Mum I Told You

I told you mum; I told you. I told you I didn’t like the way Uncle Felix touched me when we played.

I told you how his ‘thing’ would rise when he tells me to sit on his lap.

I told you how he comes into the bathroom when am in the shower and he says it was a mistake.

I told you I didn’t like the way he looked at me when I came out of the shower.

I told you how he came into my room when I was dressing and slapped me on my buttocks and says

‘This small girl you are growing o.’

I told you how he bought a new phone for my 11th birthday and asked for a peck in return.

I told you and you said ‘He’s just showing affection. He’s your big uncle.’ (my big uncle yet none of your siblings know him).

Remember when he bought me a short skirt for my 13th birthday and said I should try it on in his presence.

I told you I refused but instead of supporting me you said I was rude.

I told you when he said I should get something in his room around midnight when you traveled.

Remember I said he came in and jumped on me saying it’s a game he wanted to teach me.

He called the game ‘Frisking’ where he ‘searched’ me thoroughly.

He said this was the game that was in vogue when he was my age. All this time I told you but you waved it aside.

I told you how I was bleeding after Uncle Felix had his way with me but you said I should keep quiet and not put you to shame.

Your exact words were ‘What do you want your fathers’ people to say? You know they accused me of killing your father.’

I complained and complained but you said I was seeking unnecessary attention.

Since you never listened and most times said I was talking rubbish. I kept mute and allowed the incident to play itself out.

Now you want to listen now that I am pregnant.

You are 5 years too late to come up with a solution. This 16 year old is tired of talking. She has accepted her fate and has decided to bear this burden alone.

(Dedicated to all the girls suffering in silence whose folks refuse to face their predators and prefer to maintain an image. Was trying to write a piece different from what am used to. Heard so many stories of girls being ‘raped’ by ‘relations’. My friend told me she was offered a phone by her uncle so they could decide when they would meet secretly. Please I would love if their is awareness concerning this case. Also your sincere feedback to improve this piece would be appreciated. Cheers