CHAPTER 16: THE UNORTHODOX MOTHER ( A WEAKNESS CALLED LOVE : MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN HOUSEMAID )

It so happened that we finally ran out of capital. We could no longer sell food at the market. So instead of sitting around and doing nothing, I went to Shatu’s house.
Luckily for me, there was drama. At least I will be entertained.

Kubura, Shatu’s full sister had came back home from her husband’s house. As soon as she entered their compound, she put one hand on her head and the other arm was spread across her face, covering her eyes, she started screeching, crying and shouting saying:

“By God, I shall not go back to his house, I will never go back”

Shatu’s mother came out of the room running, when she saw her she puts both of her hands on her chest and exclaimed

“Is everything fine, what is it Kubura, talk to me”
 

“Yeiii yeiii, weiii, weiii, hahhhhh yeii “
She continued crying as her chest heaves up and down.
We came to where she was and also started asking her what the matter was. It was then she said
“He hit me, the wicked man hit me”

“Why? What happened? What have you done to him?”
Her mother asked
“ I had washed his clothes, set them on a rope outside our room, waiting for them to dry when I saw heavy clouds forming, it was going to rain. I took the clothes off the rack to our room. It had rained a little when it stopped. He then asked me to take the clothes outside, I obliged, it started to rain again, I took the clothes back into our room again. Then the rain stopped. He asked me to take them out again but I refused. I told him if he liked he can take them out himself, that I was tired. He threatened to hit me, but I hissed because I was really tired. Then he hit me on my back. “

"He had hit you. I never gave birth to a punching bag neither had I given birth to a slave.” Shatu’s mother said angrily.

Come along she said as she grabbed her veil and hurried out of the house.

Kubura stopped wailing at ones, she smiled and followed her mother behind, stomping, swinging her arms as she walks.

Shatu and I followed behind excitedly.

We reached the house, Shatu’s mother did not bother stopping at the in laws section of the house to say hi. She went directly, to her daughters room. Liti, Kubura’s husband was sitting in the room alone, when we stormed in.

“ you hit my daughter?” She asked
“ Good evening Mother” he quickly replied, bowing a bit

“ Don’t ever beat my daughter again. Do you wish to kill her? I thought you were better than that. I trusted you with my child. Is this how you repay me? If you beat her again, you will cease to be her husband. You would then have beaten your marriage” She said

“I’m sorry, it shan’t happen again”
He replied
“ it better not” She retorted.
 She turned to Kubra and said
“ we will leave now, you shall stay”

She turned walking as Shatu and I followed her yet again. The people in the compound had started peering from behind doors. Shatu’s mother ignored them.

We were giggling behind, feeling proud of Shatu’s mothers behavior.

After we left the compound Shatu asked me, “how is Musa?”
I immediately knew what she meant. She was reminding me of my promise. Shatu and I may be buddies but I dare not cross her. If not I can kiss Mudi bye bye. I shan’t be ungrateful.

“He is fine” I managed to say.

When I went home that day. I said to my mother
“Mother, I need to talk to you”
“About what?” She asked
“About Musa”I said blankly
“Musa needs to be seriously thinking about his future, he is 21 and still unmarried. You wouldn’t want to have a 30year old bachelor as a son”
I continued
“God forbid” She interrupted
I smiled and continued
“ Has He find a wife yet?”
“Not that I know of, maybe I should have betrothed him at a young age.” my mother replied.
“ No need for regrets while you can still do something about it. How About Shatu?She is the daughter of your dear friend, and a very good girl. She will make a good wife and a splendid daughter in law.” I continued

“I was actually thinking about Aisha, Hadeeza’s sister. She is a very good girl and also pretty. An excellent match for my Musa” she said as her lips form into a smile.

“Why her? You can’t do this to me Mother” I said without thinking.

“ I have been thinking about it for a while, I think Musa will really Like her, and what has this got to do with you?” She asked

All my plans will be ruined because of one stupid Aisha. I was not ready to lose my Mudi. I knew I had to play my cards right. At this moment my temper will take me no where. I will have to make my mother guilty, make her pity me, make her believe she has a hand in my inability to get a suitor earlier.
I let myself calm down for a minute, She was looking at me expectantly.

“Mother, My dear mother, the only mother I have. The best mother I can ever hope for”
I started

“What do you want?”

She quickly interrupted curtly, with a frown on her face.
“ Mother, please, Musa has to marry Shatu.”
“Why must He?” She asked

“ because I promised Shatu, she helped me get Mudi, the love of my life. Now is my turn to return the favor. Mother, Mudi is the first boyfriend I ever had, a potential life partner. We all know that people in this town are working against me. Preventing me from getting married. Now Mudi is ready to marry me. The only way to marry Mudi is if Shatu gets Musa. And Shatu has always been good to us. I can’t believe you will choose some girl over her. Shatu and I are getting older, probably the eldest unbetrothed girls in town. If I do not marry Mudi I may end up killing myself or running away from this village to God knows where. “ I paused.

“I will go to town one more time and work if you agree to it. The Lord knows that is the only way we can save money for the marriage. This time I will be good mother. I promise” I finally said. Tears welled from my eyes.

Her brows drew closer, She sighed and then said
“ no need to cry Ladi. You are right. Shatu had always been good. I really want you to marry. What if Mudi is our golden ticket? It’s not your fault you are in love with him.  After-all, He is the one who owes his wife a duty of care not you. Okay. I will talk to Musa by God’s grace.”

I wiped my tears and had the biggest grin on my face. Everything is going as planned. Time for Musa to do his duty.

My brothers are not brats. They have been raised to take care of the women in our family. At a young age Musa had always been taught I was his responsibility. They did their best. I never had to carry heavy load, my brothers always take care of that. They did the groceries and talk politely toward me. So I was confident Musa will not refuse us.

My mother called Musa, he came and sat. She told him it was time to marry and that she had found a suitable girl for him.
“Who?” He said with a grin
“Shatu” she replied.
His smile fell just as a ballon will deflate when pierced with a pin.

“What is it? Don’t you like my choice? Are you frowning at me?” She asked with a sarcastic voice laced with anger.

Musa had always been smart and diplomatic. He knew his next words had to be chosen wisely. Because they can determine the course of his future. Only a fool will outrightly defies his mother. For everyone knows that the paradise of a male son lays beneath his mother’s feet. She can be his doom or his boom. The choice was his.

“Answer me” my mother demanded.
I was sitting and watching, part of me was angry at Musa. I said to myself, he better agrees otherwise if he ever marries another girl who is not Shatu I will make her life a living hell.

He raised his head and addressed my mother
“ Mother, of course I like your choice. You always have my best interest at heart. I was taken by surprise. That’s all. But why Shatu?  I think she is still young” He said

“ Young? are you joking? Musa you think Shatu is young. Maybe you should marry Maryam, the girl with the evil omen. Perhaps she will be old enough for you”
I spat, not waiting for my mother to reply.
“Shut up! Stupid Girl, oh I swear i will give you a permanent disability” He scowled

“Musa, contain yourself. You are talking to a woman for god-sakes and Ladi why are wishing death upon your own brother. Do not mention that girls name in the same sentencen with Musa’s name, God forbid bad thing” my mother said

He frowned and was muttering something, she ignored him and asked again
“ explain why you think Shatu is too young?”

“Not young age wise, I believe she should wisen up a bit. But I will go see her we will talk. But please we should not be hasty. Let’s take our time before we start thinking about a date for marriage. Let us allow her to grow a bit”
He said
“Alright, I will talk to her parents today. You can start seeing her tomorrow, May God bless you my son.”she finally said, pleased with the outcome of the discussion.