwhelmed with anger at the inhumane feelings described by dogs who call themselves men. I consoled her and promised to investigate more into the case. I leaned back on my chair after she had left with a heavy heart and puffy eyes and thought about the pain in her eyes as she related her ordeal. Saying her a silent prayer that maybe one day she will find her healing one day, one day, when she is heard.
       Later in the evening at home, I laid on my bed and thought about her dilemma. Making a note not to forget about my visit to Damex Engineering the next day, I took my sleeping pills and laid down to sleep praying hard and quietly for it to keep the monsters away.