C13 Twelve

The men came into view.

They were just five in number.

One teenage boy of about my age or older probably.

While the rest were old men.

" Stop this Wedding, now! " They Announced.

" Why should we do as you say? , How dare you to barge into this temple during this auspicious ceremony and order us to stop the wedding? " The groom said harshly.

" Well, well well, it's for your good, Mr. Arnold. "

" Meaning? "

" You wouldn't want to be shamed on the Red Ritual right? "

" Stop speaking in parables! Go Straight to the point! "

" Hm, we have a case here, this young guy here claimed that both he and Your so-called pure and the innocent bride had been in a sexual relationship for about a year now. "

" What! " Almost everyone echoed.

' What's going on here? ' I thought confusedly.

" Do you have proof of what you are saying? "

" Of course we do, we can't just accuse a ' Maiden ' unjustly. "

" Show it to us then. "

" Hm. "

Soon a Black and White picture of ' Me ' and the so-called guy came into view, in the picture it appeared that we were in a tight embrace.

The picture was passed around and soon, I started getting hateful gazes from everyone there.

Well, According to the rules and law's in my village.

A young lady shouldn't be seen with a man before or after her wedding apart from her husband.

So you can already guess what's going on now.

" Is this... True, Malisa? " My Dad asked me with his eyes red with anger and furry.

" It's not, I am innocent of all these accusations. " I spoke up in self-defense.

" And you expect us to believe you? , We aren't as stupid as you, Malisa. " Cyril said.

" Tch, tch, I never knew that you could do something like this, Lisa! How dare you ruin our family name? , Not only did you try to escape but you also Had an affair with a guy! " James who was quiet commented.

" She attempted to run away? " The groom asked as if trying to confirm.

" Well,... " my Dad trailed off.

" Did she or did she not? " The groom inquired coldly.

" She did. " This time it was Cyril that replied, his reply shocked everyone present.

" No wonder. " A man said and everyone that suddenly realized.

I looked around and saw that no one was willing to defend me.

Even my so-called friend, ' Ria ' didn't even look at me.

It was as if she was saying.

<< Why did you do it, Lisa? >>

But wait! I didn't do anything! I am innocent!

Unfortunately, no one believes what I say.

Soon I felt a presence in front of me, it was my Mom.

" How dare you do this, Malisa! I didn't expect you to be a slut! When did you turn like this? I didn't raise you this way why, why Malisa? , Why did you have to bring shame and disgrace to our family? , Why? , Did we ever starve you? Do you lack clothing or shelter? Did we ever make you suffer? , No right? So why did you do this? Why Malisa? Why? " She Ranted.

" Mom, I am innocent, I didn't.... "

" Innocent? The word doesn't even sound well from you, after all the proof you claim to be innocent? , Do you think that we are all fools here, Malisa Bree? "

" I.... "

" Shut up! "

" Em, Mr. Arnold.... "

" What do you want to say now, Mr. Bree? Will you try to convince me to accept this Slut as my Wife or what are you trying to say? "

" Mr. Arnold... "

" Don't you dare! Mr. Bree! From the moment your daughter has been proven to be a slut we cease to have a partnership. "

" But what about the deal? "

" Which deal? Have you forgotten about the fact that the deal will only be finalized once I got married to your daughter? "

" Yes, I know but... "

" Don't you dare think that I'll accept a slut and a tainted woman as my wife, Who knows how many men she has had sex with? "

I felt my heart sink hearing these words of his.

<< Who knows how many men she has had sex with. >> These words kept ringing in my ears.

But I am innocent, I don't know about all of this.

" Em, Is the marriage still going to continue? " The officiating Priest inquired.

" No, the marriage is called off! I can't let my reputation be stained by getting married to a slut. " Mr. Arnold hissed.

" But... "

" It's over when I Said it's over. " Mr. Arnold said as he walked out of the Temple disappointed.

" Are you happy now, Malisa? , You finally destroyed our family's reputation, the reputation we've been building up for years is now destroyed by you, are you happy? " Cyril said sarcastically.

" Why did you do this Malisa, Why? "

" Mom, I didn't..... " I didn't get to complete my statement as a tight slap landed on my left cheek.

I felt a stinging pain thereafter the sound echoed.

Tears started to fall from my eyes uncontrollably.

I felt betrayed, Helpless, Devastated, disappointed.

All these years I have been doing according to everything but this is all I get?

Is it a sin to be born as a girl child?

Why do I have to suffer this much?

Is this my destiny?

' Lord, Why me? '

" I am very disappointed in you, Malisa! After nurturing and providing for all your basic needs all this year, is this how you repay me? " My Dad spat out as he also walked out of the temple angrily.

I then felt my legs weaken, Tears continued to fall down my eyes uncontrollably.

I tried my best to control it but failed.

I looked up at The guy who framed me and when our eyes locked.

I saw a Smirk hanging on his lips.

His clear eyes were saying.

<< Serves you right >>

I recollected that this particular guy was always disturbing and often tried to flirt with me but I refused him bluntly.

He then told me that I'll regret it.

I didn't take his words seriously then but now...

I am indeed regretting not taking his words seriously.

I stood in my Position beside the iroko tree for only Good knows how long.

Then I heard the announcement.

" According to the laws of the land, A maiden must not be seen with a guy or have any sexual relationship with him as long as he isn't her husband or she would be Disgraced publicly at the village square. " He paused a little looking at everyone's faces before he continued.

" Malisa Bree has broken this rule and therefore she will be punished accordingly. "

" What! "

" Why? What? Have you guys forgotten about the rules? "

" Now, let her be dragged to the village square now! After she serves her Punishment she will be permanently banned from the village and I hope that this will serve as a lesson to other maidens. "

Immediately he stopped speaking.

I was approached by two well-built ugly looking men who immediately grabbed me and then dragged me out.

No matter how much I struggled it was to no avail and I was eventually dragged there.