Chapter Fourteen

The following days were tough for both mother and daughter. Whenever they passed by villagers on their way to the market, whispers would be heard through the wind as they mocked them. Some even couldn't whisper. They just bad mouthed them in public.

"Hmm, look at how she is catwalking like a saint. The nerve. Nobody would know she is the woman of the night," one of them stood by and said.

"Funny how her mother is supporting a prostitute. She must also have experience in the streets," another supported.

"As they say, like mother, like daughter," a third one added.

All this time, Joy and Stella just walked on. Heads bowed down in humiliation. Stella was praying that Joy would ignore the comments. On the other hand Joy was feeling guilty on dragging her mother into such an embarrassment. She was clenching her fists trying so hard not to bounce on the women. Her jaw was tightly clenched as it took almost all nerves to control herself.

Luckily they succeeded in ignoring them and went about their business buying groceries in the market. Some of the sellers couldn't even hold a conversation with them as usual, in fact if it were up to them they would have refused to sell them anything.

This new treatment affected Joy a great deal. She felt like an outcast.

But why her? Many girls in the village had even more kids at home yet none was treated differently. Why did they have to judge her so harshly.

On their way back they were met by the same fate. Women sneering at their sight while others pulled their children away from her.

"Aunty Joy!" one little girl shouted excitedly before she was met by a powerful slap from her mother.

"That's not your aunt. You hear me?" the mother cautioned.

"But mother,..." she started to complain.

"No buts..young lady. You better obey me and stop calling that slut your aunt. Am I clear?" the woman reprimanded her daughter.

Joy felt so much anger and hurt. Everybody was treating her like a curse. She didn't deserve it.

They soon reached home and as her mother prepared to cook dinner, Joy excused herself and went to her room. She poured out her frustration in the pillow. Hot tears flowing endlessly.

Her mother didn't disturb her. She knew she needed time to accept things because she was going to be hurt by them. She needed to regain her strength and fight back. Fight for her place in the society at all costs.

Dinner was soon ready and Joy emerged from her room. She had no appetite but she still had to eat. Not for herself but for her baby.

This got her thinking. Will she really love the baby? Will she learn to accept her as part of her life? Will she hate her for ruining her life?

As days turned to weeks and weeks to months, Joy got used to her life. She could not change the society's perception of her so she let them have their way. She had grown used to her condition and adapted the changes that she was experiencing. Her mother being the sole shoulder to lean on, it became easier for her to keep up.

However, there was another problem. Campus break was ending soon and the fact that she had outgrown her clothes and her tummy had started to protrude was unsettling for her. She knew she was going to be mocked once again. She had managed to withstand all the hurdles in her home but now going back to campus was like reliving the pain for the second time. She would be due to give birth in two months time. That meant she would give birth in school. She could not dare differ from her studies since it would mean another whole year of waiting for the same units to be offered. She had to go back by all means. However she didn't want to go back to the same hostel she had shared with vida and Ivy. She'd rather stay alone.

Being at home had made her feel secure. Her mother had done so much to make sure she was comfortable and happy. She was her only friend and confidant. She had lost all her village friends as she was stigmatized like a dangerous plague. Mothers warned their daughters on not associating with her lest she teaches them bad behaviors.

She had been nicknamed, prostitute or slut. The people she had helped solve their issues had forgotten her kindness and humility and replaced it with mockery.

Her mother was isolated from women groups and the two only had each other.

School was soon opened and Joy's first stop was at the doctor's. Dr. Reyes was thrilled to see her. She was delighted to know that she had decided to keep the baby under the difficult circumstances. She received her warmly like her own daughter.

Joy wanted her help in looking for accommodation. She wanted somewhere safe and close to the hospital so that when the time comes to deliver she would easily access the hospital.

Dr. Reyes took the opportunity to get the experience of a newborn. She asked her to move in with her so that she could help her whenever possible. She had plenty of room since she divorced her husband because of her inability to sire children. She felt that God was surely answering her prayers.

Joy was delighted at the news. She was going to have a confidant aside from her mother of course. She immediately moved into Dr. Reyes' huge mansion and got comfortable immediately. Stella was overjoyed when she learned the news and she felt relieved.