Beyond expectations

THE ECHO OF PAIN - episode 7

The divorce papers were never signed, and Mrs. Adeshina was nowhere to be found. After their father's untimely death, Aishat had no choice but to shoulder the burden of their fractured family. Every day, she worked tirelessly to cater for herself and her younger brother, Victor, who had become more of a burden than a brother.

One of Aisha's job was as a waitress at a nightclub. The pay was higher, but the environment was far from ideal. Each night, she felt a knot in her stomach as she put on her uniform, knowing she would have to face the unfair treatments, the roaming eyes full of lust, and the careless touches from drunk and wealthy customers. The shame and discomfort were constant companions, but she couldn't afford to quit. She felt trapped, clinging to the slivers of dignity she could muster.

Some nights, Victor and his friends would come to the club, drink themselves into oblivion, and then leave without paying, sticking her with the bill. Aishat's frustration grew each time she had to cover for them. It felt like she was trapped in a never-ending nightmare, but she had to endure it for the sake of her brother, even though he only brought more trouble into her already chaotic life.

Dropping out of school was a heart-wrenching decision. She remembered the feeling of defeat as she walked into her teacher's office. "Good morning, ma," she had greeted, trying to keep her voice steady. Her teacher's warm response contrasted painfully with the turmoil inside her. She explained the impossibility of continuing her education given the current hardships, hoping for understanding. Her hope had been to see her mother at her father's funeral, to beg her to come back, but she never showed up. The absence of her mother was a wound that never healed.

Her teacher's advice to apply for a scholarship was a lifeline. "You're one of the best students here. It would be a waste to let all your hard work go unnoticed," she said. Tears welled up in Aishat's eyes, not just from the pressure but from the unexpected kindness. She decided to juggle both work and school, even though the balance felt almost impossible to maintain. The scholarship offered a glimmer of hope in the otherwise bleak landscape of her life.

Victor continued to steal from her. The money she earned through sweat and tears was often gone in the blink of an eye. The frustration reached a peak when she began tying her money at the tip of her dress. It was a desperate act, symbolizing just how far things had fallen apart. She clung to the hope that finishing her studies would eventually lead to a better life. She was determined to rise above the circumstances, even if it meant facing each day with a brave face and a broken spirit.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day, Aishat reminisced about their past. "How did things become the way they are?" she sighed deeply, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. The weight of her responsibilities at just 19 felt unbearable. She never imagined she would be forced to bear such a heavy load. The memories of happier times were both a comfort and a torment, reminding her of what she had lost and what she was fighting to regain.

At the nightclub, the chaos was all too familiar. Drunk customers, loud music, and the constant fear of something going wrong. That night, an uproar erupted in a corner. The manager quickly ordered the staff to keep working. "Whatever is happening there is none of your concern. Just do your work. Those people are dangerous," he warned.

Amid the chaos, Aishat heard a familiar voice. "Sister, help me!" Victor's desperate cry cut through the noise. She looked up, recognizing his voice. Apparently, he had stolen from a notorious street lord. Torn between her instinct to help and the need to protect herself, she hesitated. Before she could decide, two boys dragged her to their boss.

Fear consumed her as she was brought before the street lord. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she began to shake uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. The anger and betrayal in Victor's eyes were replaced by a look of sheer terror. They took her away, leaving Victor behind, his struggles proving futile. Aishat endured unimaginable violation, resulting in severe internal bleeding. The pain was excruciating, but the emotional trauma cut even deeper.

Her coworkers found her outside, barely alive, and rushed her to the hospital. Victor was called, and when he arrived, he saw his sister lying almost lifeless. Guilt and regret washed over him as he realized the extent of the pain he had caused. Aishat, barely able to speak, looked up at him with hatred in her eyes. "What have I ever done to you to deserve this? I hate you. You are an animal. I will never forgive you."

The heart monitor's beeping grew louder as doctors rushed in to save her, but it was too late. Aishat was dead. Victor was left alone, with no education, no good certificate, a ruined reputation, and no one to rely on. He crumbled to the floor, tears mixing with the cold, sterile tiles of the hospital, realizing that he had lost everything because of his own actions.