Ben and I dated for two years. Ben was my first boyfriend ever. Our relationship started off on a weird note.
I had gone over to my colleague’s place to pick an item she bought for me from her recent trip abroad, when I stumbled on Ben. He was the new lesson teacher my colleague had hired for her kids through one of the agencies in town. That happened to be his first day at their residence.
He was already done with the kids whom I think had retired to their rooms, and was already packing up to leave when I got into the apartment. There was this strange chemistry between us as soon as I got in and sighted him. I could feel it. We clicked immediately. My heart began to race and dance around. I could literally hear my heartbeats. I was thrilled staring at a perfect, cute gentleman standing in front of me.
He flashed me a warm smile as he reached out for my hands to get a handshake. It was then I jolted back to reality.
“Hello.. my name is Ben, I am the kid’s new lesson teacher…”, he said with a very firm and sweet baritone voice.
His voice sent cold shivers down my spine. I think this could be “love at first sight”. I wondered.
I stretched my hands and buried my palms In his as we stared into each others eyes.
“Well… I am Oma, Shade’s colleague at work”, I answered shyly. “Nice to meet you Oma”, Ben said still holding my hand while exposing his set of well arranged dentition. “Same here”, I retorted, as I comported myself and withdrew my hand.
It was at this point Shade came downstairs and exchanged pleasantries with me. Ben decided to take his leave. I became disappointed that we didn’t get the chance to talk or even exchange contacts.
I felt I should join him outside to get to know him better but I shoved the idea. No matter what, I am the woman, he should do the chasing, not me. Thank God Shade didn’t notice anything and I didn’t spill anything about what just transpired between I and Ben either. I spent about an hour at Shade’s place, before I left with the item I came over to pick.
As soon I got outside, went into my car and was about to zoom off, I heard a tap on the door. I looked up and there he was standing and giving me that cute smile.
My heart melted instantly. It was then I realized Ben hung around to wait, probably to get to know me better. I was thrilled. I let him into the car, and that was the beginning of my woes I thought was going to be a perfect love story.
By the way, My name is Omar Edmunds. In my late 20’s and the only daughter of my parents. I am a graduate and I work as a staff in one of the Lead advertising firms in the country. Up until the time I met Ben at Shade’s residence, I have never been in a relationship.
Although I have been getting loads of advances from guys but I was still waiting for that one person whose love was going to be magical and intriguing. That prince charming who was going to sweep me off my feet. I wanted to feel those butterflies in my tummy. I really wanted to experience something beyond the ordinary just like the way it happens in movies.
And I felt so with Ben. I didn’t hesitate to give him my entire heart, body and soul.
Ben; very smart, and captivating graduated with good grades, although still struggling to get a good job at the time. He decided to become a private lesson tutor as a means of livelihood pending when a better job offer would come. I didn’t still mind he was still struggling, all I wanted was his love. I was willing to assist him in any way I can until he finds something more tangible.
I started spoiling Ben with cash and gifts. Since I am from a rich home and I have a well paid job, taking care of Ben was like a piece of cake.
I made sure I gave him money whenever I sensed he needed it, almost weekly. I changed his wardrobe and got him very expensive wears. I also got him a more befitting apartment. Ben couldn’t do without me anymore, maybe because of all I was doing for him.
I was doing all of those for Ben including giving him my body at will because I loved him so much but I didn’t know I was shooting myself on the foot.
Few months into the relationship, I had already terminated 2 pregnancies for Ben, because he told me he wasn’t ready to become a father yet and he detests using protection.
Ben started hitting me. He would beat and hurt me at the slightest provocation. I was enduring those treatments because to me he was the head of the relationship, so he was just trying to protect and discipline me to become better. After all, when you love, you chasten.
On several occasions I went over to Ben’s apartment unannounced after I closed from work to spend the night as usual, and I sometimes found different women in Ben’s house making out with him. It really broke me into shreds. Ben will always apologize to me and order the so called ladies out of his house. He always promised me he was going to change but that change never came.
After two years in my horrible relationship with Ben, I seemed to have lost my esteem and identity because Ben doesn’t hesitate to hit, insult, molest, threaten and hurt me with words, while extorting lots of money from me to sustain his frivolous lifestyle.
I already had 7 abortions for him and the Doctor said anymore attempt to abort will put my life in jeopardy. I became a shadow of myself but I kept hoping that one day Ben was going to change for the better. I didn’t want to give up on him, afterall Love is kind and patient, it doesn’t give up easily. I was willing to wait for Ben to change and begin to realize that I am the perfect woman meant for him.
Due to what was going on with me, ny parents and a few close friends began wondering what was going on with me. I was always moody and withdrawn. They never sensed what it could be because I painted Ben to be a picture of a perfect gentlemen to them.
One faithful day, I had a fight with Ben at his apartment. I threatened to leave him, he began his usual beating, and at the verge of escaping, I fell and hit my head on a concrete pillar and every where became black.
I woke up on a hospital bed and I saw my mum and cousin Nnenna sitting in the room. They were happy to see me awake. I learnt I had been unconscious for over 1 month. I tried to remember what happened to me. It was quite difficult, but thank God I did after a few hours of being awake.
I was in tears as I narrated my ordeals to my mum and cousin who was shocked hearing I passed through all those tragic events without speaking out.
I learnt I was a few weeks pregnant when I was brought to the hospital, but due to the trauma, I lost the baby. According to the Doctor, my womb has been badly affected as a result of numerous abortions and there are slim chances of me ever conceiving again. The news really devastated me.
After I was discharged, I fell into depression. My family and few of my friends supported me and encouraged me to start life afresh.
Although it was hard, but I moved on with life. I heard Ben left town after what he did to me and I haven’t heard from him ever since.
Ben was indeed the true definition of “A viper in my bossom”.
I still hope to find true love someday. There are so many mistakes I made while I was with Ben that I will never let to repeat itself.
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Never ignore red signs in your relationship. Once you sense some unhealthy and toxic signs that cannot be corrected, leave before it leads to Marriage. Don’t let it damage you beyond repair before you learn. Love is not foolishness. You deserve to be happy.
©️ Fiction by Blessing Nnanna.