Pains

Kathrine: I'm An Orphan But I Won't Do It
~ Episode 1

I was 19 years old when my Mom was diagnosed with stage IV bréàst càñcer, and my Uncle wouldn't assist us financially unless I slépt with him. The dóçtors wouldn't tréàt my Mom either unless we made a deposit of 3 million naira.

I told my Mom about it, and she forbade me from sleepiing with my Uncle. She preferred to diie, but I couldn't let her go because my dad was late, and she's all I've got left in this lónely world.

If she diied, I'd súffér lóñeliness for the rést of my lífe and might not live past 20 years because I'd have no one to run to or comfórt me, and I might result to commiiting suiiciide.

More dévàstatííñg was the fact that my uncle was HIV-pósítívé. This has hindered and delayed him from getting married.

Despite this, he still insisted that I must have an affàíír with him, or watch my Mom diie of bréàst càñcer.

I ran from pillar to post, looking for money. 10% said they don't have it, and 90% said they do, but I must give my bódy in exchange for the money.

I've been working as a cleaner at a local hotel, where I get paid 30,000 naira. It is from this money that my Mom and I would eat, buy clothes, and pay bills.

I had to trek a long distance to work seven times a week, just so that the 30,000 naira would be enough to take care of me and my Mum.

I don't celebrate festive periods like Christmas and New Year, not because I didn't want to, but because I only had 5 gowns, 2 skirts, 2 blouses, and my working attire in the hótél where I worked.

I met our manager and pleaded that he speak with the boss if he could assist me. I got the same response: that if only I agreed to slééép with him, he'd give me the money. I felt bààd and said, 'No!'

I went back to my Mom and told her that all the people I met who had the money to give me requested my bódy in return.

She said, "It's okay, Katherine. You're my angel, and I can never tràdé you for móñey. Let me go in peace; I've lived long enough. Do not save me with the gift of thy youth."

"Save it for that man who deserves it tomorrow. You're all I've got, and I cannot séll your dígñity to buy more time on earth. I'm already 55, and I've lived long enough."

"Let me go, and go make meaning of your life. I believe in you. Be strong, Katherine. Go into the world and make Mama proud."

She kept talking and smiling as warm tears rolled down her cheeks in slow motion and soaked the pillow.

She held my hands, and I could feel the féàr, pàíñ, and àg0ñy in her trémblíng grip as she said, "I love you' and pàsséd away."

I thought she had fallen asleep. I refused to believe she was góñé. I said, "Mommy, Mommy, please don't go. Come back, please don't go. I need you to come back."

"Mommy, wàké up! I dóñ't want you to go. Please wàké úp. I feel so lóñely. Mommy, pléàse wàké up, talk to me, Mommy."

I sçréàméd, scréàméd, and sçréàméd;

"Nooooooo!'"

To be continued ✍️