Chapter 5
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That night, Abioye’s parents called her to come home. She packed her bags and left, afraid of what would happen when she got to their house.
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She arrived in the afternoon. The moment she stepped into the living room, her father was furiously pacing while her mother sat in tears. The moment they saw her:
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“You useless girl!” her father shouted, eyes blazing. “So it's true?”
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Abioye stood frozen, unsure of what to say. Suddenly, her mother slapped her hard across the face.
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“We warned you! We begged you to focus! Instead, you chose shame!” her mother screamed, tears streaming down her face.
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Abioye fell to her knees, begging. “Daddy, Mummy, please, I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
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Her father turned to her coldly. “You crossed the line, Abioye. You’ve ruined your life and shamed this family. Pack your things. You are no longer my daughter. Go and face your shame alone.”
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That night, with just a small bag and no money, she was thrown into the streets. She had no one to call.
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The bridge became her new home. She wandered the streets, begging for food. Some people gave her leftovers, most insulted her and poured dirty water on her. At night, she curled into herself, fighting mosquitoes, hunger, and the piercing stares of strange men. Her clothes reeked of sweat and the street. Her pride faded quickly.
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One evening, desperate and starving, she entered a food store and took some leftovers. The owner caught her and slapped her.
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“Filthy thing! What do you think you’re doing? Thief!”
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“I’m hungry, ma,” she said, tears in her eyes.
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“So what? When you were opening your legs, was I there? Get out before I call security!”
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Abioye left in shame and hunger. That night, she slept with an empty stomach.
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Then, it happened.
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A group of high, heartless boys circled her. She screamed, begged, tried to run, but they dragged her behind a pillar and raped her. The pain was indescribable. Her soul shattered.
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She didn’t cry. She couldn’t. She just stared blankly at the night sky as they left her broken. Then the blood started rushing out. She knew something was wrong. Her body felt strange, weak, cold, hot all at once.
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Alone under the bridge, she miscarried. The small lump of life she once carried slipped out, silent and still.
She whispered through cracked lips, “What have I done to deserve this?”
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The next morning, she approached a canteen owner.
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“Good morning, ma. Please, I don’t know if you can help me with a job. I’ll do anything.”
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The woman looked at her. “You sure say you fit do am?”
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“Yes ma, I will.”
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“Okay. Start by washing those plates over there.”
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Abioye hurriedly started scrubbing. There was no rest all day. When the canteen closed, the owner, known as Mama Deji, allowed her to sleep behind the zinc kitchen on the cold concrete floor.
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That became Abioye’s new life. Washing plates. Carrying pots. Scrubbing floors. At night, she slept behind the zinc kitchen where rain leaked in and rats crawled around her. She ate from leftovers and wore the same dress for days. Mama Deji only gave her worn-out clothes from local traders. Her hands cracked. Her feet bled.
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Worse, people mocked her openly.
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“See her, fine girl wey no get sense.”
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One evening, she served a customer the wrong meal. When she tried to take it back, the woman poured the food on her.
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“Stupid girl! Are you blind or dumb?”
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“I’m so sorry, ma—”
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“Sorry for your stupidity! Useless thing. Common dishwasher.”
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Abioye apologized with tears in her eyes.
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But things only got worse. Mama Deji’s son, Deji, started making advances. He’d touch her inappropriately. One afternoon, Mama Deji sent her to deliver food items to their home. She greeted Deji and avoided him.
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While arranging the items, Deji snuck in and spanked her.
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“What are you doing, Deji? Leave me alone!”
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“Don’t you know you’re beautiful, Abioye? Just one taste. I’ll take care of you.”
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As she tried to leave, Deji forced her toward his room. She grabbed a nearby vase, smashed it on his head, and ran back to the shop.
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When Mama Deji got home and saw his wounded head, he lied that he had an accident.
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Later, Deji decided to set her up. He stole a bundle of his mother’s cash and paid a worker to hide it in Abioye’s bag.
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The next day, Mama Deji called all her workers and asked who stole her money. Everyone denied it. She started searching their bags.
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When it got to Abioye’s turn, as she poured out her worn-out clothes, the bundle of cash fell out. Everyone gasped.
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Mama Deji turned to her, shocked. “So you stole my money, Abioye? After everything I did for you?”
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Abioye burst into tears. “Mama Deji, I swear, I didn’t take your money!”
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“So how did it get into your bag?”
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“I don’t know, Mama Deji!”
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“I never knew you were a thief. Get out of my canteen and never come back!”
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She pleaded and begged, but Mama Deji chased her out with her small bag.
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Homeless and aimless, she wandered the streets, crying loudly. People stared at her, some laughed, others shook their heads.
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Suddenly, a car rammed into her. She fell to the ground, blood everywhere.
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As her vision blurred and the sky dimmed, she whispered:
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“God… take me. This is too much for me. Is this how it ends?”
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Then, she closed her eyes.
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