I felt a surge of emotions as I listened to Philip's story. My body trembled at what he has gone through. No doubt the saying that 'THE RICH ALSO CRY' is not a fallacy.
Waking up with people you feel were your parents, then they neglected you, becoming business tycoons. You had a strange feeling they are not your parents. Confirming it, it turns out to be true.
Facing your so-called parents only to realize they held the truth away from you for over 20 years of your life. The truth was revealed as your true mother abandoned you in front of an orphanage, leaving you to face a cruel world all by yourself.
I don't know who to blame right now, whether it was his real mother who left him for over 20 years without turning back to look for him or his foster parents who placed their work lifestyle over their adopted son.
"You know, that time, after knowing my real mother was back, I wished she could die. I burned all her pictures that were given to me by my foster parents. I left the house and bought mine.
I spent weeks drinking, clubbing, and hanging around bad friends. It was one of those days I met Joy, her calm and alluring spirit brought out the puppy love I had for her.
We became friends and talked a lot. In no time, we got into a relationship, which she does not want to succumb to but did anyway. She was the perfect person and seems like an addiction that calmed my disturbing spirits.
She talked to me day and night until I agreed to visit my real mum and also makeup with my foster parents who have been on my neck asking for forgiveness.", he stopped talking as he bent his head.
I moved closer to him as tears fell down his eyes.
" So sorry to hear what you have been through", I stopped as he raised his head, cleaning the tears off his face as he sat straight again.
"It is okay. Don't worry about me. It feels good pouring it out now. Can you do me a favor and smile", he said pouting his lips as I laughed.
" Joy kept giving me tips encouraging me not to get angry no matter what. She knew who I was, someone struggling with controlling my anger. Something I have been trying to give up on.
With each step, I took to my real mum's apartment, my heart kept beating fast. I was informed she has become an entrepreneur in the tailoring industry. We got there but what we heard were wails and cries of both men and women, sitting in the compound. That day my mum died due to a car accident. I fell into depression again", He stalked in his breath trying not to let out the saltwater, he let out a breath.
I could not help but feel I was in Phil's condition. His mother died, how heartbreaking.
"At that time, I felt lost wondering why such calamity befell me. Joy confronted me with her words as always. She told me each day has its disaster because time and unexpected events overtake them all. My mum was drunk the night before she died, alongside her driver who also did not control his drinking, thereby resulting in their fatal accident and death.
It was comforting to see Joy that time by my side. My foster parents later apologized to me and looked up to them as my parents. I was happy again, I thought not knowing that the storm was coming towards me", he breathed out pausing, as he cleaned his face filled with sweats.
I was beginning to think I should stop him, but I think it would be best for him to spill everything out.
" It was one night when I found myself in the middle of some group of young guys, most of them in their early 20's. Fear gripped me hard especially when I saw my two best friends among them. To cut the long story short, I was told I have joined them.
I never agreed with their words but they reminded me of why happened during one of my bad days, the days I always get drunk. That time I was friends with Joy and was beginning to be possessive of her. My best friend told me how they mixed something in my drink making me aggressive to the extent that I beat up Kevin, a particular boy I disliked because he was interested in Joy.
According to them, I did an oath with them that very day I beat up Kevin, as the blood from Kevin's body during the fight marks as a covenant between them. My mind rang remembering how Kevin later avoided Joy and me. My two best friends assisted me in beating him up and threatened him with his younger sister who was at school, so he had no other choice but to keep shut", he stated, pausing for a while
A fight, an oath, blood covenant, weird one of being a cultist. My heart keeps hammering at his confession. His friends got him involved and it is now a tricky situation to get out of. The consequences of keeping bad friends cannot be underemphasized.
"I refused to believe but they showed me a video of how it happened. My voice accepting to be a cultist, and to mark that I have to shed blood of someone else. According to the video, I refused but they made me see Kevin who was sitting at the other side of the bar. One of them whispered into my ear making me spark up as I rush toward Kevin. In the end, the blood dripping from the almost unconscious Kevin serves as a witness that I am now one of them.
I refuted immediately that I won't join them, but what they told me shocked me. They stated everything about my relationship with Joy. They told me how possessive I was about her. Everything about our dating lifestyle. Another fear gripped me.
The leader stated that I had to disvirgin Joy, break her heart and leave her within a month, or else Joy would be killed. If I tried to report them, they will figure out a way to kill my foster parents and Joy. That was the beginning of so long series with me.
Joy would not accept having sex with me, as she claimed she was a virgin and will only give her pride to her future husband. I kept getting warnings about the consequences that might befall me if I fail my first mission as a new member of a cult group.
A week to the time frame, I fell depressed but my friends were still around to give me advice. They advised me to drug her and take advantage of her. I couldn't, as I was in love with Joy. She stood by me in times of difficulty. She always encourages me never to give up, and do what is right. She made me realize I can stand up to being the best I could, even without my real parents.
Yet, I was afraid. Afraid they will kill her and my foster parents, whim one of them is a Vice-Chancellor. I made up my mind later on.
I was never going to rape Joy but will make her give in without force. Seeing our relationship slacking, she begged me and told me she can't compromise with her demands. I asked for her forgiveness, gaining her trust back.
We decided to be together at her apartment, which she agreed to if only we would open her door open, which I consented to. She was happy that day, bubbling like a happy child, her face making my conscience giving out alarms not to go for it.
While she was making food, I bought in some alcohol which she drank a cup out of reluctance, claiming her holy preaching. Unknown to her, I have mixed an aphrodisiac in her drink. She kept requesting the alcohol. And in no time, she got drunk and was beginning to make advances toward me.
I knew instantly she was reacting due to the effect of the aphrodisiac. That day, I disvirgin her. After my forbidden act, I left her room after taking some pictures. My conscience never rested as I cried knowing fully well Joy will never forgive me"