Sherry's story 1

In 2004 I went to Osun state, Nigeria for a state debate competition. I was a really bright eighteen year old that had just left the secondary school. I got an opportunity to represent my state in a debate and I was ecstatic. That would be my first time of leaving home and I couldn’t wait to be away from my over protective parents for a whole week. First day of the competition, before it was my turn to hit the stage, I noticed that one of the members of the panel kept staring at me. When I finally got on that stage, his gaze was fixed on me as I made my points. He was quite good looking I must confess and the way he looked at me sent some chills down my spine. I became so excited. It also thrilled me that a member of the panel who was supposedly very well respected was interested in me. After the debate he walked up to me, introduced himself and told me how beautiful and intelligent I was and how he fell in love with me at first sight. Upjohn and I became friends and would always see at the competition venue. A day to the end of the event, I honoured an invitation to visit him at home; while I was with Upjohn, he told how much he would miss me and all the other sweet nothings. We ended up having sex and I lost my virginity to him. ( If only I had known)

I went back to Lagos totally love-struck and without a single regret. I would frequently sneak out to the business center to call Upjohn. Three months later I discovered that I was pregnant, my parents were disappointed and they demanded to meet the man who was responsible for it. My mother travelled with me to Osun state and I led her to his house. We met Upjohn at home and he was so calm while the drama with my mother lasted. He told my mother that he wasn't ready to marry but would take care of me and also take care of the baby. My mother left without me but promised to keep in touch.

Four months after I moved in with him, the abuse started. The first day he hit me, he got back home a few minutes to midnight, drunk and when I asked him why was out too late without letting me know he was going to be home late, the punches came flying from all over and it was like I was being beaten by up to five men.  He kept reminding me that he was a lot older than me and would not entertain any such questions from me. That was the beginning of my journey to hell. The beating just wouldn’t stop coming, he beat me for the slightest provocation and even when I did not do anything at all. In an argument, if I said a word, he’d beat me, if I kept mute, he’d still beat me silly. I wasn’t sure what to do for the abuse to stop

On a particular day, he beat me so badly that I ended up in the hospital, I was admitted and I spent over one month in the hospital. As soon as I had spent exactly one month, Upjohn stormed into my hospital room early one morning and demanded for my discharge while he shouted that he couldn’t keep on paying the bills. Against the doctor’s orders, he signed and took me home forcefully. Two weeks after I got home, I went into labour and found myself back in the hospital. After a prolonged labour, I delivered a set of twins. Unfortunately they were stillbirth. I cried for days but when my mother came to spend a little time with us, I put up an act and pretended that everything was okay and that my babies died naturally. One stupid belief that I had was that Upjohn loved me and only beat me out of love.  After my mother left, I continued to grieve for my babies; I knew that I failed to save their lives. I had two other miscarriages as a result of the abuse before God miraculously blessed me with a beautiful baby girl.

To be continued.

PS: Thanks to all who have responded to Sherry's cry for help so far. God bless. To contribute, please contact me via email amakanwosisi@yahoo.com