Her last Innocence Gone

Roslin nodded, managing a small smile as memories danced in her mind. "The woman who owned the bar liked to be called Cuban because of her obsession with gold chains—even her dogs wore them."

Mrs. Agbor chuckled lightly, tilting her head in curiosity. "Her dogs?"

"Yes, even her dogs!" Roslin replied, a faint smile returning to her lips. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "They wore tiny gold chains around their necks, glimmering in the dim light of the bar like they were part of some gang."

"That's a sight I wish I could see," Mrs. Agbor said, laughter brightening her eyes. "What kind of dogs were they?"

Roslin's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with the memory. "German shepherds of course! They were strutting around like they owned the place."

Mrs. Agbor laughed heartily, but as the laughter faded, Roslin's expression grew serious. She shifted in her seat, the weight of her memories settling heavily on her shoulders. "But… those years were hell." Her eyes darkened as she continued, "Working at the bar, I lost...everything "

Roslin's smile faded, her expression growing serious. "Cuban took me in, gave me a place to stay. But… those years were hell." She shifted in her seat, her eyes darkening. "Working at the bar, I lost… everything. Men would smack my ass, touch me… Cuban would hit me if I complained. I lost my virginity to her son. I got pregnant, and she forced me to get an abortion."

Mrs. Agbor gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, no…"

"He was 21… I was 16," Roslin continued, her voice trembling. "He made me feel like I was special, buying me gifts, taking me out. I felt happy with him." Her face hardened, voice bitter. "Until that night. He took me to a hotel, told me we'd spend the night together. I told him about what happened with my uncle and cousin… he promised not to touch me until I was ready. He never gave me a reason to not trust him, so I did. I trusted him with every fibre in my being. But that night, he drugged me."

Mrs. Agbor shocked. "Christ…"

Roslin's voice trembled as she continued, "Till today, I get irritated whenever my husband suggests I make him barbecue of any kind. The memory that comes along with it…" She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He gave me BBQ fish and orange juice. I enjoyed eating it; it was the sweetest thing ever because the last time I ate that was when my family was still together. After eating, I felt hot… all over. I felt the need for his touch all of a sudden. He started telling me how beautiful I was and how I'd make a good wife for him. And then, he started touching me. I felt uncomfortable, but there was pleasure in his touch. He started kissing me, telling me he had been waiting so long for this. I didn't refuse him; I was on cloud nine at this point." Roslin shivered

"Then his hands went down to my gown, attempting to pull off my underwear, and he did. That's when I started to panic. The words weren't clear, but I told him I wasn't ready and that he should let me be. He got frustrated and attempted to finger me. It was very, very painful; I had a tear in my vagina. I tried kicking him, but all my strength was gone. He tied me up, and then a knock on the door came. It was his friends! His stupid friends! They came in—four of them, smiling at me like I was a meal and they had been starving for days." She shivered at the memory. "I cried and prayed God would come to my aid. I begged him that if he existed, he should save me from them, but he didn't. And that night…" Her voice cracked, tears brimming in her eyes. "They… they raped me. All of them."

Mrs. Agbor whispered, "Oh Jesus…"

Roslin sobbed, her voice barely audible as she struggled to continue.