MENDED WINGS... episode 19

      Ella woke up from her deep sleep. She turned her head to the left and saw a man sitting on the bed, with only his trousers on, his back towards her. He was in no way like Joel. He was fatter, shorter, and was bald. Ella eyelids fluttered. She glanced around, wanting to confirm where she was, and realized she was in her room. What was going on? She pulled herself to a sitting position and that was when she realized she was naked. She pulled the blanket on her chest.
     “Who are you? What’re you doing here?” she asked aloud.
     The man turned to her and scorned her. “You’re awake. I was waiting for you to wake up so my boys could have their share since I’ve gone twice.”
     “What’re you saying? Are you crazy? What’re you doing in my room? Where’s my husband?”
     He ignored her and walked to the door. “Hey guys, you can come in. She’s ready for you.”
     Ella held the blanket in death grip, her eyes oscillating in their sockets. What was going on? she wondered. Perhaps it’s just another bad dream. Three men entered into the room and walked towards her.
     “Who are you? Get away from me,” she screamed and bit the hand of one of them.
     The tallest of them yanked off the blanket and forced her on her back. “If you cooperate, we’ll be gentle. If you don’t, you’ll leave us no choice than to rough-handle you.”
      Ella spat into his face and fought with all her strength but they were stronger and raped her in turns before leaving.
      Ella lay on her bed, weak and in pains, tears pouring from her face. What sort of life was she living? Was the dead not better than she was. How the men entered, she didn’t know. The last thing she remembered was being with Joel in the living room. How strangers got access to her room was shocking to her.
      The door creaked as it opened and Ella pulled the blanket over her head, scared of the unimaginable.
      “How are you?” Joel said with a smile.
      Ella uncovered her face and stared at her husband in surprise. “Where have you been? What’s going on?” she said, her head almost exploding in anger.
      Joel ignored her and smiled. He stood against the wall, a hand in his pocket and the other holding a wine glass.
      Ella forced herself into a semi-sitting position. “What’s going on here?” she sobbed. “Can’t you talk?”
He laughed. “I’m just being a good husband. You’ve been complaining bitterly and threatening me over my inability to fulfil one of my roles. So I thought about it and took your advice, which was why I employed those who are capable to give you what you want.”
      Rage danced in her brain. “Please tell me I’m not hearing right. Please tell me I’m dreaming.” She broke into fresh sobs. “You mean you got those people to rape me?”
      “That’s no rape. It is an answer to your request. You’ve always desired to be pregnant. Remember you promised to tell everyone if you failed to conceive by month end. I’m only helping you.”
      “You’re truly a son of the devil. Cursed be the day I met you.” Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She wept not only because of her pain but also for the life she had chosen for herself.
      “Don’t be angry. I was only trying to help.”
      “Trying to help me by asking four men to rape me? Is that the help you can offer, you agent of destruction?”
      “If I had only one person to do it, he could return to claim his child in the future. But when there are multiple partners, none of them would be bold to come and claim a child.”
      Ella bit her lips until blood tinted her teeth, and sobbed.
      “In case you decide to tell anyone I’m impotent or that I made people sleep with you, you can go ahead. I just want you to know that I have the video clip of you and the first man. And I’m ready to share it with the world, telling them you committed adultery. Who will believe your story then? They’d think you’re just making up the story to justify your infidelity. So, if you love yourself, just keep your lips sealed and pretend nothing happened. Be a good girl, and in good time, you’ll have the children you desire and I’ll have the rest I want.”
      “I hate you, Joel. I hate you.”
      “Maybe I hate you, too. I used to like you very much but since you started disturbing and harassing me, my love for you has plummeted. But don’t worry, I won’t send you away. I’ll need someone to do the chores at least. You’ll do my biddings and we’ll be fine. Be reminded that if you try anything funny, that video will go viral in minutes. Take that from me.” He walked out and slammed the door behind him.
      Ella hit herself perhaps that would wake her from the nightmare she thought she was having. How did she come across this devil? she thought. Only if she had known…