Wrong Start
by Daisy Yawson
Six
The bright light from behind the curtains blinded her eyes as she tried getting up from her bed.
“Shit,” she muttered.
Putting on a bathroom slipper, she dashed into the bathroom for a quick bath. Almost slipping.
After going through the pile of clothes in her wardrobe for the right attire, she closed the door on her way out.
Thankfully, she had braids else it would have had to be fixed. The aroma from the kitchen filled her nose as she skipped past the kitchen on her way out. She’d made it a point to get to school on time, therefore, ignoring Adisa’s frantic calls.
“You said she skipped breakfast?” he asked, unusually calm.
“Yes, sir. I called her severally but she left anyway,” Adisa answered, suddenly feeling apologetic.
“It’s okay. You can leave.”
With her head in tow, she left him to be while he consumed his food. Minutes later, he was ready to leave for the office.
***
“Soooo..who is he?”
“Wellllll,” they chorused after they found her hesitating.
“We’re betrothed,” she said flatly knowing very well it was a lie.
“Ouuuuuuuu.” They chorused again, and louder this time.
“I’m not surprised girls…look at her,” Lizzy continued, making a gesture.
“She’s pretty. Who wouldn’t want her?”
She laughed bitterly in her head. Only if they knew the truth, they would sympathize with her instead.
“Yes, I agree,” Akua chipped in.
“So, do you guys like touch and kiss? C’mon tell us. Does he touch you?”
They failed to notice the pain in her eyes and kept on asking her series and series of unending questions.
Later during the day in class, the conversation she’d had with Ibrahim had gotten to her. Finding it difficult to concentrate, she ran out into the washroom. Rodha seeing her run out, followed closely behind.
A girl sobbed with her head bent on her knees in the washroom which she identified as Mimi.
“Mimi,” she called out gently.
Caught crying, she quickly wiped the tears off her face. Still, there were tear stains visible which was clear to Rodha that she’d been crying.
“Hey, are you okay? I mean I saw you run out. Is everything alright with you?” Rodha asked, her concerns were genuine.
“Hey, it’s fine alright…come here,” she opened her arms to her for a hug which she willingly gave while sobbing on her friend’s shoulder.
After getting her to calm down, she asked again. This time, Mimi opened up about her marriage to the conversation she’d had with Ibrahim.
Knowing well what her answer will be, she still went ahead and asked.
“So..with everything you’ve told me, I can conclude he’s intimate with you, right?”
Mimi nodded.
“Hmm. I’m not at all surprised… I knew you were having sex.”
Mimi looked at her strangely.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not saying there’s a difference between people who have sex and people who’ve never done it. My brother had once told me how a girl looked differently immediately after sex. He said her body glows.”
Mimi was quiet, listening to her.
“In fact, your skin looked different sometimes. I just assumed it was nothing but now you’ve told me, I know I’m right.”
Mimi said nothing as she didn’t know how it would help her situation.
And noticing her change of mood, she continued.
“Still, I think he’s a jerk for treating you that way despite being married to him.”
She suddenly found her voice.
“Maybe I should put the blame on my parents for marrying me off to a stranger.”
“Hmmm, I don’t think it would be a good idea. Plus he’s at fault here and until you believe it, how will you save yourself from his sharp words? He just has to be nice to you.”
“He’s nice to me.”
“Please, don’t act dumb. You confessed he acts cold towards you. Also, I still think it’s disrespectful to have your girlfriend over when you’re already married. Why don’t you give him some attitude?” Rodha suggested.
“What do you mean?”
“Treat him as he treats you.”
“And what will I get from doing that? Ro, to be honest, he takes good care of me. That’s what matters right?”
“It’s a must, my Friend. It’s his duty as a man.”
“Can we save that for another time? And promise me, no one has to hear about this.”
“I promise.”
The bell rang for closing.
“Let’s go to your house today. I want to know where you live. Do you think he will be okay with me visiting?”
A laugh escaped her lips.
“He doesn’t care, and we can solve some government questions.”
“Yes. yes. Let’s do it.”
The girls picked a taxi to the mansion.
***
Five men were seated in a large hall, taking their drinks in a big gulp, and having light conversation.
Only one had noticed the pretty girl’s presence. Her eyes were red and swollen that he felt the urge to go up to her but turned his head away suddenly.
His friends noticed it and looked to see a young girl whom they had guessed to be his wife, coming in with another girl in tow.
“Hello,” Mimi greeted without taking a glance at any of them.
“Hi,” her friend pleasantly greeted which got a response from them. Mimi’s action had alarmed them, they seem to have ignored her greeting indeliberately.
Prince tapped on Ibrahim’s shoulder.
“Ma guy, it seems she’s been crying. Why not go talk to her?”
All the other men nodded in agreement.
***
Recollecting the very first time he’d met her, he found out that he’d been played by the girl’s father.
Mimi had been in their family house, running an errand for her father who had been there. They’d been talking about finding him a wife for the pressing issue. A wife for the job. The news may have had Papa Nii; Mimi’s father pushed her daughter forward to be given in marriage to him. Having no idea she will be chosen, he agreed to whoever they chose for him.
But on the day of the engagement, he’d been greatly disappointed. Pretty she was, the curves she had but she was just too young for him although other men like himself wouldn’t have minded.
The boys soon left for their own houses. Each, keeping their opinions to themselves till they met again.
Ibrahim made his way to his room but stopped short in front of Mimi’s door to eavesdrop. He’d been sceptical about knowing what had happened to make her cry but he just could not do it.
Pressing his ear to the door, he listened. Their conversation seemed to be about their assignment and as he was about to retreat, he heard something of interest.
“Mimi, do you really want to be in a marriage like this?”
She sighed.
“Ro…he wants something from me. After I give him what he wants, I will ask my brother to help me file for a divorce,” she answered and with a smile, she continued…
“And I will like to join my aunty in the states. That way, I can start over. And no one…will ever know about my marriage or what I had left of it.”
His heart ached upon hearing that last sentence. Mimi had just said she would forget about this part of her life including the kid she might have with him.
Treating her coldly was one thing. Being clueless about the future was another.
***
Six months ago it happened.
Sitting there in the doctor’s office was killing him. The doctor had just announced Saeed was suffering from a bone marrow deficiency caused by a genetic disorder. He added that the child needed a donor to go ahead with the opération but they’d all been tested and weren’t a match for him. The doctor also informed him that, 90% of the time, siblings were a match for the transplant.
Thus, Saeed had no siblings. Again, he’d suggested he got someone else pregnant since the problem could have generated from Eyram due to some tests they conducted. It had forced him to get married. To have sex with her and wait for the results.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the States, a young man who is almost identical to Ibrahim got into a heated argument with a lady. A toddler lay peacefully in another room, full of toys. Late during the night, she’d already packed up clothes into three large suitcases.
One for her child and the two for her as she will be going away to Ghana the next month. Rapid knocking on her door pressed her to go check the person. An angry man barged in, throwing her off guard. Looking intensely into her eyes, he fumed.
“Calm down let’s talk. My son is asleep you might wake him up.”
“Hey! do you think I’m stupid?” Placing his hand behind her slender waist, he forcefully kissed her resulting in a slap as she wiped her already burning lips.
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