Starlight

-26-

Asher___

"You don't have to do this." I try to reason with her.
"No, I want to tell you. I'm ready." She inhaled sharply, fiddling with the hem of her blouse. She stood up from the beach sand, taking a few steps towards the water. She gestured for me to join her.
I did.

"That night, when you came home, I was already two months gone. I felt the symptoms and I saw the signs of pregnancy but I didn't want to believe it." A lone tear fell down her beautiful face. I'm ready to be patient with her. As God forgave me, I'll forgive her. And probably will forget about everything, with time.

"Did you cheat on me?" Though I believe I have the answer to that, I still want to confirm it. I still want to know.
"I wouldn't dare. I loved you so much. I still love you, Asher. The thoughts of cheating never crossed my mind. I was as loyal to you as a pet dog." I chuckled at that, a smile crept up her face.

I always loved her smiles. One of the things that made her insanely attractive to me.
I love you too, baby.
I always have.

"But what happened?" I inquire digging my feet into the sand.
"Remember the party you dragged me to back then?" I slowly nod, a little scared.
Did something happen when I left her?

"I was drugged. My orange juice was spiked. Then I felt dizzy and everything felt hot within me. I don't know what happened after but I found myself with a man in a room. He...." She broke down falling on her knees. She hid her face in what I think, shame.

"Rose, Dara, look at me." I plead with her falling beside her. She did. Her eyes were glossy with tears.
"You don't have to do this." She shook her head, standing up, wiping her tears harshly off her face.

"He raped me. I screamed for help but it was as if I was blocked out from the world. Nobody heard me. Then he threatened me, he threatened to kill my family. His threats were powerful and he has connections. He told me if I ever went to the cops, everything will turn back to me. I was scared. I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I didn't tell anyone. I had panic attacks whenever I had to face him. It still scares me till today. He doesn't know I didn't take the pills he dropped for me. He sent them over to me. I fought myself to take them but I couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to. Then when you walked out, I was scared. I cried for days trying to reach you. I tried calling Emily, I sent gifts to her every year on her birthday. I didn't know she never received it, I didn't know she wasn't with us anymore. I'm so sorry."

I stood up, pulling her into my arms. She wept shaking vigorously against me. I ran my hand over her braids, whispering, it's okay, to her. She shook her head against my chest and I frowned.
What's wrong?

"He doesn't know about Elle. I don't want him to. I fear I'll get to meet him again and I won't be able to face him. I don't want him to ever meet my daughter. He'll take her away." She sobbed harder whilst speaking.
That party that night was on strict invitation of just my friends. If I think my hypothesis is at all true, it must be one of them.
Michelle's father is one of my friends.

Who could be so crude to threaten her?
What was his motive?
To see me break?
To destroy my relationship?
I know most of them didn't approve of Rose 'cause she's black.

Well, I'm black too. Notwithstanding, my dad being an American but I still have traces of African in my blood. I don't fancy the idea of racism.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ then why dissect through skin colour?
Aren't we united in Christ?
Why diversity in colours?

Is that what God implied?
He never did.

Why did they hate on her?
I fought with most of them because of being racist with my girlfriend then that's why I lost contact with them.
Some of them mock me currently.

'What happened to your black girlfriend? Didn't she cheat on you? She has always been a whore. Glad you get to see that.'

I remember the exact words, Jasper said to me. Jasper was the guy who hosted that party. I feel bad for dragging her over. She never wanted to go but I was wasn't one to let her be on her own. I wanted her to come with me.
It's all my fault.

"I know what you are doing, Ash. It's not your fault. Nothing's your fault. Stop blaming yourself. Don't beat yourself about it. It's all in the past. This is our present and future. I'm here, you're here. We have Elle. That girl loves you as a father. Most importantly, we have God." She said while cradling my face, staring into my eyes so lovingly.
I missed her so much.
Her reassurance, her encouraging words, I miss them all.

"Do I know him?" Her brows furrows in confusion before realization dawn on her. Her frown deepened.
"Unfortunately, yes. You do." She looked away, dropping her hands by her side.

"Who is he?"
She tensed a bit at that. She suddenly looked around us.
What's wrong?
She unconsciously stepped closer to me, her hands gripped mine tight.

"I--I can't say. I---I I'm sorry. I--I know you want to know b-but I'm scared. W-what if he knows? I'm sorry, Asher. I really want to scream it out but I can't bring myself to."
She's rambling. No one can tell me she's about going into a panic attack cause I know.

When did my Rose become this scared?
What happened to my clumsy yet bold Rose?
What happened to the Rose I fell in love with?
I know she's still hidden behind her eyes.
I know she's still there.
One day, we will overcome everything with God by our side.

"Baby, look at me. You are fine. Everything is fine.. I'm here with you. Nobody's gonna hurt you. You are fine." I coo her rubbing her back and massaging her scalp. I reassured her. She relaxed against me once she was fine.

"I love you, Asher." She whispered against my embrace. I doubt she said it to my hearing but I heard her.
"I'm here. I'll be patient with you, I'm sorry. I love you too, baby. I always have."

I finally said it.
The words I always wanted to scream out but I couldn't, fell off my lips with ease.
It felt right.
We felt right.
She threw her head back, staring into my eyes.
Laughter bubbled inside her.

"You do?" I nodded smiling down at her.
"Oh my!" She was crying and laughing.
This is the girl I fell in love with.

"I love you, I love you so much. I can't believe this is happening. Thank you so much, Lord." She hugged me like I would disappear.

"So we back together?" She mumbled against my chest, clutching my shirt for her dear life. I know she's slightly embarrassed about the question.

"I don't think I ever broke up with you to begin with."
She wrapped her arms around me and I held her in place.

Because I never did break up with her.
We've had enough time to heal and I guess our bond's stronger.

All thanks to God for bringing Elle my way.
I'll forever be grateful to God.

###
Finally, she told him. Who's curious to know who the father is?

Any guess?
God bless you 🤍.