Tears of an Orphan
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© Mary Francis Solomon
Cynthia winced in pain as the slap she received from her aunt sank deeply, burning her heart.
“Sweetheart, why the beating early this morning? Please, can’t you allow this girl to rest? Yes, I know that she might be stubborn sometimes, but why start beating her so early?” her husband protested.
“Love, do you know what this stupid prostitute did?”
“What did she do? Because I can remember when I came out to the living room, she was doing her chores in the kitchen. I even saw her carry the trash bin outside. What did she do this early morning?” he asked.
“This stupid girl! Can you imagine this worthless orphan who has no parents? Instead of sitting down and focusing on what will help her life, she has been going around sleeping with different men in her school. I think this girl doesn’t want to study. Today I will go to her school and withdraw her!” Auntie yelled, then stormed out of the living room and went into their bedroom.
Mr. Olajide was shocked to hear this revelation concerning Cynthia. He moved closer to her, obviously angry and furious, ready to pounce on her.
Cynthia was also shocked, her mouth wide open in amazement. She knew it was all the handiwork of Eric, just to frustrate her in the house. She wanted to protest and defend herself, but no word came out. Immediately she opened her mouth, tears rushed down her cheeks, because even if she decided to say the truth, they would not believe her.
“Cynthia, tell me the truth. Is it true what they said about you?” he asked, obviously disappointed.
Cynthia shook her head in the negative as she wept bitterly on the floor, not knowing what to say.
“Don’t you have a mouth? Why are you shaking your head? I want you to open your mouth and answer me right now, if you don’t want me to beat the hell out of you!” he said in a stern voice.
“Uncle… I… I swear, I did not do anything like that. Why would I? I am a responsible and well-behaved girl. I can’t sleep around. Please, what they said is not true,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Are you trying to call me a liar?” her aunt screamed as she came out of the bedroom, overhearing Cynthia telling her husband that what she said wasn’t true.
“Cynthia! You call me a liar?” she said furiously as she went closer to hit her, but her husband stood in between them.
“Enough of that! Let’s hear what Eric has to say, because he’s the one that reported her. He should tell us where and how he saw her,” her husband ordered.
“Eric, come over and tell me—who did you see Cynthia with, and where?” he demanded.
“Dad, it was yesterday I saw her around that uncompleted building close to our house. She was still in her school uniform, standing with a guy. She was smiling sheepishly as they hugged, and he even pecked her on the cheek,” Eric said, grinning smugly at Cynthia.
“Cynthia, is it true that you were standing with a boy and smiling sheepishly while he was talking to you, and you even allowed him to peck you on the cheek?” Mr. Olajide asked.
“No sir. He is my classmate, and he didn’t peck me. We live in the same area, so we usually separate at that building on our way from school. He was only explaining a maths topic I couldn’t understand. I swear, uncle, I wasn’t doing anything bad,” she wept.
“So that means it’s true you were standing with a boy. Then what will confirm your claim that you two are not in a relationship, and even sleeping together in that uncompleted building?” Mrs. Olajide added sharply.
“Mom, Dad, good morning. Mommy, Eric is lying. He doesn’t want Cynthia to have peace in this house. We were together when we saw her with that boy. He didn’t peck her, and she wasn’t in a questionable position. Daddy, I saw when he gave her a notebook to bring home, and I overheard everything.
This morning in the kitchen, he even threatened to frustrate her life in this house. Daddy, I know Eric doesn’t like Cynthia, and he loves seeing her cry. Please don’t believe him,” Greatness said honestly to her parents.
“What! Greatness, are you stupid? Why would you say such a thing to me? Am I a liar? When have you seen me lie against anyone? I’m her cousin, and I have to be her keeper. Whenever I see her going astray, I must tell Mommy and Daddy. And what you overheard me telling her in the kitchen was that I was advising her not to get close to boys, not to engage in immorality. But she insulted me, so I told her I’d expose her. Don’t twist my words!” Eric protested.
Cynthia sat quietly, happy that Greatness was able to defend her, but still confused whether her uncle and aunt would believe it. After Eric spoke, her heart sank. Her parents chose to believe him instead of Greatness, and decided to punish her that day.
“It is so obvious you were standing with a boy. I know Greatness has been defending you, helping you do wrong. But listen to me, Cynthia, be careful in this house, because the next time I hear something about you, I will kill you alive.
And for what you did, you will not go to school. You will weed the grasses in this compound with a hoe. After you finish, you will go to my shop and stay there until 9:00 p.m. That is your punishment. And don’t you dare take anything in my shop to eat, because you will not eat in this house either.”
She entered the kitchen to make breakfast for the family.
Eric, Greatness, and Mr. Olajide were in the living room. Cynthia cried bitterly, pleading with her uncle. “Uncle, please talk to Auntie. Allow me to go to school. We have a test today. Please…”
But her uncle only shook his head and went back to his room, saying nothing.
Eric smirked, while Greatness frowned.
“Eric, so you’re happy to see Cynthia crying, right? You’re pleased that Mom stopped her from going to school? You want her to miss today’s test? Let me tell you, what you’re doing, God will judge you. You’re a wicked cousin!” she said angrily.
“Greatness, you dare talk to me like this?” Eric snapped, following her.
But before he could enter her room, she slammed the door. Inside, she sat on the bed, crying bitterly for Cynthia.
She knelt down beside her bed and prayed, “Lord Jesus, I wish I had the strength to stop my parents and my brother from frustrating my cousin’s life. But I know You are the God who does not forsake the brokenhearted, and You are the Father to the fatherless and the Mother to the motherless. Please, come to Cynthia’s rescue. Please give her strength to endure until You provide a new helper for her.” She prayed with all her heart, then quickly took her shower and prepared for school.
Meanwhile, Cynthia continued her chores, still struggling with the pain from the molestation Eric forced on her the night before. When she finished, she washed her face, changed into something clean, and picked up the hoe.
The compound was large, and the grasses plenty. She bent low and started weeding. With every strike of the hoe, her back ached. The hot sun burned her skin, and sweat poured down her face, mixing with her tears.
She whispered silent prayers as she worked. “God, one day… I believe You will come to my rescue.”
She worked until her hands shook with weakness. At last, she managed to finish, dropped the hoe, and rested for a moment. She was tired, dizzy, and aching all over, but relieved that the punishment was done.
Greatness soon came quietly beside her, but Cynthia didn’t notice at first. She was so lost in her pain and thoughts. Greatness looked at her pitifully, holding slices of bread she had sneaked out. But when she noticed Eric peeping at them, she quickly hid it back.
“Cynthia, I’m sorry for what you’re going through,” she whispered. “I promise this will end very soon. I brought you some bread, but Eric is watching. I’ll give it to you later at the shop. Maybe Mommy will give me money, and I’ll buy something for you after school. Please, just hold on. Forgive my parents and my brother. Remember that I care, and I love you.” She gently patted Cynthia’s shoulder.
Cynthia nodded in silence, tears still flowing.
The school bus honked at the gate. Greatness and Eric went out to meet it. Mr. and Mrs. Olajide also left for work. Cynthia remained, weak and weary, but determined to obey.
When she was done resting, she showered, took warm water to regain strength, and went to the shop. She was so weak and tired, but she couldn’t rest the way she needed, because she had to follow her aunt’s instructions if she didn’t want more punishment.
To be continued…
Inspired by the Great Teacher.
Do not copy, edit, or reproduce any part of this story without the author’s consent.
Stay blessed until we meet in the next episode.
Written by Mary Francis Solomon.