One of the definitions of a monster is a person or thing that is outrageously cruel or wicked: someone who acts with malice or evil intent. Many people see this and proceed to call anyone who behaves this way a monster. Maybe they're right—it's not just cruelty, but outrageous cruelty. Maybe you don't necessarily have to commit the evil act, but for some reason, you do. Then, you'll find yourself being called a monster too. But have you ever wondered: What exactly happens to someone that makes them act outrageously cruel? What exactly turns someone into a monster?
A monster, someone who suddenly becomes outrageously cruel, or is there some underlying symptom to becoming one? Well, let me tell you a story. This story is about various people, some of whom might qualify as monsters too. Who knows? After all, I've never really met a lot of monsters in my life.
We go to the slums in a small town, a rural area if you will. The town was home to a lot of poor people, lots of forgotten souls and a lot of... monsters? Whatever the case, there were thieves, killers, drug dealers, you name the crime, and you'd find the criminal who'd committed it in that town. But it wasn't entirely home to the lawless; there were still a few people trying to simply live their lives.
This is where we visit the home of one of the inhabitants: Her name is Kiki, a whore. She was one of the whores in town, not even a good or famous one with rich clientele. No, she was the go-to for most small-time criminals and thugs. Most of them had gotten a taste, or two, of her. Although her clients weren't exactly rich, her work still managed to put food in her stomach. She was okay, though her choice of work was questionable. But who cares? In a place like this, survival preceded morality. Morality would probably get you killed more quickly.
Kiki was just fifteen when she started whoring; it was something she'd inherited from her mother, who had probably died or was still out there somewhere. Kiki never saw her again after she turned seventeen. By twenty, Kiki's clients had grown, and she'd leveled up, sleeping with her former clients' bosses. It was a step in the right direction for Kiki, since it meant more money. She didn't really mind everything else.
As Kiki continued her work, when she finally turned twenty-two, something happened: Kiki found out she was pregnant.
Kiki didn't expect this turnaround because she'd been very careful. It was a shock to her. How was she going to care for a baby? It would affect her work. Kiki didn't want children. Since she didn't want any child, Kiki tried to abort. She had prepared to do it, but for some reason, she couldn't find the confidence. She thought of what would happen if she decided to keep the child. Maybe this would be her chance to turn her life around. So, Kiki kept the baby.
A few months later, she had her first daughter, Ayotemi—or Temi, for short. She was happy for it. Things were good. She took care of her daughter with what she had and all that she got. Temi was her bright star; she was everything. She wouldn't let anything come between them.
Kiki thought of leaving prostitution and took on a better job as a waitress to support her and her daughter, but things weren't exactly so simple. Life was not kind to the poor, and her savings from her days of prostitution were running dry. Kiki lasted five whole years without doing her old job, but when things got tougher, she returned to the game.
Things changed again; she was earning a bit more. Although she'd been out for a long time, she never lost her touch or her skills. And some of her clients even missed her. So, Kiki whored again for over three years, and then it happened again. Once more, she got pregnant.
Kiki was faced with the same dilemma: Should she abort? Should she terminate it? Kiki didn't know how it would be taking care of another child. But she remembered how happy she'd felt when Temi came along. It was the best year of her life. Feeling optimistic, she decided to keep the baby, and so out came Ife, her second daughter.
She held the child in her arms after a hard labor. The doctors thought she would lose the child, but she said their love was stronger, and that's why she pulled through. But did she? They thought Kiki was out of the woods, but it turned out she'd lost a lot of blood. Things would have been different if they'd been in a proper hospital, but alas, they were just in a small clinic. Kiki didn't make it, leaving ten-year-old Temi alone with Ife, a small baby.
Kiki was buried and finally laid to rest, leaving her two daughters alone in the world. The world she knew too well as cruel and unforgiving, even for adults—how would two children manage to stay alive? But that was no longer Kiki's headache; only the living have the unfortunate luxury of worries.
At first, many in the neighborhood who knew Kiki tried to fend for the kids, giving them food and clothes—anything they could afford—so the children didn't exactly suffer for the first three years. But after that, things changed, and people were no longer forthcoming. Well, who could blame them? Everyone had their own baggage. Taking on the responsibility for two children was no small matter.
But still, Temi was able to work something out by doing chores in exchange for food and clothes. Anyone willing to let her help, she would assist if they gave them food to eat. For this to work well, Temi left school at thirteen and worked so they could eat and Ife could attend school. It was a hard and heavy task, fending for herself and her sister. Temi couldn't imagine how many times she felt like giving up; sometimes she felt like ending things, and other times she felt like doing what her mother had done to survive—after all, she'd begun to... develop.
But she remembered one such day when she'd asked her mother about her work as a prostitute. Her mother was shocked because she'd tried very hard to hide it, but alas, children were smarter than most people gave them credit for. Temi remembered Kiki explaining why she was doing it and why Temi would never have to. Her mother told her she would have better choices and make better decisions.
Looking at her current situation, Temi realized her mother was right in one thing and wrong in the other. She didn't have better choices, but she could make better decisions. Temi continued doing different chores until she turned sixteen, and her sister turned six.
One day, she was helping at one of her jobs in a small restaurant when two young ladies came to eat. She overheard them talking about a party and not knowing what to wear, since a young man had invited them as guests. As the young women talked, Temi, who was their server, told them she knew of a good tailor who could style dresses for a wedding party.
At first, it was a simple conversation: You need a dress, and I know someone. But later, it evolved into describing what kinds of clothes would fit for the party they wanted to attend and whether the tailor Temi suggested could handle such a job. Although Temi didn't know a lot about fashion at the time, she paid close attention to what the ladies requested and even how much they were willing to pay.
Temi took it all in and said she would speak to her tailor contact. After a few back-and-forths, Temi connected the tailor to the young ladies. They were impressed by Temi's brilliance and social skills and even paid her for the connection.
That day, Temi had an epiphany, and she began planning. During her free time, she visited as many tailors as possible in the area and began collecting data on what kinds of dresses they could style, the amounts they charged, and other valuable information they were willing to share. She also took an interest in fashion, reading magazines she could lay her hands on and even buying many.
She didn't have any clients yet, but she kept her ears open in the restaurant where she worked. Weeks passed, and when she saw she wasn't getting anywhere, Temi decided to visit event planners. At first, she was chased out of the first places she visited, but after a few more attempts, she made a deal with one who would recommend her to her next client.
She almost lost the deal because she lacked a cell phone, but Temi decided to buy one as soon as possible and bring her number later. With a lot of financial burdens, it was difficult and painful, but after three whole months, Temi afforded a small cell phone and gave her number to the young woman. A week later, she received a call.
Temi was excited; she wore her best clothes and prepared for the occasion. She arrived early, and when the potential client arrived, Temi pitched her business flawlessly. Her job was simple: connect tailors to clients both far and near, acting as a middlewoman even without both parties meeting.
Temi couldn't sew or properly use a machine, but with her charismatic attitude and increased knowledge in fashion, the client was impressed. After a lot of talking, the client decided to trust Temi, and a deal was made. They gave her the material and explained how they wanted it to turn out; she would assign the best-suited tailor and deliver it back.
It was a smart but stressful business. Temi sometimes worked until odd hours, but it gave her the money she needed for herself and her sister. Things were beginning to turn for the better for Kiki's girls. Temi was smart and resilient, while Ife was a genius in school, always in the top five and winning competitions. They were both excelling, and as the overly superstitious Nigerian might say, it seemed their mother's spirit didn't sleep in heaven. Whatever that means.
Fast-forward fifteen years: Ife was finally graduating from university, a law graduate at twenty-one. Smiles filled the girls' faces as they celebrated yet another success. It was them against the world, and they'd pulled through. Despite the raging waves, they'd managed to stay afloat. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Temi's business had taken off more than she'd expected, growing from a small phone for reaching clients to an official company, connecting people even overseas. They were doing fine—better than fine.
When they were celebrating Ife's graduation at a bar, her sister, her friends, and her boyfriend were all there. Ife was happy. She looked at her sister and wondered why she never got into a relationship. She'd been with her boyfriend since her second year in university, and it had been great. Although he graduated two years prior, their relationship endured despite the distance.
She wondered what stopped her sister from doing the same—and maybe even settling down. When celebrations died down and everyone was tired from dancing and jollying, Ife walked up to her sister.
"My hero," she called.
Temi looked at her sister.
"My love," Temi replied.
"I'm so proud of you," Temi said, almost in tears.
"I know," Ife said. "You already said that a thousand times."
"Then let's make it a thousand and one. I'm so proud of you." Temi said, and both girls smiled.
"So, how long is Deji staying?" Temi asked.
"He said he's around for two weeks. I'm planning on spending most of my time with him," Ife replied with a smile.
"That's great," Temi replied. "He's a great guy. In fact, too great. I wonder how you managed to get him to stay," Temi teased.
"Hey, what do you mean?" Ife asked.
"Well, you're a bit spoiled," Temi replied.
"What? And whose fault is that? You practically raised me," Ife said.
"Yes, I did. I'm just surprised Deji stayed despite my very questionable way of bringing you up."
"Well, I don't care what he thinks—or anyone, for that matter. You did an amazing job raising me. Anyone who has a problem can go jump off a bridge."
"They definitely should," Temi replied.
"So, what about you?" Ife asked.
"Any fine boy lurking around my beautiful sister?" Ife asked.
"Well, those fine boys are definitely boys. Most of them don't know how to handle a successful woman and run away when they find out I'm not really their ideal wife material. Those that can... let's just say everyone has baggage," Temi said.
"Hmmm, you're doing it again," Ife said.
"Doing what again?" Temi asked.
"Being too picky. You always want a man to tick all these crazy boxes of yours, but it's just too much. No man can be tall, handsome, rich, know how to manage you, understand you, must know the difference between fashion and styling. Blah blah blah. How many men can tick all that?" Ife asked.
"No, that wasn't the case with Emeka—he didn't know the difference between styling and modeling. Big difference," Temi said.
"Who cares?" Ife replied.
"I do... I might not have gone to school, Your Honor, but my work is also complex and tasking," Temi said.
"First, I'm not a judge," Ife said, causing Temi to roll her eyes.
"Second, I didn't say it's not. I'm just saying understanding everything about your job shouldn't be a criterion for selecting a boyfriend," Ife said.
"What? You know what, I'm done. How will I be getting lectures on relationships from my baby sister? Emphasis on the baby," Temi said.
"A baby sister with a boyfriend," Ife said.
"Oh, really? I'm single by choice. In fact, don't worry—when God chooses to answer my prayers, you'll see the man will not only tick all my boxes, he'll put your Deji to shame with his glorious looks too."
"Well, for you to get a man as handsome as Deji, you'll need to pray twice as hard as you currently are," Ife replied.
"Uh? Come here, you brat," Temi said and tried to grab her sister, who easily slipped from her grasp.
"Don't worry, sis—you'll be my maid of honor... Who knows, maybe you and Deji's best man will hit it off," Ife teased.
"Uhn? Me? Marry your childish boyfriend's friend? You are dead. Come here," Temi said and chased her sister. Both girls happily chased each other around until they were tired.
The girls continued to live their lives from that moment on. Temi grew her company, while Ife joined a law firm shortly after finishing school. Both were living their dreams quietly and lovingly. And after two more years, Ife finally got married. She was lovely that day, and Temi cried as she walked her sister down the aisle. She was both mother and father, and at the same time, she was her sister—her hero, her everything.
Ife felt blessed having Temi in her life, and now she had a bigger family. Deji was what she wanted and more—a good man, even probably too good for her, like Temi had once said. After all, she was quite spoiled. The marriage was colorful and amazing; both families spared no resources. And after that, everyone went home.
I know you're wondering where the awfully cruel monster this story promised is. Patience—we're almost there.
Temi had been working with one of her oldest clients, a VVIP—someone related to the who's who in the country, a member of the Nigerian Senate. She was working with his wife, helping plan their grandson's wedding. Temi normally didn't go to clients herself given her position, but she wanted to ensure everything went well for this particular client. They'd also requested her attention personally, and given their position and connections, Temi took it on.
She went to speak to the client with her team in Abuja for the first meeting, and it was a great success. She'd met the senator's wife and even the couple, who were amazing. Although the wedding wasn't in the country, they planned something glamorous, and everyone had to look their best. Everything had to be perfect.
After the meeting, they scheduled more, and began proceeding. It was in one of those meetings that she met the senator's sons. All three were there for the wedding. Temi was happy meeting them, especially the youngest, Emery. He was the one she had her eyes on most.
In most meetings, she noticed he would stare at her, watching like a hawk. At first, she thought he was creepy, but as things continued, she didn't mind it. Temi found out what she could about him: His wife had died a few years ago, and he hadn't remarried, focusing on his children. From what she gathered during time with the family, his children adored him—almost like Ife adored her.
Temi grew more comfortable under Emery's gaze over the six months of the contract. When it finally ended, Emery approached her after the wedding.
He asked her out for a drink, and they went to a nearby bar where they chatted.
Emery was a mature and charming man. The way he spoke was both soothing and commanding. Temi could tell he liked her, but she couldn't deny she liked him too. So, they continued seeing each other even after the wedding for three months until...
Temi was on her way home from a date one night when her car broke down in an isolated place. She was all alone at night. It didn't take long for two riffraff, on their way from a football game, to pass by and see her there, alone. How often did such a young lady fall into their laps? She was easy prey as far as they were concerned—an unfortunate easy prey.
Six weeks later, Temi was in her bathroom, crying. She couldn't believe this was happening. She had everything; things were going fine. She had a good relationship with Emery—they were in a good place. Although they hadn't seen each other for two weeks, their relationship wasn't threatened. But now, a threat lay in her hand.
It started a week ago: the nausea, vomiting, fever, and overall weakness. She thought it was nothing until her hospital results came. She was pregnant.
At first, she wanted to deny it. It could have been Emery's child—they'd been involved, after all—but she knew they'd been careful. Emery didn't want a baby, at least not now; they had a plan and were sticking to it. Now, everything had changed.
Temi couldn't help but go back to that night. If only she'd checked her car days before, if only she'd taken a different route, if only she'd stayed locked in her car, or if only she'd run faster, screamed louder... if only...
Tears dripped from her eyes like a fountain.
She stood up, determined. I'm going to abort it, she thought.
She didn't need this now. She was in a good place. But... what if?
What if her mother had aborted her?
What if she'd been terminated as a child?
Would she still be here?
She loved where she was. It was hard, but she'd gotten here. Why did this have to happen now? After all her struggles. Was it too much to ask for a little break?
She was confused and torn, but she remembered her times with her mother—crazy, tough, and some of the happiest moments in her life. The child of a whore. Who would have thought? She never knew her father, but she never needed him. Her mother was enough.
Maybe I'll be enough for him too, she thought as she touched her stomach.
She decided then: She would keep it.
Things changed as Temi expected. Her relationship with Emery crumbled when he found out. He assumed she cheated, so he moved on.
Ife was shocked too. Her sister was pregnant. At first, she was happy, thinking it was Emery's, but when Temi explained it wasn't, she asked who the father was. Temi replied it didn't matter.
"It doesn't matter? What do you mean it doesn't matter? Do you think it's easy to raise a child on your own?" Ife asked.
Temi looked at her sister. "Really? Are you going to ask me that question?"
"I know you're tough and all, but don't you have an obligation to at least tell the father?"
"There's no need. He won't want the child anyway."
"How do you know that?" Ife asked.
"I just know."
"What about the child? Won't it be difficult growing up without a father?"
"Well, we turned out fine," Temi replied.
"Yes, but we were lucky," Ife replied.
"Lucky? What do you mean, lucky? What has Deji done to you to make you like this?" Temi asked in annoyance.
"Hey, leave Deji out of this. And besides, you always spoke about how he turned out well and how good he was for me. It was because both his parents were there."
"Yes, he was good for you because getting someone with the same story as you isn't a good idea," Temi shot back. "Two broken people shouldn't get married."
"Broken? Am I the broken one?" Ife asked.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'm saying there was an undeniable void in our upbringing. We might have turned out well, but no one should grow up without parents, and if they do, they shouldn't choose a partner from a broken home too. They won't work out. You need Deji as much as he needs you," Temi replied.
"Oh, really? And this doesn't apply to you because you're Wonder Woman who doesn't need anyone," Ife replied.
"I didn't say that," Temi replied.
"But I definitely don't need someone to scream and shout at me like a dog."
"Oh, first I'm broken, and now I'm a dog. You know, if anyone is broken, it's probably you. You threw away a wonderful relationship because you weren't built for happiness, and now you're choosing to remain alone and raise a child alone because you're scared of commitment. You're acting like a who—"
SLAP—a sound slap landed on Ife's face.
"I've been a lot of things, but I've never been a whore," Temi said.
"Leave," she commanded, and Ife left in anger.
Both sisters parted in anger and never spoke again.
A few months later, Ife was at home with her husband. Their marriage had been good, though not without challenges. They'd been married for four years but unable to conceive. Ife had two miscarriages, and they'd put off having kids after the second. They were watching a movie, spending time together, when a call came in. Ife's phone rang. She picked up and spoke to the caller. After a few seconds, the world around Ife grew numb. She could no longer hear, barely see, and her hands couldn't hold anything. She collapsed, causing Deji to panic and rush her to the hospital.
Weeks passed, and Ife was in a cemetery, standing alone at a gravesite. She looked down: Her hero, her mother, her father, her everything, was gone. Temi had died during childbirth. The child survived, but she didn't. It was a very dark moment for Ife. Her own Temi was gone, and she wasn't even there. Temi, who'd been with her since she was a baby, was all alone until the end. How was she supposed to forgive herself? Was there even forgiveness for such a thing? Ife was dumbfounded.
She couldn't think straight or breathe properly.
She looked into the distance. Her husband waited by the car, carrying a baby—Temi's son, Imole. Her gaze fell on the child as Deji held him. That boy, that damn boy. He never should have existed. He took my sister away from me, Ife thought.
After Temi died, Ife changed. She became more aggressive, uncaring, and distant. She lashed out at anyone and everyone. Most people didn't want to be around her. Even Deji felt frustrated at times, but he knew she was hurting. He knew she couldn't be alone right now. But Imole didn't know, and if anyone faced Ife's aggression the most, it was the boy. She beat him at the slightest mistake, insulted him, and gave him bruises ever since he turned two. She'd always hated him, but it became more evident as he grew.
Even Deji tried to intervene, but she reminded him Imole was her responsibility, not his, and she had every right to do as she pleased.
Things were a mess in their family—a mess for Deji, a mess for Imole.
For two more years, nothing changed, until Ife conceived and bore a child. After years of marriage, they finally had their own daughter, whom she named Teminikan, after her sister. Ife was happy to have Teminikan, and her heart began to melt when she was born. Everyone around her finally got respite from her wrath—everyone except Imole.
The first time Imole tried to carry little Temi as a child, Ife freaked out and beat the hell out of the boy, telling him never to touch her daughter. It was a scary experience, and even Deji was frightened for the boy. Her heart might have melted toward others, but there was still a special spot reserved for hating that boy. Nothing seemed to thaw that part of her heart.
Ife continued to treat the boy like a drum, beating him mercilessly at every chance. This continued until he turned sixteen and Temi was turning twelve. She was riding her bicycle outside when she fell and injured her leg and arm.
It wasn't much, and Imole was there to help. He carried her into the house and treated her wound. At first, Imole hesitated—he didn't want to touch Temi, knowing what would happen—but no one else was home, and if he didn't do something, he'd get beaten anyway. So, he helped Temi.
Ife returned just in time to see Imole blowing on her daughter's wound—an act she considered an abomination. She pushed the boy away aggressively, causing him to crash into the wall. She took her daughter to her room before returning to beat him. She'd beaten him so badly he was bruised all over. The beating would have been worse if Deji hadn't arrived to stop her.
They argued again—this time, it was bad. Deji threatened to report her to the police if she didn't stop beating the boy. She threatened to divorce him if he did and take their daughter away. Deji knew how scary Ife was; she was an extraordinary lawyer with connections. It wouldn't be hard for her to follow through. But he barely knew anyone on the force. Feeling the argument was going nowhere, Deji left the house.
Ife resumed beating Imole for a while, calling him the devil for trying to break her home. After she grew tired, she left him alone.
A few hours later, she left the house too, to get her hair done, leaving Temi watching cartoons and Imole nursing his wounds in his room.
Imole looked in the mirror; his face was disfigured from the beating, his body aching. He was used to it by now, so he barely reacted, but something in him snapped as he stared.
This must be how the devil looks, Imole thought. She must think I'm the devil who brought sin to the world. But even the devil never received this kind of beating from God. He only cast him to hell. Well, if there is hell, maybe God already cast me into it for rebelling in heaven. Maybe I am the devil.
Maybe I should act more like the devil. I heard he's cunning, diabolical, a liar, a thief, a killer, and a rapi—
Imole suddenly heard his door open.
Little Temi walked in.
"Are you okay, Imole?" she asked with her sweet innocent voice.
And a rapist, Imole thought to himself.
He grabbed little Temi forcefully. The girl barely resisted with her small, frail body. He pushed her to the bed before tearing her clothes. She tried to resist, but for the first time, Imole noticed something: He was more powerful than her.
So, he beat her, hitting her violently until she could no longer resist. He continued, tearing her clothes before...
In a salon not too far from their home, Ife joyfully got her hair done. She didn't realize the monster she'd created was busy at home...