STIGMA

Chapter 3 NECESSITY

　　It was a few minutes past the hour of 7 p.m and Salamat was alone in her room thinking about her earlier conversation with Habib and also updating her diary.

　　Salamat was the only child of Ademolas. Her father was a businessman who was into the oil business as well as the importation of cars. Her father came from a very poor background which was why he was doing all he could to provide for his only child.

　　Mr. Ademola was an emotional man with a weak heart. He had been an orphan right from childhood and he saw himself through his education with the help of his uncle.

　　Mrs. Ibukunoluwa Ademola on the other hand was a very beautiful strong woman from a middle-class family. Her father was once involved in politics while her mother was a local trader. Her mother, Adenike buys goods from other neighboring villages and sells them in their village. They lived in Ira land and that was where Mrs. Ade was born.

　　Tragedy struck when Mrs. Ade's father popularly known as Pa John was murdered in cold blood. Pa John's wife and only child fled from the village.

　　Adenike's younger brother who was a Muslim and a resident of Ogun State accommodated them.

　　Ibukun's father was a Christian while her mother was a Muslim. Her uncle saw her through her tertiary education till she met Ademola Yusuf who stole her heart at first sight. They both attended the same institution.

　　Mr. Ade studied Business Administration and management while Mrs. Ade studied Accountancy at Mashood Polytechnic, Abeokuta. Two years after their graduation, they got married.

　　Salamat was born three years later.

　　Salamat was a strong-willed child with a sharp brain. She loved school, reading, and writing poems. With her grandmother being a storyteller, Salamat's interest in books and poetry increased.

　　At age 5, she told her grandmother that she would love to be a banker someday like her mother or a businessman like her father. After the incident that changed her life totally, she decided that she would like to study law to protect the interest of all victimized children out there or become a nurse.

　　After the incident, Salam was traumatized and she was forced to see a therapist. She meets with her therapist every week for two years. After two years of counseling, Salamat told her parents that she was no longer in need of a therapist.

　　Two months later, she started having nightmares and was forced to go back for therapy.

　　Salamat was about to put her diary back into her drawer when she heard the horn of her father's car. Her mother, Mrs. Ibukun Ademola who was a financial banker was not due to be home.

　　Salamat was surprised when she heard her mother's voice calling to her. She stood up, picked up her phone from the bed, and went out of her room.

　　She met her mother halfway looking tired and angry and her father right behind her.

　　"Welcome ma, welcome sir", Salamat said, bending down to greet her parents.

　　"Let's go to the sitting room dear, there is something we need to ask you", Mr. Ademola said.

　　Salamat nodded and followed calmly.

　　Salamat was closer to her dad than her mum because she felt her father was way more understanding than her mother.

　　Her mother sat down on the couch opposite her husband's while Salamat sat close to her dad.

　　Salamat began to wonder what the problem was but couldn't think of anything that she might have done to offend the couple looking at her furiously.

　　They were silent for a while before her mum spoke up. "Omowunmi, I want you to tell me now what exactly your problem is because I don't think I can't tolerate this any longer. What is the matter with you, why are you tormenting us? Tell me please, I want to know your reasons for all this strange behavior. What have we done to deserve this?", Mrs. Ade said close to tears.

　　Omowunmi was her second name.

　　Salamat was dumbfounded and confused. She looked at her dad for reassurance and explanation but none was forthcoming. He was also looking sad and angry.

　　Her mum spoke up again. "I knew that friend of yours was no good and I also know this stupid and foolish attitude of yours will put you in trouble someday", she continued.

　　"Ade mi (My Crown), can you imagine the kind of bad image this girl has brought to this family?", she asked, referring to her husband.

　　"Calm down dear, let's hear her out first", Mr. Ade muttered.

　　He was a man of few words.

　　"No, I will not. She has nothing to say and I am fed up with this strange attitude of hers. It's high time I gave her a piece of my mind", she replied to her husband and dabbed at her face with a handkerchief.

　　"Daddy", Salamat finally said, still looking lost. "What is the matter? What is mummy talking about?"

　　"Your so-called friend has tagged you as a victim of abuse and it's all over social media. I didn't see it myself but Mr. Okafor, my secretary, and your mum did. Why and when did you tell him without our knowledge? I thought we told you to keep it secret till it's time for it to be in the open. Why disrespect us when you know the implications? I wonder what is going to happen now. I am even scared of showing my face in the office tomorrow. Your mum's boss kept asking her about the incident, that's why she is devastated", her father explained.

　　"Daddy I am sorry for going against your word, I wouldn't have told him if I had known it would turn out this way. Habib has been my only friend for the past three years so I thought he should know. I am sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you and mum this way. I still can't believe Habib did this' ', Salamat answered with regret.

　　"Even with what that boy has done, you still have the guts to call his name in my presence? Wumi, don't let me show you the other side of me tonight, or else you will regret it", Mrs. Ade shouted, pointing a finger at her daughter.

　　"Ibukun, please calm down. This ranting will not solve the problem at hand." Mr. Ade stood up to calm his wife who was already teary.

　　"Mummy, I see no reason why I should be blamed for all this. You and dad hardly give me your time. I am human and sometimes I need someone to talk to, to confide in. I have no brother nor a sister to do that with and my parents are always out there in the name of making money."

　　The couple raised their heads in surprise. It was so unlike their daughter to talk back at them. She was just like her father and can go a day without talking to anyone.

　　"You think providing me with the necessities of life alone can make me happy? No, it can't and it won't. I need something more than that. I was traumatized after that incident and I handled it alone, you were not there for me. I was also depressed and suicidal thoughts do cross my mind often but hope kept me going. My thoughts were my only companion but sometimes I yearn for something more. I yearn for a partner who understands my silence and listens to me with attention but I have no one to take that role up for me. I trusted Habib and I told him my deepest secret but since he has betrayed my trust, that doesn't mean I will give up on life. I have accepted all of these as my fate and even those to come." Salamat continued looking at her mother with a frown.

　　She stood up and made to go to her room when her father blocked her way and hugged her fiercely.

　　"My princess, it's okay.....Just continue being the strong girl that you have always been and all these will surely become a thing of the past", he whispered to her.

　　Her mother came closer with remorse and held her from behind. "Wumi, please forgive me for my utterances and for not being a good enough mother. I understand you better now and I promise to change for the better. Your dad and I love you more than you can ever imagine and we are willing to change for the better. We thought providing you all your needs is enough to make you happy but now we understand better. My Wumi, I want you to be strong like a mountain and I assure you that no wind will ever shake you. I love you, my daughter, please forgive our shortcomings", Mrs. Ade wept.

　　Salamat turned around to face her mother. "It's ok, Mrs. Ade", she said and smiled.

　　"I need to go to bed, I am sleepy already. Goodnight mummy", she said and kissed her mother on the forehead. She did the same to her dad and went to her bedroom.

　　"Princess, don't forget to recite your supplication before sleeping", her dad shouted after her.

　　He moved closer to his wife and hugged her.

　　"Darling, our princess needs us now more than ever."

　　"Yes she does", she replied and hugged him back. "How do we go about this situation?"

　　Mr. Ade sighed and looked at his wife. "The Lord is in control, everything will surely be fine."