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Pastor DejiMay the killer never find peace.
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Pastor DejiTo take the life of such a good man...
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StellaGood man? Him…?
- I whisper under my breath.
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Pastor DejiA man who helped so many people.
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Pastor DejiA pure and gentle soul.
- With strange emotions in my eyes, I stare at the coffin that holds Minister Jacob.
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Pastor DejiNevertheless, let us celebrate his life.
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Pastor DejiAnd pray that he is at peace.
- Oh, I am sure he will never find peace.
- Not after what he did to me.
- 5 Weeks Earlier
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Pastor DejiHE DID WHAT?!
- Pastor Deji jumps up as he pushes his chair back violently.
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Pastor DejiTell me again…
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Pastor DejiYou said Minister Jacob raped you?!
- He stands tall and towers over me.
- I feel so small I want to disappear.
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StellaY… Yes sir.
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Pastor DejiOh my God! This is serious.
- He paces around for a bit then pulls out his phone.
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Pastor DejiI’m going to call him.
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StellaN… no sir. P… please don’t do…
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Pastor DejiHello, Minister Jacob. I need you in my office, RIGHT NOW.
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StellaSir I…
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Pastor DejiThis cannot be happening in my church.
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StellaI…
- The door opens and Minister Jacob’s giant frame walks into the room.
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Minister JacobGood afternoon Pastor.
- Minister Jacob sweeps the room with his eyes.
- They twitch when they land on me… but only for a moment.
- I cower as I remember what he did to me… how he violated me.
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Pastor DejiMinister Jacob, you are a prominent man in this church.
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Pastor DejiI don’t want to insult you in any way, but...
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Pastor DejiStella, one of the young adults you mentor, has brought a very serious matter to my attention.
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Pastor DejiShe claims you assaulted her.
- Minister Jacob shoulders drop as he feigns a miserable look.
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Minister JacobSir… this has been pricking my conscience for a while, and I just did not know how to tell you.
- Minister Jacob turns to face me.
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Minister JacobStella… please let me apologize, as I’ve failed you.
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Minister JacobYou came to me for counselling.
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Minister JacobYet in the heat of the moment…
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Minister JacobWhen I hugged you to comfort you…
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Minister JacobWell… one thing led to another, and we got intimate with each other.
- I feel my pulse rate rise over the top.
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StellaY… You…
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Minister JacobGiven that I’m your minister, I know it feels I have taken advantage of you.
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Minister JacobI’m terribly sorry.
- My mouth falls open as he twists the truth.
- He intimidates me so much that I can’t think straight.
- Minister Jacob turns to look at Pastor Deji.
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Minister JacobSir, Stella and I have had feelings for each other for months.
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Minister JacobUnfortunately, this time, we let our feelings get out of control.
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Minister JacobI am prepared to resign from my position in the church.
- I can’t speak.
- My throat constricts and I know I am about to cry.
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Pastor DejiI see… so that’s what happened.
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Pastor DejiI would not lie, I’m very disappointed this happened in my church.
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Pastor DejiMinister Jacob, given your position, you should be more responsible.
- Pastor Deji turns to look at me.
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Pastor DejiYou both did wrong in this situation… engaging in premarital sex.
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Pastor DejiHowever, let’s keep this quiet. The congregation must not hear about it.
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Pastor DejiCome… hold hands… let us pray.
- My mouth… and mind… refuse to work. I cannot utter a word.
- Pastor Deji holds my left hand. Minister Jacob holds the right one.
- I go limp… with disgust, hatred, and fear. Fear of the snake holding my hand.
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Pastor DejiDear Lord…
- After the prayer, I walk out of Pastor Deji’s office like a zombie.
- Minister Jacob is behind me, he closes the door.
- Suddenly… I feel a hand caress my backside… and then a pinch.
- That’s when the waterworks begin to flow.
- Later that day
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MumStella, how could you?
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MumWe asked you to keep quiet...
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MumYet you went ahead and told Pastor Deji.
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StellaMummy, what do you expect me to do?
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StellaYour daughter tells you she was raped...
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StellaYet you take the side of her rapist?
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MumStella ma so be. Don’t say that, ehn.
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MumThings are not always as they seem.
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MumWe can’t drag this into the public eye.
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StellaNobody cares about the public, mum!
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StellaIs that all you can see?
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StellaWho will get justice for me? Can’t you see I’m in pain…
- I put my face in my palms and I begin to weep.
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MumOko mi. Ma sunkun mo... ehn, don’t cry my dear.
- Mum puts her arm around me as I sob in the living room of our house.
- The door opens.
- Dad walks in. His face is dark with anger.
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DadSTELLA! Do you want me to lose my job?
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DadWhat if Minister Jacob fires me? How will I fend for you and your mother?
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StellaDaddy…
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DadSometimes in life you just need to endure…
- In between my tears, I yell.
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StellaDADDY! HE RAPED ME!
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StellaThat’s not something I can endure.
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DadThen you should not have gone to his place alone.
- I look at him in disbelief.
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StellaSo it’s now my fault that he… that he…
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StellaYou’re supposed to be my father. To protect me at all times.
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DadHOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!
- My dad turns to face my mom and points an accusing finger at her.
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DadTofunmi! This is what happens when you raise a scandalous child.
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DadWho knows if she dressed in a way that tempted Minister Jacob.
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DadNone of this would have happened if she had kept her legs closed.
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MumJIDE! How could you?
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MumStella has alway been a good ch...
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DadTHAT’S ENOUGH! This conversation is over.
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DadI will not allow our family’s name to be dragged in the mud.
- He turns back to look at me.
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DadStella, first thing tomorrow, you must apologize to Minister Jacob.
- My mouth opens in shock and my tear-filled eyes widen in disbelief.
- The next day
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Minister JacobI see your father has talked some sense into you, ke ke ke.
- His laugh sounds like a crow, mocking and harsh.
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Minister JacobYou know, you could have come to my house rather than this lake.
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Minister JacobOh wait, don’t tell me… maybe you want to do it outdoors.
- He adjusts the belt on his trousers and smiles at me…
- That smile… the same one he had the day it happened.
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Minister JacobWell… I’m not talking to myself. Are you going to say something?
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StellaI’m...I’m sorry.
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Minister JacobWhat? I can’t hear you. Speak louder.
- He leans forward and cups his ears forward with his palm.
- I take a deep breath and walk towards him.
- I stumble over a large rock.
- Minister Jacob rushes forward to catch me.
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Minister JacobSee, I am a caring and loving man.
- He holds my arm with one hand, and rubs his second hand on my back.
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Minister JacobAll you have to do is be obedient, and I’ll take good care…
- WHACK!
- I smashed the rock into his face… the rock I stumbled over.
- WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
- His blood splatters all over my face.
- Present Day
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Pastor DejiI’m honored and blessed to have known such a good man.
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Pastor DejiHe will forever be missed by everyone.
- The crowd disperses, and for the first time in a long while, I’m at peace.
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