CHAPTER IV
”Rukky it’s for your own good. I’m your mother, darling, and I won’t give you a future that I didn’t think was good for you,” Ayesha said
Rukaya listened as her mum went on advising her, she was lost for words so she watched her mum’s moving lips and wondered how to speak without a tear dropping.
”Mum what will the pastor say and…”
”Is the pastor your father, Rukaya? Is he the bread winner of this house? Look let me tell you, I got my married to your father at the age of thirteen and lost five children before I had your two brothers, you and your sister.”
”But mum, that was in your time. You and dad hadn’t known Christ then,” Rukky interjected.
Mrs. Ayesha fired back at her daughter. ” Says who Rukaya? Look let me tell you. Your dad and I are from a Christian home. Just because we are taking a drastic decision to better the future of this family doesn’t mean we are wicked. I’m your mother and whatever I do is out of love.”
Rukaya stood up and in tears replied her mother. “Mum, this isn’t love, this is torture; how do you explain love here, mum. Me getting married to chief who is a widower and is in his sixties if not mid sixties.”
“Honey, he is not that old and besides, all his kids are staying abroad so you won’t have a problem. Rukky, guess what? You will be the madam of the house and he has promised to send your brothers abroad,” Mrs. Ayesha smiled as she informed her daughter..
Rukaya looked at her mum and sighed, she fell on her knees and in tears she whispered; ʺJesus, please give me a miracle because this is hard”
“Baby, Jesus loves us, that’s why he gave us this miracle already. This is our breakthrough so stop crying,” Mrs. Ayesha said.
”Wow! Mum, that’s interesting. So are we going to do a church wedding since it’s a miracle?”
Mrs. Ayesha looked at her daughter in shock, she wasn’t expecting the question. ” No dear, we can’t.”
“Why mum?” Rukky said standing, she wiped her tears and yelled at her. “Mum, I’m asking why…answer me! Because you know it’s wrong and people will talk right? Mum do you know I’m just sixteen and you are comfortable selling me off in the name of marriage just because of finances and material things. I’m just a bait in your hand, mum, and I don’t have a choice because I’ m a woman… mum you are supposed to understand since you are also a woman.”
Rukayat walked towards her mum and knelt down, “mum please I beg you. Don’t do this to me, I have a future and I have a dream.”
Mrs. Ayesha wiped her eyes and picked her daughter from the floor, “Rukaya get your act together. You are no longer a child and by next weekend you will be married.”
Rukaya stared at her mum in disappointment, removed her mother’s hand from her shoulders and walked out.
Written by Laura Chinwe NwaguC
One comment
Chioma
This is quite captivating. Reminds me of the Regina’s saga.