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  • Pastor DejiMay the killer never find peace.
  • Pastor DejiTo take the life of such a good man...
  • StellaGood man? Him…?
  • I whisper under my breath.
  • Pastor DejiA man who helped so many people.
  • Pastor DejiA pure and gentle soul.
  • With strange emotions in my eyes, I stare at the coffin that holds Minister Jacob.
  • Pastor DejiNevertheless, let us celebrate his life.
  • 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
  • Pastor DejiHE DID WHAT?!
  • Pastor Deji jumps up as he pushes his chair back violently.
  • Pastor DejiTell me again…
  • Pastor DejiYou said Minister Jacob raped you?!
  • He stands tall and towers over me.
  • I feel so small I want to disappear.
  • StellaY… Yes sir.
  • Pastor DejiOh my God! This is serious.
  • He paces around for a bit then pulls out his phone.
  • Pastor DejiI’m going to call him.
  • StellaN… no sir. P… please don’t do…
  • Pastor DejiHello, Minister Jacob. I need you in my office, RIGHT NOW.
  • StellaSir I…
  • Pastor DejiThis cannot be happening in my church.
  • StellaI… 
  • The door opens and Minister Jacob’s giant frame walks into the room.
  • 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.
  • Pastor DejiMinister Jacob, you are a prominent man in this church.
  • Pastor DejiI don’t want to insult you in any way, but...
  • Pastor DejiStella, one of the young adults you mentor, has brought a very serious matter to my attention.
  • Pastor DejiShe claims you assaulted her.
  • Minister Jacob shoulders drop as he feigns a miserable look.
  • 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.
  • Minister JacobStella… please let me apologize, as I’ve failed you.
  • Minister JacobYou came to me for counselling.
  • Minister JacobYet in the heat of the moment…
  • Minister JacobWhen I hugged you to comfort you…
  • Minister JacobWell… one thing led to another, and we got intimate with each other.
  • I feel my pulse rate rise over the top.
  • StellaY… You…
  • Minister JacobGiven that I’m your minister, I know it feels I have taken advantage of you.
  • 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.
  • Minister JacobSir, Stella and I have had feelings for each other for months.
  • Minister JacobUnfortunately, this time, we let our feelings get out of control.
  • 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.
  • Pastor DejiI see… so that’s what happened.
  • Pastor DejiI would not lie, I’m very disappointed this happened in my church.
  • Pastor DejiMinister Jacob, given your position, you should be more responsible.
  • Pastor Deji turns to look at me.
  • Pastor DejiYou both did wrong in this situation… engaging in premarital sex.
  • Pastor DejiHowever, let’s keep this quiet. The congregation must not hear about it.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • MumStella, how could you?
  • MumWe asked you to keep quiet...
  • MumYet you went ahead and told Pastor Deji.
  • StellaMummy, what do you expect me to do?
  • StellaYour daughter tells you she was raped...
  • StellaYet you take the side of her rapist?
  • MumStella ma so be. Don’t say that, ehn.
  • MumThings are not always as they seem.
  • MumWe can’t drag this into the public eye.
  • StellaNobody cares about the public, mum!
  • StellaIs that all you can see? 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • DadSTELLA! Do you want me to lose my job?
  • DadWhat if Minister Jacob fires me? How will I fend for you and your mother?
  • StellaDaddy…
  • DadSometimes in life you just need to endure…
  • In between my tears, I yell.
  • StellaDADDY! HE RAPED ME!
  • StellaThat’s not something I can endure.
  • DadThen you should not have gone to his place alone.
  • I look at him in disbelief.
  • StellaSo it’s now my fault that he… that he…
  • StellaYou’re supposed to be my father. To protect me at all times.
  • DadHOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!
  • My dad turns to face my mom and points an accusing finger at her.
  • DadTofunmi! This is what happens when you raise a scandalous child.
  • DadWho knows if she dressed in a way that tempted Minister Jacob.
  • DadNone of this would have happened if she had kept her legs closed.
  • MumJIDE! How could you?
  • MumStella has alway been a good ch...
  • DadTHAT’S ENOUGH! This conversation is over.
  • DadI will not allow our family’s name to be dragged in the mud.
  • He turns back to look at me.
  • 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
  • Minister JacobI see your father has talked some sense into you, ke ke ke.
  • His laugh sounds like a crow, mocking and harsh.
  • Minister JacobYou know, you could have come to my house rather than this lake.
  • 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.
  • Minister JacobWell… I’m not talking to myself. Are you going to say something?
  • StellaI’m...I’m sorry.
  • 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.
  • Minister JacobSee, I am a caring and loving man.
  • He holds my arm with one hand, and rubs his second hand on my back.
  • 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
  • Pastor DejiI’m honored and blessed to have known such a good man.
  • 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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