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STORY: ''The Victims'' | Complete Episode 1 to 26 (All in One)...


Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 1)
®Vicky Bon
Outside, the relentless fall of snow had at last abated, and everything as far as the eye could see was thickly shrouded in an extra generous coating of frosted white.
I was by the window, admiring the beauty of nature when I noticed Shan walking down to my apartment. I shrugged and put down the mug of tea I had in my hands.
Shan came by again to the house, this time with orchid and peony flowers. He had a full box of chocolates in a gift bag, he became genuinely rueful.
"I am sorry Etiene." He pleaded, putting his knees on the floor while I watched him from the window.
"Go away!" I yelled shrilly.
"Sweetheart please I beg You, I won't ever lay my filthy hands on you anymore." He said in a broken but loud whisper. my chest grew tight with trepidation .
"Are you going to open that door for him?" Arusi my Kenyan roommate asked boldly.
"I love him." I whispered.
"You will keep loving him until he breaks your head." Arusi said angrily. Her comment instigated a train of thought that instantly perturbed me.
"Do you think he is gonna do this again?" I asked.
"Etiene, I am not wishing you a bad relationship, but he will sure do. How many times has Shan beaten you up?"
"uncountable times."
"and how many times has he come to beg, promising that he won't ever do it again?"
"uncountable times." I whispered again.
"what makes you think this time is different?"
"I love him Arusi. He takes care of me. He is paying my bills, my school fees etcetera. I can't leave him. Everything outside is still frozen, and he still struggled to come apologize to me. He has a good heart."
When Arusi noticed that apprehension sounded in my voice, she gave a loud sigh and walked to the kitchen, while I opened the door hastily for Shan.
"Thank you for letting me in." He said, icy smoke ran out of his mouth in slow Motion as he shivered.
Taking a deep breath, I moved restlessly from one end of the room to the other.
"I am sorry my love. I won't ever beat you up anymore." He knelt down again.
I was dazzled, I walked up to him and knelt with him too. He drew me back into his arms, holding me tightly. A passion flared between us, he began to kiss me softly.
"Let's get to my apartment" he whispered in a shaky tone. His eyes begged me for something, I knew what it was.
I would do anything for Shan, My American rich boyfriend. I was his first black girlfriend whom he cherished so much, but something was wrong out of a beautiful perfection.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 2)
®Vicky Bon
Shan Elliot stood barefoot in his dimly lit room.
Just after we finished making love, he lighted a cigarette and inhaled deep, then exhaled. He was staring at the wall of his windows while I skimmed through a vogue magazine.
Shan is the oldest son of a wealthy Creole and African American parents. And also the heir apparent to take over their famous, family, fashion business. His mother had a fashion label in America and France, they also had branches and distributors world wide. The Elliot fashion label was a brand name that rang a bell in terms of expensive fashionable wears and accessories.
When I relocated to the US, Shan enrolled me in the university of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. I took up modelling as a course which he reluctantly accepted. I wanted to support him too in his fashion business and bring up models who will promote the brand 'Elliot'.
While in Nigeria, I modelled for a few brands, but it was just once in a while business. I was naive when it came to fashion and modelling, but Shan brought me into limelight and a grand exposure.
"I think you should come live with me here." He broke the silence.
"What about school?" I asked, looking amazed.
"The driver could drop you off daily. I really need you by my side now."
His words were almost like a plea, and I felt as if he had just touched my soul. I buried my face against his chest and felt his strong arms go around me.
"Not now Bebe. You know I will be doing my project presentation soon, I need to concentrate."
"I am scared someone might take you away from me. You are such a beautiful model Etiene." He said passionately, pronouncing my name orally like it was an English name.
"Nobody can take me away from you, do you understand that?"
He breathed in slowly and let his breath out before he could speak, and then his voice came out as a groan of despair.
"I don't like it when I see you with those guys in school."
"My course mates Shan?"
"I don't just like them around you. I don't wanna see my woman hanging around men. I don't hang around women. Do you see me smile or share moments with those models at the office? Even though they flaunt their selves around me, I don't give them a face, because I have you."
I glanced up at him and saw his jaw muscles tightening.
"You are my Life, that's why a lot of times when you break my heart, I beat you up. it's just the craziest way I express my love. I give you everything, you should love me even more." He grappled for the right words. His head descended, his breath brushing against my lips. "my love" he whispered, his lips moving along my jawline.
I turned my face to offer him my lips, and he took the offer. The sound of my phone interrupted us, it was Manasseh the class representative who called. Shan's countenance transformed to anger immediately.
"Who is Manna?" He asked, his eyes turning red.
"The class rep."
"A male class rep?"
"Yes." I replied with a trembling voice.
He grabbed the phone from me and smashed it on the wall.
My body shook instantly, I wanted to just vanish into the thin air. I went on my knees in a deep deliberately clumsy curtsy.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 3)
®Vicky Bon
Half an hour later, seated across me was Shan. We were at this cool bar in a shopping mall, I sipped the last of pomegranate cooler. The non alcoholic blend of sweet and sour was what I needed to revive me from the hot slap Shan had given to my face few moments ago at his apartment.
He ran this thumb across my lower lip gently.
"I got you something." he whispered.
He took his hands down and brings out a package from a small gift bag, then dropped it on the table.
I hurriedly opened it and got bewildered by the sight of the amazing iPhone, it had a new Sim card attached to it.
"You retrieved my number? how did you know....."
"It's a new Sim card." He cut in immediately, then continued. "I want you to have privacy."
"I am not a private person. I am a model, have got contracts hanging there, have got important contacts, they will will need to reach me!" I yelled angrily.
"I give you everything! you are so ungrateful! I should be your everything, I should be of importance to you Etiene!"
My heart became soft, I became calm at the sound of his voice.
I held his hands gently. "It's okay. I will accept this." I whispered.
He became calm too. He removes the phone from it pack and fixed the micro Sim in it.
"This cost you a lot. iPhones are expensive." I said.
"You need expensive things baby. I will do more. Just love me and do the things I want." He accompanied the words with a wriggle of his eyebrows, my lips curved up into a smile.
"I have a runway lessons today with Miss Cardilac." I said, flipping through my new phone.
He stood up immediately and held my hands.
"We will be going to Haleakala Volcana and beaches this weekend. We need a vacation baby." He said, twisting my hands gently.
"Where is that?"
"Maui." He said in American English.
He sounded as if he was being generous and thoughtful. I knew that it would be churlish to complain about going on so many weekend Vacations, so I gave a soft smile as we walked out of the mall.
Shan and I were admired by a lot of people. People said he was Jayz and I was Beyonce, but he wasn't ever ready to entertain such admirations from men when it came to me. He wasn't ready to relinquish me easily, he was Never planning to.
"I don't like the way guys are staring at you." He whispered huskily.
"Shan...."
"Even when we are together."
"They all know you are my man, look; my hands are clasp to yours. obviously everyone knows you are my lover."
I turned my face to offer him my lips and he took the offer. His lips were warmed, drawing emotions from inside me.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 4)
®Vicky Bon
There were times Shan followed me to school on weekdays, and on weekends he would come over to my place and pick me to his apartment in Cresh town.
"You think this is love?" Arusi asked sarcastically.
"You are in an abusive relationship roomy, I am scared for You, just look at your face. Just last evening, Shan was at our door post, begging you like his life depended on it, and now see, you came back with another mark on your face."
Arusi said, while turning the cake batter with a wooden stick.
"He loves me Arusi. All through my lifetime I have never met a guy this perfect. He doesn't cheat, he gives me all I want. He is just a jealous lover."
She paused. "My father was a jealous lover. He used to beat up my mother every single day. She hid from us, but the injuries on her face revealed she was going though pains from papa. She gave up her dreams just to make my father happy. But one day, just one day, she died in the hands of my father's belt."
"What? just belt!" I exclaimed.
"yes, just belt. that is what happens in an abusive relationship. Other days, he beats you with guns and machetes. The day he decides to give a light slap, she died at the spot. I lost my mother." She said, her voice quivered now. She shrugged and continued turning the cake batter.
"Does Wendy know that Shan beats you?" She asked.
"of course not. I can't tell her."
"Why not? Wendy should know."
"Why?"
"So that if anything happens to you, we will know what to tell the police. We all have to be aware."
"Arusi! stay out of my relationship!
Sometimes you make me feel like you are jealous of my man. oh because your Patson isn't as rich as him." I said angrily.
Arusi stared at me, a smile curved her lips, she giggled and kept turning the batter.
"Do you think this is all about being rich?
It's not all about the Money, it's all about your peace of mind, your happiness. You don't have peace of mind Etiene. Right now, as you are standing there, you are scared, you are not free. You are a prisoner of a foolish love "
All of a sudden I stood up from the kitchen stool and walked out angrily, I took a cab to Cresh town, I was ready for Maui's weekend trip.
******
Few hours later, i was right at Shan's sitting room. Lost in my thoughts, it took a couple of seconds for me to raise my head at the sound of that masculine voice.
"Are you okay sweetheart." Shan asked calmly.
"I am ready for our weekend getaway in Maui."
He kissed me on the forehead and went for his wardrobe. He picked a few clothes into a trunk box and we both left for Maui.
The hotel rooms at Haleakala Volcano and beaches had a breath taking sight.
It was not just about the good food, beverages , nor the comfort of the cream cushioned round back seat in the rooms, nor even the vivid splash of bright yellow flowers arrangement on the hallway; It was the whole Haleakala, looking fabulously beautiful.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 5)
®Vicky Bon
Outside, the dull weather had been lifted by a welcome display of fierce sunshine, and nearly all of the snows that had covered the countryside for days had gone, leaving a shimmering verdant landscape in its wake.
The acrid smell of Shan's cigarette woke me.
He took a sip of vodka and then came to bed. He gripped my shoulders, and there was that leashed intensity that he kept tightly reined.
"I wanna sleep. I feel sleepy a bit." he whispered.
He laid his head calmly on my chest, and after a while, he was deeply asleep.
I became bored and thought I should go around Haleakala Volcano. I walked out wearing a pair of sneakers and a jersey.
Shan's sweet scent clinging to me as I walked around the beach side. Then i heard a loud voice.
"Etiene Martins!" I was flabbergasted.
Who knew me in Haleakala?
I exhaled feeling my heart beat settle into a natural rhythm. Then I turned, it was Andre Okpo, my course mate in Pennsylvania, he graduated before me, who was also a Nigerian.
I had been Andre's crush for a very long time, he was a fashion designer and a brand ambassador for Levi Strauss and co, he was in America to buy the franchise back to Nigeria.
"What are you doing in Haleakala baby?" He asked excitedly, hugging me.
"Well I am here with my boyfriend for a short weekend vacation."
"Same Shan? the American?" I nodded with a smile.
"Oh great, great. well I am here for a shoot. I came in from LA last night."
"You now live in LA?"
"not really, i got some works to do in LA. I came here to audition some models for Paris fashion night in France, you should be there."
"really? oh my god! then audition me."
"I will give you my card, you call me when you are free." He handed me a card from his pocket.
"You know I used to love you Etiene. I still do."
"Andre, I have a boyfriend. I love him." I said boldly.
Andre stared at me for a moment, there was this slight emotion that transpired between us.
"Etiene!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I heard my name, as it echoed Aloud, it was Shan. He walked as fast as he could towards where Andre and I stood.
"Hi Shan, nice to meet you." Andre greeted smartly as he pulled out his hands for a shake, but Shan gave him a cold shoulder.
"What are you doing here? you left the room to see a man?" He Asked, his expression becoming almost stern.
"No! We met by coincident." Andre interrupted.
He didn't look at Andre in the face. The fury that got through him had him clenching his jaw until the words could merely slither out.
I shook my head, my bottom lip quivering.
"He used to be my school mate!" I yelled at him.
"So you sneaked out of the hotel room just to be with your school mate?" He asked, yelling too.
"We met by coincidence. Andre came here for work, we..."
Then he slapped me again and pushed me to the floor. Andre struggled to save me, but he Couldn't, Shan pushed him away, and dragged me to the hotel room.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 6)
®Vicky Bon
Shan Eliot stepped out of the elevator into the hotel lobby. He held my hands so tight that I couldn't even struggle to slip it off a bit. Feelings of futile anger
mixed with headache and pains overshadowed me.
Shan's face became Stern, stupidity incarnate.
He clicked the door open with a card and slammed it.
"I left my work, business meetings postponed to be with the woman I love, and this is how you pay me back for my devoted love?" Shan reeled off.
"He used to be in Pennsylvania." I stammered, but before I could turn my face he slapped me hard on the face.
"Leave me alone! I don't love you anymore! I cried out. He Rushed for his belt and beat me up mercilessly. Alarm and crisis crashed into my head like a tornado.
I forcefully stood up and pushed him to the floor, running out of the room in torn jersey and shattered looking hair.
I ran without looking back, then I ran into Andre.
"Help me Andre, he will kill me!" I screamed. He held my hands gently and backed me like a child to his hotel room.
"This is not good for you Etiene. Too bad."
"I wanna just leave here, leave this place as soon as possible. Take me out from here." I said, shivering like a cold bunny.
Andre took a sweater from his bed and wore me as fast as he could.
"You will be fine." He said soothingly.
Tears streamed out of my eyes, I was in deep fear, my heart was beating so fast.
"Calm Down. Do you need anything?"
"No. I want to go now. Take me home, this place isn't safe." I said in a shaky tone.
***********
I left Island of Maui by flight in the early hours of the next day. Andre took me home, all through the night, he had watched me cry, and lament to sleep.
"What happened to you?" Arusi asked in dismay.
"She was beaten up by Shan." Andre said sarcastically.
"Shan? Andre!" Arusi exclaimed.
"how did you two meet? what really happened? You saw her in Maui?" Arusi asked looking confused.
But we were all mute for a while. Arusi dialled Wendy's number and called her immediately.
"You should be here as soon as possible. Your best friend was almost killed by Shan today." she said meanly, not looking at our faces, then hung the call.
"Wendy will be here in a bit" she snapped.
"Why would you tell Wendy this?" I asked weakly.
"Because she is in the right position to talk senses into you!"
I never wanted Wendy to know about Shan maltreating me. she is my best friend, but sharing this with her was going to complicate issues. Wendy is a woman who knows how to colour her shit to beauty.
We all waited anxiously for the drama queen's arrival.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 7)
®Vicky Bon
Wendy stepped into the house few hours after Andre left. She was looking so glamorous and all polished up with a sassy makeup look and a winter boot.
I was covered with a duvet, while Arusi laid a warm towel on my forehead.
"Oh my god! what happened to my best friend, what did Shan do to you?" Wendy asked shrilly, kneeling beside the bed and running her hands on my hair.
"Shan has been beating up Etiene. Almost every single day." Arusi said, and gave a low murmur.
"Oh no! that's not true! Not the almighty Shan!" Wendy scoffed, looking dramatically amazed.
"I don't get. I have tried to talk senses to her, but she wouldn't listen, maybe you too should try." Arusi said softly, and took the warm towel from my forehead.
"Etiene, Look at you! I mean Augustus has never talked to me badly, he has never dared, talk of attempting to lay his hands on me, I will break his head, is he mad? I be naija babe, guy no fit do that kind thing for where I dey." Wendy boasted.
"What happened to your face Wendy? there is a mark on it." Arusi asked.
" Oh dear, Augustus and I were having a romantic play at the shower, when I mistakenly hit it on the shower tap, you should have watched him cry all through the night like a baby. He watched me sleep and pampered me till the pains ceased." Wendy reeled off these words in two seconds. She has always been boastful, proud and a talkative. Arusi and I were used to her dramatic lifestyle.
"How sweet of him. You are so lucky Wendy." Arusi sighed.
"Leave Shan alone my friend. Stay off his lane. He is not worth you." Wendy said calmly. "I don't want to know what you did to him, but he doesn't have any single reason to beat you up this way. My Augustus has never done this." The smile varnished from my face as Wendy mentioned Augustus again.
"Why are you comparing Augustus to Shan? They are two different human beings " I said in a low tone.
"That's because my Augustus is the angel. I am trying to cite an example of a good, perfect man. compared to Your Shan who gives you pains and heartbreaks. You should end this with him, any man who beats or cheats on a woman is a coward."
" He has never cheated on me."
"My Augustus neither. I am the only woman in his life, he gives me all I want, anytime I want it." Wendy said, looking at herself In a stylish manner.
"I am ending this."
"Ending?" Wendy and Arusi asked in Unison but scoffingly.
"I am finally ending with Shan!"
Arusi laughed out loud and clapped their hands in unison. Shaking my head, I wiped my mirth filled eyes after a long laugh too.
"let's wait and see. I hope that when he comes here with flowers and chocolates you won't go back into his arms?"
I nodded.
"Good! that's the way forward!" Wendy exclaimed excitedly, she quirked a brow as she brought her phone from her handbag.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 8)
®Vicky Bon
Wendy didn't forget to tell us that her handbag was original Armani, and that her winter jacket was an original Gucci, or that her hair was the pure virgin hair her husband Augustus bought for her from India.
She didn't forget to show us pictures of the vacation She and Augustus went for at Portland and Puerto Rico.
"It was awesome, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to own this amazing man" Wendy said, hijacking her handbag.
"Off I go best friend!"
I was almost too weary and heartsick to talk to anyone, so I just nodded silently. Wendy gave me a peck on the cheeks and hugged Arusi.
"Bye ladies, let me go see my loving husband."
"Okay bye." Arusi whispered as Wendy slammed the door.
"Lucky Wendy. With all her drama filled life and craziness, she still had the luck of meeting a responsible man."
"Wendy and Augustus have dated for long. Since back in Nigeria. When she came over to America, she made provisions for him to join her."
"How does that stop him from being a good man Etiene? A good man is a good man, whether he lived in Nigeria before or America." Arusi said and leaned casually against the wall, the hardness in her eyes was a warning that I should talk less of Wendy's husband and think of how I was going to get over Shan. An idea came to her, and she blurted out, "I am sure Shan will come here today, we should pour him a full bucket of ice, so that he won't come back." Her eyes became hooded.
"Maybe you will pour the ice on him, for me, I don't wanna ever see his face again."
Arusi poured milk into a saucer, and then crumpled several slices of crisp bacon into a bowl and handed it to me.
"My birthday is in few weeks." I said, as I sipped the crisp gradually.
"The first birthday you are going to celebrate without Shan in America." She muttered.
"Do not bring Shan into our conversations. I can have a happy birthday without him."
How did you meet Shan?" Arusi threw the question at me like a bomb.
"Facebook, we met on Facebook."
"What? Facebook?" she giggled.
"After I lost my family in a ghastly motor accident. I paid a tribute to my mom on my timeline, he saw it and chatted me up. He told me I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. That year, he wanted me to come visit him here in America, but I was scared. He used to send me lots of money, even when I never met him. So I trusted him, and then I decided to relocate as he demanded. He knew I loved modeling, so he enrolled me in Pennsylvania. Got me this apartment, gave me money monthly. He is like my Daddy." I said, my voice quivered as tears ran down my eyes.
Suddenly the door bell rang. Arusi rushed to see who was at the door.
"It's Shan." She whispered aloud.
My heart trembled.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Joking! it's the pizza guy!" I gave a loud sigh of relieve as I fell back on the couch.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 9)
®Vicky Bon
Arusi and I woke up almost at the same time into the frozen winter weather.
I rushed to the kitchen to make a coffee, while Arusi tried to exercise on the yoga mat.
The door bell rang, and Arusi walked slowly to the door.
"It's Shan!" she screamed. My heart skipped a bit.
"Don't open the door!" I yelled.
"Joking!" She giggled. "It's Wendy!"
I sighed.
Wendy walked in with drops of snow falling off her winter coat.
"I brought you breakfast best friend." She said girlishly, pulling out a food warmer from a fancy bag.
"Oh dear, thank you." I said and hurriedly opened the food warmer.
"It's rice and chicken in curry sauce, your fave. I wanna treat you the way my husband treats me." Wendy Said, rolling her eyes.
The aroma of the well garnished sauce went around the whole sitting room, Arusi ran to the kitchen and got some cutleries and plates.
"I saw a rose bouquet and some gifts on your verandah when I came In, with a note alongside." Wendy said.
"From who?"
"obviously from Shan." Arusi said. She walked out to the verandah and came back with packs of gifts. "There is a note attached to it."
"Open it let's read please." Wendy said shrilly.
"And it reads, My love, my life is meaningless without you, come back to me, let's perfect our love. I am so sorry for breaking your heart. Shan."
"Hmmm....nawaaaoooo, oyigbo man sabi love." Wendy exclaimed.
"I knew he was going to come back as Usual, Raven Loony." Arusi tore the note into smaller pieces and threw them into the bin bag.
"We should drop this outside, so that he can come back and see his shits."
"I am so surprise that an American will act this way. Beating up a woman! I am so happy that I married a black man though. My Augustus knows the worth of a woman."
A frown creased my brow.
***************
Wendy had gone, Arusi and I had a lecture to catch up in school. We hurriedly wore our sweaters and stepped out. The cold weather made us shiver. Then we heard foot sound walking behind us. Arusi turned and whispered "Shan is right behind us."
"Liar! you can't fool me again." I said, raising my voice.
"Etiene!" Shan screamed my name, but I didn't turn, I didn't utter a word, I kept walking, then Arusi stopped walking and then turned to him.
"Leave her alone Shan! She doesn't want you." Arusi said, using her hands to block Shan from reaching to me, while I kept walking.
"Let her say it by herself that she doesn't want me." Shan said, his voice shaking like he was under pressure.
"I don't want you anymore. if I get a chance, I will run far away from you!" I screamed from afar, my face became stern. Shan became grief stricken, a line of tear rushed out of his eyes.
He tried to push Arusi off the path, Arusi pushed him to the frozen floor.
"You think that I Am Etiene? I am not her, if you dare lay those hands on me, I will call the police and charge you for violence against a woman. leave my friend alone!" She said with a serious face that I had never seen before. She ran towards me, while Shan watched us trek to the school bus station. There was deep sadness written on his face, but he didn't give up, he still stalked me at the library on that same day.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 10)
®Vicky Bon
I felt like a big thorn was lifted off my chest. All through that day in class, all I thought of was the face of Shan when Arusi pushed him to that cold frozen floor, leaving him in that cold.
"You have not been yourself since after Shan and I had that fight."
I nodded silently, tears running out of my eyes. Arusi laced her hands in mine.
"oh, poor darling, I know exactly how you feel. you are now my soul sister. You helped me, accommodated me in your apartment even when you didn't know me that much. You saved me when I was stranded. I can't let you walk into danger. I have witnessed domestic violence, my mother was a victim, I have said this before. Whatever I did to Shan was for you." She said in broken whispers. My heart calmed.
"Thank you." I said calmly and gave her a warm hug.
My phone rang and when I checked, it was Andre.
"It's Andre." I said.
"Talk to him, this could be the right person who would take your mind off from Shan."
"No. I don't want a relationship now." I said softly.
"I understand. Take it easy. Your birthday is at the corner, so brighten up a bit. I am off to Fashion class for my test." Arusi said giving a forceful Smile.
I strolled to the library that afternoon to read for my last test before the final examination. My emptiness was filled with anger, heartbreak and thoughts of Shan.
As I walked into the library, someone covered my mouth and dragged me backwardly to a corner. I wasn't sure who it was, until the smell of his perfume hit me hard on the nose.
He quaked and trembled as he sought my mouth. He tried to control his movements, to still his heartbeat, but he was on fire.
He kissed me deeply and then hugged me with my hands tied down to his in a wrap.
"I am sorry, please listen to me. I have missed you so much baby. look at me, I am falling sick because of you. I am love sick my heart." He said in a trembling voice.
"I don't want to see you anymore." I said tearily.
"It's not true, I know you still love me. Arusi told you to say these things to me." He whispered. He drew me into his arms, holding me tightly.
"There is so much we have to say to each other. I have an issue. I am meeting with a therapist soon. I am ready to change for you Etiene. I am having posttraumatic stress disorder, it leads to depression a times. It doesn't have a cure, but my therapist will work with me."
"You liar!" I yelled. He grabbed me to himself and forcefully kissed me again.
Long moments passed as his body interlocked with mine. I pushed him off and ran away, he ran after me like his life depended on it.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 11)
®Vicky Bon
I woke up to the sweet aroma of a fresh baked cake from the oven. Arusi had woken up early to bake a cake for my birthday. She spent the morning making a chocolate cake. She made fried spicy chicken with onion sauce, Arusi was a perfect cook.
It was 9a:m in the Morning. The room was decked with pink decorations. It was my birthday, and Arusi was planning to surprise me again with her amazing games.
"Happy birthday Best friend!" Wendy screamed as she walked into my room.
She was dressed in a short black dress, she walked seductively towards me and handed me a gift bag. "That's for you, from me and my Augustus."
"Oh, thank you Wendy." I said excitedly and hugged her lightly.
"Take a shower quick, Arusi is planning a small party." She whispered.
I swung from the bed immediately and rushed to have a shower.
Wendy sang happy birthday lyrics all through with her phone.
The door bell rang and she rushed out to see who it was. I began to hear boisterous voices from the sitting room, people conversing excitedly.
"Where is the celebrant?" A familiar voice asked from the sitting room.
I quickly wore my shorts and a sweater and walked sluggishly to the sitting room.
"Birthday girl is here..." Andre screamed excitedly. I was surprised to see him at my house that morning.
"Are you shock to see me? Your roommate told me about the party yesterday in school." Andre said rubbing his hands together. Arusi came out of the kitchen immediately, smelling of thyme and rosemary leaves.
"I forgot to tell you that I met Andre yesterday at the Fashion class, he came to audition models, and he picked meeee. I had to tell him about your birthday. " She said excitedly.
"Oh really? Nice." I said, and gave a delightful smile. "Thank you for coming Andre." I said.
Wendy played a classy music from the Sound system, while Arusi went out and came out with a little white hairy puppy. She wore her a pink dress.
"Aweeeee....this is so beautiful." I said, rubbing my hands on the hairy puppy.
"It's for you. Happy birthday once more." She said, and handed the puppy to me. I named her Fiona." she said looking pleased. I took Fiona from her, smiling wide, it was a barbet, French water dog. it was the most beautiful hairy dog I had ever seen.
"Oh she is gorgeous, she looks like the Australian Shepherd Augustus got for me on my 27th birthday." Wendy said, fanning herself with hands.
"Oh dear Arusi, thank you for giving a baby." I said, stroking Fiona in the ears.
Andre was about to say something when the door bell rang.
"Do we have another invitee?" Wendy asked, looking amazed.
"Let me Check" Arusi gave me a guarded look before darting away.
She opened the door and my heart skipped at the sight of Shan. He was kneeling down with a car key and a diamond ring placed in a small box. Andre was confused, Wendy looked pleased, and I was startled.
"Marry me please my love." He said in a baritone voice. "Happy birthday baby." he whispered aloud as he lifted the car key in the air. There was calmness in the air, as I stared in a confuse state.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 12)
®Vicky Bon
I stood for a moment undecided.
Getting married to Shan was going to bring a lot of fame to me, contracts from fashion brands etcetera.
I rubbed my hands on Fiona, and sat slowly on the couch.
Andre, Wendy and Arusi sat down and nodded to the sound of the music from the home theater.
It took me all the courage to walk towards Shan without trembling. Arusi gave me an eye blink, meaning that I shouldn't listen to Shan. But I took off my eyes from her, I loved Shan, and I was tired of living with a frustrated emotions of not being with him anymore.
He muttered something under his breath and held the door for me, then followed down the steps.
His hands spanned my waist, has he led me to a brand new lemon color wrangler jeep, then he knelt down again.
"Marry me baby." before I knew what was happening, he had placed the ring on my finger, then he kissed me deep. At first I was hesitant, but he held the ring tight to my finger.
"I wanna make preparations so that you can meet mom and Dad in new Orleans by weekend." He said excitedly, then kissed me again, and then put the car key in between my cleavage, I smiled up at him as he walked away into his car.
***********
I went back to the house that morning with the smell of Shan's Gucci guilty clinging to my sweater and my hair.
As I stepped into the house, the atmosphere changed.
"Where is Andre?" I asked.
" He just left." Wendy replied.
"Oh my! that's a diamond ring Etiene."
"Yes, I have accepted to marry Shan." I said with a wistful smile.
"Oh yeah. I hope he won't lay his hands on you anymore. This ring looks so much like the ring my Augustus got for me from Dubai, it's so much like it." Wendy said running her hands on the ring.
Arusi's face was frowned, as she pretended to be stroking Fiona.
"Arusi, I am getting married. Are you not happy for me?" I asked excitedly.
"No I am not. You think that marrying Shan will be the end to his violence on you? The moment you walked out of this door to go after Shan, I had given up. You just walked into a life of frustration and pains. That guy will trap you!"
"Don't say a thing like that Arusi, we should be happy for her. He just got her a car!" Wendy exclaimed with an expressionless face."
"You two must be really greedy. And so what? if he got her a damn car and so fuck what? He is just trying to buy her heart into marrying him, so that he can concentrate on dealing with you." Arusi said angrily and walked into the room.
************
On the evening of my birthday, Shan came to pick me for dinner at Lacroix restaurant. He was dressed in a suit, I had never seen him that handsome in a while, I tucked my hands into the fold of his arms, as we got into my new car.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 13)
®Vicky Bon
Shan thought of me to be beautiful, intelligent and the most desirable woman he had ever known. He loved my dress, but he didn't say, he only stared at it. I wore a lightweight blue and pink gingham gown.
After we had dinner, I expected Shan to drive me back to my house, but he drove back to his house.
"I missed your body." He whispered, while driving slowly towards his estate.
He noticed that I was shivering, he stopped the car and pulled out his jacket for me to wear.
When I got to his house, I made my way to his bedroom and threw myself on the bed like a child.
Shan walked into the room with two cups of hot coffee in a tray, he handed a cup to me, I sipped it bit by bit as I stared directly at him. He stayed at my side, as he watched me sip the hot coffee.
He watched my eyes closed, and I fell asleep. He touched my lips with his finger, and dragged my eyes open, then closed them again.
"I love you with my life." He said in broken whispers.
"I love you too." I said, opening one side of my eyes to glance at him.
Then he began to kiss me wholeheartedly. I buried my face in his neck, as he unhooked my bra and began to touch me erotically.
*************
I woke up the next morning to the sound of my cell phone beeping. I was naked and lying on top a sound asleep Shan. At some point in the night, we had made love a lot of times at night, and there was something oddly special about making love with Shan.
He woke up later to meet a well garnished food of spaghetti bolognese and fried Chicken.
"Thank you baby, I missed your delicacies." he said huskily as he stabbed a huge deep fried piece of orange chicken with a fork; The chicken made a crunching sound like he forced the fork into a lollipop.
He shoved the chicken into his mouth.
"Baby this is really delicious." he said, munching the chicken noisily.
Moments later, Shan and I were fully dressed for New Orleans.
It took over three hours to get to new Orleans from Philadelphia. A driver was waiting for us at the airport. When the driver sighted Shan and I, he hurriedly walked down and got our luggage.
He was an older man, whom we called papa in Nigeria, but he referred to us sir and ma'am.
"Welcome sir, good to have you in New Orleans ma'am." he said delightedly.
"Thank you." I nodded with a smile.
He opened the car door smartly, Shan gave a way for me to get into the car first, while he followed behind me.
We alighted at Shan's parents house on Claiborne avenue in a short while. A house so huge and classy. There were gardens, water fountains and beautiful flowers surrounding it.
A gust of wind ran danced through my hair as I stepped on the large bright lighted sitting room, filled with expensive decors.
"Welcome son." A white woman dressed in a native Indian attire walked out stylishly, followed by young girls dressed in same uniform and an apron attached to it.
The woman hugged Shan warmly, and then smiled widely at me before giving me a deeper hug.
"Welcome my Dear." She said excitedly.
"Your dad is inside, waiting anxiously for you two." She said, as she led the way through a corridor that led to an exclusive larger part of the house.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 14)
®Vicky Bon
We left New Orleans in the early hours of the next day.
Shan's parents were heart warming and loving. They were excited that their only son will be walking down the aisle soon.
The sound of his father's laughter kept ringing in my head, his mother's beauty stalked in my imagination.
We had the usual women's talk and I got to know that Shan's mom had a best friend who married a Nigerian.
Shan and I talked eagerly about his parents until we got to Philadelphia.
"I am glad they loved you." He said excitedly, and gave a warm and wide smile.
"Yeah. I love them too." I said softly.
Shan's company driver dropped me at my house and then took Shan to the office. We gave each other a soft kiss. I got home feeling guilty; I didn't tell Arusi that I wasn't coming home the previous night.
I stepped into the house with the mindset of apologizing first to her. I met Fiona being cuddled up in her arms, they were deeply asleep. My presence woke them up; "Hey. You are back."
"Yeah. I am just coming in from New Orleans, went to see Shan's parents."
"Okay, that's great. I hope they aren't Racists? It's hard for American parents to let their only son get betroth to a black woman."
"Surprisingly, they are not."
"Great. I want to apologize for what I said to you yesterday concerning Shan. I wasn't suppose to say that on your birthday. I am so sorry. I know you two love each other so much. Just be careful." She said soothingly, then continued. "I just want you to be happily married like Wendy."
"Mine will be a blissful one indeed. Shan will change, he has promised. You see Arusi, I have never met a man like Shan in my entire life. He gives me all I want. I grew up from a poor family, I don't wanna die in poverty. In Nigeria, there is no guy who would do the things Shan does for me. Except maybe married men, but you hardly see them. He will change, he loves me."
"I hope so too. Or else I am gonna kick his ass this time. " She teased, and we both laughed in unison. Bending down, I placed a light kiss on Fiona's head.
"How is my new baby doing?" I held her in my hands and stroked her a bit.
"When is the Wedding?" Arusi asked anxiously.
"I don't know yet, but Shan's mom wants everything to be done fast, fast."
"Oh roomy, so you are going to leave me in this big house alone right?"
"Fiona and I will be visiting you, yeah. Fiona we are going to be visiting Arusi from Town right? " I said with faintly sneering smile.
"Andre got really sad yesterday. He has been calling to find out if you're fine."
"He should stop checking on me. I am going to be Shan's wife soon. He caused that fight between Shan and I in Maui."
I said with a serious face.
"Oh let me not forget to share the good news! I told you that Andre auditioned me at the last fashion class?" Arusi threw in another conversation.
"Yeah."
"Well, we will be leaving for Paris Fashion week by weekend for my first runway walk, proudly sponsored by Ralph Lauren, and lots of fashion brands."
"Oh wow! Congratulations Arusi"
"And that's not all baby! we are going to be well paid. Andre promised to give me more opportunities after this one." She said delightedly.
"It seems you and Andre are getting along." I thought aloud.
"Well, he is my good friend." Arusi said casually.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 15)
®Vicky Bon
Ours was a dream wedding of everyone.
Shan's family spent so much money to make our wedding an exclusive one, it was strictly by invitation. The invitation list was made for just 100 people.
My dress was a Sarah Burton, a designer for Alexander McQueen. The wedding dress cost over $388,000.
Our 10-tier Vanilla and buttercream cake was made by Sylvia Weinstock. A family friend to the Elliots.
It was going to be the most memorable day of my life, and Shan made it special.
We got married on the island of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. The beautiful island had a shape of a giant Sombrero, it was a lush volcanic Island.
All our invitees, including my friends, Shan's friends and family lodged at Blue heaven Island lodge.
Wendy couldn't be my maid of honour because she had fresh injuries on her forehead and her mouth. She came for the wedding reluctantly, according to her, she fell from a jacuzzi bathtub. She covered her face with a black sun glasses and a pink yashmak. Arusi had to be my maid of honor and the friend who made a toast.
"Oh no, you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen Etiene!" Arusi exclaimed.
Wendy walked in with bunch of pink roses.
"You are so beautiful Best Friend!" She exclaimed excitedly.
"Thank you." I whispered.
Arusi and Wendy joined in dressing me, while the make up artiste applied a small quantity of Mac powder on my face.
The filmy white gown came floating down as I stood to face the mirror. Wendy slit in my feet into the white, pearl coated, satin shoes and glanced into the mirror.
"Perfect!" she said shrilly.
Shan's father walked into the room and gave a long stare at my dress.
"my daughter inlaw is a beautiful damsel!" He admitted softly. Everyone in the room laughed in unison.
For a long unsettling moment, lots of camera men walked in and took pictures of me in different positions.
***********
I was almost at the verge of tears when I saw the beautiful decors and the crowd of people who stood still as I walked on the flowered filled aisle.
Shan turned to study me, a deep furrow creased his handsome brow.
"You both look incredible." A woman by my side whispered.
Emotions struck me as I drew even with him, he took my hands and felt it tremble.
"my beautiful bride." he whispered to my ears, a distinctly husky catch in his mesmerizing voice.
Everything was done briefly; We knelt before the priest as he blessed us, we made matrimonial vows and exchange of rings. Everything became emotional when Shan shared his vows. I felt his eyes on me the whole time, but I could stare back. His words made sense. He didn't rush over them.
The priest pronounced us man and wife, there was loud applause from the crowd. He swept me into his arms for a slow, lingering kiss.
While we danced out, my eyes caught with Andre, admiring Arusi like he had never seen her before. My heart told me that there was something going on between them. He had feelings for Arusi, it was a relief for me too.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 16)
®Vicky Bon
Our Honeymoon was accompanied by lots of trips to various places like Walt Disney World Of Universal studios, Miami, south beach, art deco and little Havana, Portland Nashville and we finally settled at Shan's house in Philadelphia.
I removed my dress and tossed it on the chair as soon as I got to our bedroom.
It was Spring in Philadelphia, and the dogwoods were finally in bloom. I had snipped off several branches and was now arranging them in a tall crystal vase.
Shan held my waist from behind and kissed me on my cheeks.
"My beautiful Wife!" he exclaimed. There was joy in his tone.
We had made love uncountable times at our honeymoon locations, and it was time to talk about work and our ambitions.
"When are you resuming work?" I broke the silence.
"In two days." He replied softly.
"After my project, I am suppose to resume as a model in your company or?"
"Baby, let's not talk about your working now, finish up with the project in school first." he said huskily, pulling me to himself and kissing me deep. At first I was hesitant, I wanted to continue with my dogwoods, but his hand went beneath my robe and settled over one of my breast. My eyes closed, and I gave him my lips.
I was fairly panting by the time he raised his head. My hands slid over the fasteners on his trousers, and I opened them while he watched with his impatience.
He almost shot out of the chair when i pushed my clothes aside and touched him intimately, feeling him swell in his hands.
We made a passionate love and he kissed me all through until he ejaculated.
"Thank you baby." He whispered, breathing heavily.
My phone beeped, and when I reluctantly checked, it was Arusi.
"Hello Roomie, missing me already?" I asked excitedly.
"of course, I want to bring Fiona to you and your books, I also have something very important to talk about."
"Okay. I will send the driver to come pick you up in a jiffy." I said as I hung up the call.
"Is that Arusi?" Shan asked still breathing heavily under the duvet.
"Yeah, she is bringing some of my stuffs."
"that friend of yours that never liked me."
"Oh baby, she was just being protective of me. pardon her, she is like a sister to me now, she and Wendy."
"it's okay. talking of Wendy, she looked really sad on our wedding."
"she fell from a bathtub, she wasn't excited at all."
"Oh sad. good luck yo your friends, unlike me that doesn't have a single friend. you are my only friend." he said and gave a spontaneous laugh that took me by surprise.
*************
Moments later, the driver went to pick Arusi and she was right on my couch patiently waiting for me.
"Beautiful house! looks like those big empires I see in movies." she said softly as Fiona jumped from her legs to mine, I gave her a soft kiss and cuddled her a bit.
"Thank you." I retorted and gave her a warm hug.
"First, before I hand over your stuffs, I have something to tell you."
"Okay, go ahead. As far as it's good news!"
"Andre proposed to me last night, we've had a date a couple of times and I think I like him, he loves me, I know it." she said, her voice trembling.
"oh I am happy for you Arusi!" I exclaimed and hugged her tight to myself.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 17)
®Vicky Bon
Arusi and Andre had a quiet and a small gathering wedding at Saint peters Cathedral in Philadelphia.
It was simple and quiet.
The weather was bright and clear, and seemed to smile on Arusi's wedding day.
Arusi's siblings came from Kenya to attend their sisters wedding. It was a joyous celebration.
The sound of genuine laughter came from Andre when a lady said "your wife is beautiful."
They kissed so passionately like they've known each other for years.
After the wedding, I drove home alone. The face of Arusi and Andre smiling wide to the camera man kept flashing on my mind. It was obvious that they were happy.
"So, Andre finally married someone from your group?" Shan asked sarcastically, after I showed him the wedding pictures from my phone.
"Yeah. I am happy for them. Andre is a good guy and Arusi is a good lady. I envied her today, she was so beautiful." I said, smiling wide at the wedding picture in my phone.
"You envied her because she married Andre, or because you too wanted Andre." He rose to his feet.
"I don't think that is a fair judgment on what I just said. I envy my friend, not jealous. they are two different Words Shan. if I wanted Andre I would have had him, after all he wanted me too. " I said arrogantly.
Before I could blink my eye the second time, Shan had dragged me to the floor and matched one side of my leg with his weighty legs. He pulled me and hit my head on the wall frequently.
"How dare you say that to me, are you crazy? With all what I have done for you, you still envy and ex lover!" Shan yelled at me, while dragging me on the floor.
I screamed for help until my voice went low and dry. I fought him and cried out. " Leave me alone, you misunderstood me."
An hour later, he left me in the room, breathing rapidly like he fought a lion. "Fuck you!" he yelled and banged the door.
Fiona ran out crying from under the bed and rubbing her body on mine. I held her into my arms while I wept. My tears dampened her hairy skin, I stroked her a bit, not willing to let her go. My dog Fiona was the only reality in a frightening world.
I was trying to close my eyes, and let go the pains I was feeling when my phone rang. it was Arusi, I thought she wanted to thank me for the wrist watch I gave her as a gift on her wedding, so I ignored.
The phone rang again and I reluctantly picked the call this time.
"Hello." my voice became cracky.
"Etiene, there is a problem!" she screamed in a shaky tone.
"What is it?" My heart trembled.
"A sheriff just called from petterburg estate, Augustus pushed Wendy from a storey building to the last floor, I heard she is badly injured.
"What? Augustus did that?" I screamed, my heart skipped countless times as my hands shooked too.
"Where are you now?" I asked in dismay.
"my husband is taking me to her house right away. Come to her house right away." she said, breathing so fast over the phone.
I took a pair of leggings and a sweater, grabbed Fiona and drove speedily to Petterburg Estate. I took a deep breath in and out, until I could exhale freely.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 18)
®Vicky Bon
I opened my eyes, looking startled when I saw Police vans in front of Wendy's house.
The red and blue siren light reflected into my eyes.
I saw Wendy being laid on a stretcher and covered with a white sheet.
"What the hell happened?" I asked Arusi tearily.
"Oh Etiene, thank God you are here, the neighbors said they had a serious fight as usual." Arusi said breathing fast.
She shook her head and nestled against Andre who was quiet all through the incident.
A white woman dressed in a pyjamas approached us.
"Who is Etiene?" She tried to pronounce my name.
"it's me." I said, my voice trembling in the cold.
"Wendy talked so much about you. She gave me a journal to give to you. She said you had the password, I don't know." She said in a trembling tone, as she hands the Journal to me.
"Are you aware of what happened ma'am" I asked, as I got the journal from her.
"Augustus was the wrong man for Wendy. Most of the times, he came back home late and then all you is noise of screams and yells. He beats Wendy almost every single day. Even when I alerted the police, they picked him two months ago when he hit his wife's face on a jacuzzi bathtub uncountable times, she passed out, if not for the help of Doctor Escada, our neighbor." She said in a shaky old voice.
"I hope she will be fine this time."
Moments later, Augustus was taken out of the house, his hands chained to the handcuffs. His eyes were red, his face filled with bloody bruises and marks.
"This is sad. I can't believe that Augustus used to beat Wendy." Arusi said softly.
"I am in shock myself." I retorted.
"I don't know what will make a man beat up a woman, it's crazy! How can you beat a woman you love?" Andre asked.
I drew in a shuddering breath as I stared at Wendy being taken into the Emergency van.
"I think I should stay with her. You two can go continue with your honeymoon, she will be fine." I said warmly as I hand over Fiona to Arusi in a hurry.
**********
Tears ran through my eyes as I watched Wendy lying on the stretcher. It became clear that we were both victims of domestic violence.
As we got to the hospital, the emergency unit rushed Wendy out of the stretcher and placed her on a bed.
I ran after her, the nurses didn't let me inside the ward. But I could view what they were doing to her from the glass window. I stood still like a mannequin watching as the doctors tried to revive Wendy from her unconscious state but she wasn't responding, My hands trembling violently.
A doctor dressed in blue uniform walked gently to me. It was as if he was in slow motion, I stared at him until he got to were I stood.
"I am sorry ma'am, We lost her." he said, his mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear what he was saying anymore. The first line of sentence he made sounded in my head like a bomb blast.
"What do you mean doctor?"
"She is dead. She had severe internal bleeding, and also had a miscarriage. We couldn't help her. I am sorry."
The doctor sounded like a recording, I imagined him saying the same thing to Arusi, in the exact tone.
I turned and looked at her lifeless body on that bed, tears streamed out of my eyes, I wept unconditionally as the nurses covered her face with a white sheet.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 19)
®Vicky Bon
Wendy's death made me angry, but stronger and even fearless. I became tough.
I sat with Arusi on Wendy's sitting room, staring at her picture on the wall. She was smiling, while Augustus kissed her on the cheeks.
Arusi had literally cried her eyes out that morning.
She looked around the sitting room and touched every picture of Wendy with her hands, while I watched her in tears.
"You know Wendy hid this from us for so long. She was strong enough to stand all those pains and cover them with a smile."
Arusi sat on the floor, she sat with her legs stretch out in front of her, I had never seen her that way before. I lowered myself and sat next to her, our shoulders touching.
Arusi and I cried for a long time. We cried for more than 4hrs. We cried until Wendy's body was brought in for funeral. A few neighbors and a priest walked in as we conducted a small funeral for her.
I felt like I had not had a bath for months.
My eyes were reddish and sad, I refused to pick Shan's call since the night Wendy died, I refused to go home.
As Wendy was lowered into the grave, it became crystal clear to me that it was time to struggle for survival. I remembered how we used laughed together back in Pennsylvania. I remembered her laughter, the way she described her Augustus; I remembered her face on my wedding day, the pink Yashmak, how she held it stylishly to cover the bruises on her face. It was the same way she covered her pains, her hurts and heartbreaks.
for a long, silent moment I could think of nothing but Wendy.
Andre came to pick Arusi from the cemetery, he was dressed in a black attire.
Arusi left my hands and hugged him tight. Then she turned to me, " You may angry for what I am about to tell you. yes, there is no perfect marriage, but the worse that can happen to any marriage is abuse. any kind of abuse. If Shan still beats you, leave. leave now, I don't wanna a lose anyone through domestic violence anymore." Her voice quivered, a line of tear ran through her cheeks as she walked away with Andre.
I waited till Wendy's grave was sealed with sands and white Stones, then I dropped a rose on it, speechless I left without saying a word. The pains in my heart was too deep.
I drove home that morning, thinking of Wendy; her dead face, her skin turned darker, her beautiful hair became dry. Her lips became firm. Wendy died a painful dead, she would have loved to use her Mac powder on that face or tell us about how her Augustus loves kissing her dry lips.
***********
As I drove into the estate, I made up my mind to fight back with the last tip of my blood.
"Where have you been?" Shan asked in a loud tone. My heart didn't skip as usual, I turned and faced him boldly.
"Wendy is dead." I whispered softly, his face was expressionless, I walked passed him to the bedroom where I had a warm bath in tears and agony.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 20)
®Vicky Bon
I woke up torpid, slowed by sadness, and frightened by Wendy's journal. After I finished reading it, I cried softly again. Hers was a bitter experience with Augustus.
She sponsored Augustus' trip to America, married him with her own hard earned money, and was paying him allowance every month. But instead, he was flirting with white girls and bringing them home, right before her eyes. And when she complained, he would beat her up.
My heart slammed like a wrecking ball. I became bold, waiting for the next slap to come through my face so that I can stab him to death.
"I am sorry about your friend's death." Shan broke the silence, his voice sounded slightly rough as though some unexpected emotions had partially locked his throat.
"I will get over it soon." I said Softly and then continued " do you know what killed her?" I asked weakly.
"What?" His lips twisted with derision.
"Her husband. He killed her, he pushed her down a storey building. She lost her pregnancy, she died. Her husband used to beat her, just as you beat me, just as you maltreat me, hit my head on the wall and make me look reckless." I said slowly as my visage changed to stern, my voice had a tremor in it.
I am sorry." He said in a broken whisper.
"I am tired of your sorry Shan. My friend's painful life history of how she went through pains, beatings, violence from the hands of a man she called her husband is written in that Journal!" I pointed my finger to the journal on the table angrily.
My heart beat slowed inside my chest. Shan became momentarily dumb.
He stared into my eyes that seemed to sparkle with anger and sadness.
"What I mean is..." He faltered.
"You don't mean anything Shan. But I swear on Wendy's grave, the day you lay your hands on me again, I will kill you before I will be handcuffed to whichever prison in America!"
Silently, he walked out of the room, leaving me with my worries and murmurs. He had never seen me so bittered. Guilt hung over him like a heavy cloud.
I calmed down sufficiently again.
***********
Few months later, I could regain myself properly. I began to make budgets and plans for my life, especially my ambition.
It was evening, Shan decided to make dinner. I waited anxiously to also tell him about my plans of going back to modeling full time, until when baby comes, since it was our happy moments.
He appeared on the dinning table with boiled brown rice and Chicken sauce. He placed them one by one on the dinning table. I scooped the rice into a plate, and began the conversation.
"I wanna resume work. Get contracts from a few fashion brands like under armour, Victoria secret and Dorothy Perkins. I read on a fashion blog yesterday, they need models." I said calmly, chewing my rice gently.
"You wanna walk naked in Victoria secret panties? You wanna disgrace the family? what are you up to?" His voice become high.
"no! Not all of that shit. what am I going to do? why did I come to America Shan?" I asked, dropping the cutleries.
"You came to see me, you came so that we could have a relationship. I paid your fees, I own you, you should listen to me, you are not going for any damn modeling!" he screamed and threw the chicken sauce on my face, dragging my hair to the ground and slapping my face. I kicked him hard on his legs and stabbed him hard with the table knife I used in eating. There was tension in the air as he ran after me like with all his strength.
I ran across the road, and he ran after me still. Before I could turn again, I heard a loud smashing sound from a car. My heart trembled, Shan was hit by a car. I ran back to the scene and held him tight to myself. His eyes were wide open, he wasn't breathing, but his heartbeat was beating.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (PART 21)
®Vicky Bon
It was dark; the full and black dark of the night.
The emergency unit arrived after an hour, the sound of the siren made me feel wondrous and terrifying.
I became confused.
Shan was put on a stretcher and covered with a white sheet. My eyes widened as that scene took me back to the last time I saw Wendy.
I began to cry softly as I entered the van, it zoomed off speedily to the hospital.
While at he hospital, I became calm. I called Arusi immediately and she arrived just after few hours.
"What happened to Shan?" She asked in whispers.
"He beat me up again. I stabbed him and ran across the road, he ran after me and got hit by a car." I said softly.
"Oh my God! I am sorry about this. So many tragedies in just one week." She lowered her voice and gave an audible sigh of relief.
"Where you somewhere? You are dressed like you were on a runway." I asked looking at Arusi from head to toe.
"Yeah. I was at a fashion party in Crest. The good news is now coming at the wrong time."
"You can share. lighten the moment."
"I was bought by Victoria's secret and Avon. My husband is my manager. The pay is cool."
Tears ran through my eyes. I became emotional.
"Oh no! lucky you Arusi! This has always been our dream." I said tearily, holding her two hands tight. "And you got married to a man who pushed you, you are blessed." I whispered.
"You are blessed too. Don't feel bad that these things are happening, you will have a happy ending." She hugged me to herself.
"What about Fiona?" I asked.
"She is fine. she misses you. I will bring her to you when I visit tomorrow, she will help keep you calm a bit. She can chew chicken bone now." Arusi said jokingly, we both giggled a bit.
Not long, the doctor appeared before us.
"Mrs Shan" he called.
"Yes doctor." I responded, my heart was beating so fast.
The doctor pulled down his glasses to his nose and read through a paper.
"Your husband's case is complicated. He is going to be on coma for a while."
"How long?"
"We are not sure. But we will try to revive him." He walked away.
Arusi laid her hands on my shoulder and patted it a bit.
"All will be well." she said soothingly.
I stared at Shan for a moment through the glass window and drove home that night sad and frightened.
As I got home, I searched through his credit card and finance papers. He had told me about how his money comes and goes, I studied his company ethics and constitution all through the night.
*****************
I woke up the next morning and felt like a brand new Etiene. In my black pant and shirt.
I stepped into the office, looking all Glamorous. I called for a meeting with every staff of the company before I alerted Shan's parents of his condition.
My mother-in-law's World became shaken when she heard of Shan's conditions.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 22)
®Vicky Bon
Shan's mom arrived Philadelphia very early the next day. I had sent the office driver to go pick her at the airport to the hospital Shan was.
Few moments after she arrived, she screamed at the sight of Shan.
"What happened to him?" She yelled and fell back to the comfort of my arms, I drew in a deep breath and held her to myself.
After she went into the Doctor's office and came out after few minutes, we drove home silently.
"Does Shan abuse you?" She broke the silence. She took me by surprise when she asked the question.
"Mom, abuse like how?"
"Does Shan beat you?"
I nodded reluctantly, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Is that why he is there in the hospital, What happened to my son?" she managed to say without looking at me.
"Your son beats me almost everyday. Your son almost killed me! Even when I ran to save my life, he ran after me. He wanted to end it, just like Augustus did to Wendy. My best friend died from the hands of a man like your son. When comes out from coma, I will divorce him." I said angrily as I stepped on the brake.
Her face didn't look like she was surprise to hear that her son beats me, she glanced down at me.
"Shan's father was like that." I quickly looked at her.
"What? Are you saying that Shan's dad used to beat you up?" She nodded.
"And you still stayed?" She nodded again.
"I stayed because I didn't have where to go, but I had God whom I talked to daily." tears gathered in her eyes.
"I do not have where to go too. How did you make him change?" Shan's mom became silent and turned her face to the road, then she shook her head.
"These people don't change. It takes a lot of things. It pains me so much that my only son, of all the things he would have gotten from his father, it's being abusive." She lowered her head for a moment, while she composed herself.
"Old age, he became weak. He just got tired of beating me. for thirty years of being married, I have been abused countless times. We fought for no reason. I am scared for you my child." She said calmly. I began to sob, she held my hands tight to console me.
I wiped my tears, as I drove home quietly.
That night before we went to bed, Shan's mom prayed. When she stood up, she stared at me and said "This is what changed my husband."
"What?" I asked in whispers.
"Prayer. you know a lot of times, people see me as a woman who doesn't have problems, They see me in my range rover, in the comfort of empire, and think I had no problems. But I tell you, my husband used to be my worse nightmare, until prayer changed him, the powers of prayers can do great things in your home. Do not seek divorce, seek prayers wholeheartedly."
"I can't remember the last time I prayed." I said. Shan's mom allowed herself a smile.
"We just did. I hope God hears us." she whispered.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 23)
®Vicky Bon
Days passed into weeks, and weeks passed into months, Shan was still lying on that hospital bed with an oxygen tube connected to his nostrils.
Every single day, his mother and I visited him with roses and Cards, wishing in our hearts that he will one day wake up to hold them.
I had missed him.
Sometimes, after I leave the hospital, I went back home and sobbed till I slept off.
We had an inseparable deep bond, that I realized during the time he was there.
While Shan was in sick bay, I had accomplished most of the things I had always wanted to do. I started modeling for a few fashion house, perfume brands on weekends, while on weekdays I was at the Office, creating new styles and rebranding the company. We began to have big customers from London, Mexico, Philippine and America who loved our brands and wanted more.
Shan's mom lectured me most Sundays during lunch about Fashion business and how to make it big.
"My husband did not give me the opportunity to explore my ambition. As a woman who had deep passion for fashion and dress making, I had given up my dreams just to keep my home. I do not want that to happen to you my child."
She said as her wrinkled hands held mine so tight.
*******
A night came, I was right by Shan's bed, my hands laced into his, I felt it warmness.
I leaned my body on his, I wanted to hold him, I wanted to kiss him and feel him kiss me back.
I felt a squeeze in my palms, his fingers moved, my heart trembled.
Somewhere in a distance I heard the lonesome sound of his Voice, it was a whisper.
I drove home that night thinking of Shan. Memories of him and I running through my thoughts.
It was an emotional night, I was gazing at the Moon at the garden, still in the dress I wore since the morning of that day. The wind rustled through the cypress leaves, and I heard the musical sound of the fountain below me. I smiled as my eyes got clouded with tears.
"Is everything okay Etiene?" Shan's mom asked in a soft Voice as she pronounced my name in a British accent. It was the first time she called my name that way.
" Shan's hands moved today. I held it and it moved."
The moonlight fell on her face, softening the hard planes as she asked, "Are you sure?" I nodded.
"I want him back. I don't care anymore. I want him back." my voice quivered.
"Then he is on his way to recovery."
She smiled brightly, a feeling I could only label as happiness swept through us like a cleansing wind and we wondered how we had to get through each day without Shan.
My phone rang immediately, distracting our emotional mode.
"It's the doctor mom." I said looking at Shan's mom in a deep panic.
"Pick it, let's hear him." her voice lowered.
"Yes doctor, mrs Shan speaking." I said, my voice trembling.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 24)
®Vicky Bon
My heart quickened. I closed my eyes for a moment, praying in my innermost mind that it shouldn't be a dream.
The sound of the doctor's voice sounded like a recording to my ears.
"Hello Mrs Shan, can you hear me? Your husband is awake, please be present at the hospital as soon as possible for some test." he said again for the second time.
Shan's mom gathered me close, holding my hands and staring close to my face, impatiently waiting for me to tell her what the doctor said.
"Shan just woke up mom." I broke the silence. She looked at me as if she didn't understand what I was saying.
"Shan is awake?" she asked again, I nodded slowly. She got up immediately and ran into the house and came out again with a car key.
"Rise, let's go see him." she said eagerly.
I began to have mixed feelings. I was sad and happy at the same time. I was going to hold Shan again, and my heart trembled at the mere thoughts of his anger.
"Are you okay? are you not happy?" Shan's mom asked.
"I am anxious. I seem to be a little shaky."
"I understand your feelings. You will be fine." she said.
We stepped into Shan's ward breathing heavily. He was being offered a glass of water immediately we walked in.
"My baby!" Shan's mom cried out and held him tight to herself. Everyone stared at us smiling in admiration.
Shan's face had changed. His skin was so fair, his legs became swollen, and his eyes were reddish, obviously he just woke up from a sleep that almost took him forever to wake up.
Whirlwind of feelings occupied the ward. Tears gathered in my eyes.
Then Shan turned to the doctor, "What is happening here? Why am I here?"
Doctor gave him an apologetic smile, Shan's face became stern as he gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw.
"I am doctor O'Neil, your personal doctor. This is your mother and your wife."
Doctor O'Neil pointed to Shan's mom and I, Shan's face looked confused as he stared at in a strange manner. Then Doctor O'Neil continued, "you were brought here to the Waterfalls general hospital after you got involved in a fatal accident. unfortunately your head sustained most injuries, even internally. I hope you can recognize everyone seated here." he said
"My wife?" He repeated in a panic whisper."
"Yes your wife. It seems you are experiencing a gap in your memory."
"Was I married? who are you people? I can only recognize my mom." my face crumpled as I looked at him, I shook my head again, dissolving into tears and placing my head in his hands.
" It's me baby." I cried out. Tears spring into my own eyes as the panic set in again, uncontrollably.
He stayed at me in complete utter and disbelief, as if he was seeing a ghost.
"This lady is my wife, and there is absolutely nothing about her that seems familiar." He said in broken whispers.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (EPISODE 25)
®Vicky Bon
His stare was different.
He was looking at me like he wanted to ask me for a date the second time.
I could tell from his tone that he was in love with me again.
"What's your name?" He grinned.
"Etiene."
"What name is that. From where?"
"I am Nigerian. We met on Facebook four years ago. We got married three months ago." I said calmly. His face looked funnily amazed.
"Do you have a picture of our wedding? " he asked desperately.
"Yes. In my phone." I said, as I ran my hands through my phone, I handed it to him.
"You were so beautiful." he whispered aloud.
"What led to the process of the accident?"
I felt my world crumbling and falling down around me as Shan asked this question.
"You beat me up. And I....." I Faltered.
"What? I beat a woman up? No this is not true." He said, looking amazed. "What year is this?"
"2014." I replied.
"Wait a minute, we are in 2014 already?"
"Yes." I grabbed my phone angrily from his hands and walked out angrily.
Shan's mom was seated on the hallway, she saw me and walked slowly towards me.
"Be calm Etiene. The doctor said he may recover a few memories, not all. I am sure you will be one of them." She said soothingly and laced her hands inside mine. "Shan had really loved you, even in his lost memories, he still fell in love with the same woman again, even more deep. I saw it in his eyes when he was talking to you, with so much deep passion." She said, as she lowers her voice.
"Get back there and get your man back. He is your husband no matter the circumstances." Her voice echoed in my ears as I walked back into the ward.
I suddenly went cold inside when I stepped into the ward.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice became husky. I nodded.
"When you said I used to beat you, was it the truth?" I nodded as tears ran through my cheeks.
I walked gently close to the bed and held his hands firmly. But he pushed my head gently to his lips. He kissed me desperately and then paused for a while.
"I can't believe I used to beat a beauty like you. I am sorry." He caught my hands and I sat on the bed. He gathered me in his arms and held me so tight like he was never going to let me go.
I began to cry softly. He kissed my tear wet face, his heart hurting to see my tears.
"Do we have a baby?" he asked, running his hands through my hair.
"No, not yet." I replied in whispers.
"I fell in love with you the moment you stepped in here. "He whispered into my ears. The hands that touched my hairs became caressing, he was near, I felt his breath on my cheek. Then we kissed slowly this time.

Alexoduanam.blogspot.com: THE VICTIMS (LAST EPISODE)
Shan stared into the night, he still could not bring himself to inform me that he wanted us to have a second church wedding, but I had heard him talk about it the previous day with his mother.
I was astounded, speechless, and thought I was dreaming. For once I could not find my voice. Shan had pleaded with me to resume modeling as soon as possible, I merely stared at him dazzled.
Shan became a changed man.
There were so many things he did not recognize, including the contacts in his cell phone, his workers at the office and a few of his clients.
He forgot about Arusi, he forgot about Andre and even the late Wendy. There was nothing about me that he could remember.
Doctor O'Neil said he was going to be on a wheel chair for a while before he could rise to his feet and resume duties.
But it wasn't up to a week after he left the hospital, he began to move his legs with the help of a good therapist whom Arusi brought from the town.
There were things I said to him now, that when I said back then, he would give me a hard slap for it, but he just walked away. Things became different, I prayed everyday, that his memory shouldn't be recovered.
His temperament changed, his attitude and lifestyle towards things became different and unique.
**********
We were at Roosevelt, a Waldorf Astoria hotel in Louisiana for a vacation. To me, it was a second honeymoon, but to him, it was the first time he was going on a vacation with his wife.
We were by the beach side, set for a light picnic, offloaded the picnic basket. We had Ham, chicken, corn cheese and some of my favorite biscuits.
His voice was gruffed. "Hi EtiDarling."
He had never called my name that way before. My heart was drumming in my ears. He made me feel so many emotions, I could hardly separate them. I would have been satisfied to lie in his arms and just listen to the sound of his wonderful voice.
I tried to concentrate on the beautiful scenery, but it was difficult with him staring at me so intently.
"When I was a kid, I dreamt that I married a beautiful black woman." Shan had never discussed his childhood with anyone. He took the ham sandwich and leaned back to watch me.
"Is that all you could remember about your childhood?" I asked, whiled I nibbled on a slice of cheese. .
"Yeah." He laughed softly.
It was unnecessary laugh,but this was the new Shan.
He picked up a pastry and took a bite.
"We should start making babies." He had my complete attention now.
I became quiet.
I took a big bite and the apple filling oozed unto my lips. When I reached for the napkin, he took my hand and pulled me to himself.
"Don't you want babies?" he asked softly.
I nodded, "I do, so much." I gasped when he took me across his lap and held me to him. My eyes were wide when he dipped his head, his mouth touching mine. I heard him moan deeply when my tongue ran over his lips, tasting the apple tart.
While we kissed, While we made love, I made a Wish, a wish that Shan never gets back his old memory.
THE END
N/B
Dedicated to the woman who lost her life through domestic violence, we should all find our voices and speak out.
®Vicky Bon