Obvious Melancholy

I sat by the window as the rain continued to fall. The pitter-patter of the raindrops on the ground gave me a warm feeling of oblivion as I concentrated on the soft noise. Oblivion, that’s all I wanted. The raindrops prevented me from noticing the stares of my parents and my siblings. It zoned out the conversation they were having. I could only make out words like ”police station”, ”traumatized” but the raindrops were giving me solitude that I couldn’t resist, it was magical. My father interrupted my magical moment ”Idunnu, why don’t we go to the station to make an official report”. The laughter took everyone by surprise, reporting would be the logical thing to do. Maybe it wasn’t the laughter that surprised them but the person it came from, me. ”Baba, I have no evidence, all I have is my spoken words. How will that help anybody, how will it help me? You want us to go to the police station? Fine, but pardon me if I lose my temper when they ask me what I wore, pardon me if I get arrested for assaulting an officer when he asks me if I was sure that man heard my screams, pardon me if you’re insulted when they tell me I have no home training simply because I wished the same treatment they give me on their daughters. If you will excuse me, the raindrops call for my attention”. I stared out the window again but this time the rain had completely stopped, my rage for that man became more intense than it was originally. My raindrops were gone just like my will to live. From the corner of my eye, I noticed baba coming closer to me but still keeping his distance. I turned from the window, my mother, my brothers, and sister were gone. It was just us two. ”Idunnu, my happiness, my peace, Ayanfe, Ifemi, I know how hurt you feel. There seems to be no good left in the world, nobody will believe your story. I understand.” my father said. I replied,”Baba you can’t understand, you’re a man, my shoes won’t fit you”. Baba smiled and told me ” I was a few years younger than you when my parents decided to host my uncle Lekan. Uncle Lekan always bought me sweets and biscuits. He always said I was a fine young man and that he will take care of me. One day my parents decided to travel for a week and left me with uncle Lekan at home. I wasn’t so happy watching them leave but I was happy to be left with Uncle Lekan. The night of my parent’s departure, he asked me to come to his room and he locked the door, we were the only ones at home and I wondered what for. He took off his clothes and asked me to do the same. I obeyed and he started touching me where he shouldn’t. I rather not delve into details but you understand now that I more than anyone understands. I didn’t tell anyone because just like you I was scared no one will believe me”. Baba cleaned the stray tear that betrayed my emotions and pulled me into a big hug. I was sorry he went through that at such a young age but glad he healed and got married, maybe there was hope for me. Maybe one day, I’ll heal and get married but hopefully no event will ever make me have to tell my children this tale.