Garvin, I really can’t do this anymore, it hurt so much the last two times. You promised it wasn’t ever going to happen again. I know May, but it wasn’t intentional, you know you can’t keep it please, it will hurt both of us so much and destroy this beautiful thing we share. I love you deeply, and wouldn’t want to lose you to anything. You bring me so much joy, I can’t think of a day without you, I cease to exist without you, my life is a rainbow of beautiful colours because you’re in it.

I don’t think we are both ready for the challenges that will come with you keeping it, please do this for us, this last time. And take my words, I’d be more careful hence forth. You’re beautiful, Garvin said as he gently pulled May to his side, planting a soft kiss on her fore head with such intensity in his eyes, all the butterflies in May’s tummy began to flicker without control. She loved Garvin so much, he was the sweetest she had ever met. Ok, I will do it, this last time, May responded. I will call Dr. Peters for an appointment then, he said as he took his leave.

School schedule had really been hectic, May thought to herself that night. She had a lot of catch up to do, being out of school for two weeks. She had felt pretty terrible after the procedure to remove the baby. She was grateful she had made it out, she had silently nursed her fears, thinking she wasn’t going to make it. She swore never to get herself to that point again, but Garvin had sacrificed his all for her. She understood it wasn’t too much to do for him, not after getting her the new car, and she knew he was planning a surprise for her 20th birthday and graduation ceremony. He had promised to sponsor her Masters. She loved him, she wasn’t ready to hurt his feelings. He was 10 years older and indeed knew how to take care of her. She had the admiration of her peers, she lacked absolutely nothing.

You look down, are you ok? Bertha asked. Yes I’m great, just a bit concerned May responded. They had known each other from their first year of school, and had gotten extremely close. Same class, they were set to graduate in two months. Ok, tell me about it, Bertha drew close to listen to what her friend had to say.

May took in a deep breath as she looked Bertha straight in the eye. It’s that time of the month again, and I haven’t seen it. Seen what? Please don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking. You just did 6 months ago May! It’s not what I’m thinking right? 

It is Bertha, May whispered as she broke down. I don’t want to go through it again, I don’t have the strength to. I tried to stop Garvin, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s done so much for me Bertha, I just had to let him have his way. Its ok May, stop crying. Good thing is you guys are getting married in a year, you might as well keep this one. Just let Garvin see reasons with you, I doubt if he will disagree. Cheer up girl, I wish it wasn’t so, but since it’s happened, let’s just hope for the best, Bertha said as she drew May into a big hug.

Here, I got this for you, Garvin smiled handing over the wrist watch he had gotten for her. I have something to tell you, he said. May heaved a big sigh, she wasn’t ready for a vacation with him, or a shopping spree, or a boat ride, she just wanted to tell him her fears, but she chose to let him go first. Ok, darling, I’m all ears. 

She found out about us May, Garvin said. Found out what? Who? What are you talking about Garvin?

May, I have a wife and a son in another country. They‘re coming back into town. I love you, but I’m committed to her and the child. We’ve been married for 4 years. I’m really sorry May, I wish I didn’t have to do this, but, I can’t see you again. You can have the car, but please don’t call me again, I’m sorry. The tears stung her eyes, her throat hurt. Wait Garvin, you’re joking right, you can’t be serious. You just had a bad day, and I understand, just relax, let me get you a drink please.

No May, I don’t need a drink, I have to go. I will transfer some money for you, you’re going to be fine. You are smart, beautiful and success driven. Don’t worry, you’d meet someone better soon please, Garvin whispered as he headed for the door.

What about the wedding Garvin, but I’m preg….before she could finish her sentence, the door shut in her face.

She was devastated. Her legs began to gradually give in, the weight was too much for it to carry. May collapsed, hitting her head on the hard floor, and that was all she could remember….

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Tired and sleepy, Mia pushed herself to finish the post she was reading. It was already past midnight. Thoughts of her dad crossed her mind, she is his little girl. If only he knew who she really was, she shrugged, dropping her phone. It buzzed before she could close her eyes. Picking it up, she curiously searched to see who it was. Hi, missed you, Dylan, the guy on the other end said. Mia, not wanting to engage in any chats that night, turned off her phone, and slept off.

Dylan couldn’t get any sleep that night. How could one be this beautiful? With eyes absolutely captivating, he felt so strongly about her. Every day for months now, he has followed her page, he knew what her typical day looked like. He enjoyed their chats, and was enchanted by her every word. He felt so privileged to have all her attention. He tossed and turned as he pleaded with sleep to take him, he had an early morning class.

Diane, I don’t care what you think, he should know better than go for an absolute stranger on social media. It doesn’t matter if he genuinely cares or not, he is just meat that needs to be eaten, Mia snidely said to her best friend, talking about Dylan. She wasn’t going to make any excuses for him. She remembered her ordeal with Keith, Jeffrey and Logan, it was already a year, but so hard to forget. She gave them her all, and they cruelly dumped her, she flinched at the thought. She had pronounced judgement on any other guy that crossed her path. She just needed enough time to figure out when to do to Dylan what she had done to the others. He was just a fool as long as she was concerned.

Tasha and Lauren her other friends were super excited as Mia told them her plans for Dylan, they always looked forward to such. She had deliberately left out Diane knowing she could mess it all up.

Dylan couldn’t wait as he made his way from school that morning to meet with Miss Charming, as they had planned. He took the train. She lived in another town, five hours from him. It was going to be his first meeting with her. He was extremely excited, he loved Mia’s naivety, she was calm and adorable. Sweet and beautiful, she definitely is an angel, he smiled. His heart beat a thousand times per minute, as he made his way to meet her. 

Mia met him at the train station, his heart completely stopped at the sight of her. She was more beautiful, with a smile that aroused deep butterflies, he was lost for words. He blessed social media for giving him this priceless angel.

Hours after they had met, Lauren and Tasha walked into the room Mia had paid for .Dylan not realising his drink had been drugged, lay helplessly on the bed as the girls took turns raping him, capturing it all the while. A surge of satisfaction hit Mia as she walked out the door with the other girls. Dylan wouldn’t need help finding his way back home when he finally woke up. Nothing gave her as much joy as imagining the pain, the tears, the humiliating look on their faces when they woke up to the realisation of what had happened. She was sure to always leave a copy of the video in their inbox. 

Mia let out a satisfying sigh as she narrated to Diane how she had gotten Dylan served. No one would ever again make her feel so trampled.

Diane looked at Mia in disappointment and disgust, she knew her friend needed help, but had no idea what to do….

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Torgbo screamed as the pain run right through his brain, it was intense. That must have been a very big rod, he whimpered. His feet bled, the cut must be really deep, but he couldn’t stop, at least not now. He looked back to see if they were still coming. He had been running all night, the darkness was hostile. He could see the eyes that watched him, they flickered as he dragged himself by. He shivered at the thought of what else could be in that thicket. Fear gripped him as he remembered what he had been running away from, he could see Kuma way ahead of him as the moon’s light revealed his frame…. 

Hahahahaha. Kuma laughed! That’s pretty easy, but you’ve got to be tough man. Torgbo looked down at his shoes, embarrassed, Kuma had always been the perfect guy. I know Torgbo, I understand. I’ve been patient, knowing you surely will come in someday. I’m only surprised it took you this long. Well, it’s ok, what are friends for? That’s why I’m here man, welcome to the gang! Kuma said hitting him on the shoulder.

Early the next morning, Torgbo was ready to make that trip they had planned the previous night. He waited in anticipation under the mango tree. From a distance he could already see lanterns of light from the huts across the field, obviously day was breaking. He could hear faint sounds of footsteps, already headed for the farms. Whatever was Keeping Kuma, he thought to himself.

Hey! He turned, as he felt that hard thump on his shoulders. I’m glad you made it, Kuma said.

It was solemn as the young men rode to their hideout in a distant village. Torgbo kept himself company with thoughts of new clothes and shoes, and of course the kind of phone Kuma had. He hated to think his parents couldn’t afford all those. Hungry and tired, we’re here Torgbo heard in his sleep, Kuma shouted excitedly. The plans Kuma had shared with him of robbing the villagers travelling back from the usual weekly market tomorrow night was still on course. The 4 other guys, quite his age too, 17, 18 or even 19, he thought, were already waiting. They sat, ate and planned! It felt awkward.

Tomorrow night it is, Akwesi one of the guys said in his deep baritone voice.

Torgbo’s strength was finally failing him, he was losing so much blood, his leg hurt unimaginably. He could hear the heavy sounds of their feet, getting closer. His heart beat was thunderous as he dragged himself on, praying silently, God save me! 

He screamed as another pain hit the already bleeding leg, such great pain it was! It was the vigilante, they had fired a shot at him. They apparently had gotten wind of the attack, and were ready for the gang of armed robbers that had been a terror to the entire community of villages.

Greed oh greed, see how you have ruined me he muttered, as his body collapsed at their mercy. He couldn’t see Kuma or any of the other guys, none to his aid. As he wriggled in pain, his consciousness fading, he felt the splash of water all over him. Wake up! He heard Kuma say shaking him vigorously. That was when he realised he had slept off, and had journeyed to dream land. It had felt so real! How glad he was that it had only been a dream. 

Still shaken, he looked on at Kuma and then the other gang members as he quietly pulled his bag, and made his way to the door, not caring about the bits of water dripping from his clothes. He suddenly was content with what he had, he couldn’t care about all the vanity.

What if his dream came true…..

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Jenny could see the house from a distance. Her heart beat faster than ever. She was excited, a part of her was afraid, but refused to listen to the voice that gently nudged her to turn back. No way! She fought it, her mind was made. Her friends couldn’t all be wrong. Could something truly be wrong with her? She was bent on showing them that she was just like every one of them. She smiled to herself as she thought of all the reactions she was going to get from them, how differently they were all going to treat her now, no more name calling.
She was so desperate to prove Afua wrong.

As she approached the blue gate, she gently brushed off any dust that must have settled on the purple leather mini skirt she wore revealing her very beautiful legs, with the black crop top, which had a great part of her virgin breast sticking out. She admired her feet in the silver slip-on she wore. She loved how she looked. She reached for her purse as she got out her lavender, and graciously lavished herself with its gentle mist. She was super ready!
She rang the bell, and as she expected, Roger came out, looking all so ravishing. Her heart completely melted as he hugged her. His parents were out of town for the weekend, it was going to be real fun for her. She had promised to spend the night with him. At least she was grateful she was in school, her parents could never find out, they lived in another town.

She loved Roger, she figured he felt same. She couldn’t be wrong, not with all the gifts he showered her with. She had refused him for so long, but the pressure from her friends were driving her nuts. They called her all sorts and told her she wasn’t woman enough until she had gone down. Ahhh Afua, always making her feel out of place. But it was all going to end tonight. She was going to be a real woman.
She closed her eyes and waited, as Roger took her. She waited for that out of the world rush Deline and Kwarley had talked about, all she could feel was pain, and Roger was done. He looked at her sarcastically, another innocence added to his list. He had conquered and was ready to move on to the next. It had never been love for him.
She couldn’t wait for morning to leave. Her heart wrenched in pain as she went over his words to her, she felt cheap and dirty. This was far from what she had expected. She had dreamt of how much difference this was going to make in their relationship. How could she have been fooled by him? She thought they were in love. She cried, she should have turned back when that voice nudged her. Nothing that happened this night had been worth it, she would rather be that novice her friends mocked, if only she could turn back the hands of time. She thought, as she slowly counted the minutes to day break.

How can this be? Pregnant? HIV? She looked at the Doctor in disbelieve. It had been 3 months since that episode with Roger, She had been feeling sick and had gone to the hospital. Something definitely is wrong with the test result she said to him, it was just for 9 minutes she screamed, it can’t be!
I am just 17 years! She sobbed, as the Doctor gently walked her out, he couldn’t console her, he saw it every day.
She would never forgive her friends, but most of all, she could never forgive herself for trading off her most valued treasure so cheaply. She had disobeyed her parents and Oh, she felt so bad she hadn’t obeyed God. The pain in her heart was deep as she left the hospital. It’s all over, Jenny thought. Her life, her career, her ambitions, and her parents? She couldn’t think of facing them. At her age? She felt so betrayed!
If only she had known…..

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