More To It

Chapter 16-I Love You Too

Zaynab

"So what's the verdict?",I ask Abiodun who's just staring at me with a look of confusion.

"Abiodun",I call.

"You don't have to be here. Not in this environment",he whispers then looks around the meeting room for prisoners.

"I wanted to see you. Are you going to get out anytime soon?",I ask him.

He sighs and rubs his face tiredly.

"Philip should sort something out. But the way things are looking, I doubt it".

"Why would you make videos of yourself anyways. Who does that. Why would you be so stupid to do such a thing",I snap angrily at him but he just chuckles and leans into his chair.

"Long story",he whispers.

"Well I got time".

He looks at me.for a second or two then leans towards the table.

"Like father like son? Heard that saying? Well that's me and my dad. He had cameras installed around the entire house. He does so, so that when he's finished torturing and abusing us, he can make us watch every shit he did over and over again, just to scare us. He'd even put it in the basement. That was where I basically lived",he whispers the last part to himself then his jaw tightens.

"Lived?",I ask him.

"Yeah. He wouldn't let me live with them. He said I had to know what it was like to be a man. He locked me.in the basement, gave me one food a day if am lucky or none at all. He worked for those people that electrocute people as a court sentence. So he had torture equipments like that. He used to electrocute me every second day. He sometimes brought my mother down there if he was really angry at her then make me beat her and if I didn't, he'd electrocute me which was worse than the beating. Mama said to do exactly as he told me so he wouldn't hurt me. One day, he got really angry at me electrocuted her instead. Mama was already weak as it is. She died instantly. After that, it was just me and him. He killed my elder sister when she was 16. Electrocution too. It was just me and him. The abuse increased even more because he didn't have anyone else to abuse besides me. He taught me all I know basically",he explains.

I look at him with sadness as he stares at the table after his explanation. No wonder he's like this. His father was an animal.

"How old were you when the abuse began?",I ask.

"Uh, about a year old".

"Abiodun",I whisper then stand up and sit beside him.

"You don't have to feel sad for me. I've done worse to people",he chuckles but the even that didn't reach his face. He looked so broken, so so broken. How can he show others love when he's never experienced even the slightest bit from his own parents.

"Hey",I pull him into me and hug him tightly. I rub his back and kiss his cheek.

"It's not your fault that you're like this. Am proud of you though. You're NOTHING like your father. You messed up and you corrected your ways. You're in the process. That makes a better man than he ever was. You hear me?",I tell him as I brush his cheeks.

He smiles a little then pulls me into a firm hug.

"Am so sorry for ever hurting you",he whispers with a hoarse tone. Is he crying?

"Abiou-"

"Just stay like this",he whispers so I don't try to pull away. I just let him have his moment.

"I forgive you",I whisper into his ear.

This time he does pull away and with a smile.

"I forgive you. And I know you'll be a good father.....and husband",I whisper.

"What?",he looks at me confusedly when I hold his hand.

"Abiodun. When or if you get out of here.....will you remarry me?".

"W-what?",he stutters.

"I-i- can't. What if I hurt you again?".

"You won't. I trust you. We'll take it slow. We'll get engaged but won't move in together yet. When you feel you're ready, then we'll move in together. Be the family we are",I take his hand and place it on my baby bump.

"You mean that?",he smiles.

"More than anything".

He smiles then kisses the back of my hand repeatedly. I chuckle then brush his knuckles.

"You should get going. It'll be dark soon",he tells me.

"Okay. I'll try come tomorrow".

He nods as I kiss his cheek and forehead. I pick up my phone and walk towards the exit but stop when I hear him call my name. I turn around and find him in behind me.

"I love you. I love you so much",he lets out along with a sigh of relief.

I smile and nod.

"I love you too. My love for you never left. I see that now",I tell him which instantly made his smile get bigger.

"See you soon. Take care",I smile.