The Unwanted

By valerie lolomari

Imagine an object. Any object... Good.  Now hold it in your mind and imagine for a minute. If that thing is hard pressed, but not crushed or broken; If it is struck but not destroyed, then what will it become? Will it be weaker for that experience, or stronger? If it could choose for itself, would it choose to be always whole, or to pass through the crushing and striking?

Choice is a funny old thing. It is the freedom to choose one thing over another, and our most fundamental human right. I sometimes wonder what paths I would have chosen for myself, given the chance… long before I was born. What choices would you have made if you could? What difference do you think those choices would have made?

I didn't have a say in most of the things that happened. Or maybe I did. Perhaps we all, at one point or other, had a say in our destinies. As you journey through these pages, ask yourself at every turn – "what would I have chosen?"

Set in Nigeria, The Unwanted is the story of a girl whose learns that love is greater than hate, stronger than rejection, more powerful than fear.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: valerie lolomari
• Release date: Oct 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201283834

Book preview

Dedication

To the Holy Spirit, my inspiration.

To Opunne, my Big Mama. Love you always

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Acknowledgement

My dearest husband, Tonye and my darling children - Maya, Tanya, Jada and Jared... thank you for being my r'aison detre. I love you.

Thank You

To everyone who has been part of this journey - I cannot name all, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Special shout out to my launch team - Bikepre Daniel-Kalio, Tonye Porbeni Adenusi, Ola Fakande and Anastasia Adeku.

Reviews

The Unwanted is an evocative story that I could not stop reading. I found myself challenged to choose lemonade, no matter what kind of lemons life throws at me.

Tonye Adenusi

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This is a testament of resilience, perseverance and Faith in God. Unfortunately it is a true reflection of life for many young women and girls in Nigeria as well as many parts of Africa.

There are many wonderful quotes in this book, but I like this one -

People are seeing glitter, but there is no gold here, how typical of life!

Opuene Charles

It takes courage to address the stigma of rape, degradation, child abuse and rejection. This book has exposed the dysfunction that many suffer in silence! I hope it brings hope and healing to all those who suffer such tragedy!

Strong women are not born, they are forged through the fire they walked through.

Elsie Rogers

CHAPTERS

Chapter One

Her Father’s Daughter

Folakemi was a sixteen year old, SS2 student at First Senior High School somewhere in Ondo state. She was pretty and had a thick, lush frame. She had a flowing mass of hair as well and deep dimples on both cheeks. Folake, as she was popularly called, was a friend to many and one of the most intelligent students in her class. Her school was hosting its biennial inter-house sport competition and she qualified as one of the sprinters for her house. One day, shortly after practice, she was going back home with her friends when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see a short a junior male student.

Senior Folake, Senior Douere said I should call you.

Okay, she told the boy even though he was already running off.

Hmm, why is Senior Douere asking of you? one of her friends asked excitedly.

I’ll have to go, to find out, won’t I? Folake rebutted.

Ehn go na, while we watch, another friend answered, with laughter in her voice.

Folake took a deep breath and walked across the short lawn to where Senior Douere was standing. As she approached him, she greeted him and he smiled. His smile caught her off guard. Senior Douere had always been one of the most handsome senior boys, in fact, many of her classmates regarded him as the Finest in SS3. Folake felt quite overwhelmed to be talking to him.

Folake, how are you? I hope I didn’t disturb you, he replied, smiling but not exactly meeting her gaze.

Folake also felt shy and shook her head.

It’s just that, I’ve been hoping to talk to you for a while now, he continued.

Folake’s heart was beating faster. She risked a glance back to her friends and caught them staring blithely, without caring that Senior Douere might spot them.

The thing is, – Senior Douere let out a deep breath. – I like you, Folake.

Folake gasped and lifted her eyes to his. He nodded and the rest they say is history. Well, not exactly history, as Folake listened silently as he toasted her, or in plain terms, tried to get her to agree to be his girlfriend. Politely but firmly, she said no and returned to her friends, who could already tell what was happening and would not stop teasing her about it. Senior Douere did not stop though, he visited her during break hours, after school and sometimes, waited up for her before she arrived at school. He brought gifts, helped her with her assignments and even tried teaching her to run faster so she could do better in the sprint race. She did not win the race, but slowly, Douere won her heart. She even found out that he was eighteen years old.

Their relationship was against their school rules so they had to keep it under the radar. They tried, at least, none of the teachers ever learnt of it, but all the students knew about it. Douere and Folake were the love birds of First Senior High. Folake had never been so happy, well until her period was late for three weeks.

By then they had been dating for six months and though they were both virgins when they met, they had lost that and some. On realizing the meaning of a late period, Folake called Douere after school and talked to him about it.

What do you mean your period hasn’t come? Douere asked, in a distraught voice.

It hasn’t na. If it has, will I tell you it hasn’t? It’s almost one month late now.

What does this mean?

Already scared and anxious, Folake grew irritated.

What do you mean by what does this mean? Douere, I might be pregnant o.

His eyes bulged, like he had not figured it out before then. He just stepped back, resting his head on the wall behind him. They were in a half-finished building at the other end of the school field. From there, they would take the path to the back gate and go home as they always did. Going home was the last thing on Folake’s mind and on Douere’s also, it appeared.

You can’t be pregnant, Folake, he murmured when he finally spoke.

Yes, I can. And I think I am, Douere. Didn’t you know I could be when we were –, please don’t make me say what is not right, Douere.

Douere slid to his haunches, pressed both hands to his temple and let out a big sigh. Lacking direction on what to do, Folake sat down on the bare floor beside him.

I can’t be a father right now, Folake. I’m too young.

I’m younger than you, and if I’m pregnant, it’s me that’ll carry the pregnancy.

So? You can’t keep this child, Folake.

What do you mean I can’t keep this child? Folake replied, in a very stern tone and now on her feet.

Douere rose too, so once again, he was staring at her from above.

If you’re pregnant, you’re going to get an abortion.

God forbid. Better stop saying rubbish.

Douere walked to the window sill where he placed his bag and picked it. Then he walked back to her.

"I’m not ready