PHAROAH III

On the day preceding our Mathematics exam, I spent most of the day in Pharaoh's office as he patiently explained things I didn't understand. It felt like Faith was teaching me once more.

There were times when his hands mistakenly touched my thighs or even my breasts, but I chose not to talk about it. I didn't want to make things awkward. How was I supposed to tell my principal, who had taken my welfare upon himself, that he had mistakenly touched my breasts five times? Or that he had touched my thighs—the part that was visible when I sat and my school skirt rode up—exactly ten times.

After the Math exam the following day, I went to his office as usual. A junior student was present, he asked her to excuse us. She hesitated, making faces at me like we were rivals of some kind, but eventually left. As soon as she was gone, he hugged me tightly for a long time.

Afterward, he placed his hands on my shoulders, allowing his fingers to rest on the center of my bust. I pretended as if it had not happened and managed to free myself from his grip. I rushed to sit on his chair, like I had been doing, and opened his laptop to see a movie.

He stood where I had left him, smiling sheepishly. He complimented me, saying I was beautiful, endowed, and down to earth. I smiled and thanked him. It was one of the words of affirmation he often used to encourage me.

He came towards his chair, where I was seated, scrolling on his laptop to find a movie I hadn't seen. He had introduced me to American films, and I had grown fond of them.

He asked if I knew he didn't have a wife, confirming the rumor.

I nodded.

He said he had unexpectedly fallen in love with me and planned to marry me, but he would wait until I finished my studies.

I laughed inwardly. I knew there was no way I would marry an old man.

He walked back towards the door, and if his pen fell or he dropped it, I do not know to this day. He begged me to pick it up for him. I pointed out that he was practically standing next to it, but he reminded me that he was the principal, and I had to obey his every command.

I smiled and went towards the door to pick up his pen. As I bent down, he held my waist and pressed his crotch against my back. I stood up abruptly, alarmed by his actions.

Things had gotten awkward, and I knew I had to leave. I told him so, but he insisted I wait because he had ordered food for us.

Reluctantly, I stayed. However, the food took longer than expected. While we waited, he continued to make the most disgusting remarks. He talked about how he would marry me and take me around the world. He mentioned that he would buy whatever I wanted and promised to make my life stress-free. According to him, I was a trophy for any man who would have me, and I should only be kept on a shelf, not moved around.

His words made me smile a bit.

He went on to say I would give birth to six children—three boys and three girls. When he noticed my smile fade, he quickly added that it would be whichever way I wanted it.

He continued talking; some of the things he said were disgusting, while others were not, until the food arrived.

We ate in silence. I caught glimpses of him staring at me, so I concentrated on finishing the food quickly. Once I finished eating, I hurriedly fled from the room, not even waiting for the usual transportation fare.

On my way home, I thought about what he had done and the offensive things he said. I told myself that all I had to do was complete my WAEC exams and gain admission to the university, and I would never have to see him again. As for what happened, it might have been a mistake, so I tried to push the thought out of my head.

On the following day, after our Civic exam, I couldn't see him. He had a long queue of people—students and teachers—waiting to see him. I thought it was God telling me to flee from him. So I hurriedly left. 

I had another exam scheduled for the next day. As soon as I finished, I found myself heading to his office.

Throughout the previous night and that morning, I thought about all he had been doing for me and that God probably did not want me to be an ingrate. It was even one reason he cursed Cain. Maybe yesterday was only a coincidence, and I ought to go see him again, only that I would try to leave on time and not let him touch me.

As soon as he saw me, he hugged me tightly again, but this time his hands awkwardly rubbed my back.

While still holding me tightly, he said he wanted to see how much I weighed. Without waiting for my response, he carried me to his table, which was also awkward.

He had both hands wrapped around me and stood very close, making me breathe in the air he breathed out. It was uncomfortable, but I hoped he would check my weight as he planned and let me get off the table.

Instead, he started reminding me of how much he had done for me, and suddenly he placed his lips on mine.

Summoning all my strength, I pushed him away, jumped off the table, and hurried towards the door.

Now, I think it was easy to push him away that day because he did not see it coming.

He urged me not to leave, saying that if I did, I would be an ingrate. He reminded me of all he had done for me, stating that he had helped me get over the loss of my friend and had paid a counselor heavily to assist me. He also claimed to have helped with my exams, mentioning that he knew my poor academic state and that without him, my exams would be a sorry story. And the only thing he was asking for in return was a kiss—nothing compared to his immeasurable help.

He went on to demean me, pointing out that he was the only one who could afford to be with me, as I did not even have friends because no one could tolerate me. Mockingly, he asked if my father could even afford a mirror so I could see what I looked like.

That day, I heard the most derogatory words of my life. After reminding me of my sorry state, he began sweet-talking me once again.

While talking, he began to walk towards me. In a panic, I tried to open the door, only to discover that he had locked it.

While continuing his speech, he approached me. In a panic, I tried to open the door, only to discover that he had locked it.

He got even closer and said he would do almost anything for me if I just let him kiss me. He claimed that was all he wanted.

The events that followed my refusal are ones I will never be able to properly describe.

As I made my way toward the gate, I heard someone calling my name. It was Ogah. As soon as I saw him, I began running, and he chased after me.

He caught up with me eventually and asked what had happened. I told him nothing had happened.

He said that was a lie, and he could tell I was trying hard to hold back tears. He assured me that if Pharoah had done anything to me, I could confide in him. 

I told him I was only experiencing menstrual cramps and needed to go home. He squeezed my hand, smiling, and before he could delve further, I quickly left.

I arrived home with teary eyes, and when my mother asked what was wrong, I told her my exam did not go well. She was surprised and asked if Pharaoh had not helped me as usual. I replied that I wanted to handle it on my own and take responsibility. 

She danced and praised me. Suddenly remembering that it was more honorable to fail honestly than to succeed dishonestly.

On the day of my next exam...