I finally picked myself up, barely able to walk from all the pain and bruises. My clothes were in pieces, so I got a blanket and wrapped myself in it and left the house, Mr Richard and his friends were nowhere in sight. I finally got home and first thing I saw was my mum lying on the floor passed out. I got a sudden surge of energy and ran towards her while screaming for help. Fortunately a neighbour came to our rescue and drove us to the hospital. After a couple of hours, we got news that mum was stable and resting. I did not tell anybody about the rape, I did not know how to begin. The doctor pulled me aside and asked how we will be paying for the medical bill without medical insurance. It was the worst day of my life, I was feeling devastated and desparate at the same time. “Why is everything bad happening to me in one day? Why was I born into this cruel world? How I wish I was never born!” Was thinking about this when the doctor snapped me out of these thoughts. I told her I was going to get the money and that I will be back soon. She was still talking something about insurance that I paid no attention to but just walked out of the hospital.
Outside the hospital, I thought of how I could get the money to pay the hospital bills. I sat down on the sidewalk and was thinking of various ways but only one kept coming to mind. In as much as I hated the idea, it seems it was my only way out.
I went back to Mr. Richards house but he was not home. I stayed around for him to return and finally he came back after four hours of waiting. I approached his car from behind and he was surprised to see me again, he probably thought I came back to kill him. I ignored the loath I felt for him, swallowed my pride and told him about my predicament and told him to give me money to pay the hospital bills. I had nobody else to turn to, i was desperate. He immediately refused to give me any money, he had cold eyes. I smiled bitterly at his response, but i knew he would not get off that easy. I threatened him. I told him I was going to report him to the police, and everybody in the community would know what kind of human being he is. When he heard this he got scared and he agreed that he would give me only on one condition that I will never tell anyone what he and his friends did to me. I was so desperate that I agreed to his terms and took the money to pay the hospital bills. I could not imagine life without my mum, she was all I had left.
Years later, I told my mum about the rape and she was so sad and broke down in tears. I told her it was her it was dad and his selfish and cruel character to blame. She got so angry and bitter and even wanted to get the police involved, to get the justice we deserved, but it was too late. THere was no evidence of any of it. Mr Richard is a powerful man with connections, there is nothing much we can do to him.
That was how I paid for my dads debt with my body. but I can never look at him as a father figure anymore, he broke my heart and I have nothing but hate for him and the pain he has brought to our family.Today, I have been in and out of relationships because I do not have trust in men. I see them as people who just want to have sex and go. I visit a psychiatrist once in a while and I think the sessions are helping me with the recovery process. The shock is still there, I have my good days and bad days as well. My mum never forgave my dad and eventually she divorced him. I have a job that can take care of me and my family and we are doing well.
P.S. Names in this story have been changed.