Jane didn’t expect to get pregnant during her youth service program in Lagos. She had just finished school and was really excited about what would come next. Little did she know that she was about to enter into what would birth the worst situation of her entire life. Standing in this room and looking at his body, she remembered everything like it was just yesterday.
Jane met Frank in camp, at what is called the “Maami Market”. Frank was a handsome, dashing young man with the right charm to get any girl. One could easily tell he was the ladies’ favourite, as they always stared at him… wishing he would just smile at them. He was smart, outspoken, confident and knew just the right words to get you on his side. He was indeed, a charmer.
Jane was still trying to pick what food she wanted at one of the “buka” outlets when she heard in a low, yet clear voice, “You should try their Jollof rice with shredded chicken….you’ll love it, trust me”. She turned around and that was when she saw the most handsome face she had ever seen. And the smile on his face was enchanting too. It took all of her willpower to comport herself and say, “Oh… really?” He replied, “Yes, you should. I come here a lot and I’ve had it… heavenly, I tell you. I take it, it’s your first time here, right?”
“Yes, it is”, Jane replied.
“Ok, then…why don’t you go ahead and take that. I’ll pay for it”, said Frank with that charming smile once again. Jane offered some resistance but it was truly hard to say no to Frank. They both took a table and sat down to eat. Jane discovered that Frank was quite interesting as he had lots to say about almost everything and he knew his way around too. Jane was so enthralled by his “gifts” and his way of delivering them. A lot of time passed with their discussion that night came and it was time to get back to their respective hostels.
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They walked back together and just when Jane was about to make the turn to the female section, Frank extended his arm and said, “Frank….my name is Frank”. Jane had been so engrossed that she forgot to ask his name the whole time. She took a slap to her forehead and while shaking his hand, said, “I’m Jane”. He smiled at her…a smile that swept Jane off her feet…and placed a gentle kiss at the back of her palm, after which he said, “have a good night, Jane”. It was there and then that Jane fell deeply and completely for Frank.
The rest of Jane’s time in camp was basically spent with Frank and before long, she grew very fond of him. In fact, it wasn’t long before they started dating. Jane got to find out that Frank was actually from a wealthy home, as opposed to her humble background. She got to see more of his flamboyance outside the camp and got to enjoy the privileges of his girlfriend. She was having the time of her life because he would always take her out and lavish her with gifts and money. It was truly a great time in Jane’s life. Three years passed and Jane could say she was living the life at the time. She had a job that paid okay and Frank was doing well running his father’s company.
On one of her visits to Frank’s apartment on the island, Frank requested that they sleep together… this wasn’t the first time though. Now Jane hadn’t slept with Frank yet as she intended to wait till marriage as advised by her mother. She didn’t want to risk having a child outside of marriage and also, she knew abortion was out of the question. So getting pregnant wasn’t an option at all. Frank wasn’t okay with this and would always make an attempt. That night, he said, “But baby, I love you and you love me too… it’s no crime if we have a little fun, you know. We actually should have done this a long time ago, really”.
Jane replied, “I know, Frank….but I already explained this. I really don’t want to get pregnant outside wedlock. It’ll be a shame for me and my family. I can’t have a baby right now….not until I’m marr….”
“Oh come on, baby, Frank interrupted, but I have said I will do that in due time. Besides, we’ll be careful and you won’t get pregnant”.
“I can’t risk it, Frank…you already know I love you, so please just keep respecting my decision, okay?” said Jane. Jane won that night…but she knew Frank wasn’t happy. She loved him but she needed to be sure before doing anything.
More time passed and Frank rarely brought up the topic anymore. Jane got worried as this was unusual and could mean he had another woman in his life. She brought her worries to Frank’s notice but he always told her there was no such thing and reassured her that he would marry her as promised. “Remember this, my love,” Frank said, pointing at the engagement ring on her finger.
Yes, he had proposed a year ago but he kept dragging his feet with the marriage plans. She mentioned this one day and unexpectedly, he flared up saying, “What’s the meaning of all this, Jane? Why do you always suspect me even when I’ve told you there’s no other woman. And now you say I’m delaying marrying you. Why should I be in a hurry to marry you when you have constantly denied me that which I’ve asked of you, huh?”
“But Frank…I”, Jane started to say
“Spare me all that, please! Frank interjected…I know exactly what you’re going to say and I’m tired of it. It’s either you give me what I want or you wait till I’m ready to marry you…which will greatly depend on how fast you do that though”.
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“Frank!!!”…Jane couldn’t believe what she just heard. She looked at him and saw the seriousness right in his eyes…he meant it. Jane couldn’t risk losing Frank after all these years, especially since he had proposed and both families knew already. She found herself between a rock and a hard place because getting pregnant would mean disappointing her parents yet refusing Frank would mean losing him and she couldn’t afford that. It would break her.
And that was it, Jane reluctantly slept with Frank just to maintain her position. She asked that he use protection but he refused, saying it won’t be enjoyable that way. He promised to be careful and asked her not to worry. She loved him too much and that threat really scared her, so she agreed….again, reluctantly. She asked that he fulfill his promise to marry her as quickly as possible so she could be rest assured and this, Frank agreed to.
But things took a different turn after that because Jane got pregnant. She informed Frank but he denied it flatly. Even before her parents, he denied ever having carnal knowledge of her. Jane couldn’t believe her eyes. Days later, word got out that Frank had moved out of the country. It was all too much for Jane. She cried and cried and even almost took her life but for the baby inside her.
Everything she had ever wished and hoped for vanished. Her hopes dashed…her dreams, cut short. Jane’s world crashed before her very eyes. It was unbearable for her. She had to struggle to take care of herself and her child. Her salary was barely enough to cater for her and the baby, especially in the hard economy. If not for the support of her parents, she wouldn’t have made it. It wasn’t easy, but she kept struggling.
And so it continued for two years, without even a word from Frank.
Then one fateful day, she came across a blog post on social media about a state governor’s daughter who had just been gifted a car on the arrival of her newborn baby. She was just casually swiping through the pictures when she saw a familiar face. Lo and behold, it was Frank himself. She almost had a seizure.
She went through the lady’s posts and also found Frank’s handle from there. Turns out he actually got married to this lady and that was the reason he flew abroad…for the wedding. In fact, she would later find out that Frank had been cheating on her with this particular lady. She didn’t know this earlier because Frank had gotten new social media accounts and kept everything underground. Everything about the wedding was kept under wraps and it was only just recently that it became public.
A wave of anger swept through Jane. It was so heavy she had to fight the urge to smash her phone. At that moment, everything came back to her..the hurt, the pain, the betrayal. Everything she had been trying so hard to forget just came flooding back. She remembered the countless times she tried reaching out to Frank to make him rethink his denial and consider her condition. The shame and mockery she went through all because of him. The suffering she bore while trying to keep her baby alive. It was all too much for her and then, she resolved to make Frank pay. He wasn’t going to have a good life while she kept on suffering.
Looking at him now while he begged for his life, she couldn’t believe she let him deceive her. The mere thought of it all angered her. He muttered words like, “I was going to come back for you, Jane…I swear… I just needed time”. “I was under pressure to marry someone of my status”. “Ehm…err…I wasn’t ready for a baby then”. But all these made no meaning to Jane. She knew he was just trying to escape the retribution she intended for him that day. Frank had always been a conniving bastard…she just never realised.
She took one look at his face and just before he could say one more “I’m sorry”, she pulled the trigger. Yes, she killed him. He knew exactly what he did leaving her behind to suffer with their child. The sound of the gunshot felt like the sound of victory. She had taken her pound of flesh. She knew this wasn’t right before God…but she hoped He would understand.
She imagined being caught after this… probably being questioned about the murder. People will wonder what led to it, how she thought it up, how and where she got a gun, why she didn’t just forgive him etc. People will wonder what would’ve prompted such action from a woman like her…for Jane had always been gentle. She had her answer ready, “Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned”.
Story by: Emmanuel Anthony
Whoa!!!Such a touching story,I must confess it stired some mixed reactions from me,I still don’t know if I am happy Jane made Frank pay for all he did to her.
I’m short of words but I would hv preferred Jane to curse him than killing him cos she just gave him an easy punishment and she may have more hard time because she killed someone.
I wish and pray we all learn from this and never give in to any kind of pressure no matter the promise made to us.