Broken | ✓

CHAPTER ELEVEN: THERAPY II

                          Ireti

My mother knocked on my door for half of the morning, begging me to come out but I didn't budge. I was still quite upset. My ears felt a great relief when she left to check a few things in her shop.

I spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon in my room, searching for the perfect distraction as I waited for the short hand of the clock to rest on three and the long hand on nine, so I could go for my therapy appointment with Dr. Akpan. Even Kdrama that always worked the magic did only but a little in distracting me.

Finally the gatekeepers of time answered my prayers and it was time to leave, I threw on a brown dress and a black sandals. I packed my hair in a bun, picked my car keys and left my room. On my way out, I met Dele.

"Ahh Sister Ireti you are out, good evening. I was beginning to worry that you might ha..." He paused.

"I might have what?" I raised my brows.

'Yo..m..migh...might ha..have..do..done...something...to..yourself " he stuttered.

I understood what he meant. The first time I returned home from the hospital after the rape incident, I tried to kill myself. It became constant, as I had no desire to live at that time. Those days seem so distant now but still so close.

"You also knew about Eniola and you said nothing" I changed the subject.

"Well, Mummy really didn't want you to to get upset"

"Upset?" I snickered.

"Well I'm upset now, aren't I? I added.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes. If mummy asks tell her I went to see Ifeoma. Come and open the gate for me"

"Okay" he followed behind.

******************
When I got to Dr. Akpan's office, I knocked twice and entered.

"Good afternoon Doc" I greeted.

"Ahh Ireti afternoon. How are you?"

"I don't know Doc" I sighed.

"Wow" she said surprised.

"What is it?

"This is the first time you didn't give me, I'm fine Doc I just need to sleep well that's all" she mimicked me.

I smiled.

"So tell me Ireti what's wrong? Because I can see you really need to let some things out, I mean you called me asking for a therapy session. You called me" She mocked me.

"Doccc" I begged.

"Okay I shouldn't do that. I'm sorry. Now tell me what is wrong?"

"My sister is getting married" I blurted out.

"And that's a bad thing because?" She asked, confused.

"No, it's not a bad thing. The bad thing is that my family kept it from me. Apparently she had been engaged for over a month and they were struggling to find a date for the introduction as they didn't know how to tell me because they were scared I would be upset"

"Why would you be upset?

"Exactly my thoughts too Doc. My parents excuse was that my younger sister getting married before me is not really a good thing"

"Have you spoken to your sister?"

"Yes, I have"

"What did she say?"