Chapter 2 Shame and guilt

______ One month later______

Dara ran outside to throw up for the second time that morning, with her mother her eyes peering deep into her

" Darasimi come here" she commanded whilst standing akimbo

she sluggishly walk up to her mother with her hand on her aching stomach

"sit" her voice came up again, Dara simply obeyed, doing as told

"Are you okay?" she asked looking at her as if the word held another meaning

"I'm fine, Mother," Dara replied, trying to brush it off.

But her mother's gaze lingered, filled with concern and intuition. "Dara, you've been acting strange for weeks. Is everything okay?

" Mom I'm fine"Dara argue weakly

"Dara, I know you're not fine," her mother said, her voice firm but gentle. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Dara's eyes widened in shock. How did her mother know? She hadn't even taken a test yet, but the symptoms were getting harder to ignore.

"Dara, answer me," her mother pressed, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and disappointment.

Dara felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She nodded slowly, unable to deny it any longer.

Her mother sighed, pulling Dara into a tight hug. "Oh, my child. What have you gotten yourself into?"

Dara felt a wave of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, her mother could help her figure out what to do next.

But then her mother pulled back, a stern expression on her face. "Tell me, Dara. Who is the father?"

Dara broke down in tears. "I shouldn't have done anything like that "she thought

she felt guilty and to consider the fact that her mother knew nothing about it

"I'm so sorry, Mother," Dara sobbed, her body shaking with guilt and shame. "I was desperate, and I made a mistake. I didn't mean to hurt you or our family."

Her mother's expression softened, and she pulled Dara into another hug. "Oh, Dara, my child. I'm not angry with you. I'm just worried about you and the situation you're in. We'll figure this out together, okay?"

Dara nodded, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way out of this mess with her mother's help.

But then her mother asked again, "Dara, who is the father?"

Dara hesitated, unsure of how to reveal the truth. She knew her mother wouldn't approve of Demilade, and she didn't want to disappoint her further.

"Mother, please. I don't want to talk about it right now," Dara begged, feeling overwhelmed.

Her mother sighed. "Okay, Dara. We'll talk about it later. But for now, let's focus on getting you the help and support you need."

Dara nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to make things right.

As Dara lay in bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and shame. She kept thinking about that night, about Demilade, and about the consequences of her actions. She felt like she had let herself and her family down.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number. "Dara, I know what happened. We need to talk."

Dara's heart skipped a beat. Who was this? How did they know?

She hesitated for a moment, then typed out a response. "Who is this?"

The response came quickly. "Someone who cares about you. Meet me at the park at 5 pm if you want to know the truth."

Dara felt a mix of fear and curiosity. What truth? What did this person know?she became alarmed

Dara quickly got dressed and sneaked out of the house, trying not to alert her mother. She made her way to the park, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. Who was this person? What did they know?

As she arrived at the park, she saw a figure waiting for her on a bench. It was a woman, dressed in a long coat and sunglasses.

"Dara, thank you for coming," the woman said, her voice low and mysterious.

"Who are you?" Dara demanded, trying to hide her fear.

"My name is not important," the woman replied. "What's important is that I know what happened between you and Demilade."

Dara's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know?"

The woman smiled. "Let's just say I have my ways. But I'm here to help you, Dara. I know you're in a difficult situation, and I want to support you."

Dara felt a mix of emotions. Could she trust this woman? Or was she just trying to manipulate her?

Just then, Dara's mother appeared from behind a tree, her eyes fixed on the mysterious woman.

"Who are you?" Dara's mother demanded, her voice firm.

The woman stood up, a smile still on her face. "I'm someone who cares about Dara's well-being," she replied.

Dara's mother narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you. What do you want from my daughter?"

The woman sighed. "I want to help her. But I think we should talk about this in private.

Dara's mother grab her by the hand " is either you reveal yourself or you forget about speaking with my daughter"

the woman smiled"I am demilade mother and I want him to be responsible for his actions for once"

Dara's eyes widened in shock. "Demilade's mother?" she repeated, trying to process this new information.

Demilade's mother nodded. "Yes, I'm his mother. And I'm ashamed of what he's done to you, Dara. He's always been reckless and irresponsible, but this...this is a new low."

Dara's mother's grip on her hand tightened. "What do you plan to do about it?" she demanded.

Demilade's mother sighed. "I want him to take responsibility for his actions. I want him to be involved in the pregnancy and help raise the child. He's always shirked his responsibilities, but I won't let him do it this time."

Dara felt a mix of emotions. Part of her wanted Demilade to suffer for what he'd done to her, but another part of her wanted him to take responsibility and be a good father to their child.

she wanted her child to experience the want of a fatherly love but she doubt if damilade will accept a po

or uneducated girl like a

her

Dara's mother's expression softened, and she looked at Demilade's mother with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "You want him to take responsibility? But what about Dara's well-being? What about her education and future?"

Demilade's mother nodded. "I know my son has wronged Dara in many ways. But I also know that he has the potential to be a good father. And I want him to have the chance to prove it."

Dara felt a lump form in her throat. She didn't know if she wanted Demilade involved in her life, let alone their child's life. But a part of her wanted to believe that he could change, that he could be a good father.

"What makes you think he'll take responsibility this time?" Dara's mother asked, her voice skeptical.

Demilade's mother hesitated before speaking. "Because I'll make sure he does. I'll make sure he knows what's at stake. And I'll be there to support him, to guide him."

Dara felt a mix of emotions. Could she trust Demilade's mother? Could she trust Demilade? a total stranger?