CHAPTER 10: THE GIRL WITH AN EVIL OMEN( A WEAKNESS CALLED LOVE: MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN HOUSEMAID)
I went to the market to sell my food. I kept my tray beside me and sat on a flat stone as I waited for my beloved. People had started buying and I was busy selling. I was engrossed in my transactions when someone said "how much for a plate?" Like a reflex action I recognize the possessor of the husky manly voice. How can I mistake the voice of the love of my life. "For the possessor of my heart, nothing. I said" with a full toothy grin.
He smiled and that made my day.
Talking to Mudi is always a pleasure, it is sweet and hypnotizing. Everything about talking to him was amazing, his expression, his face, his smile, his laugh, his body movement, the way he calls my name, everything.
So sweet was conversing with him that I got carried away and made the mistake of putting my feet on a stone, beside me as I handed a full heaped plate to my Mudi. His friend Hamza called him. Hamza was shooting me deadly glares, let's just say he still hasn't given up. Ever since Mudi and I became a couple Hamza's hatred for me had increased.
I was looking at them when I heard a thunderous shout over my head:
"Take your leg off my seat you selfish ugly sack of bones! Don't take it, and I will throw this filthy smelly slime you call food! "
I looked up, ready to fight back but when I saw who it was I quickly retreated. Taking my leg off the stone in the blinking of an eye. It was The girl with the evil omen. Who was I to fight with her. I would not want any mishap in my small world.
Tall, slender but fat in all the right places, the girl with the evil omen is not to be taken lightly. Her small waist and plum lips adding to her sensual looks. But it was her eyes that gave her away. For her eyes showed her soul. They reveal an ocean of hopeless grief.
She did not say anything further, she sat on the stone, with an expressionless look. That blank expression scared me. What was to come later? Perhaps she also dislikes me because of my undying love for Mudi, may be she disapproves of our relationship. I had to explain to her. I do not want any evil to befall my certain future with Mudi. Still scared, I mustered the courage to talk to her. She was not looking my way, but I dare not tap her. So I waited until she looked, then I spoke:
"It's not like I'm asking her to pass him over, I'm simply asking her to share, to be a little generous. How many people in this village have co wives? Im just seeking the divine ordainment be upheld. I'm not asking too much. I just want a little love. To give love and receive love in return. I do not ask to get this feelings, it is something that was ordained by the Most Merciful. How am I suppose to refuse a favor bestowed on me by my Lord. Besides I wants us to be sisters in Marriage just as she is my kin. Please try and understand "
"You don't understand" she says, "I simply don't care. You can sit on his lap or do even worse before my eyes but I don't care. It's not my problem.
I said you were selfish because you sat on one stone and put ur filthy leg on another. If I wanted to say anything about your romantic relationship I would have already said it to your face and trust I will not be subtle about it. " she said rudely.
She wasn't mean out of malice rather out of exaggerated self perseverance. She has grown cold and calous. But who will blame her After all she was known as " the girl with an evil omen" . Life hadn't been easy for her. Hard as it is to believe, it is said that there were times this girl knew how to smile. Now she move with a constant scowl. Her face lack radiance, I would have said she looks like cow but I will be unfair to the cow. I think cows are expressionless but this girl always have a bitter expression on her face.
Maryam is her name. I must admit even I think her life is a nightmare. It all started normal. Her childhood was typical, went to city and worked for years, when she was 14 she met her first love. Their love was epic. Even before marriage the pair were always together, smiling and laughing. So strong was their love that Muhammadu composed instantaneous love poems for her. While she sings melodies of sweet love all day. Alas! Their parents consulted and it was decided that the two be married as soon as possible. For why delay such beautiful love from flourishing.
They were married. Their happiness was beyond measure, their joy limitless, their love euphoric.
They were seen on the streets taking romantic walks with hands entwined, smiling and lost within each other. For them there was no other world beyond theirs. In the presence of each other the world went mute. Only the sweet voices of their beloved existed. They were so happy that they never get angry over anything, their forgiveness was immeasurable.
They were one of the reasons I always dreamt of falling in love.
But destiny was not on their side, their happiness was short lived for One fateful day exactly six months after their marriage. Muhammadu was about to go for work. He was a commercial motorcyclist. He held the love of his life In a tight embrace that was longer than usual. He caresses her finely plated hair while he sang for her. It was a song he had specially composed for her.
He kissed her goodbye. While she silently sobbed because she feared the hours she will be apart from him. She always missed him dearly, their goodbyes always break her heart a little. But as he saw her cry he came back, wiped her tears with his palm and comforted her. "I will be back soon my love, I take you along in my heart as I am in yours"
She smiled and said, "I will be waiting for you. "
He finally set out for work. Though it internally tore him apart to be away from his love. Muhammadu find comfort in knowing Maryam will be waiting for him when he gets back. Maryam was his forever.
As usual he was giddy. He met his friends and co workers. He was riding his bike happily. But then he decided to show off a bit. He had always been praised as being a skillful motorcyclist. A little show won't harm anyone. He started speeding, while he abruptly takes a turn and started all over again. He was getting applause from his friends and passersby who now stood and watch with awe and keen interest, some were singing his praise. He then took his leg off of the foot peg and stood on the seat of his motorcycle his hands still on the handlebars. More fascinated than ever, The people shouted
Sai kayi Sai kai sarkin mahin (meaning Lord/king of Motorcycles)
He was laughing when without warning he hit the trunk of a huge tree. In seconds his life ended. He fell down lifeless, his head slit into two halves. It was tragic. Now everybody started shouting and wailing in horror. They all were busy saying Inna LillAhi wa inna ilayhir raji'un (Verily to God we belong and to Him we shall return) the place was a utter chao.
His father and uncles were called, they came and met the lifeless corpse of their kindred. There was nothing to be done. He was taken home, washed, shrouded and buried according to Islamic faith. It was decided it was better he was buried before Maryam could see Him in that state.
His father then sent news to Maryam's father about the demise of his son. Maryam's father was to break the news delicately to her. Her mother sent for her, told her it was urgent. When she arrived at home. Her father called her and said:
"Dear daughter, everything in life has a beginning and an end. Nothing in this life of our ensures in continuity. Our life in this world is a lease. A generous lease we get from the Merciful and the Lord of Bounty. Who gives Us everything." He paused.
All the while Maryam listened with her head bowed down in respect for her father. He then continued
"Today the Lord of the World and the Owner of everything had decided to take one of His Servants from this world to another. By the grace of God He will be in Paradise. I'm sorry dear daughter but that servant is no one but your beloved husband. Remember every living soul shall taste death. Be patient Maryam and pray for you husband. Find peace in the fact that your husband died while he was pleased with you. "
Tears were flowing from her eyes. She stood then ran to her mother's room, she threw herself on her mother's bed while she sobbed uncontrollably. Guests were arriving to pay their respects.
She cried. Oh she cried, she wailed, she shouted, she said everything yet she said nothing. Everyone watched her sympathetically.
As she lived in the same compound with her in laws , she was taken back there. The mourning was to be done there. All her relatives were by her side. And everyone visited her everyday according to tradition. She was inconsolable. It was decided she needed Devine help.
Malam Audu was summoned, he prayed for her, he prayed for the deceased and he prayed for the entire village.
Alms were given out, people prayed more, read the Quran more and remembered their Lord more. For death reminds us of the inevitable. Or eventual passing.
Eventually, the morning period ended. All went back to normal. But Maryam's mourning period ensured, it was 4months 10 days according to Islamic Law. By the end of her mourning period she had already lost weight.
Months past. Then she started getting suitors. At first she turned everyone down.
A year later her parents talked her into considering other suitors. Maryam was strong. She was not a quitter. She was brave, she loved again.
The name of her second Love was Ahmadu. Barely one year after the death of Muhammadu, Maryam became a happy bride. Oh Maryam knew how to love. She loved deeply. There were married for 4 months when the inevitable happened. Fate was not on her side. Ahmadu died in a car crash. Maryam cried again, this time even harder. She was a mess.
This time something was different. The villagers were not entirely sympathetic. They were wary of her. They sensed some evil within her. Soon news spread about her. She became the girl that shall not be wed. Because everyone who dared to marry her was signing his death sentence. Even girls keep away from her for fear that she may rub her bad luck on them. She became an outcaste. Parents warned their sons about her. But the men did not even think about courting her.
Then something dreadful happened. Malam Ibrahim, send word to her father that he would like to marry her, if her father will do him the honor. Her father was overjoyed. The courtship began.
Malam Ibrahim taught himself a pious man. He was never superstitious. But everyone taught him stupid, for what man will ignore the obvious.
His two wives were angry and urged Malam Ibrahim to desist from such madness. In a matter so grave they were no longer rivals. They must unite to do away with this annihilation. After that they may resume being on each other's throat. They cried, they begged but Malam Ibrahim did not heed their warning. They prayed, still he continued to court his Maryam.
A wedding date was set.
His wives had had enough, they were not ready to be widows neither were their children ready to be orphaned.
As his father was late, they went to his Uncle and poured their hearts to him. His uncle understood and promised to talk sense into him.
The Uncle called Malam Ibrahim. He gave him a 30 minute lecture on responsibility. On the duty of a father. He even called his marriage attempted sucide. He emphasized on the prohibition of sucide in Islam. Yet, Malam Ibrahim stood his ground. He said nothing will afflict him save what was already written for him. He continued
"Uncle Sadi, I respect you. I value your words. But I believe no one can escapes his/her destiny. Good or bad. Uncle my life is not in my hands neither is it in Maryam's. It is with My Lord. No mortal holds that much power. Let me marry her and prove you wrong. All I ask is for you to pray for us and our union" there was no convincing Malam Ibrahim. His mind was set. His uncle reluctantly agreed.
He paid a Handsome dowry. They were wed.
On their wedding day, the village was already mourning Malam Ibrahim, he was considered a dead man already. His wives wept. His relatives wept, it was a sad day for everyone except for the happy couple. For everyone was fond of him. He was generous and kind. For 7months everyone waited for the death of Malam Ibrahim. They waited for the inevitable.
Maryam loved him more deeply than ever. He was the love of her life. For when everyone deserted her he loved her. He loved her when she needed it the most. He loved her at her lowest. He loved her when it was not convenient to love her. His love for her superseded the fear of death.
For seven months she became a dutiful wife. She gave him all the love she can. She respected him and will do anything he asks. But he never asks for anything. He loved her genuinely, wholeheartedly and deeply. He took care of her and made her feel special.
Then, he fell sick. He had a fever. But he insisted it was nothing. Maryam insisted he go to the chemist and get drugs. She was worried. He went there and was given drugs. He even joked on returning home, he said to Maryam "see, are you happy now, now I can sleep without your ranting" he laughed. "Yes" she said in amusement. His fever subsided. Then in the night it came back. Before morning he was dead.
Maryam was blamed for his death. When she cried everyone thought her a hypocrite. Nobody sympathizes with her anymore. She was a cruel woman who was selfish and keen on killing men. What a woman.
It was confirmed she had evil omen.
After his death, Maryam had never felt pain as deep as the loss of Malam Ibrahim. Yet she was not allowed to grieve openly. But she grieved. She mourned her husband. She did not care what the villagers thought. She loved her husband. It was all that mattered. She prayed for him. Sometimes she sighs and said "God bless him, May God forgive his sins" tears then rolled down her cheeks. She grieved him longer than all her husbands. For two years she was not herself.
His death gave a fatal blow. Then it happened. She gave up She became cold and bitter. She became numb, she felt nothing anymore. A true sadist. The world had been cruel to her, she became cold to it. Now 21 years old, The girl with the evil omen had lost hope of ever getting married again. She minds her business and care only for the businesses she does.
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