When people ask why I choose to remain single despite all advances from different men, I'd tell them it's by choice and it's a decision I'm glad I made. My siblings are now married and their kids do come over on visitation every summer. Each time they come I'd take care of them like they are mine but it's easy to do that because I know it's just for a short time and not for long. The term "forever" scares me but "temporary" gives me immense pleasure.
It didn't just happen suddenly, this is a decision I took from a tender age. Right before I even know what marriage was. I just know I don't want to have anything related to staying with someone and reproducing. I grew up with this resolve so the constant plea to get married from my mother fell on deaf ears. Even at the extended family meetings, my distant cousins will come with their adorable babies and I will be thrown a pitiful look by them. I see it all but I'd pretend as if I don't. Who cares?
This is all his fault. I watched him abuse and brutalize my mum. I'd ask my siblings to lock themselves up while I run to the neighbours' house for help. With force, they'd come in and save my Mother from the man she married. Mum calls him my father but I choose not to be associated with that man, so he remains the "man mum married". Call him MMM (3M) for short. After several years of calling the neighbours to help rescue mum from the hands of the monster-( make that "4Ms"), they got tired. I'd ring their doorbell but no one will come out to help. I ran back and held on to 4M's leg pleading for help but he won't listen and kicked me away like a weightless paper.
The incident that changed my life forever and that of my siblings happened on the 31st of October over 15 years ago. He came back home drunk as usual and started venting his anger on mum the usual way. I couldn't take it and walked up to him and pushed him. A flying kick hit my head from nowhere and I saw myself flying across the room. The few seconds I spent in the air was filled with thoughts of how life will be for my siblings after my death. Who will keep them safe from 4M whenever he is in the mood to punch his favourite bag-mum. I don't want those young ones to see him brutalizing their mother.
I fell hitting my head against the newel post of the stairs. The last thing I heard was mum shouting my name. I was engrossed in total darkness and I struggled to come out of it. I woke up suddenly and heard muffled tears from close by. I touched my head and felt some liquid oozing from it. I checked my palm and saw a red liquid. My head aches but the tears coming not so far away gave me more migraine than the pain from the broken head. I looked around searching for the source of the noise only to see the monster on mum naked and sweating. I ran to the dining and took what my little hands could hold and with anger went to where he was tormenting mum. Without a second thought, I stabbed him. Not once, not twice. I stabbed him in countless places. Only when I felt a hand pulling me away did I stop.
It was as if I was taken over by a monster. I charged towards the door, and into the cold night I went. I wandered around the town in pain and regret. Hours after leaving I head back home ready to face the consequences of my actions. I'm a murderer!. I got home to see a crowd in front of our house, an ambulance leaving and mum being led to the police van in handcuffs. I ran to her ready to tell the police I was the murderer but she shut me up with a stare and a smile and said-
"Vanessa take care of your siblings"
She was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The lawyer said she's lucky to receive just 10. The evidence of constant abuse and testimony of neighbours was of help. I became the parent to my siblings till mum served her jail term. Every time I visit her I couldn't keep eye contact but she'll look at me reassuringly and tell me I did the right thing. That didn't help reduce the feeling of guilt and regret in my heart.
The thought of marriage makes we cringe. Not that I don't enjoy the company of a man, now and then, but it's always a one night stand, the Persistent one get a full wash from me and they'd never come back. My only source of happiness is my siblings who weren't affected by the incident that happened years back. How would they be affected when mum did her best to protect me?
Thanks for Reading! 🧒💚👩🦳
Since the readcash timeline is filled with dark stories which aren't my strength, I decided to write a Sad story.
The Singles meet up I attended yesterday further gave me a reason to write this. The speaker said marriage is ordained by God but God never say it is compulsory. One can choose to be single for different reasons and learn to enjoy his singleness. The story is all fiction and not related to anyone. And doesn't mean that's the only reason people choose to remain single.
Special thanks to @PVMihalache for the sponsorship renewal. Thanks a lot 🙏.
Indeed, being single means you dont have any intimate attachment from someone. Being single means you have the freedom. No one controls what you do except to your parents. What an intense story coming from you @HappyBoy! Can you give me some of your brain cells? Hahaha 💖💖💖