Memories take me back to what happened years ago. My name is Shamiso Sithole. I will tell you my story.

I was raised by my mother who was divorced before I was born. When I was 9, my parents had an agreement that I go stay with my father’s wife in the village. I was going to stay in Mutare, it was much easier and cheaper for me to go to school there. My mother said that it would make my father take responsibility for me. I was young and innocent.

My stepmother, Melody, was a good, loving and caring woman. She had four children with my father, two girls aged 10 and 14, and two boys aged 17 and 15. I shared a room with the girls, Martha and Nomatter, while the boys, Bright and Lovemore were in the other room. My father only came home at month ends. After a month of staying there we were like a united family. Martha would help me with my homework and Bright would also help me when Martha was busy.

Bright showed interest in me, I thought that’s how big brothers behaved. He would give me sweets, chocolates and even bring me water to bath. He liked to watch Melody when she bathed me, I was embarrassed but as time went on I felt safe. He used to check if I was tidy and accompanied me at school. He was protective.

One day I returned from school and found Bright washing the dishes. It seemed everyone wasn’t home except Bright.

“Good afternoon mukoma Bright,” I greeted loudly as I entered our bedroom. I heard him answering. I wanted to do my homework fast so I took my bag on the floor and looked for clothes to change to. Bright entered my bedroom as I was putting on my dress. He stood there looking at me and then at my panties. He came closer and started to remove the dress I was about to wear and gesturing me to lie on the bed. He took my panties off.

“You know I love you, my sister. I want to show you gratitude so don’t scream, it won’t be painful,” he said quietly.

I followed orders and didn’t know what he was going to do to me. Then I felt a cold and sharp object entering me. All I could feel was a terrible pain as if he was forcing something in my private parts. I wanted to scream but he was on top of me.

I was afraid that if cried or screamed he would hurt me. He looked furious and angry then he said, “Don’t tell anyone about this or I will slit your throat with a knife.”

I nodded my head and tears flowed on my cheeks. I could still feel pain in my body. He did what he wanted and left me there bleeding. I got up dressed and wiped the blood off. What will my step mother think of me? If I tell anyone he would kill me so I had a secret to keep. My legs felt pain, even my privates were in pain. I just wished my mother would come back to collect me.

***

Tell us what you think: What should Shami do? Who can she tell?