Dark Night

Episode 8

From the moment Mrs Johnson heard that Blessing was blind, her attitude towards the child changed completely. When Mr Johnson treated her with increased love. Mrs Johnson did the exact opposite. She always looked for an opportunity to strike and beat her up, she made life a living hell for her. The only time the little girl smelt a little peace was when Mr Johnson was home.

Mr Johnson was surprised at the sudden change in his wife. He wondered what had happened to the loving and caring woman he married. How did she become this child beating monster? He was no longer happy in his own home. Even praying had reduced in the house. Sometimes in a whole week, no one would remember to pray. He was unhappy in his own house. He hustled day and night and saved as much as he could to be able to do the operation for Blessing, even though his wife had warned him that it would be a huge mistake and waste of money. She continued to punish the girl as if she was the cause of her predicament. This continued until the kids were 12 years old.

Gift had started schooling since but Blessing stayed behind. She was to start the school of the blind but Mrs Johnson didn’t think it was time for her to start.

Gift loved his sister and so whenever he returned from school, he took out time to teach her what he learned. He was always ready to defend her from his mom.

On this fateful day, Mr Johnson didn’t pick up Gift on time from school and so they came home late. When they got home, they met Blessing outside the gate with her eyes swollen and lips heavy. There was a cut on her right eye and she was crying. When she heard the sound of the car approaching she quickly got up and waved to them. When Mr Johnson saw her he was surprised, he and Gift quickly came out of the car and held her by the hand.

Gift: Blessing why are you outside at this time?

Mr Johnson: my Blessing, what are you doing outside at this time?

Blessing: Daddy, Gift, thank God you are back.

Mr Johnson: What happened? Where is your mommy? Why are you outside? Who did this to you?

Blessing: Mummy asked me to go and look for you and Gift. I came looking for you but I didnt know where to go and when I told her she beat me and drove me out and said if I don’t see you I shouldn’t return to the house.
Gift: How can mummy beat you like this? Is mum this wicked?

Mr Johnson was so angry that he marched inside calling his wife. When she came out she looked at her husband as if nothing had happened.

Mrs Johnson: oh thank goodness that you are home. (She tried to give Mr Johnson a hug but he stepped away from her and then she moved to hug Gift but he told her off also) what is wrong with the two of you?

Mr Johnson: what happened to you? Why did you become like this? How can you beat up your own daughter like this? What did she ever do to you?

Mrs Johnson: Is that why you rejected my hug?

Gift: mummy I don’t like what you are doing. Why did you beat my sister like this? Why are you treating her like she is not your child?

Mrs Johnson: she is not…..

Mr Johnson: shut up woman, shut your mouth before I hit you. (he raised his hands to slap her but dropped it again and instead dragged her into the room)

Mrs Johnson: (inside the room). Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Stop pulling me!

Mr Johnson: What had gotten into you? Why are you behaving like the devil? You wanted to say rubbish with your mouth or what?

Mrs Johnson: I don’t want her here.

Mr Johnson: what are you talking about?

Mrs Johnson: we have to take her to the orphanage. She can’t stay here anymore.

Mr Johnson: you are joking, my daughter stays where I stay.

Mrs Johnson: she is not our daughter and she must go. She is bad luck. Her blindness is making everything blind in this house so she must go.

Mr Johnson: she goes no where. And don’t you worry. Very soon my Blessing will see again

Mrs Johnson: what do you mean she will see again?

Mr Johnson: Don’t you worry, you will find out soon.
(He turns and walked away from her)