In the Loving Arms of Servitude

28. Corollary

                            
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It is Tuesday morning. And ever since Uju's ordeal with Femi, she has been feeling quite ill, so she hasn't been out of the house for days. She has been resting on her bed. The fever manifested after hours of severe crying, depression and lack of sleep. It was at its peak on Sunday. But now, she seems to be feeling much better, physically at least. She is still quite emotionally broken and definitely in no mood for school right now. How would she even be able to face them?
How would she be able to stand it all, in this state? School work, her classmates, even Bayo! She does not want him to see her like this. She is not even sure whether she ever wants him to see her again. Right now, she feels so filthy; so defiled; so worthless and so ashamed. If only she could just disappear; just vanish from this place, she would be the happiest person in the world. The anguish she feels right now is inexplicable, yet she still has not told anyone. She cannot tell anyone. She has no one to fight for her, so she does not think it will be of any use. She decides to hope that after another day or maybe a week; yes, after about a week, she will recover. Nevertheless, deep down, she knows that she will never fully recover from this. After what happened to her that night, there were moments when she wished she were dead. And even now, she still feels like it would all be better if she were simply gone, because she doesn't think that she can take it anymore.

As for her oppressor; she has not seen the monster since that night. To be honest, she does not ever want to see his despicable face again. She does not ever want to hear his horrible voice again. But unfortunately, she cannot seem to stop hearing his horrid voice in her head; his vile grunts. Even now, she can still feel his infernal breath burning her neck. She can still smell him all over her. That pungent smell of sweat mixed with thick perfume will forever haunt her nostrils. She can still feel him violating her even now, with brute force, as she lay subdued on the bed crying helplessly.
'What sort of life is this?' she wonders. 'And where was God then, huh?... Where was he when I was being violated?'
The poor girl begins to wonder where God had been all the while she was being enslaved, maltreated, assaulted, mocked and raped. She begins to wonder why she has always had to pay the price for other people's cruelty.

"Good morning, Uju." Tobi's tender voice interrupts her thoughts. Then immediately, she sniffs in and quickly tries to wipe the tears off her dismal face. "Oh, Tobi... how are you?"

"I'm fine... How are YOU?..." he asks.

Uju responds, while subtly attempting to hide her anguish, "I'm good... #SNIFF... Just a little weak, but... I'll be fine."
Tobi sighs and then touches her forehead while saying earnestly, "I don't like seeing you sick. Please get well soon."
Upon hearing this, Uju chuckles weakly and lets out a feeble smile, "Don't worry. I will."

Thereafter, Amara walks in and holds Tobi by the shoulder while he stands at Uju's bedside. She says warmly,
"Okay now… Time for school, Tobi... Off you go!"
Tobi sighs again and then walks out of the room. Afterwards, Amara sits on Uju's bed and asks tenderly, "How are you doing, Uju?"

"I'm fine, ma." she replies innocently, looking downwards.

"I hope you have been taking the medicine I bought for you...?" Amara continues earnestly.

"Yes... I have." Uju replies quite feebly, as though trying to make Amara believe that her illness is still quite serious. The last thing she wants is to go back to school yet. Then while touching her forehead, Amara says, "It seems the fever is already gone... I received a call from Mrs. Obi. She said that your exams are very close... Don't you think you should try to go to school tomorrow?..."

Uju sighs, "That's true... But..."
After pondering for a moment, she then affirms with weak certainty, "Yes... I will. I'll go."

"Alright then... That's good. I left some rice in the pot for you. And there is also some beans in the fridge that you can have for lunch. I have a class this morning. Take care dear." Amara responds, tapping Uju's arm as she rises from the bed to leave.