ZAINAB By Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi (Chapter 4).

... preparations were going on for the big day which was just a night away,,my father's relations were around,,uncl suleman's wore a big smile,he was so happy as if he was the one getting married,,I managed to wear smiles at intervals,,but I just couldn't wait for the break of down.....

It was the said morning,some women were already cooking and assisting mom ,,I could see some tear drops falling off mother's eyes at intervals,she was indeed broken,,she was really surprised at how happy I was on that day and day before,,,when I noticed everyone was 

busy,I took my bag and ran to Aminate's place . She was very happy to see me,,,I told her all that has been happening with me so far,,,,oh my God,this is serious,so what do u plan to do now,she asked,I don't know for now ,,but one thing I am certain is that I can not marry my grandfather's age mate,,,

 its okay ZAINAB,calm down and think, because this is not going to be easy,she added,,, thinking again I realised she was right,,,it wasn't going to be easy,,where do I go from her house,,thank God her parents had travelled,,at least I will have sometime to think of where to go or what to do with my life...

Very early the next morning,,,I and Aminat were still sleeping,when a knock woke us up, are you expecting someone,I had asked,oh no,not at all,,,getting to the door low and behold, my father and some other men,I was very shocked to see him,,how did he find me,I had never seen my father that upset,,he ordered one of the boys to carry me on his shoulders,, getting home,I was given the beaten of my life,,uncle Suleiman hit me so hard,that I had soiled the family's name,,such nonsense has never happened in the history of this family,that a mare woman has a choice to choose who she will marry,you are such a disgrace,the little books you have read has really made you sturbonly mad,,,,

Uncle I don't want to marry now please,I want to go to school I cried,, shut up that mouth of yours,,,,my mother stood watching me been beaten,there was nothing she could do after all,and that broke her heart,,, another date was fixed for the marriage ceremony,,uncle suleman made sure I was locked up in a room like a prisoner,I ate, and  drank there,and if I needed to use the restroom uncle suleman accompanied me,,I was a prisoner in my father's house..I soon found out my class mate from school were the ones that told baba that I am most likely to be in Aminate's house,,those girls really don't like me,and they want me out of thier way...

The day finally came,Alhaji Usman had come with his kins men,my bride price by was paid,and I was accompanied by some women to my husband's house,like a ram to the butcher,as the women sang my praises,I was lost in thought,as to what fate has in store for me,and what my life will be like in the house of Alhaji Usman, been that he had other wives and children that could be my parents age mate,,,I was dieing inside,I so wished I wasn't in that mess,I wished my parent weren't poor,I wished I wasn't the sacrificial lamb,too many wishes...

Soon it was night ,I couldn't sleep,then I saw Alhaji Usman come into my room😭😭😭😭

Written By Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi