*I FOUND HIM*

I was in my third year at the University when I got raped. As a beautiful and charismatic young lady, a large percent of guys in school wanted me to be their girlfriend but I turned down their offer. You want to know why ? I hated school relationships because it wouldn't give me time to be studious and I had always been scared of the opposite sex. I was called " *Proud* " even when I was not. I was called " *proud* " because i always kept to myself.

Claudius was a notorious cultist on campus back then. He wanted me to be his girlfriend but I politely turned down his offer . Asides from him been a cultist, he was never my type of man because he had nothing upstairs.

On this indelible day, I was alone in my room when Claudius and two of his disciples butted into my room. Suddenly, I spranged up from the bed and accused him of coming into my room without my consent. In a trice ,he pulled me to the bed and began to travel his palms all over me. I saw one of his disciples with a phone but I never knew he took the video of what transpired between Claudius and I that fateful day. I screamed and screamed but no one came to my rescue. The ferocious beast was all over me. Claudius *raped* me.

For the second time in my life, I was *raped* . The first rape incident was by my *father* . Mummy had travelled to Dubai to get goods. My dad been a drunkard came back home on this memorable day been drunk. He called me to his room and began to caress my body with the tip of his finger. I didn't wrestle with him because I was so innocent. Yes ! My biological father got me deflowered. Believe me, I never told my mother about this terrible incident because I love my parent so much that all I crave for in life is their happiness. I always pray to God to forgive my father. Here I am again, Claudius raped me.

Days after, the video of how Claudius raped me had gone viral on the internet. Virtually all the students on campus have the video on their phones. I became an object of shame and ridicule. I was the best student in my department and this made me quiet famous in my department and faculty. Some of them never knew that Claudius forcefully took my carnal knowledge. Only a few understands the whole scenario that transpired between Claudius and I.

I managed to scale out of school and I graduated with a first class degree. After some months, I went for the compulsory one year national youth service corps. Coming back home, my dad got me a job in the Eastern part of the country. The pay was very okay. I had no choice than to go to the east to fend for myself.

One fateful day, a cute young man walked into our company majestically. Everyone rose up to greet him. I was told by a co - worker that he was the chairman's only child. After some minutes, this charming young man came to meet me .He thanked me for helping the company to grow despite the fact that I just joined the company.. I guess his dad had told him how active I was in doing the company's work. We talked at length and exchanged contacts.

Victor got so attached to me, he became my best of friends and confidant. Five months later, he asked me out. At first, I was scared because of my two terrible experiences in the hands of men. But I wasn't getting younger . I decided to give him a trial. Oh ! Victor was sweet, calm, compassionate and full of love. One thing I admire so much about him is the fact that he believed so much in sexual purity. We both agreed on no sex and other pre -maritals before marriage.

After two years of our relationship, Victor proposed to me and I joyously said "Yes " our introduction ceremony came up and it was an elaborate one. Few days after, Victor banged into my office. He had never been that angry ever since I knew him. He threw his phone at me and asked me to check the video his younger sister sent him through WhatsApp that morning. My whole life was shattered as I watched how Claudius took advantage of my body. Victor walked out of my life and office that morning. If I knew, I would have told him about my past. Victor thought I was into pornography videos. I became an object of shame and ridicule among my friends, colleagues at work and my family members. Life was hell for me.

Weeks later. my security officer came to my living room and told me I had some visitors waiting for me at the gate. I left the sitting room to attend to them. One of the visitors happened to be Claudius and two elderly men.

Immediately they sighted me. Claudius went on his knees. Been a calm lady. I asked him what he wanted from me. "I am so sorry Rita. I am so sorry for all that I caused you. Rita, I am now a child of God and I am here to make restitution. Please, forgive me. I heard of your broken relationship from your room mate at the University. She is a member of my church . Please Rita, forgive me. " Claudius said.

I took a deep breath. Imagine Claudius becoming a child of God after he had ruined my life. I wondered why God had forgiven him. Imagine Claudius becoming a child of God after he had damaged many lives. I forgave him even though , it wasn't easy to but I had to because I accepted Jesus as my personal lord and savior few days after Victor left me. Claudius left with the two elderly men after I forgave him.

Two days later, Victor walked into my office. He came to me and hugged me passionately. He told me he learnt how I was raped by Claudius through him(Claudius). He blamed me for keeping my past from him. I was really perplexed...

Today, I am happily married with Victor and we are blessed with two sets of twins. Look at how Jesus turned my life around and perfected all that concerned me.


Do not keep your past away from your partner. No matter how horrible your past is. He/ She will stay if you are truly meant for each other. Sharing your past with your partner reduces your burden.

Written by Olatunji Abisinuola Stella.