Men! Men!! Men!!! Can I ever forgive you for all you have done to me?

My name is Tracy. Right from my childhood, my dad never allowed peace in our home. He was a trouble maker. He beats my mum over little arguments. He was always sneaking out of the house for parties and unreasonable discussions with friends. I was always happy whenever he wasn't at home.

One fateful day, I was reading my books at our backyard when I saw my dad trying to sneak out of the house. I shook my head. My mum discovered and started to shout that he should at least stay at home with us. My dad gave my mum the beating of her life. I couldn't sit down and watch my dad's action. I rushed to save mum from him but I was beaten in the process. Eventually, my mum and I escaped.

My uncle visited the following day. My dad had gone out with his friends as usual and my mum was trading at the market. I was thinking and crying when he arrived. His visit was not a surprise as he was used to coming to our house anytime since he wasn't married yet. I usually welcome him with smiles so, he was surprised to see me crying. He asked me why and I told him I didn't understand why my parents were behaving like cat and dog. He consoled me and told me to go and change my clothes that he would take me out.

I gladly went to my room and searched for one of my best dresses. I settled for a pink gown. As I was undressing, my uncle came into my room as I didn't lock the door. I asked why he came in and he told me that he loved me. I struggled to free myself from his grip but he was very much stronger than me. He successfully raped me. No one was near to hear my scream. All I saw was blood. He left my room as soon as he finished having what he wanted with me. I soaked my pillow with tears. I never thought he could do this to me. I couldn't believe I was raped at the tender age of eleven.

I wanted to tell my mum when she came back home from the market but she was busy cooking so that my dad won't complain that his food was late. Uncle came to me again to beg me to forgive him. I began to cry again. He tried holding my hands but I told him to leave me alone. He left when I was about to shout.

I went to my mum's shop after school the following day to have a good time to explain what happened to her. She wasn't expecting to see me as I ought to go home after school. I told her I wanted to tell her something the previous day but she was busy. She apologized and began to express her feelings of how dad was treating her. She was in so much pain and I was lost in thoughts of how I was about to add salt to her injury by telling her about the rape...

To be continued...

Thanks for reading 💝