The Other Man

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 2

When Tolani saw that we had saved enough money, she took me to a public school close to where we live and got me registered. Though it wasn’t my joy to go to a public school but I had no option because that was what we could afford. More so, I was happy to have the privilege of going to school which my sister didn’t have.

I started school and was determined to do well in order to make my sister proud. I could not imagine failing after knowing the hell she went going through just to get me my basic needs.

With the sound foundation I got in my previous school, I was able to ace my subjects as I was among the top three in the class. I can’t just forget the look of satisfaction which was always plastered on my sister’s face whenever I showed her my result. That look of happiness made me want to make her proud by putting more effort in my studies.

An event that made me hate my parent so much occurred when I was fifteen and my sister seventeen. I came back from school that particular day very sick, I had been feeling sick for some days but decided to hide it from my sister because I didn’t want to add to her burden.

The sickness became worse in the night and Tolani had to go out to buy me drugs, I tried stopping her from going but she refused.

After a while, she came back with the drugs but with tears on her face. I tried asking what the matter was but she refused to give me an answer.

She helped me with the drug and went to sit at the backyard. Not satisfied with the reply she gave me, I went to meet her at the backyard.

Getting to the backyard, I met Tolani crying and looking at her cloth. Looking at the cloth, I noticed it was stained with blood.

Me: what happened to you sis?

Tolani: (surprised to see me) Go and rest Teni, you need to sleep so that the drugs can work well

Me: I need an answer right now

Tolani: Teni…….

Me: don’t Teni me please, all I want is an answer

Tolani: okay, after buying the drug and was coming back, I was raped by one man

Me: Jesus! I caused this, I allowed this happened to you. Can you please forgive me?

Tolani: it’s not your fault baby sis and I hold nothing against you. If we are with our parents, we won’t be experiencing this. I don’t understand how they can live without caring to know how their children are fairing.

Me: they are wicked and heartless, I hate them with everything in me. I regret coming into this world through them

Tolani: hush! Don’t say that, they are still our parent no matter what happens

Me: Yours not mine, they lost the right to call me their child the moment they went to the court to get a divorce. If they had cared about us, they would have tried working things out.

Tolani: it’s okay little sis, God will see us through.

We couldn’t sleep that night as we cried in each other’s arms, we encouraged each other and were determined to succeed in life.

With God by my side, I graduated from secondary school with a wonderful result. My sister encouraged me to take JAMB form and plan going for my tertiary institution.

I took the JAMB form, did well in it and in UTME but I was denied admission, it was very painful but my sister encouraged me to be strong.

While I was waiting to take JAMB the following year, I advise my sister to enroll in a fashion school while I work. Though she was reluctant but I had to make her understand that once I get into the university, she may not be able to learn again as I would need more money.

She understood and enroll for it. Being a fast learner, she became a professional fashion designer after a year.