**WHEN YOU WERE THERE**
Episode 7
She went straight into her room and sat on the floor, gazing at the pictures on the wall.
Her grandma entered without knocking and sat beside her.
Mummy,
Her grandmother called her.
Do you know why I often call you my mummy?
Because you and your mother was my only surviving child before she died, and you too, her only child.
Now you are my only grandchild,
And each time I look at you, I see my mother, your great grandmother in you.
Hmmm... She was really a very strong women.
My father left her to cater for us, and she gave us all we ever needed.
She never let anything pull her down,
She saw through every problem and came out strong.
That's where I and your late mother got our strength from.
You are our offspring and I see a strong woman in you,
She said to Mona who is fast asleep with her head resting on her shoulder.
Grandma quietly lay her down to sleep and went Into her room.
On her knees she prayed;
Sweet Jesus, please help my baby pull through this, and grant me the wisdom to help her strengthen.
In Jesus name.
And she laid down to sleep.
Its 5:am and it was time for the morning devotion.
After the morning prayer, grandma called Mona to her room.
You came in since yesterday,
Grandma started with.
What brought you home so impromptu? She asked.
Mama, am sorry.
I know I have disappointed you and failed heaven,
Mona said, going down on her knees.
Grandma sat patiently, listening.
Mama, am tired of long speeches,
Am pregnant!
Mona said with head bowed.
Mona was silent, expecting a reaction from her grandma who was still listening.
There was a few minutes silence and grandma broke the silence.
Go on my dear,
Am listening.
Grandma said, holding her hands tight.
Mama am through,
Mona said, looking up to her.
No you are not!
Grandma objected.
Pregnancy don't fly in the air you know.
Grandma pointed.
That's the problem mama,
Mona screamed.
I was molested!
I was sexually abused!
Mama I was raped!
Mona cried out.
Oh! My poor baby,
Grand-Ma exclaimed,
as they both cried as grandma pets Mona who was still kneeling, on her back.
Stop crying Jewel,
God does not sleep,
Who ever has done this, must surely be rewarded with worst measure! She consoled Mona as they both wept.
Baby, why didn't you tell me?
Did you report to the police?
How did it happened?
Grandma asked.
Mama, its still a mystery to me,
I just woke up wet,
With severe pains in my genital organ,
bleeding from my body,
Mona sobs.
Same night I lost my virginity, my worst night mare.
Mona gaps for breath.
What??
Who did you tell?
Grandma asked.
No one ma,
I was so ashamed to tell anyone,
Mona explained.
Ah!
No!
You need to see a doctor,
Since when did this happen? Grandma wept.
About a month ago ma.
Mona answered.
And you kept it away from everyone??
Including me??
Grandma queried.
Am sorry mama,
Mona pleaded.
Go and have your bath,
After breakfast, we are going to the hospital for checkups.
You need to see a psychologist and a counsellor too,
Grandma ordered.
Mama, no please!
I don't want this to be in the public,
Mona begged.
I'll spank your bombom if you ever argue with me again,
this your secret life has taken us no where,
She said and wiped Mona's face.
Grandma was a great support to Mona.
All tests were conducted, including HIV test, and Mona was confirmed fine and the fetus growing well.
One week later, grandma called Mona.
Mummy, what's your plan for school?
Aren't you going back to study?
Grandma asked.
No ma!
Mona quickly responded.
No? Grandma asked, looking surprise.
Mama I can't!
Mona replied.
You can't or you won't?
Grandma argued.
Whichever mama!
For now, no school,
Until further notice.
I can't face the shame.
Mona said and walked away.
Baby,
What about your dream? To be a lawyer.
Grand-Ma persuaded.
Well, I had a night mare while dreaming mama, so I decided to wake up.
Mona answered from her room.
Grandma followed her to her room.
OK, Jewel, at least, go back and bring your things home.
Grandma tried to insist.
She was scared of pushing it further because of what Mona has being through.
Mama please!
At least you know they are mine, so leave them there.
Mona rudely replied.
Mama everything about school reminds me of all that I am in now, and am trying to move on, like the counsellor advised?
Mona sarcastically said, and lay down.
Grandma quited but became so worried about Mona.
.....To be continued.
Episode 7
She went straight into her room and sat on the floor, gazing at the pictures on the wall.
Her grandma entered without knocking and sat beside her.
Mummy,
Her grandmother called her.
Do you know why I often call you my mummy?
Because you and your mother was my only surviving child before she died, and you too, her only child.
Now you are my only grandchild,
And each time I look at you, I see my mother, your great grandmother in you.
Hmmm... She was really a very strong women.
My father left her to cater for us, and she gave us all we ever needed.
She never let anything pull her down,
She saw through every problem and came out strong.
That's where I and your late mother got our strength from.
You are our offspring and I see a strong woman in you,
She said to Mona who is fast asleep with her head resting on her shoulder.
Grandma quietly lay her down to sleep and went Into her room.
On her knees she prayed;
Sweet Jesus, please help my baby pull through this, and grant me the wisdom to help her strengthen.
In Jesus name.
And she laid down to sleep.
Its 5:am and it was time for the morning devotion.
After the morning prayer, grandma called Mona to her room.
You came in since yesterday,
Grandma started with.
What brought you home so impromptu? She asked.
Mama, am sorry.
I know I have disappointed you and failed heaven,
Mona said, going down on her knees.
Grandma sat patiently, listening.
Mama, am tired of long speeches,
Am pregnant!
Mona said with head bowed.
Mona was silent, expecting a reaction from her grandma who was still listening.
There was a few minutes silence and grandma broke the silence.
Go on my dear,
Am listening.
Grandma said, holding her hands tight.
Mama am through,
Mona said, looking up to her.
No you are not!
Grandma objected.
Pregnancy don't fly in the air you know.
Grandma pointed.
That's the problem mama,
Mona screamed.
I was molested!
I was sexually abused!
Mama I was raped!
Mona cried out.
Oh! My poor baby,
Grand-Ma exclaimed,
as they both cried as grandma pets Mona who was still kneeling, on her back.
Stop crying Jewel,
God does not sleep,
Who ever has done this, must surely be rewarded with worst measure! She consoled Mona as they both wept.
Baby, why didn't you tell me?
Did you report to the police?
How did it happened?
Grandma asked.
Mama, its still a mystery to me,
I just woke up wet,
With severe pains in my genital organ,
bleeding from my body,
Mona sobs.
Same night I lost my virginity, my worst night mare.
Mona gaps for breath.
What??
Who did you tell?
Grandma asked.
No one ma,
I was so ashamed to tell anyone,
Mona explained.
Ah!
No!
You need to see a doctor,
Since when did this happen? Grandma wept.
About a month ago ma.
Mona answered.
And you kept it away from everyone??
Including me??
Grandma queried.
Am sorry mama,
Mona pleaded.
Go and have your bath,
After breakfast, we are going to the hospital for checkups.
You need to see a psychologist and a counsellor too,
Grandma ordered.
Mama, no please!
I don't want this to be in the public,
Mona begged.
I'll spank your bombom if you ever argue with me again,
this your secret life has taken us no where,
She said and wiped Mona's face.
Grandma was a great support to Mona.
All tests were conducted, including HIV test, and Mona was confirmed fine and the fetus growing well.
One week later, grandma called Mona.
Mummy, what's your plan for school?
Aren't you going back to study?
Grandma asked.
No ma!
Mona quickly responded.
No? Grandma asked, looking surprise.
Mama I can't!
Mona replied.
You can't or you won't?
Grandma argued.
Whichever mama!
For now, no school,
Until further notice.
I can't face the shame.
Mona said and walked away.
Baby,
What about your dream? To be a lawyer.
Grand-Ma persuaded.
Well, I had a night mare while dreaming mama, so I decided to wake up.
Mona answered from her room.
Grandma followed her to her room.
OK, Jewel, at least, go back and bring your things home.
Grandma tried to insist.
She was scared of pushing it further because of what Mona has being through.
Mama please!
At least you know they are mine, so leave them there.
Mona rudely replied.
Mama everything about school reminds me of all that I am in now, and am trying to move on, like the counsellor advised?
Mona sarcastically said, and lay down.
Grandma quited but became so worried about Mona.
.....To be continued.
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