Supposed Safe Haven

Families are supposed to stick together, protect each other's interests and be a safe abode for it's members. That's what I believe family should be about but what if, the supposed safe place becomes like a haunted place instead... what happens next, where do we run to? Who do we turn to?

Theses are troubled thoughts that can rob sleep off ones eyes, fears and trauma can be our daily life unless we take charge of the situation and decide the outcome for our protection and happiness.

Staying with my father's relatives at a very young age, we were in an apartment with a few neighbors. Our room was the first but the kitchen was at the end of the passage. There's a room adjacent to ours, they were single guys who lived together, just starting life. I was well trained, so I loved to greet and they nice, older and related well with my aunt.

On this faithfully day, or should I rather call it an "unfaithful day", back from high school, a unusual activity, bath, get dressed and cook up something to take to my aunt at the store. It was a quiet afternoon, there was a crack, and then a door opened, followed by movements, I turned and it was of the tenants.

"Good afternoon Bro Chike" I greeted. He responded as usual and asked how I was.

"Come get something quickly for me at the junction please" Bro Chike said.
I responded that I was coming. He stood, staring like he wanted me to do it right away. I innocently told him not to worry,that I was coming.

I quickly finished up at the kitchen and went to knock at his door. He asked me to come in. As I went in, I was taken off balance like a prey. He grabbed me tightly and I shouted and kept hitting with all my strength, demanding he let go. When he saw that I wasn't relenting, he left me and I rushed out, sacred, I cried and locked myself indoors.

I was happy when my aunt finally got back. I felt like my breakthrough had come, my safe Haven so I narrated all that happened, hoping for a protection.

Her response left me shocked. She shut me up and said "what do you even think of yourself that someone like that would want to have anything to do with you?"

I was baffled, I felt abandoned. Who would protect me now?

Few days later, my heart broke into a million piece when I saw my aunt chatting and laughing with him. At that very moment, I brazed myself realizing that the fight was mine alone and I had to win, to overcome my fears and boldly take charge of the situation. I was flamed!

I went on with my duties as usual but cautiously observing every sounds and movement so as not to be taken unaware. I was at the kitchen, I heard the door open, followed by footsteps, my heart began to race, it gets closer and I breathe in and out and prayed silently for courage.

I acted unaware, but every move was calculated. As he reached out to touch me, I hurled a hot water specially reserved for him. This time, he was the one screaming and running away.

I felt happy and relieved. Mission accomplished, now he will never come close again and he never did. Sometimes we need to do the unthinkable to set ourselves free from fear, from truma and destruction.

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Thanks for stopping by. Post written by @kachy2022 exclusively for #Hive