CHAPTER TWELVE

"So, sir, Bianca has been expelled from school along with the other girl. The principal said they would be allowed to sit in for their upcoming exams and shouldn't be seen around the school premises till then."

Mrs. Alao concludes telling her story to the reverend, who is seated in their living room with her and her husband.

"Hmm, that's what I always say; children are vulnerable and open to temptations more than usual these days. It is a sign that the world is coming to an end. The devil is hard at work and is recruiting teenagers for his kingdom, employing the tool of the flesh. The Bible says in Galatians 5:19–21 that "now, the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." We have to deal with this situation carefully; we must not let the devil prevail."

"Exactly why I invited you here, sir. If I hadn't seen it for myself, I wouldn't have believed it. I don't know what went wrong; we have trained her in the way of the Lord since she was a baby. I just don't understand how we missed something this serious." Mr. Alao says, shaking his head sadly.

"I just told you that the devil is hard at work; no one is perfect. There will surely be temptations, regardless of how religious we are; overcoming them is what's important. The silver lining to all this is that we still have a chance to force the devil out of her. Where is she now?"

Mrs. Alao sighs and points towards the staircase. "She's upstairs in her room; she's been keeping herself locked up since the whole incident. She hasn't eaten, drunk, or even come out at all since that day. I always have to force her, and even then, she only eats a very small portion. I wonder what she does inside the room alone; her tab has been taken from her, so I know there's nothing else for her to do indoors. What do we do, Father?"

"Yes, sir, what's the way forward?" Mr. Alao asks eagerly, looking expectantly at the reverend.

"I have an idea, and I think it would work."

"What's that, sir?" Bianca's parents ask at the same time.

"I don't know if I told you, but I have some girls living with me at the mission house. They are all there for different reasons, but the one thing they have in common is that they are there to be closer to God. We have counseling classes, confessionals, bible studies, prayer meetings, and lots more to further solidify their relationship with God. I think it would be the best place for her pending when her examination starts. That's if you don't mind."

Husband and wife exchange glances and nod simultaneously.

"We have no objections at all. It's for her good; why should we mind? I knew you would have a solution; that's why I told you, sir. Mr. Alao says, nodding satisfactorily.

Mrs. Alao heaves a sigh of relief. "When can she come, sir?"

"It's all up to you, whenever you feel comfortable. Tomorrow is fine if that's alright with you."

"It's just perfect, sir. She would pack her stuff today, and we would drive her down to the mission house tomorrow. We'll call you early in the morning to let you know what time we will be coming. Or what do you think?" Mr. Alao asks, directing the question to his wife.

"Tomorrow is fine. We will call you to update you first thing in the morning, like my husband said."

"No challenge. Please call her for me; I need to talk to her." The reverend says this while looking at Bianca's parents.

Mr. Alao stands and goes to the top of the stairs to call Bianca, "Bianca, come down here real quick."

The latter mutters a barely audible "I'm coming."

Mr. Alao goes back to sit as Bianca shuffles down the stairs lazily. She soon appears dressed in a loose-fitting top and pajamas. Her face is all swollen and puffy, and she has bruises all over her body. Her eyes widen in shock upon seeing the reverend seated on the couch.

The latter exclaims, "Jesus Christ! What happened to Bianca? She looks like she was hit by a moving train."

Mr. and Mrs. Alao exchange an uncomfortable glance in silence.

Mrs. Alao clears her throat and says, "There's nothing wrong with her, sir."

"Then, why is she covered in bruises and her face swollen?"

"You see, sir, the bruises are not that much; it's only so obvious because she's fair-skinned. I only corrected her a little bit on the error of her ways." Mr. Alao is looking at the floor.

"I cannot believe this; you mean you beat her?" The reverend asks, looking Binaca over and shaking his head angrily.

"This is nothing short of barbaric. I just told you now what she needs—not to be beaten." Turning to face Mrs. Alao, "And you supported this?"

"It's not like that, sir. Even the Bible says that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it away. We just thought we could drive out the devil in her." Mrs. Alao concludes, avoiding the reverend's gaze.

"Anyway, we'll discuss that some other time. I just want you to know that beating a child is not always the solution." He motions to Bianca, who has been staring sadly at a portrait on the wall. "Come and have your seat, Binaca."

Bianca tears her graze from the portrait and goes to take a seat on the couch. "Good afternoon, reverend."

Mrs. Alao takes the opening speech: "Binaca, your father and I have decided that you will be leaving for the reverend's house tomorrow, so go and pack up your things for the duration of your stay at the mission house."

Bianca looks around at everybody in confusion and says, "I don't understand; why do I need to go to the mission house?" I have to study."

Her father cuts her off, "Because we said so, and because it's what you need right now. You will be there pending when it's time for your examinations." You should be grateful for this kind of opportunity; you ought to welcome it with joy."

"Don't I have a say in that sort of decision? I'm comfortable here at home." Bianca says she is on the verge of tears.

"You lost the right to have a say when you decided to embarrass us. Of course, you are comfortable at home—so comfortable that you even had the time to engage in nonsense. You really should go; I can't even stand to see your face every morning. You should be ashamed of yourself." Her father says she is fuming hotly.

She bursts into tears and looks to her mother for support, but the latter turns her head in the other direction, a clear indication that she won't come to her aid.

"Please, Dad, Mum, I promise I will be on good behavior henceforth; I will do anything you want; just don't let me go to the mission house." Crying and sniffing, she goes down on her knees to appeal to her parents, "I'm so sorry I embarrassed you both, but I will change for good."

Mr. Alao looks at her in disgust and hisses, "Your reaction now has made me more than confident that I made the best decision. That devil in you doesn't want you to better your life, but believe me, this decision is final." He announces, hissing in disgust.

The reverend father smiles and nods his head. "I can see now that this is not a battle that can be fought physically; I have faith in God that he will perfect everything that concerns Bianca."

Mr. and Mrs. Alao murmur an "amen."

"Go upstairs and start packing; you leave tomorrow." Mrs. Alao is motioning towards the stairs.

Bianca replies stubbornly, still crying, "I don't want to go, please."

"You better go and start packing before I get my whip to work on you." Her father shouts angrily, getting on his feet to drive home his point.

Binaca takes one last look at her parents and the reverend, who is smiling triumphantly at her. She stands up and makes her way up the stairs, wearing a defeated look on her face and tears flowing down her cheeks.