A Street Romance
THE WRITER
DAISY YAWSON
A STREET ROMANCE
Two girls locked themselves up in the room for nearly two months. Liza’s been quite calm about the incident with the thuds, not wanting to talk about it with her overly obsessed boyfriend. She felt less affected day after day as she locked herself up thinking about everything and everyone. Even Felix had visited once banging their door, yelling her name and threatening to break it down yet, she did not resort to opening it. Of course, he didn’t have the guts to do that but for the sake of convincing her, he said things, like promises he made to her years ago after taking away her virginity.
 Mavis had joined her a week later in the ordeal with Mina. It would have been inappropriate to go to work despite been beating badly to a pulp. Her face was covered in bruises and was severely swollen to a point of no recognition.
The two girls talked less and less to each other and the strained relationship they once had was replaced nonetheless. Both girls come out to eat, only to disappear back inside.
‘thumb thumb’ no response ‘thumb thumb’.
“Did you invite anyone in?” Liza asks, confusion laced in her voice. She’d told herself severally that she was not ready to meet with Felix yet.
“No” she answered flatly.
“No, wait here. Let me go and check” She stopped Liza from getting up.
She muttered a silent thank you under her breath. The tension between the sisters had lessened during their stay together alone.
The door seems to be far away from her grasp but eventually, after a few steps, she managed to slightly open the door in view of an elderly woman. The shocked look on the woman’s face reminded her that she’d just exposed her swollen face. She covered it abruptly with her palm, looking very flustered.
“Good morning, are you okay?” The woman had asked with concern.
It felt good to hear someone, especially an elderly woman as old as her mother asked how she was fairing. Something their mother rarely did.
“I’m sorry but who are you?” she deliberately ignores her question.
Her smile seems to light up the place.
“I am Mrs Mensa from Divine church international. Actually I am here to speak to the people in this room as the Lord has directed me”.
She wanted to believe her. If it is money she’s after, then she’s come to the wrong place. Reading her thoughts Mrs Mensa added.
“I’m here to talk about the word of God with you and will proceed to tell you what the church offers to young girls like you. “
She seems to nod after every sentence, showing interest in what she’s saying.
“Are you alone here?” She calmly asked.
“No madam. My little sister is in there but I doubt she will join me.”
It’s been a long time since they’ve stepped foot in a Church. But she reasoned that instead of staying inside under boredom, she’d rather listen to Mrs Mensa talk about the word of God.
“Oh, my dear. Just call me Mrs Mensa and call out your sister too, please. I hope I can convince her to join the discussion today.” Mavis found herself smiling at the lady who seemed kind and has a sweet motherly voice. She wore a simple straight dress which is below knee length.
Mavis goes back inside for a moment and comes back with Liza following closely behind. Her pale face showed no emotions whatsoever.
“You must be Liza” her warm smile affected her, causing Liza to extend her hand to the woman who had already stretched hers to greet her.
“Yes”
Repeating almost the same thing, as if rehearsed, she ushered both girls to a stool behind their house.
At five months, a bulge could be seen. Constantly reminding her of that cold night in the incompleted building. The passion of their lovemaking, his soft lips on hers, searching for pleasure and finding it when her tongue tangled with his in the most amazing way. These thoughts never left the back of her mind. Nor his face when he jerked suddenly in her wet folds. If she could change one thing, it would be that night. She wished she hadn’t met him that night at least things would have been different.
Mrs Mensa thought them the word to their understanding. She made sure to ask questions to see if they were really following and to her surprise every question was answered if not according to how she wanted, it was all good. She mentioned an orphanage the church manages catching Liza’s attention.
“Please madam, if I have my baby can I…can… the church have her?” She swallowed the lump in her throat before continuing.
“I know it’s too sudden to ask this but I would like to know”
Mrs Mensa places her hand gently on Liza’s lap and Patted it gently.
“My dear, it is possible but may I know why you would want to give your child away?”
She hesitated for a moment.
“I have no means to take care of it. I was hoping that they take my child and if I’m fit enough to take the chance, I will come for it”
Mrs Mensa nods her head slightly in understanding.
“It’s okay. But the next time I come here, there will be some other people with me to help out with your problem. Also, they will explain thoroughly the benefits of joining the workshop and other important things I may have forgotten to mention today and oh,…..” Suddenly remembering something she added.
“Mavis mentioned earlier that your mum has gone to town. If she comes back, do tell her about your decision. Something’s are better solved with parents. Let her know and if she thinks it’s the right thing to do, you can let me know. In fact, I would like to speak to her after your discussion alright.”
 she takes out a pamphlet and hands it over to them.
“Please do read. If possible every day. It’s what I thought you today and information about our church” she gets up.
“I will definitely pray for you girls and do have a nice day”
“Aunty, thank you” Mavis responded politely.
“I forgot” she took out a piece of paper and scribbled some numbers on it.
“This is my number, kindly call if there’s anything you would like to know”.
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
For the first time in her life, Liza found interest in reading the word of God. Writing down verses and scriptures to read later. For Mavis, it might take some time for she threw the pamphlet somewhere after settling down on the cold floor. Lost in thought again.
That evening, Felix found himself visiting their house with everyone present. He could not contain his anger after listening to Liza say something about giving their child away during their phone conversation. He somehow felt uncomfortable and cornered listening to her talk as if she made the baby herself.
“Do you think I’m stupid Liza?” His grip around her arms tightened. She winced in pain.
The scene annoyed Mavis. She promised not to interfere in those two’s problems but she decided against it at the last minute.
“Stop it you’re hurting her arm” she fiercely retorted.
Realizing what he’s done, he dropped his hold on her arms, feeling extremely bitter about how he’s handled the situation.
“I’m.. I’m sorry..” he stammered considering the situation, he begged to talk to her privately.
“Are you really going with him?” Mavis scoffed in disbelief.
“I will be back soon” Felix lead her out to their usual place. He bent down to her stomach level and kissed her protruding tummy.
Love for the child flashed in his eyes. How could he give his first child away like that? Liza felt bad about the decision she made thus she knew it was for the best.
He gets up. “Liza, this the second time you’ve taken a decision that didn’t involve me. Who is this woman who wants you to give the child away” he asked calmly.
“It’s my decision for one. You know very well how this goes. I can’t send my child to the streets” she replied stubbornly.
“I know… I know Liza…you think I don’t think about it? I also don’t want that for the child. What sense will it make if we send it away when it’s got parents?”
Liza refused to make eye contact. She knew he was right but adamantly stood by her decision.
Lust flashed in his eyes despite the serious conversation. The girl in front of him was his drug just by looking at her. His voice husky as he called her name. “Liza”
She looked up at him. Seeing his eye darken, she knew what he wanted.
“No no..” she shakes her head in refusal.
His large hands felt her breast, his lips touched hers.
She pushed him away forcefully despite being heavily pregnant.
He staggered backwards, holding unto a broken desk to avoid the fall.
He felt utterly surprised by her strength.
“Don’t touch me again!” She warned sternly.
Dashing out of the building, she went back home.
“Hey hey! Is everything okay?” A concerned Mavis grabbed a stool, already leading her to it.
Liza held her stomach. Her breathing went back to normal.
The words thought by the elderly woman were still stuck in her memory. She had sinned and the child will be a reminder of it however she is determined to put a stop to the meaningless love and seek the one from a faithful God. Recalling what happened a while ago, she almost believed he was possessed.
“Are you certain?” Mavis wanted confirmation.
She nods, agitated while her body shook slightly.
“Why didn’t you do it?”
Liza’s eyes met hers.
“I don’t know.” She looked away
“Mum will be back this evening. You have to discuss it with her. The baby” she changed the topic.
Sigh
“Do you think I’m crazy for wanting the best for my child?”. She wanted to know what her sister thought.
“No… absolutely not, I think your boyfriend is the problem.”
“I get it but…”
“Does he force you?” Mavis asked out of nowhere.
Her eyebrows raised questioningly
“No..no he wouldn’t dare”
“Liza?” She sensed some untruth in her words.
“He craves it. And when we’re together he becomes a different person”.
“What do you mean?”
“He becomes frantic and uneasy with himself. Almost like an animal”.
“Please don’t tell anyone this.”
“Go on”.
“It’s not his fault” she shuts her eyes.
“What did he do to you?” Mavis was gradually losing her cool.
“Nothing….”. She kept fidgeting with her fingers.
“It seems you don’t want to tell me but will find out eventually”. That was a mystery to solve. Mavis found it hard to believe that he would change all of a sudden out of a craving for sex. She is yet to find out the harm he might have inflicted on her sister or not.
“Let me get us something to eat. And I personally will not allow a dangerous boy in this house. If he wants to see you, he will have to pass through me”.
Liza only dropped her head. She knew how obsessed Felix is when it comes to her. He could be sweet at times but feral at most times. Surprisingly it happens when he’s alone with her. Like she is his possession.
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