Sisi never imagined that she would one day fall in love with the same man who raped her — a man she once trusted as a friend. After the incident, she felt deep regret and resentment toward him. However, what happened afterward seemed to slowly soften her feelings toward him. According to her story, the man did everything he could to make her forgive him. He kept apologizing and showered her with money and gifts. “I was new in Abuja. After finishing secondary school, I moved to the city to stay with my elder sister. I needed to work and save some money. I wanted to go to the university, but there was no one to sponsor my education. My sister promised to help, but I knew I also had to help myself and show that I was serious about my future. Later, she asked me to come and stay with her in Port Harcourt, where she lived with her husband. In the compound where they lived, there was a man who became friendly with me. He often helped me look for a job and sometimes gave me money to support myself. He was a fashion designer and had lived in the city for many years, so he knew many people and places where I could find work. “At that time, he was the only friend I had. I trusted him and could tell him anything. I felt comfortable around him, and he made it easier for me not to miss my friends back in the village. I knew he liked me, but whenever he tried to be romantic, I always brushed it off. I told him clearly that I only liked him as a friend and was not ready for any relationship. Besides, I already had a boyfriend in the village and did not want to betray him. I thought he understood. But one day, when we were alone in a room, he suddenly grabbed me. I never imagined he could be so wicked and forceful. I begged him to stop and not to rape me, but he did not listen. That day, he raped me. It felt as if he had planned it all along. I left his place crying. I felt deeply hurt because I had trusted him, and he broke that trust. “After the incident, he became very remorseful. He begged me not to tell my sister or anyone else. I was extremely angry and hurt by what he did. For months, I refused to speak to him. I even regretted knowing him and coming to the city at all. Sometimes I wished I had never come. He helped me find a job, but I refused to take it because I was still very angry with him. However, he did not stop trying to apologize. Every weekend he kept sending me money and gifts, always with messages saying, ‘I am deeply sorry.’ This continued for about eight months. Eventually, I started letting go of the anger. Later, he told me he wanted to date me properly. Now, I find myself in love with him. But sometimes I still remember what he did. The memories do not carry as much hatred as before, but they still come back. Whenever we quarrel, my mind goes back to that day he raped me. And I often find myself wondering what I am doing with someone I once believed I should hate.” Dear Sisi, as they say, love knows no boundaries. If you ask me, I think you already liked him before the ugly incident happened. However, a man who forces himself on you is someone you should stay away from. A person like that cannot be trusted. He might try to force himself on you again without your consent. I won’t tell you to leave him so you don’t call me a “joy killer”, but you shouldn’t expect too much from this relationship. It may not last because a part of you may still feel hurt or angry about what happened. Also, the trust between both of you is already broken. Hello readers, thanks for reading through. You can inbox your opinions or share your own experiences.