Rhema sat curled in the corner of her bed, hugging her knees, her throat aching with words that refused to come out. The knocks on her door grew louder.
"Rhema! Open this door before I break it down! What nonsense is this? You're now keeping secrets from me, abi?" her mother's voice thundered.
With trembling hands, Rhema finally unlocked the door. Her mother stormed in, frowning, her wrapper tied carelessly, her eyes sharp with suspicion.
"What is wrong with you, ehn? You ran past me like a mad girl, didn't even greet. Your shirt is torn, your eyes are swollen, your face looks like you've been fighting in the street. Which boy did you follow? Tell me before I beat the truth out of you!"
Rhema opened her mouth, her lips shaking. She wanted to say it, to let it spill out. Mama, he touched me. Mama, he hurt me. Mama, it was Sly… The words swam in her chest, but they felt like thorns cutting her throat.
Instead, only a choked sound escaped. Her tears came faster, and she clutched at her mother's wrapper. "Mama… Mama please… I—"
Her mother pulled her hand away sharply. "Stop crying like a goat! You want to disgrace me in this compound? What will people say? That my daughter is roaming about with men? Is that the shame you want to bring on my head?"
Rhema shook her head violently, her voice breaking. "It's not like that… Mama, please listen to me… something happened…"
But her mother clapped her hands together in frustration. "Ah! Something happened? Better keep quiet before I lose my temper. You see why I keep telling you to behave yourself? You will not listen. Tomorrow you will get pregnant and you will still come crying. Rhema, I'm warning you—don't let me hear this nonsense again!"
Her mother turned away, muttering under her breath, leaving Rhema standing in the middle of the room, her heart pounding. The one person she thought would save her had just shut the door in her face without even knowing it.
That night, Rhema pressed her pillow against her mouth to muffle her sobs. For the first time, she realized she was completely alone..