26/01/2024
He followed me from behind.
I didn't want to say a word to him because out of all the maidens in the village, he chose me to ruin my life.
I knew he promised my dad that I would continue going to school in his house, but I knew he was lying.
It's the same thing my friend's husband said when he married her, but she has given birth to three children and he hasn't mentioned school.
Whenever she brings up the topic, he gets angry and leaves the house.
I kept wondering why my father will even think about getting me married to his age mate.
Alhaji was nothing like the kind of man I had pictured in my mind to marry.
He was short, plump, with a pot belly and a set of unarranged teeth that looked like a saw ready to cut down trees.
Even the way he walked irritated me. I mean, seriously, there was nothing attractive about him.
I'm pretty sure all the women who agreed to marry him were just after his money.
We finally arrived at his house, and even the children who came out to greet us,
some were older than I was, and some were my age mates. Finally, the women came out.
Sannu da zuwa, mai gida, they echoed in unison, I just stood still as he introduced me to them.
I didn't know if I should address them as my co-wives, mummies, or even aunties.
They were old enough to be my grandmothers, except for the younger wife who could pass for an elderly sister.
They all welcomed me as the children rushed to take my bags from me.
The last wife frowned at me and went inside her hut, maybe she was thinking I will take her place, i didn’t even care about her husband.
I followed them as they showed me to my hut.
It was built separately from the other huts.
I shut my door and laid on the mat to sleep.
Little did I know, that was just the beginning of my problems.