Champagne’ used to be a really seductive word a few decades back.

The news of Ope’s scheduled wedding was a much welcomed one. At 31, she’d crossed over the conventional marriage age for young women and gradually hitting the single and searching category. As big aunts, many of us were already curious about her status and never failed to ask about the ‘bobo’ whenever the opportunity provided itself. So, when we got the text message, inviting us to the Introduction ceremony, I was elated. Ope’s day of glory was already a bit overdue, so it called for great thanksgiving and I was sure that her mother, a Lagos socialite by every standards will leave no stones unturned to make the ceremonies as remarkable and memorable as possible.

For the first time in months, since she left home, Fausat was able to call on a visit. She was like a stranger in the house she couldn’t wait to shake the dust off her feet so many months ago. Her parents were their relaxed, her siblings were all over the place, laughing, and fighting good naturedly with the occasional admonition from their mum. “There’s food in the kitchen”, her mother reminded her and she nodded. She had never known the kitchen to be bare. The housemaid gave a squeal of joy when she saw her. She actually threw herself at her; what she hadn’t done since she came to the house a couple of years ago. She was almost moved to tears.

I really am not sure where to begin. I came from a happy home, even though my parents were divorced. I was raped when I was thirteen by a neighbour but I moved on with my life. Two months later, I got married . Nine months into my marriage, I got pregnant, then miscarried. I still tried to move on in life but almost three years after the first rape, I was raped again . This is where I feel like I am going literally crazy. I reported this one to the police, but I think that was a bad idea. I can’t handle the stress this has brought on! It has affected every aspect of my life . I need help rearranging my life.

I don’t know what is wrong with me and I have gone very far in a relationship with a guy who works in my office. That is not even the big issue. The big issue is that I’m married and I have kids and enjoy a good relationship with my husband. I have carried on with this for a while and the relationship is good for my sex life because it kind of rejuvenated it and makes me more attractive to my husband who noticed I am looking different and being update in fashion. He has not suspected I’m having an affair but I fear he would eventually get to know if I don’t stop. My life is becoming more exciting and I have come to realise that it’s not just about sex. It’s about everything about me.