"FAMILY SUPPORTS"
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(#'Live independently and have nothing to regret#)
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[ IN AN UNKNOWN FOREST ]
The back of a lady is seen walking towards a distance. Immediately a small dilapidated hut came to view in the middle of nowhere. A small smile crept to her gorgeous and plumpy face when she spotted the hut which stood alone in the forest.
Beads of sweat streaming down her forehead like river. On her left hand, she carried a small quantity of firewood and on the right, she carried a black polythene bag.
She entered inside the hut which has only a wrapper and a tiny rope across the walls, precisely for spreading clothes.
She dropped the firewoods in the centre of the room and the bag on the wrapper she took as a mattress.
She removed her clothes hanging them on the ropes there, her prooding belly coming to view. Once done with that, she set the firewoods to knight fire. She squat down while the fire illuminated every corners of the hut and her face came to view, it's none other than mary-jane.
She watched. Unbeknownst to her, a lone tears drop down from her eyes. She looked at her prodding belly and her tears fell on her belly. She touched it as her lone tears turned into a sob.
"My baby" she swispered.
After she left that hospital two months ago, she has been wandering. She wouldn't say it's wandering, cuz she's actually walking herself home, to her father's home.
Due to the fact that her father's house is far from her aunts home, it would take her like 3-4 months before she arrives. That's how far her father's house is if only you trek, but if you have a means of transportation that won't be a problem.
"I miss you papa" she whimpered again in agony.
She has to been trying to be strong for her child and have the strength to take care of her and herself. She hasn't even gone for antenatal ever since she ran away, she doesn't even know the position of her baby right now.
Immediately,she heard a ruffle outside the hut. Fear gripped her cuz she knows that sound anywhere, well that's because she has been here for two months alone. So she knows every nook and cranny of the forest.
Immediately she quenched the fire and darkness illuminate the hut. As if on cue, the sound stopped; From the sound of the footsteps, the thing is already walking away.
She peed from the hut only to behold a huge chimpanzee. Eyes eyes wide and her heartbeat skyrocketed..
A chimpanzee?
Worst of all in these country?
Though she has heard stories of chimpanzees and how their brutally abuse women, she never for once believed that they exist, most especially in her state.
She watched as it walked away, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.
These her daily struggles. Ever since she came here, she has been seeing different kind of animals here and worst of all,they're harmful.
She once saw a snake in her hut ontop of her mattress. Knowing her, she isn't a fan of snakes or any wide animals to be precised, with much difficulty she manage to kill the snake with a little ounce of courage left in her.
After that day, she has been seeing more worst than that. Only God saves her from these traps called home. Even the hut she's living in, she knows how had she suffered to build it.
When she was here newly, she slept on the trees. Rains beats her, but to her luck she never fells sick and she's praying never to fall sick until she leaves here.
Even when sleeping on the trees isn't safe for her cuz of snakes or monkeys, but still she managed to pull through and build these hut she's in. Feeding isn't what to talk about, she begs anyone she sees everyday.
The polythene bag she's carrying today is from a good Samaritan who bought food stuffs for her in seeing her condition. Or bathing?? She baths at the nearest river near her hut every morning inorder to avoid wild animals in the afternoon.
She looks at her belly again and whispered.
"You're truly a blessing that Collins has missed in his life and I will protect you with every ounce of strength and sweat left in me, we will fight these together just like we've been doing. I love you baby." She said with a proud smile on her face.
Rummaging through the polythene bag she came back with, she brought out a snacks taking a bite.
She threw up everything immediately which tasted sour on her taste bud.
"Eww.... what's these?" She scrutinized the snacks like some disgusting thing to look at.
"I know these snacks, then what's wrong with me now?" She squinting "maybe is the pregnancy hormones " she added
"Gosh I'm hungry" she said crying already.
Knowing nothing else to do, she held her stomach and laid down to submerge the hunger.
"We will pull through. I promise" she whispered, drifting off to sleep.
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
AUNT SONIA HOUSE
Aunt Sonia is mary-jane's aunt whom she lived with. Sonia lived with only her three children after her husband died even before mary-jane came to live with them.
Her children are all grown ups, but knowing the kind of upbringing she gave them, especially her two daughters, they lack more than manners. At their age, their couldn't wash, sweep, go for errands or even cook. It's their younger brother, Steven,who's either twelve years old helps in the family chores.
If Steven as well as complain, his words wouldn't be heed to. They neglected him so much that even his soul longed for mary-jane. He has always been the one with mary-jane through every nook and cranny of her time.
He supports her and Cheer her up when no one is there to. His like her second life after Collins. The day she was chased out, he wasn't around to help in defending her like always, or even if he was there, his mother might not heed to his request and do what's always in her mind.
Sometimes the little boy will be wondering what his aunt did to warrant such maltreatment from his mother.
Today is weekend and everyone is at home, but as always the girls, Julie and Jennifer were chattering like their life depended on it.
"Sis...it's weekend. Don't you think you should both help me at least in the house chores" Steven said referring to both his elder sisters.
Julie and Jennifer both looked at themselves first before facing the little boy.
"Are you talking to us like that?" Julie said
"As you can see, it's only the three of us" he fired.
The both sisters flared with anger ready to unleash.
"What?!!!!!" They chorused
"What's going on here?" Their mother, Sonia asked
"Mom.... nothing much, I was just telling my sisters to come help me out in the house chores, so I can have time for my assessments" he said sympathetically.
The mother faced the both girls immediately.
"Go help your brother in the house chores girls." She dead palmed
"What?!!!!" They chorused again
" mom you know I can't do that " Julie said
"Mom...you if all people should know i don't do stuffs like that. How could you possibly tell me to go stain my manicured hands." Jennifer said disgust ached on her face.
"You've heard what I said. Mary-jane isn't here anymore, so the work is left for all the three of you, so better get to work" she said.
The both sisters stared at their brother who has a satisfied smirk on his face. That's all he needed to do, for them to face what his aunt was facing here when they were busy doing nothing, either partying around or going to God knows where.
"Mom these not fare" Julie said.
"I know, but you have to help your brother now. Mary-jane is no longer here" the mother said skeptically.
"Yeah." Steven supported
"Say that again and have your tongue rolling on these damn floor" Jennifer threatened.
"You don't use such words in my house Jenny" aunt stonia warned.
"Like you're any better" Julie whispered.
"What was that?" Aunt stonia asked suspiciously
"Nothing" the girls whined walking out. Steven had a contented smile on his face.
"yes, face what aunt Mary was faced while she was around " he muttered to himself.
«»«»«»«»«»«»«
5 MONTHS LATER.
Five months has past, no one ever asked Mary-jane or talked about her again in Collins household, like she has been erased from their hearts and minds. The weather all hot cuz the preparation of the upcoming Christmas celebration is what's on their minds.
They've all moved on, well expectations of some people who still cared, someone like old lady Lucy.
It's already another month and a new things for them, everyone are preparing for the celebration, giggles everywhere, every family happy, exemption of Collins family cuz old lady Lucy didn't approve of it. Who can't eat nor talk to anyone. She exiled herself to the level of to return.
What's on her mind is mary-jane and her grandchild.
Her son Collins lives his life, like he wasn't the same person wailing about missing her few months ago. Will she even say wailing. No. Her son Collins didn't give a shit. His brother Henry was the one who helped all these time with their father in search of mary-jane.
And what did her son do? He finally got married to Aurora and as he said, she's expecting. She doesn't care if she's expecting or dying the next day, all that's on her is mary-jane and no one else.
Her husband, Mr. Zaki, Henry and Bella her older daughter who barely comes here due to the fact that she's married, are the only ones consoling her in any way their can. They miss mary-jane so much, they won't deny that fact.
But after their unworthy son lead that young girl to his world of sins and debauchery, her life and theirs hasn't been the same. To Mr. Zaki, if their's a way for him to end his son, he would willingly do it, but on the other hands he can't eliminate his heir.
"My dear, what is it again!" Mr. Zaki and his wife immediately he walked inside the living room to see her tears. He sat down next to her comforting her as always.
No one need to tell him what's wrong with her. He could already see them in her brown eyes.
"I miss her...I miss her so much that's it's killing me" she broke more Into sobs.
"Shhh....it's okay. We will find her, okay" Mr. Zaki tried to coaxed her
"Find her? It's already been seven months now and we haven't seen or heard from her, not even from her family and you're telling me to calm down?!!!" Old lady Lucy flared, her brown eyes shining more brighter with the tears.
"I want her back Zak....I want to be the first to carry my grandchild. Only God knows how she's even faring wherever she is. I don't even know if she has eaten" she sobs more.
"Hey. I will try my best, okay."
"No Zak..... please bring her back at all cost?" She begged desperately
Mr. Zaki just hugged her not knowing what else to do.
" It's gonna be fine" he muttered patting her back.
Collins who has been eavesdropping all the while couldn't help the lone tears that fell from his eyes. Didn't know a day will come when his mother will be crying just to get a glimpse of mary-jane.
"I'm sorry mother....it's all my fault" he said
»«»«»«»«
Time ran faster than anyone could imagine. It's even surprising how it flies so fast that some couldn't keep countdown of it. Mary-janes' mother lived her life. No one heard from her again neither did she called, while Chile who was living with his uncle was doing perfectly well and blooming.
They father is now a happy man after his daughter mary-jane who was now nine months old came back a month ago with her prodding belly. As a human he is, he repremanded her, but for the live of a father he accepted her in, not after he heard what her daughter went through in the hands of his wife's sister.
Samuel is just like every century worst. His life is like a rolling spin, changing to worst instead of good. He does nothing with his life, his even at the age of getting married but he bluntly refused the offer when their father suggested it, drinking as always.
On the other hand, old lady Lucy always came visiting after she heard that mary-jane was back. She was more than happy.
"I'm so happy that you're back dear, no one heard from you and you left me in suspense" old lady Lucy whined when she saw mary-jane that day.
"I'm sorry mother" she would always say any time old lady Lucy asks her what happened to her. Her life has been ruined so she doesn't want thing else to ruin it more or put anything at risk for the sake of her child.
How she got out is still mysterious to everyone. That's meant to be when she didn't want to share her experience with anyone. Experience is the best teacher like it's always said.
"So hows the baby. Do you perhaps need anything?" Old lady Lucy asked
"No ma'am, I'm fine" mary-jane replied sluggishly like she's bored of the conversation.
"What of antenatal, would you like to know how the baby is doing at least" she tried to coaxed her
"Fine mother, I will" she replied with a tight smile, for the time she has wasted, not knowing how her baby is faring or even the position she is right now, she couldn't bring her self to reject the offer.
"Okay dear, I will tell Collins to come pick you up so....."
"no mother I don't want Collins near me or my child" mary-jane stated flatly, all emotions already drained from her veins. She's pale like a living corpse.
"why dear, anything wrong?" the old lady asked.
"no just take it that I don't want near me or my child. We don't need him" she said
"okay dear" the old lady sighed exhausted
"Be expecting Bella tomorrow then. Is that okay?" she asked.
"yes sure" mary-jane replied.
That's what she was expecting to hear from her at the first place. She doesn't wants anything to do with them, especially Collins but on the other hand she couldn't bring herself to deny her baby right of acknowledging her family, if her baby didn't get to see her father, at least she has a caring grandma and as well know her background.
'... your child is a bastard'
The flashback of Lydia venomous words resounding to her ears. Her child isn't a bastard and she's going to prove it to them. She's going to take Lydia words against her when the times comes.
She's ready now to be both things in her child's life, being a mother and a father to her. She's ready to take responsibility now. She's ready to fight for herself, no more cowardice building in her.
'Inorder to fight what's ahead you, you have to be strong and most importantly be INDEPENDENT '
She could vividly remember what that mysterious old man told her that day he helped her in leaving that forest. She wouldn't have gotten out of there if not for that man. His identity still unknown.
"i will take my leave dear" old lady Lucy's voice disrupting her thoughts.
"sure mother " she replied
"I've talked to your father, and his aware of where you will be going tomorrow, so don't panic okay? I will also be ther" she said.
"Okay ma'am " mary-jane muttered
"take care of the baby and yourself as well" old lady Lucy said lovingly. Mary-jane nooded slightly not having the strength to voice out words anymore.
Old lady Lucy sighting her discomfort decided to leave immediately leaving her in the hands of her father who just walked in.
" it's nice coming to see you Mr. Emmanuel " she bid walking out.
"baby? What's wrong dear. Since you came back you haven't even tell how you were treated at your aunt's place or even how you got pregnant, what's wrong..... please talk to me" Mr. Emmanuel pleaded the urgency livid in his voice.
Mary-jane looked at her father. Tears coathing her pupils, unbeknownst to her, tears streamed down from her eyes.
"shhh.....hey....hey" her father tried in coaxing her, bringing her head to his shoulder while patting her back.
" it's okay..... crying won't solve anything, you have to be strong just like you have been to face what's ahead or else everything you've ever worked and suffered for will be stripped away from you" he advised wiping his daughter's tears.
Mary-jane shakes her head in exasperation.
"Dad.....it's so traumatizing " she shocked in her sobs. Ever since since came back last night she hasn't talked to anybody, not even her own father.
Mr. Emmanuel patted her once again while dragging in an unhealthy amount of air. It's infuriating and nerve-racking that her own child passed through alot from that hands of people she called family enlighting Fear into her.
Last night she came back in her chartered form, her lips quivering from the excess cold that most have marred into her system too much, no one needed to tell him that his precious daughter have passed through in Sonia's house.
Only the fear and warrines in her eyes has told all he needs to know.
" I just want to die papa " mary-jane cried out.
" it's fine. It's gonna be fun, okay?" he cooled. " Fine already " he added while mary-jane shrugged casually. Her father's word is all she needs for now, not Collins, not old lady Lucy, not her brother, or anyone else to say.
" where's brother Samuel?" She asked skeptically wondering if he's still drinking, cuz light night, he sounded straight and cozy, not like someone is actually that drunk. He didn't even reprimand her about her unwanted pregnancy, which is new.
" He went to buy food for you, like a caring brother" her father winked amusingly at her.
" father.." mary-jane huffed with a genuine smile on her face.
" what? Isn't he caring enough. At least his not married, the least he could do is be a good uncle, don't you think?" He asked rhetorically
" yeah sure" she answered smiling
"i miss you daughter " her father said starring at her eyes genuinely
"i miss you too papa" she replied
" Don't feel demented, you're not alone. You have us" her father said emphatically
"thank you father" she replied
"hey mary" her brother Samuel walked in with some goodies in a bag handing them to her.
Mary-jane boomed- smacked couldn't contain the surprise look in her face, her wide orbs staring intensely on Samuel like his sick or something.
" what. Why staring at me like that?" he asked sheepishly looking at his body
" Don't blame her Samuel. Who wouldn't be surprised. It's unlike you" their father chipped in with a taunting smirk
" come on father, at these your age you shouldn't be smirking, you're way too old for that " Samuel said with a glint
" just say I'm more handsome than you young man" he mused.
"what?" Samuel questioned
"yes" Mr. Emmanuel said
" come off it dad Cuz you're practically the ugliest person I've ever meet" he taunted
"what?" Mr. Emmanuel
"tsk.....hey young sis, how's the baby doing?" he genuinely asked staring intensely at her.
Mary-jane smiled, couldn't believe her family supported her instead of Collins whom she looked up to, to be there in all steps of way for her.
Collins
Heard his married and his wife is expecting, well good for them. She doesn't hold grudges against him, but her promise still stands and no going back. It's the finality of their judgements.
" it's fine" she muttered smiling while holding her belly.
" hopes for it to be a girl " he said staring at her belly too with admiration
" what? Why?" she inquired "i want a boy" she added. They father stared at her skeptically.
"It's a girl" the father said.