CHAPTER 22: JUSTICE FOR SALE (A WEAKNESS CALLED LOVE :MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN HOUSEMAID )

Jamila told Kandala to come with her daughter to the station the next morning before she left.

Villagers were hovering over Kandala while she explained everything to them.
She felt assured of a definite victory. Justice will finally be done. Now that ever body knows the truth and Malam Dogo punished, her daughter's name will be cleared she thought. What she failed to understand was that, even if that happens the villagers will still stigmatize Zakiyya. Something she came to understand when it was too late.

The next morning, Kandala, Zakiyya and Hamisu set out for the station, In a way Hamisu was proud of Kandala's actions and tacitly approve of them.

They reached the station and met Malam dogo's family who looked at them with resentment. They simply walk pass them and went to the counter. The police questioned Zakiyya and her parents. After that they were asked to leave. The police promised to call them if they were needed.

Kandala and Husna trusted the system wholeheartedly. Not once did it occurred to them that the system could be faulty. What they fail to understand is that the the system was like a casino. Kandala and Husna were the gamers, the valuable here is Zakiyyah. They were simply gambling Zakiyya's future.

After two weeks, Jamila called Husna, who in-turn called Kandala. She sounded different, she was not her normal cool lax Jamila, she seem tensed. Jamila wanted to see them urgently. They went to her house the very day. She informed them the police wanted to see them.

All three women went to the police station.
Jamila talked to the police for thirty minutes which felt like hours while Kandala and Husna waited, finally she came to them with feedback.
She said
" look, this system is a very trying system. Zaliha had paid the police not to prosecute Malam Dogo. They say they can only prosecute him if you can counter what she has paid. You will also have to give me a small amount of money for my trouble. I have been spending transport money in this case. I cannot continue further without an assurance that you people are serious in this case. "

"How much?" Kandala asked desperately
" the police are asking for 10,000 Naira(approximately 28 Us Dollars) give me 3000 Naira (approximately 8 Is Dollars) only. I'm collecting this small amount because I feel your pain. The pain of a woman is also the pain of every woman."
she said shamelessly.

Kandala sold her rooms furniture, the only valuable she owns and paid the amount.

A week later Malam Dogo was back in the comforts of his house, how was that possible? Kandala immediately set out for Husna's house and they went to Jamila's house to tell her about the unfortunate news, so that she can help them bring Malam Dogo to justice as she promised. Jamila was shocked.

The three went to the station to find out why Malam Dogo was left unpunished. He was never taken to court.

It happens Zaliha and her son countered Kandalas money. What was evident is that Kandala is in an auction for justice. If she can outbid Zaliha, justice will be hers. She was tapped out. She had nothing left. The only thing she had left on the table was her dignity and she was ready to part with it for her daughter. She went straight to the police officer in charge, knelled down and begged him while tears flowed down her cheeks. She begged him in the most undignified ways.

He was unmoved and said coldly

"Madam, there is nothing we can do, you don't expect me to detain a man without evidence. For all we know you may have an unresolved feud and you want the police to help you disgrace him. We do not do this here. We are the fountain of justice. Stop tormenting an innocent man for no reason."

This was the man who only weeks ago was telling her they have enough evidence to charge Malam Dogo.
But she did not give up, She kept begging.

He got tired of her shameless begging , disgusted, he yelled " get out of my station before I throw you out or arrest you"

Husna helped her up and led her outside the station, all the while she was crying.
They could hear one if the police men saying "dramaqueen" while the others roared with laughter.

Distraught, Kandala went back home. There was nothing she could do. Sympathizers came to visit her. But By the end of the week, the story had changed entirely.

Zaliha and her children were at work, they spread tales and lies about Zakiyya and Kandala. They say everything to downgrade them and as they were richer, People prefer to listen to them. Kandala frantically and tirelessly tried to explain what had happened. Times without number She swore by the Almighty God she was telling the truth. Zakiyya was seen as a child whore. The notorious narrative was that Kandala had always hated Malam Dogo, she was the one who went to a witch to withhold his fortune. Which resulted in the death of his oxen. But zaliha was by his side supporting him. Kandala devised a way to sully his good-name by using her whore daughter to lure him.

Some villagers do not believe the story, but they avoided them, because even if Kandala was right, Zakiyya was tainted. Nobody will want her as his son's wife. Everybody guards his lineage jealously.

Even Hamisu's behaviour towards his daughter and wife changed drastically. He was cold and will not even look at Zakiyya.

A month Letter Hamisu told Malam Murtala his father, he will be getting married to a new wife. Malam Murtala Said to his son
"I will not prevent you from getting married again because I will not forbid what the Almighty, the All Hearer and All Wise has permitted. But don't get married for the wrong reason. Know that Zakiyya is a victim here. What happened Is nobody's fault."

Hamisu said he was not getting married because of what happened. When Malam Murtala saw Hamisu was hell bent on getting married he gave him one piece of advice, that He should be fair and just to his family.

Two weeks later He was married. He turned away from Kandala and Zakiyya all together. He treated them like a plague. While he focused his attention and love to His new wife.

Kandala fell into a deep depression. A year later, her fragile heart could not handle the stigma and the hatred she received. She had a heart attack. She was bedridden for two weeks. She finally passed away. Leaving Zakiyya to deal with everything alone. Some of the villagers say she died because of the horrible things she did to Malam Dogo, it was karma.

But Zakiyya was not alone, Malam Murtala had always been her ultimate protector and defender. Once Hamisu called and asked that a kettle of water be brought to him. He wanted to perform ablution.
Zakiyya happily ran and brought the water to him.

He was furious that she handled his kettle. He shouted and yelled at her asking why she touched his stuff. He poured the water on the floor and called her half sister Inno who was younger than her to go and fetch water for him. The poor girl left in tears. Malam Murtala watched in fury. He rebuked him for his childlike behavior. But Hamisu never changed his ways. The next day Malam Murtala asked Zakiyya to bring ablution water for him. She was scared but he encouraged her. From that day she was the only person who handled Malam Murtala's ablution kettle.

Now that she is of age to marry. No suitor wanted her because of her history. Malam Murtala tried tirelessly to get her a husband. He knew he was old and his health is deteriorating, that soon death will overtake him. He wanted to find someone good for Zakiyya before he passes away. True he is respected but nobody wanted to commit to her.

Malam Murtala Called his sons and showed them a piece of land, his favorite piece. He said if he ever dies that piece should be given to Zakiyya.

Hamisu wanted zakiyya to come to town and work and assist him take care of his beloved wife and kids. Zakiyya's full brother was taken to the Almajiri school in town. She did went to town and have been supporting her father.

But this time she told Laraba her wages were to be Given to her grandfather instead of her father. She knew he was sick. She wanted him to seek for medical help not to resign from Life all altogether as he does.

And so this is why we are here with the girl who has been shamed.
We reached the house where Labara was taking us. We all descended the tricycle. The driver said to Zakiyya.
"Excuse me, May I have a moment please"
Clearly surprised and taken a back by his request. Zakiyya was dumbfounded. It was Laraba who addressed him after checking him out
" if you want to talk to the girls you have come through me." She said to him
"Girls go to that gate and wait for me"she addressed us.
We waited for her while they talked. I saw him pull a phone from his trouser pocket and dialed a number. They said their goodbyes and he drove off.

We went inside the house with Laraba. When the Hajiya saw us she exclaimed
"Laraba, I told you I wanted two girls not your entire village!"
"I know you are choosy about girls you employ and I wanted to give you a variety of options, after you choose, I will take the rest to another house"
Laraba replied

Hajiya examines us one by one and analyze us. She looked at Rabi and burst into laughter, "I don't want this stout pumpkin." She continues:
"I will take the stick and the fluffy cheeks" pointing to me and Zakiyya.
"Okay Hajiya, Thanks a lot" Laraba replies

Laraba and the rest of the girls were ready to leave. She now calls zakiyya and I to give us the lecture for the 100th time. Be good, bla bla bla. she kept talking. I finally cut her off by asking
"Laraba, what did the tricycle driver wanted? What did He say".
She frowned and said curtly "none of your business"
I was not about to give up. I replied
"He wanted to talk to the girls remember, and we are the girls. But as you were our protector, you talked to his alone."
I stressed the word 'protector' saying every word sarcastically.
She furiously said
"Be careful young girl, you are walking on thin ice, I am not Halimatu"
"Of course you are not" I retorted.

I know Halimatu and I had our issues. But Halimatu was different from Laraba. She was excited when everything good happens to us. She was open with us. I would not have asked her because she would have already told us.

Seeing I was not going to back down and we have caught the attention of all the girls she said
"He said I look like a respectable person, he asked whether I have a daughter. Because he would very much love to have her as a wife. He wanted a good progeny. She will definitely inherit the good traits of her mother. He kept begging me. That was why, I gave him my number"

"Of course he will say that" I said mockingly and sarcastically
"One more word from your ungrateful mouth and that's it" She said

I then held my peace. Afterwards, they left, Leaving Zakiyya and I in an unfamiliar house yet again.