Moments Before!

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape. The river was dotted with children splashing each other. Laughter and excitement filling the air. They splashed and played in the clear, shimmering waters, their innocent joy echoing through the trees.

Some plunging and some swimming, racing with one another against the stream. There were sounds of Donkeys drinking along the edge of the riverbank, men and women washing their garments, while birds flapping their wings and trees whistled to each other through the wind.

As the afternoon sky painted a canvas of hues above, the children continued to revel in their carefree play, blissfully unaware of the watchful eyes surrounding them. A reminder that amidst life's complexities, moments of unrestrained joy could still be found. I was concentrating on the gourds in front of me I had yet to finish. It was always difficult for me to get used to cleaning them simply because I was disgusted by the slimy feelings I got sticking my hand inside them. But Jonas insisted until it was no longer a problem for me. Jonas was very crafty. Almost all our plates and utensils were made of gourds. It was interesting to me to watch him carve them into anything he wanted and turned his skill into a small business.

At the riverbank, the water gently lapped against the smooth stones, creating a soothing melody that accompanied the rhythmic sound of clothes being washed. Squatted by the water's edge, diligently scrubbing a bundle of gourds with great care and precision. I liked cleaning them at the river, which made the cleaning process easier. I was totally unaware that my body was partially exposed. As I plunged the gourd in the water, shaking it to get rid of the excess seeds stuck inside. my body corresponded with every movement making the uncovered part of my body more exposed.

My face, framed by loose tendrils of dark hair, displayed a focused determination as I worked. The faded sun's rays caressed my skin, giving it a soft, golden hue, and the gentle breeze rustled the fabric of my attire.

Unbeknownst to me, a few curious onlookers stood at a distance, observing me. Perhaps they admired and appreciated the grace with which I handled my chore, yet couldn't help but feel empathy for the hardships I might endure in my life.

As I continued my work, I noticed that the boys gathered together whispering about something and laughing. Their curiosity piqued, giggled amongst themselves as they peeked from behind each other. To them, I imagined that my actions seemed like a mysterious tango, with water and the gourds as my partners. I paid no attention to them because there were many interesting things going on around this time at the river. So it was no surprise that they were loud.

Sometimes later, I decided that I was done with my task. The cleaning process for me was very easy. Jonas was a good teacher. He taught me many things and cleaning and carving gourds was very special. That was something we both enjoyed doing. It was not always fun for me at the beginning but Jonas was very patient with me. Now that he’s no longer here, I appreciated every moment he spent with me. I smiled to myself, satisfied that I had done a great job cleaning them. I filled each one of them with water, tied them together in two groups using a tree branch to hold them making them easier to carry.

The curves of my body shifted from one position to another as I lifted the gourds. The flimsy dress that I wore was clinging to my body revealing every detail of my curvature. As I continued on, oblivious to my surroundings, a few meters away, a pair of anxious eyes intently observed my every move. Startled, I turned my head and finally noticed him, the stranger who had been silently watching me all along. His head slightly showed above the water like a hungry crocodile lying in wait, patiently eyeing its unsuspecting prey. His stillness and contemplative expression conveyed an air of calculated observation. Nearby, children played, disturbing the peaceful flow of the water stream, seemingly not acknowledging his presence.

It became evident that he had been there for some time, captivated by the fluidity of my movements and fixated on my graceful form. His gaze was intense, almost predatory, as if he was studying every subtle motion with great interest. The scene unfolded like a delicate dance between the water, the children's playfulness, and his unwavering attention, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and curiosity in the midst of nature's tranquility.

Our eyes met and held each other's gaze for a minute. I did not recognize him. And for a brief moment I felt paralyzed and surprised that someone was fixated on me. It was then I understood why he could not take his eyes off of me. I discovered I was exposed and quickly covered myself. I looked away and continued to fix my dress as if I had not noticed him there. Around the same time, some of the boys began to laugh enjoying what they had just witnessed. I grunted at them as if to say have some respect but they continued to laugh not acknowledging my discomfort.

I slowly glanced his way again, I wanted to see if he was still there. This time I was careful not to directly meet his eyes. I was shocked to see how muscular he was and there was not an ounce of fat in his body. Though trying to avoid his eyes, I could not help looking at his face. He smiled when he emerged from under the stream, the water cascaded down his chiseled body resembling a rugged mountain slope. The water surged forth with unyielding force, glistening like sweat on the rippling muscles of this mysterious looking man.

I also noticed that he was not an attractive man. His smile did not help him. He had a flat nose with unusual wide nostrils. It was a pity that his face did not match his body.

His gaze remained fixed on me, though his eyes seemed blurred, I was able to capture his full attention. The intensity of his red eyes made him look angry and in turn made me uncomfortable. Perhaps he had spent too much time in the water, giving him an unsettling appearance that hinted at mischief. I found myself questioning his intentions, perplexed by the fact that I had never seen him before. In our tight-knit village, it seemed unlikely for a stranger to appear suddenly. I speculated that he might be from a neighboring village, making this a mere coincidence. I convinced myself that our paths were unlikely to cross again. Nonetheless, I couldn't shake off the lingering sense of curiosity about this mysterious individual with red eyes.

I was so focused on his body, captivated by the mesmerizing illusion of a waterfall that embodied him. I Barely Noticed When He approached me. I heard him ask me for my name; but I quickly gathered myself making sure that I was completely covered so I ignored him.

***********""

A flood of tension rippled through my body, and my jaw clenched with unbearable pain. The searing sensation on my face jolted me back to the harsh reality of the present moment. Confusion and fear consumed my mind, as I desperately searched for answers. The urge to scream was overwhelming, realizing that I was surrounded by tall trees, creating an eerie and oppressive atmosphere. I knew that even if I unleashed my voice, it would be carried away by the wind, forever lost to the oblivion of the forest's embrace.

The man on top of me was not the one I saw at the river. This man had an extended belly that was heavy, pressing me down, making me unable to breathe. His finger molesting me, probing me, as if making sure that I was ready to receive him. The hoarse sound that was coming out of him, and the stench of alcohol on his breath made me dizzy. I could feel something hard poking on the inner side of my thigh. I was resisting and found his strength to be more than I anticipated.

"Stop, please stop!" I pleaded.

As I continued to resist, he grew increasingly aggressive, exerting more pressure on my arm and hindering my vision. He proceeded to unzip his pants, exposing himself and attempting to force himself on me. However, my swift and sudden move startled him, blocking his attempt to penetrate me. I closed my legs tightly, making it challenging for him to manipulate the situation.

The ground was unbearable beneath me but that was the least of my problems. I was overwhelmed with emotions and confusion. I thought of aunt Tina. How was I going to explain this to her? Would she even believe me? I thought of my neighbors, what will they say behind my back. Would they say I deserved it? I found myself grappling with an inexplicable sense of shame, haunted by the impending embarrassment I feared I would have to endure. What troubled me even more was the prospect of this man succeeding in taking my virtue, knowing that such an act would forever taint my reputation and make it nearly impossible for me to find a good husband in the future. The mere thought of it filled me with a profound sense of despair, as if my entire future hung in the balance.

I refused to make it easy for him, and as his grip slightly loosened, I seized the opportunity to strike his face. However, that turned out to be a grave mistake. The unexpected blow infuriated him, catching him off guard.

My face contorted into a stressful grimace as I struggled to get away. I sank my teeth into his arm, penetrating his skin. I could taste the warm liquid seeping through my teeth. Surprisingly he seemed unphased, fueled by adrenaline and even more determined to have me.

"Please stop, I am begging you. Please don't do this to me."

My trembling voice pleaded with pain and desperation. The unforgiving ground beneath me inflicted searing agony, making the pain unbearable. Overwhelmed by his weight, I felt trapped and powerless as he forcefully spread my legs open, further adding to the distress and helplessness.

"Oh no God please STOP"

Closing my eyes tightly, hoping to block out the horrifying reality. In that moment of darkness, a glimmer of relief found its way into my thoughts. The idea of disappearing into oblivion offered a twisted sense of comfort, knowing that it might lead me to reunite with my father. I clung to the faint hope that in that unknown realm, I could finally find peace and perhaps, just maybe, even meet my long-lost mother, who had been a mysterious figure in my existence.

The possibility of reuniting with my father and discovering my mother became a flicker of light, something to hold onto. A new sense of purpose, offering me something to look forward to in an otherwise nightmarish reality.

Supposed; I survived this somehow, what kind of future would I be looking forward to? Perhaps, if fate allowed, I could envision a life growing old with Aunt Tina, who selflessly stepped into her brother's role to care for me. Suddenly I felt sorry for her.

My resistance faltered as I realized his strength overwhelmed me entirely. He had infiltrated not just my physical space but also my very being, unleashing a relentless pounding and animal sounds that reverberated through the air.

Everything was becoming a blur, a surreal disconnect from reality. I no longer felt anchored to myself, as if drifting in a waterless abyss, desperately trying to reach the bottom where my weary body could find respite. Pain seemed to fade away, numbed by the overwhelming sense of helplessness that enveloped me.

It felt as if my life was slipping away, a cruel twist of fate, leaving me incapable of living the dreams and aspirations Jonas had envisioned for me. Nausea threatened to overpower me, but my body succumbed to a chilling limpness, and the world around me dimmed as consciousness slipped away. The unfairness of it all weighed heavily on my soul as I hung on the edge of consciousness, uncertain if I could ever reclaim the control over my own existence.