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Set Apart - Literature (5) - Nairaland

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Chinua Achebe Showing Off His Book 'Things Fall Apart' In 1960 (Throwback Photo) / Achebe's 'things Fall Apart' Makes 12 'greatest Books Ever Written' List / 14 Quotes From 'Things Fall Apart' By Chinua Achebe (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 8:10pm On Jan 30, 2021
Gloriagee:
How come Rukky wey dey see vision so easily no see the one wey happen to her? So sad

Na so we see am ooo
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 8:11pm On Jan 30, 2021
Adeola25:
Those rapists deserves to be castrated if caught. Thanks for the update ma'am.

*winks*
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 8:12pm On Jan 30, 2021
YoungBruzzy:
Oh what a world Nemesis will surely catch up with those guys sooner than they think..
Thanks OP for this wonderful update.

You're welcome

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by YoungBruzzy(m): 12:10am On Jan 31, 2021
Gloriagee:
How come Rukky wey dey see vision so easily no see the one wey happen to her? So sad

That's life.. Life itself is a mystery ready to unfold..
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 10:18am On Feb 01, 2021
Welcome to February my beautiful people *hugs&kisses*
The story continues *winks*

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 2:19pm On Feb 01, 2021
CHAPTER 9

Rukevwe stood by the window in the room she shared with her sister. It was the month of September, yet it was raining. She watched the little children in her compound running around in circles. She laughed as they teased themselves and played. She remembered how she used to play in the rain with her sister when they were younger. She missed those forgotten days. Suddenly, one of the toddlers slipped and in the bid not to fall, she held unto another child, but they both fell hard on the concrete ground, bringing everyone else down with them.

“Jesus!” she covered her mouth with her palm. She hoped that none of them got bruised or fatally injured.

Then, she began to hear the children’s mothers and guardians screaming and ordering them to get back into the house. One after the other, they got up. And those who couldn’t were assisted. Some of the children returned to their flats, looking like rats that fell into a bucket of water, while the rest fled! They ran into the street to continue their games.

“Dis small, small children sef,” she gave a shake of head.

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!”

She turned around sharply and saw her mum standing by the doorway, holding a pink and red butter-creamed cake. Her dad stood right beside her, grinning from ear to ear. She could also see her sister, and her brothers! Eru and Ochuko didn’t live with them anymore, but they visited once in a while. She had no idea that they were around.

They all sang and sang till she began to laugh. They sounded pathetic because their voices didn’t harmonize. She turned 21 years that day and celebrating her birthday was the last thing on her mind. Little did she know that her family had a plan up their sleeves.

“How does it feel to be 21?” Eru winked at her.

Rukevwe smiled at him and shrugged. She didn’t feel any different. Days and weeks had passed by without adding any colour to her life.

“Come, let’s go into the sitting room. You need to see what mum cooked,” Ejiro pulled her younger sister by the elbow.

Her dark eyes widened in surprise. “Did mum cook?”

Ejiro laughed. “Of course, she did. I have been slaving in the kitchen since morning.”

“I didn’t know,” she giggled. The thought that her mum prepared a birthday meal made her feel loved.

The girls hurried out of the room, followed by their brothers and parents. Rukevwe was astonished when she saw the laid-out meal on the table. There was a bowl of fried rice, fried peppered chicken, catfish pepper soup, ice-cream and chilled soft drinks and malt in a bucket.

“Wow! Wow!” she settled on the chair close to the television and kept gazing at the table.

Itoro found a place for the cake on the table, then she began to dish the food. “Ejiro, get the wine in the fridge.”

Her older daughter groaned. “Since morning, ‘Ejiro this’, ‘Ejiro that’, person no go rest…”

The woman glared at her. “Shey bi your convocation is drawing near? Don’t you dare bring one useless fabric to my shop o.”

Ejiro placed her hands on her head. “Haba mama! Eh no reach so o.”

“No be me and you dey for dis house?” Itoro made a long hiss.

“Hian,” Ejiro dashed to the kitchen and returned with a chilled bottle of Eva wine.

Eru and Ochuko settled on the long leather seat with their father. Their mouths watered as their mother continued to dish the meal, plate by plate.

“Mummy, that big lap is my own. That very one that has flesh dangling at the side,” Ejiro stood behind her sister.

Itoro pointed a spoon in her direction. “Mind yourself this evening.”

The girl folded her arms across her chest and muttered some inaudible words.

“Mummy thank you,” Rukevwe licked her lips.

Her frown faded and a smile brightened her face. “You are welcome, better pikin.”

Rukevwe collected her plate of food and began to eat with relish.

“Call me a day or two before you resume school,” Eru directed his gaze at his younger sister. “I will buy all your provisions.”

She swallowed the food in her mouth, then took a sip from her can of malt.

“Call me too, I will add to the money dad and mum will give you, okay?” Ochuko spoke with a full mouth. He coughed a bit, then downed his cold drink.

Ejiro sat beside her sister with her plate of food. “See enjoyment! Only you. Everybody want to dash you something. I envy you o.”

She turned to meet her sister’s jealous stare. She dropped her gaze and looked down at her food. Her appetite began to evaporate.

Ejiro observed her sister. She could tell that something was up. “What is it?”

Rukevwe shook her head.

“Rukky…” she poked her on the knee.

She moved away from her a little bit.

“You better start talking,” her voice rose a notch.
Everyone stopped eating. They looked from Ejiro to Rukevwe, then back at her.

“I am… I am not going back to LASU.”

Ejiro dropped her jaw and stared at her sister as if the girl had gone mad.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Oghenekaro gave the girl a stern look.

Rukevwe placed her plate of food on the table. “I can’t… I can’t go back there,” she folded her arms across her chest.

Ejiro sighed heavily. She could easily detect the reason why her sister was making that particular decision. She placed a hand around her shoulder and drew closer. “Nobody will remember that video.”

Rukevwe eyed her sister. “Are you sure?”

She turned away and resumed eating. She had no response for the girl.

Itoro glanced at her husband and paled. She remembered almost having a heart attack when she saw the nasty video that circulated the internet. At first, she was angry that her husband hid it from her. “That’s true, we are in the internet age and… and some other news would have overtaken yours by now.”

She turned to look at her mother. “Are you sure?”
“Look here…”

Rukevwe caught a glimpse of her father’s angry face.

“Everybody has forgotten about the incident,” Oghenekaro positioned his food on the table. “Our neighbours have stopped asking stupid questions. People in the neighbourhood no longer talk about you. Even at church…” he met his wife’s stare and she nodded in agreement. “I am very sure that your roommates and course mates and every other student in that your school would have forgotten what happened.”

She began to shake her head in disagreement.

“Ejiro, please help me to find out if lectures have started in your sister’s department. She must resume school this very weekend.”

“Yes, sir…” she stole a look at her sister. The girl was fuming. She could sense that the girl was spoiling for a fight.

Oghenekaro picked up his food and he continued eating.

Rukevwe’s irritated look observed her father. “I am not going back there.”

Eru and Ochuko shared a knowing glance. They started to eat quickly. They both had a feeling that they might not be able to finish their food if a fight broke out between their father and their younger sister.

“And why the hell not?!” his voice made the room to vibrate.

Itoro placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Please calm down.”

He shook her hand away. “No, leave me!” he dumped his food on the table and glowered at his daughter. “Let me get some sense into her thick skull.”

“I want to start over somewhere else. Maybe enroll as a part-time student at Unilag or their long-distance learning institute or register at NOUN,” she locked gazes with him.

“With whose money?” he looked her up and down. “Do you think money fall from trees? Do you think your mother and I pick money up at the beach or something?”

Ejiro ate every grain on her plate. She got up and collected her brothers’ empty plates and headed into the kitchen.

“If I enroll in a part time school, I can also work and make my own money at the same time. I can… I can assist you and mum with my fees and other things.”

Her father began to laugh. He gave his wife a look that seemed to say ‘See your daughter’, then glanced back at the girl. “Tomorrow, pack your bags and go back to LASU. Or else, you better erase Etadafe from your birth certificate. Or better still, go to any Newspaper company of your choice and do a change of name. No child of mine will drop out of school!”

Itoro scanned the food in her plate. Her appetite had flown out of the window. All she could think about was the time spent in preparing the meal and how she wanted to make her daughter happy. The girl had been kind of melancholic lately and she thought celebrating her birthday would cheer her up. Now, it all seemed like a waste of time, money and energy.

“I am not dropping out of school!” she eyed him. “I am simply starting afresh elsewhere.”

“What is the difference?!” a scowl remained on his face.

Ejiro returned to sit beside her younger sister.
“I have said my piece. Go back to LASU or be ready to be disowned!” he got up and marched out of the room.

“Fine! What’s more important? My sanity or some shady degree certificate.” Teardrops rolled down her face in torrents.

Silence filled the room. Every eye settled on the birthday girl.

“Your father is right.”

She shot the woman an angry stare.

“You cannot throw away all the years you have spent in the university. Think about the money we have spent.”

“What about me?” her voice sounded hoarse. “You want to leave me at the mercy of those busybody students who are ready to dig up my not-so-distant-past and… and make my remaining years in that school a living hell?”
Itoro breathed out loudly. She was aware that her daughter’s video could be brought into light any day, anytime and circulated all over the net again.

“And what about those… those useless and randy good-for-nothing lecturers? They are sinister enough to want to also take advantage of me.”

She placed a hand on her forehead as an ache ravaged her head. “You just have two sessions more to go.”

“That is two sessions too long for me to survive. I won’t make it to the graduation day if I stay in LASU.”

Itoro’s eyes turned red. “Why are you being negative? Why are you cursing yourself? This is your education for heaven’s sake?!” the ache worsened.

Rukevwe looked up at the ceiling fan, pressed her lips together and swallowed the rest of the things she wanted to say.

“Your father has said it all. You better listen to him,” she placed her plate of half-eaten food on the table and made her way to the bedroom she shared with her husband.

Ejiro drew Rukevwe closer and placed a hand around her shoulder.

“Eh! See gbege!” Ochuko picked another malt drink from the bucket.

“Authentic gbege,” Eru drained his can and squashed it.

Silence filled the room again.

“Let’s assume you start a part-time program at Unilag or some other school, who will pay your school fees?” she eyed her sister.

Rukevwe remained mum. Then stared at her brothers.

“Why are you looking at me? I don’t have that kind of money,” Eru eyed her.

“I don’t have either. The part-time program is five years for that matter. That’s slavery,” Ochuko hissed.

Rukevwe got up with a jot. “Hell will have to freeze over before I will agree to go back to LASU,” she picked up the butter-creamed cake and sauntered out of the living room.

“Where are you carrying the cake to?” Ochuko watched her leave.

“Is it your cake?” Eru slapped him on the back.

“What sort of question is that?” Ochuko eyed him. “No be birthday party I come? Won’t I at least get to taste the cake?”

“O-Y-O,” Eru pulled the bowl of ice-cream to his side.

Ejiro started to laugh. She was happy that her sister was going to monopolize the cake. At least, she was sure of getting a bite. A very big portion awaited her.

****

Ejiro stood by the glass doors, staring at the lovely red dress on the mannequin. She wished she had extra money in her savings account. She would have gladly purchased the gown.

“It’s a beautiful dress,” Senami stood beside her friend.

“This is one of the moments I wish I was Dangote’s heir,” she puckered her lips.

Senami chuckled. “Dan-go fire!”

“Or will you lend me some money?”

“You and who? You have graduated, I still have one session left. I need all the money I have for my project, biko.”

Ejiro hissed and started to walk away. “This is why I like having enough cash before coming to the Galleria,” she murmured under her breath.

Senami fell into steps with her. “That reminds me. When is Rukevwe resuming school?”

She shrugged and headed for the ice-cream shop.

Senami raised an eyebrow. “I heard that some of her lecturers are threatening to start dishing out tests.”

“I am thinking of gelato.”

She could tell that her friend didn’t want to talk about her younger sister. “Gelato? I thought you said you don’t have money.”

Ejiro grinned. “I was thinking about it. I didn’t say I wanted to buy it.”

Senami rolled her eyes. “Whaat-ehver.”

Her friend laughed and walked over to the show glass bearing all the flavours of ice-cream the shop was selling.

“Those two guys are staring at us,” Senami collected a big cup of ice-cream from her friend.

Her eyes darted left, then right. “Who? Where?”

“Ssshhh…” Senami giggled.

“Where are they?” she whispered.

“They are seated at the entrance, they walked in a while ago,” Senami moved over to a seat near the window.

Ejiro sat beside her friend. “Are they cute?”

“T.D.H.”

“Oh, my world!” she fanned her face with her palm.

“Sssshhhh… they are coming over.”

Both girls remained quiet and dug into their ice-cream.

“Hello ladies,” one of the guys greeted them.

“Hi…” Senami cooed.

“May we join you?” the other had eyes only for Ejiro.

She stared back at him. “Sure.”

The tall young men sat opposite the girls. The two friends exchanged glances and giggled.

“I am Tochi,” he smiled at Senami.

“And I am Chukwuemeka,” he locked gazes with Ejiro.

“Senami,” she spread her shiny pink lips and shook hands with Tochi.

“And I am Ejiro,” she held out her hand.

Chukwuemeka reached out and shook it. “Pleased to meet you.”

Tochi took over the conversation. He made the ladies laugh and laugh, till they almost fell off their seats. Ejiro caught Chukwuemeka staring at her over and over and over again, till she got very uncomfortable. The guy was quite handsome. He wasn’t slim nor chubby. He was broad shouldered, muscled and with an attractive six-pack. Just the way she liked it.

“I feel like swimming. Eko hotel and suites is around the corner,” Tochi winked at Senami.

“I don’t mind swimming…” she grinned at him.

Ejiro stared at her friend, then at Tochi and back at her friend. “I think I will just go home.”

Senami looked at her and frowned.

“I will take you home,” Chukwuemeka offered.

Ejiro met his gaze. “Okay, thanks.”

Tochi heaved a sigh of relief. “It is settled then. They go home, while we go have some fun,” he winked at Senami again.

She bubbled with laughter.

Ejiro picked up her purse and got to her feet. “See you later, girlfriend.”

“Sure,” her complete attention was focused on Tochi.

Chukwuemeka saluted his friend. “Later, boss.”

“Enjoy yourself,” Tochi switched seats and sat beside Senami.

Ejiro and Chukwuemeka walked out of the ice-cream shop.

“So, where is home?”

She could feel his eyes on her. “Far, far away.”

“Interesting. Wherever home is, I will take you there.”

She tried not to laugh. “That’s quite gallant of you.”

He chuckled. “That’s because I like you.”

She blushed and avoided meeting his gaze. She wouldn’t dare say it, but she liked him too. “Interesting…”

Chukwuemeka shook his head and led the way to the stairs. They navigated their way through the crowd and made their way out of the building.

“I parked my vehicle across the road,” he reached out for her hand.

“Okay,” she allowed him to hold her hand while they crossed the busy road.

He opened the doors of a white Skoda and ushered her into the passenger seat, then he got in and joined the teeming traffic.

“Hope you will invite me to your convocation,” he glanced at her, then concentrated on the road before him.

She giggled. “Maybe…”

“Maybe?! Like seriously?”

She started to laugh. “We’ve just met. So…”

“So?” he stole a look.

“If you behave, you will get invited,” she looked out the window.

He nodded his head. “Hmmm… no wahala. I no be stubborn goat before. I go behave.”

She laughed harder. He started to laugh too, then winked at her when she met his perusal. She felt warm all over and quickly looked away.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

She blinked several times. “If I had one, I wouldn’t be seated here right beside you.”

“Really? Fine girl like you,” he eyed her.

She giggled. “Is it a crime?”

“Nope. Just surprised.”

She kept on smiling. “I made a promise to myself that I would graduate first before venturing into another relationship.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What happened to your last relationship?”

She sighed heavily. “That’s a story for another day.”

“Hmmm… bad breakup?”

She shrugged. “Something like that,” she cleared her throat.

He remained quiet for a long while.

Ejiro thought of her ex. The relationship started well, but ended on a bad note.

“I am serious, though. I do like you. A lot.”

She looked straight at him and noticed the tiny tribal mark at the corner of his eye.

“And I want you to be my girl,” he caught her staring at him.

Her eyes grew wide. “Hold your horses, Tiger.”

“I am not joking,” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

She turned back to the window. “Let’s not put the cart before the horse, please.”

“I know we’ve just met. But, the moment I saw you, I knew that I wanted you to be my woman.”

She blushed.

“So, let’s cut to the chase. Is either you like me enough to date me or you don’t.”

She smiled and stayed quiet.

“So, madam, which is it?”

She turned to look at him. His eyes said it all. “I am not fond of games.”

“Neither am I.”

She dropped her gaze. “I like what I see. Time will tell if I will eventually like who you are or not."

He smiled and returned his attention to the road. About half an hour later, he parked outside Ejiro’s compound.

“I will pick you up tomorrow by 7pm,” his eyes bored into her relaxed ones.

“Where are we going?”

“You will find out soon enough,” he winked at her.
“Hmmm…”

“Let me have your number,” he pulled out his phone from his pocket.

They exchanged numbers.

“Tomorrow then,” she placed a hand on the door handle.

“Yes, tomorrow,” he leaned forward and gave her a peck on her cheek.

Ejiro felt her temperature rising. “Bye,” she pushed the door open and stepped out.

“Bye,” he waved at her and drove off.

She fanned her face with her purse and walked to the gate of the house. She was indeed excited and looking forward to seeing him the following day. She thought of Senami and Tochi and wondered if they were having a nice time at the pool. She planned to chat her up before she went to the bed that night.

10 Likes

Re: Set Apart by YoungBruzzy(m): 11:26pm On Feb 01, 2021
Thanks for this wonderful update ma'am.
I just hope that Ejiro is taking the right step oo because that Senami of a girl ehnn.. It is well.
Make e no come be gbas gbos level grin grin
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 5:58am On Feb 02, 2021
YoungBruzzy:
Thanks for this wonderful update ma'am.
I just hope that Ejiro is taking the right step oo because that Senami of a girl ehnn.. It is well.
Make e no come be gbas gbos level grin grin

Hahahaha...

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by mhizv(f): 6:36am On Feb 02, 2021
YoungBruzzy:
Thanks for this wonderful update ma'am.
I just hope that Ejiro is taking the right step oo because that Senami of a girl ehnn.. It is well.
Make e no come be gbas gbos level grin grin

Same here. Had to go back to confirm its not that same guy that raped rukevwe.
Have a feeling it might end in tears

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by Kaycee9242(m): 6:31am On Feb 04, 2021
Nice one op, but my mind is not at rest with this Ejiro new guy. If he tries anyhow I will personally deal with him oooo
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 1:59pm On Feb 04, 2021
Kaycee9242:
Nice one op, but my mind is not at rest with this Ejiro new guy. If he tries anyhow I will personally deal with him oooo

Hehehehe... he has sweet mouth, abi?
Re: Set Apart by Adeola25(f): 3:39pm On Feb 04, 2021
Thanks for the update ma'am
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 10:49pm On Feb 04, 2021
Adeola25:
Thanks for the update ma'am
*winks*
Re: Set Apart by Kaycee9242(m): 12:26pm On Feb 05, 2021
SheWrites:


Hehehehe... he has sweet mouth, abi?


I swear d guy mouth too sweet to be a good man
Re: Set Apart by PrudySara(f): 1:44pm On Feb 05, 2021
Why do I have a feeling that one of these guys had something to do with the incident that happened Rukewve.

Well done SheWrites!

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 2:56pm On Feb 05, 2021
PrudySara:
Why do I have a feeling that one of these guys had something to do with the incident that happened Rukewve.

Well done SheWrites!

*winks*

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by Katie2021(f): 7:09pm On Feb 05, 2021
Thanks for the update
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 9:01pm On Feb 05, 2021
Katie2021:
Thanks for the update
You're welcome
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 9:01pm On Feb 05, 2021
The story continues this weekend...
Re: Set Apart by gstelly: 3:45pm On Feb 07, 2021
SheWrites grin
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 7:18pm On Feb 07, 2021
gstelly:
SheWrites grin

Yes, my lady or is it Sir gstelly?

Hopefully by midnight, I will update... the weekend has been devoid of electricity... it's being off and on continuously.

But, I remain hopeful.
Re: Set Apart by gstelly: 9:44pm On Feb 07, 2021
SheWrites:


Yes, my lady or is it Sir gstelly?

Hopefully by midnight, I will update... the weekend has been devoid of electricity... it's being off and on continuously.

But, I remain hopeful.
will be waiting, a lady ma
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 6:13am On Feb 08, 2021
gstelly:
will be waiting, a lady ma
All right my lady *winks*
Re: Set Apart by izaray(f): 2:33pm On Feb 08, 2021
Thanks for the update
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 2:39pm On Feb 08, 2021
CHAPTER 10

Rukevwe sized her sister up. She looked beautiful in the short-sleeve blue lace blouse she was putting on, marched with a fitted blue jeans. “Are you going out?”

Ejiro checked out her make-up in the mirror, then adjusted the water-curls human hair wig on her head. “Yep.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Again?”

Ejiro didn’t respond. She dropped her phone into her purse, then sat on the bed. She pulled her jewelry box close and opened it.

“You went out yesterday,” Rukevwe leaned against the window. “And the day before and now, you are going out again.”

Ejiro shot her an angry look. “Have you finally joined them?”

Her confused stare observed her. “Joined who?”

“Witches and wizards. Monitoring spirits and co. Have you signed up as a member of their clique?”

She folded her arms. “I am just saying…”

“Abeg…” Ejiro raised a hand. “End it there.”

Their mum walked right in without knocking. “Ochuko is here with his girlfriend.”

“No way!” Rukevwe ran out of the room.

Itoro laughed and turned to look at her older daughter.

“Where is she?” Ejiro got up and made for the door.

Her mother blocked her way. “Who is he?”

She blinked thrice. “He who?”

Itoro placed both hands on her hips. “The man that you have been leaving this house to meet for the past few days.”

Her daughter blushed. She avoided her mum’s stare. “When he comes today, I will ask him to come in and greet you and dad.”

“Better,” Itoro walked out of the room without saying another word.

Ejiro looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. She brought out her phone from the purse and texted her boyfriend. She informed him that he needed to say hello to her parents before they leave for their dinner date. She dropped the phone back into her purse, checked her reflection in the mirror again, then dashed out.

“Meet my troublesome sister,” Ochuko pointed at Ejiro the moment she stepped into the sitting room.

She took a seat beside Rukevwe and sized up her brother’s new girlfriend. The light brown skinned girl looked friendly. “Hi…” Ejiro smiled at her.

“Hello…” the girl smiled back at her.

Ochuko placed a hand around her shoulders. “Her name is Oghenetega and she is my heartthrob.”

Rukevwe and Ejiro shared a glanced and they giggled.

“You are welcome, my daughter,” Oghenekaro moved closer to his wife.

“Thank you sir,” Tega blushed.

Ejiro got to her feet when she heard knocks on the door. “I will get it,” she ran to the front door and opened it.

Relief washed over her when she saw her boyfriend. He looked good in the jeans and long sleeve white shirt.

“You look beautiful,” Chukwuemeka sized her up.

She blushed. “Thank you.”

“I got your message.”

She nodded and stepped back, so he could come in. “Everyone meet the man that I am seeing, Chukwuemeka.

All eyes fell on the tall brown skin man.

“Finally,…” Ochuko got up and shook hands with Chukwuemeka. “You are highly welcome my brother.

“Thank you, bros,” Chukwuemeka’s anxiety faded.

Rukevwe watched the man. She was impressed with his looks. No wonder her sister had been running out of the house to meet with him at every single chance she got.

“Good evening sir, pleased to meet you ma,” he greeted his girlfriend’s parents.

“Good evening,” Oghenekaro examined the young man. He could tell that he wasn’t a lay about.

“You are welcome, my son,” Itoro was very happy to see him. She was glad that her daughter was seeing someone again. It had been a long time since she brought a man home.

“Hi,” he waved at Rukevewe.

“Hello,” she waved back at him.

Ejiro pulled him towards the door. “We have to go. I will be back later, later,” she looked in her mum’s direction.

“It was nice meeting you all. I hope to come back soon for a proper visit,” he directed his gaze at Ejiro’s father.

Oghenekaro nodded his head. “It is all right. Till then.”

Ejiro ushered him out and closed the door behind her.

“Where did Ejiro kidnap that fine man?” Ochuko turned to his mother.

Itoro eyed him. “Face your own and leave your sister alone.”

Rukevwe started to laugh.

“Okay o. We too, we want to take our leave,” he got up and pulled his girlfriend to her feet.

“Bye, bye,” Itoro hissed.

“Are you driving us?” he eyed his mother.

“If you want to stay, stay. If you want to go, go. The choice is yours.”

Ochuko pulled his girlfriend close and whispered in her ears. She looked at his mother and giggled.

Itoro hissed again.

“Come and buy me suya,” Rukevwe pulled her weight off the chair and went to stand beside her brother.

“You and who?” he eyed her.

“Please now, what are you a big brother for?”

He clapped his hands and turned to his girlfriend. “See manipulation.”

Tega laughed and laughed.

He turned back to his sister, “I will not spend beyond five hundred naira.”

“Haba!”

“Take it or leave it,” he started towards the door.
She ran after him. “Fine, wait for me.”

“Goodbye sir, see you soon ma,” Tega said to her boyfriend’s parents.

“All right, my daughter,” Itoro smiled at her. “Greet your family for me.”

“They will hear ma,” She went out and closed the door behind her.

Oghenekaro picked up the remote of the television and changed the channel.

“It will be nice if Eru starts dating again. It’s been nine months since his bride passed away.”

He breathed out loudly. “Let’s pray that God will heal his heart speedily.”

She leaned against the chair and folded her arms.

“I don’t know where Rukevwe want me to get tens of thousands of naira for this her part time school brouhaha,” his brows came together in a frown.

“Hmmm… what are we going to do?”

Oghenekaro hissed. “What else? It would have been nice if you were able to convince her to go back to LASU,” he eyed her.

Itoro hissed. “You talk as if you don’t know who we are dealing with. That girl that has a stone where a heart should be. Does she listen to anyone?”

“Who spoilt her to that extent?”

She clapped her hands. “Oh oooo. So, you want to start passing blames?”

He hissed again and faced the television.

“Pass all the blames you want, as long as you include your name on the list.”

“Why should I?” a scowl appeared across his face.

She pointed a finger at him, “You are a major culprit.”

“Says who?”

She hissed, stood up and left the room.

****

Eru sat on the beach sand, eating from a plate of fried peppered chicken, vegetable salad and chips. A colleague of his was celebrating her birthday and she decided to hold the party at the beach after the close of work. Initially, he wanted to head home that Friday evening, but the girl cornered him before he left the premises and begged him till he changed his mind. He was happy that he came along. He couldn’t remember the last time he visited the beach. It was a nice place to unwind after a crazy day at work.

“Don’t just sit there, Eru,” the birthday girl pointed a warning finger at him.

He grinned at her.

“You must come take pictures. I want to post them on Facebook and Instagram later today.”

“I am not in the mood, Linda.”

She eyed him. “It’s my birthday. You must do as I say.”

“Yes, your majesty,” he bowed comically.

She laughed and walked away, shaking her hips provocatively.

Eru shook his head. “Women…” he groaned inwardly.

When he was done with the food, he pulled off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and the helm of his trousers, then joined his colleagues at the mouth of the ocean. They took pictures and splashed water on themselves.

Suddenly, his eyes caught the sight of a fair skinned girl taking pictures with her friends. They were all in colourful swimsuits. She turned and saw him too. And when she smiled, he felt as if he had won the American Visa lottery. She beckoned at him and like someone controlled by a device, he approached her.

“Hi…” he looked deep into her brown eyes.

“Hi…” she locked gazes with him.

“Eru…” he held out his hand.

“Eserovwe…” she shook his hand.

“This is not a cliché. This is a fact. I don’t think I have seen any woman as beautiful as you are.”

She blushed and tore her gaze away from his penetrating ones. “I will take that as a compliment.”

“Permit me to steal you away from your friends.”
Her cheeks went red. “Steal me all you want.”

“Shall we?” he motioned her towards one of the makeshift bars.

Ese smiled and allowed him to hold her hand as they walked on the smooth white sand.

****

“How is Port Harcourt?” Rukevwe lay on her side and placed the mobile phone on one ear.

“It’s okay.”

“Have you been posted to your place of primary assignment?”

“Not yet. I just hope that I won’t be posted to a primary or secondary school.”

She laughed. She knew how much her sister hated teaching. “You better start to fast, bind and cast.”

“I am on it.”

“I feel so alone in this house,” Rukevwe lay on her back and propped the back of her head with a pillow.

She heard her sister laughing. “At least, you have our room all to yourself.”

Rukevwe hissed. “I do all the work in this house. I cannot wait to leave.”

Her sister’s laughter rang in her ears. “How far with the part-time forms you filled?”

“I settled for LASU School of part-time Studies at Jibowu. Unilag’s Distant Learning Institute is very expensive. And dad is not ready to spend any extra money.”

“Hmmm… can you blame him?”

She turned and lay on her tummy. “We are starting lectures in September.”

“That’s like in three months or so, right?”

“Yes. It feels like eternity.”

“Relax.”

“I will try.”

“I have to go now. I will talk to you later.”

“Okay, later,” she hung up and she lifted her weight from the bed.

She began to scroll through the apps on her phone. Her barely spoke or chat with her ex-school mates on social media. Many of them were commencing their final year in September. If she had gone back to school, she would have been thinking of graduating and writing her project. But now, she was starting afresh. She got up and walked over to the window. She prayed that God will continue to provide and sort her out. She had no other choice but to depend on him.

Her mother dashed in without knocking. “Rukevwe!”

She turned towards the door. “Ma?”

Itoro looked her up and down. “Good, you are dressed.”

She raised an eyebrow, wondering if the woman wanted to send her on an errand.

“A representative of the NGO in charge of your case is here.”

Her heart missed a beat. They haven’t heard from them in a very long time.

“She said that the detectives handling your case have apprehended some men and they need you to identify them.”

Rukevwe swallowed hard. She was elated that the men that defiled her had been caught, but she wasn’t sure she could stomach seeing them again.

“Your father and I are coming with you,” Itoro sensed her daughter’s state of mind. “You will not be left alone with those bastards.”

The girl breathed out loudly.

“Are you ready?”

She met her mother’s concerned gaze, then nodded.

Itoro drew her close in a hug. “It is going to be all right.”

Oghenekaro came in and eyed them. “We need to leave now.”

Rukevwe pulled away from her mother. She flung open her wardrobe and grabbed a pair of sandals.

About an hour later, they arrived at the police station. They met a crowd and there was practically nowhere for them to sit.

The representative of the NGO approached an officer and asked to see the detectives handling Rukevwe’s case. He pointed at the crowd of people and asked her to wait in line. She returned to Rukewe’s side and sent the detectives a text message. Surprisingly, they came out of their office in a jiffy.

“It’s good that you are all here,” one of the detectives shook hands with the NGO lady.

“Thanks for calling us,” she smiled back at him.

The other detective locked gazes with Rukevwe. “How are you?”

“I am fine, sir.”

“Please come with us,” they led them to a private room and asked them to sit on a long bench.

One of the detectives left, while the other remained in the room.

Rukevwe looked around and shivered. She didn’t like the room. She felt as if she was confined in a cage.

“It is going to be all right,” Itoro reached out and held her daughter’s hand.

They began to hear noises. Suddenly, the door swung open and five men clad in boxers were pushed in.

“All of you, stand in a single file!” the detective scowled at them.

Rukevwe sunk in breath when she saw the fair skinned man and his four friends.

Itoro tightened her grip on the girl’s hand when she saw the ghost like look on her face. “Easy girl… take it easy.”

She closed her eyes and bit at her lower lip until she tasted blood. She felt like running out of the room.

“Miss Rukevwe Etadafe, do you recognize these men?” one of the detectives turned in her direction.

“Rukky…” Oghenekaro poked her on the shoulder.

Tears slipped down her face. If wishes were horses, she wished she wasn’t in that police station that very moment.

“Miss Rukevwe. We do not have all day,” his tone became stern.

“Take your time,” Itoro placed a hand on her shoulder.

She opened her eyes and stared back at the men in front of her. They were all glaring at her.

“Do you recognize these men?” the impatience in the detective’s voice wasn’t lost to her.

Rukevwe threw a glance at the detective and nodded.

“Please speak up,” he eyed her.

She stole a quick glimpse at the men that tarnished her body and image. “Yes, I do,” her voice sounded very low.

“Please expatiate,” the detective placed both hands on his hips.

She bowed her head. “They raped me. One by one, they took advantage of me.”

“Please look up at them when you are speaking,” the detective’s voice grew louder.

Tears gathered in Itoro’s eyes. She pulled the girl closer. “It’s okay.”

Rukevwe lifted her head and caught the fair skinned man blowing a kiss at her. No one else saw him because they were all looking at her. Anger brewed within her.

“He injected me with something,” she found her voice and pointed at the man.

“Liar!” he snarled at her.

One of the detective slapped the fair skinned man across the face. “Shaarap dia!”

More tears slipped down her face, “He was the first person that… that raped me, then one by one,” she pointed at his friends, “They raped me too.”

“Liar!”

“Common slut!”

“Bitch!”

“Your pussy will go rotten in three days! Nothing can change this, I have spoken!”

Rukevwe covered her ears with her hands as they yelled profanities at her.

“You have gotten what you needed. Please get them out of here,” the NGO lady addressed the detectives.

One of the detectives kicked the fair skinned man in his stomach. He groaned and fell on one knee.

“Get up!” the detective grabbed him by the elbow and dragged him out of the room.

The other detective pushed the man’s friends along.

“Lying LovePeddler!” one of them glared at her before walking out.

Rukevwe started to sob out loud. Her mother consoled her.

“We are going to try as much as possible to clean your daughter’s name online, by making these men’s photos to go viral. Wherever they go, everyone will know what they have done,” the NGO lady spoke to Oghenekaro.

He watched his daughter, while he listened to the lady. “Okay.”

“We are also going to record the court’s proceedings. And follow up on everything until they end up in the prison,” she continued.

Oghenekaro met her gaze. “Thank you very much. We are grateful.”

They lady’s lips spread in a smile. “It is our duty, sir,” she turned to look at Rukevwe. She prayed and hoped that God will help the girl to find peace regardless of her pains.

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Set Apart by YoungBruzzy(m): 9:16pm On Feb 08, 2021
SheWrites is here again with another lengthy updates grin grin grin jah bless you momma for this continuity. Because what I love most about you is your continuity and the zeal to always finish what you started. I remain an ardent fan of yours.. Team SheWrites I Stan wink wink
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 10:13pm On Feb 08, 2021
YoungBruzzy:
SheWrites is here again with another lengthy updates grin grin grin jah bless you momma for this continuity. Because what I love most about you is your continuity and the zeal to always finish what you started. I remain an ardent fan of yours.. Team SheWrites I Stan wink wink

*hugs*

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by crossfm: 12:12am On Feb 09, 2021
The unrepentant beasts still have mouth to talk.They should do the needful, castrate the bastards.

Thanks for the update.
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 5:55am On Feb 09, 2021
crossfm:
The unrepentant beasts still have mouth to talk.They should do the needful, castrate the bastards.

Thanks for the update.

*winks*
Re: Set Apart by Ann2012(f): 4:40pm On Feb 09, 2021
Unrepentant fools, I pray they rape them in the prison too!!!

Thanks for the update ma’am

1 Like

Re: Set Apart by Kaycee9242(m): 6:19pm On Feb 09, 2021
Nice one Shewrites I have even forgotten dt investigation was going on.
Re: Set Apart by SheWrites(f): 6:07am On Feb 10, 2021
Ann2012:
Unrepentant fools, I pray they rape them in the prison too!!!

Thanks for the update ma’am

You're welcome...

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