The poor widow - S01 E06

Story 2 months ago

The poor widow - S01 E06

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 6

The Poor Widow Episode 6

Jecintha’s life continued to change in ways she never imagined. The DPO kept taking care of her and her children. He paid for everything. Her children were in school, eating well, and living in comfort. It felt like a dream. Jecintha still didn’t believe how far things had turned around. The man who once tried to pressure her in detention had not touched her once. Instead, he was generous and kind. Sometimes she wondered if he had changed. Sometimes she feared he was just waiting. But every day, she kept thanking God for giving her and her children another chance.

Her business was also growing. She had already made a name in the estate. Neighbours came to her shop daily. People liked her smile, her honesty, and the way she treated customers. One Saturday morning, the DPO surprised her again. He handed her a cheque. “This is N3 million,” he said. “I want you to expand this shop. Turn it into a supermarket.” Jecintha’s mouth opened wide. “N3 million?” she asked, shocked. The DPO smiled. “Yes. I want you to grow bigger. I’m proud of you.” Jecintha collected the cheque with shaking hands. She didn’t know what to say.

With the new money, she rented the bigger shop beside her small one and joined them together. She painted the new place, bought freezers, shelves, and stocked more goods. She named the place Mama Junior Supermarket, in honour of her first son. The new name and look attracted more customers. People loved buying from her. Now, she sold provisions, drinks, frozen food, toiletries, baby items, and even bags of rice. The business became a blessing. Jecintha no longer looked like the woman who once begged in the market. Her face was fresh, her eyes bright, and her spirit alive again.

She was still living in the DPO’s house, but she had peace. He didn’t disturb her, and he didn’t repeat his old offer. He kept providing, and she kept saving. Every week, she secretly saved some profit from her supermarket. Her plan was simple—gather enough money, get her own house, and start her life afresh. Her children were doing well. Junior had become more responsible. He even helped in the shop after school. Jecintha thanked God every night. But deep down, she still feared the day the DPO would remind her of the agreement she made to gain her freedom.

One evening, the DPO called her to his room. She had just returned from the shop and was about to rest. “Come inside,” he said gently. She entered the room with a calm face, but her heart was beating fast. He pointed to a chair. “Sit down,” he said. She obeyed. He looked at her quietly for some seconds, then said, “You are enjoying yourself, right?” Jecintha nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m very grateful.” The DPO smiled. “You’ve done well. Your shop is moving fast. Your children are fine. You’ve even added weight.” Jecintha smiled politely, still not knowing why he called her.

Then his smile faded. “But you remember our agreement, right?” he asked. Jecintha froze. She nodded slowly. “Yes, sir,” she replied. “Good,” he said. “I’ve given you time. I wanted you to settle in, rest, and heal. But now, I need to start enjoying you too.” Jecintha looked at him in shock. She didn’t know what to say. He continued, “You’re not a visitor here. I brought you in for a reason. I’ve spent a lot of money. Now, it’s time for you to keep your part of the deal.” Her stomach turned. She didn’t expect him to say it so clearly.

She tried to speak, but her mouth felt dry. “Sir, please…” she said softly. “I’m not ready.” The DPO laughed lightly. “Ready for what? You agreed already. You’re eating my food, living in my house, using my money, and running a business I funded. I didn’t do it for nothing.” He stood up and walked around the room. “I’m not rushing you. I’m just telling you to prepare your mind. The time is near.” Jecintha sat still, confused and afraid. The DPO looked at her and said, “Don’t think you’ll escape it. If you try, you’ll lose everything you have now.”

That night, Jecintha could not sleep. She lay on her bed awake. Her children were sleeping peacefully in the next room, but her mind was troubled. The DPO had finally said it. He wanted to start sleeping with her. And there was no way to stop him. She was in his house. Everything she had now came from him. She remembered the pain she went through in detention, the hunger, the fear, the arrest. “I can’t go back to that life,” she whispered. “But how can I give myself to a man I don’t love?”

The next morning, she opened her shop early, but her mood was low. Her customers noticed. One woman said, “Mama Junior, your face dey dull today.” She smiled faintly and said, “I’m just tired.” But inside, she was worried. She was thinking of her next step. “Should I run away?” she thought. “Should I find somewhere to hide?” But where would she go? Her parents had already rejected her. She had no siblings to call. And starting all over again would be hard. “God, help me,” she prayed quietly. “Don’t let me lose everything I have worked for again.”

Jecintha stood in front of her shop and watched people walk past. Her heart was heavy. She knew the DPO was watching her too. He gave her everything she had now, but it came with a price she didn’t want to pay. “I didn’t suffer all this while just to become someone’s property,” she said to herself. “I have to think fast.” As she turned to go back into the shop, she made a decision in her heart: if she must leave, she would go with her children and her dignity. Even if it meant starting from scratch again.

To be continued