LIFE OF US

EPISODE 8

MARS’S POV…
I was lying on my bed thinking about my life so far; how it all started wiyh hating men and how far I have come. Tears were rolling down my face. “You are really strong Mars.” I said to myself as I remembered my horrible experience with men.
FLASH BACK…
Maryam! Maryam!! My father (Malam Habu) came in shouting my name. I became terrified as I saw him entered the house with rage on his face. I was sure that I will get another round of beating for that day. “Where is the fura (cow’s milk) I asked you to prepare for me and my friends?” He asked with a loud voice. “I told you to always behave yourself around my friend, he will be your husband.” He shouted again as he raised and gave me a terrifying slap. The bowl containing the milk which I held slips out of my hand and break. I was as I landed on the floor. “Mama wakes up with a fever, so I was making some herbs for her.” I replied stammering.
He moved closer to me and held my ears. “I don’t care what you were doing Maryam, you must always obey what I told you. You must always run my errand before someone else’s.” He shouted gain as he walked out of the house. He paused by the door and turned to me. “I am giving you a few minutes to prepare another milk for me, don’t let me come back for that.” He shouted and head out. I slowly picked the bowl and head to the big pot where the milk was stored and prepare a fresh one for him. My mother, who was lying on a mat, was staring at me while tears were strolling down her face. I wiped out my tears and head out to deliver the errand.
I was totally uncomfortable as I staggered while walking towards my father and his friend. “You have a beautiful daughter Malam Habu.” My father’s friend said looking at me with a smile. I slowly stood up and walk back home after greeting them. I already knew this would be my fate, getting married to a man old enough to be my father just because of my father’s selfish interest. I am sure he is wallowing in debts and that is why he is planning on giving me out to Malam Sani.
I sighed deeply as I sat near my sick pregnant mother. “Try and take the herbs mom, they will make you feel strong.” I said as I placed the bowl of herbs in her mouth. She had a few sips and take off her head. She slowly sits up and leaned on the wall. “Maryam!” She called with a worried voice. I slowly grabbed her hands as she struggled to talk. “I know you are too young for this. I know you don’t want to experience the life I am going through now and I also won’t let you have that. Run away from this dark village Maryam. Just run away.” She said as tears washed down her face.
I was also crying as I hold her hands tight. “I can’t mama; I can’t run and leave you in this condition. No one will help you.” I said still with tears on my face. She sighed deeply and faces me. “My time is coming to an end Maryam. I know I won’t get out of this alive. I just want to make things right for you before I leave this awful world.” She said looking at me. I begin shedding more tears as I hugged her tightly. “We will get out of this together mama.” I said while hugging her.
After a few days of suffering from my dad, my mom went into labor and died in the process. Well, I wasn’t shocked because I wasn’t sure that she would make it. I was so happy for her because she left this awful world full of wickedness. My mother was really a strong woman, I don’t think I have the strengsth to endure the kind of life she had. As she would always told me, she was married to my father by her only brother and it was because he wanted to have a plot of land for himself. She was married at a young age just as my father was about doing. That led her to having series of miscarriage before she finally had me.
I guess this chain of suffering in my society would last forever. This is a society where women are treated as slaves. Women and young girls have no right of their own. I grew up to see my mother living like a slave in her own home. My father never respected her. He would beat her whenever he wishes and force hardship on her. No proper feeding or clothing. Well, I guess that was her fate. At this point in my life, I really hate this life and hate everything about men.
I was sitting alone in the house thinking about how my life would turn out without my mom when my father came in. he had a bag with him containing a set of new clothes. “Get ready Maryam, tomorrow is your wedding with Malam Sani.” He said throwing the bag at me. I was shocked and terrified. I don’t think I can stand this. I can never marry that man that is old enough to be my father. I can’t live a life of hardship like my mom. I don’t want to continue this chain of suffering. I leaned on the wall crying thinking of what to do next. “I think this is the time to heed to my mother’s advice.” I said to myself as I picked up the bag and sneak out of the house.
I ran with all my strength till I was sure I was out of my village. I walked sluggishly on the road looking very tired and thirsty. I was walking without knowing where to go when a car bashed me on the road. I couldn’t remember what happened next, all I know was that I waked up in a big house. And that was how I met a God sent mother that trained to be who I am today…
REALITY…
I was still lying on the bed, sweating seriously and thinking about my previous life and the reason why I hated men throughout my life when Yesmin and Kate walked into the room. They stood by my bed shouting my name but I was too carried away with tears all over my face. Kate pushed me and I became startled. I quickly sit up and face them. “What is wrong with you Mars?” They asked curiously. I sat numb staring blankly at them. My phone started ringing. I stared at it for a while. I am sure its Alex calling. I quickly pushed away the phone and ran to the bath room. The girls looked at me confused as I locked the bathroom.
I turned on the shower and stood under it still crying with different thoughts running through my mind. I am not sure about my life at this point but I am I am not ready to forgive men for the damages they have caused in my life…
JENNYS POV…
I was in a hurry to meet up with my appointment with Mr. Greg. I honestly didn’t know why I was doing this, maybe I am too curious to know why a grown up man like him will be afraid. “Or is it because I truly want to hear his apology?” I asked myself as I seat comfortably inside the car. “I just hope he apologizes and tell me the gist.” I said as I arrived at the restaurant.
I met him already sitting in a reserved table so I quickly walked to the table and joined him. “I am sorry I came late. Lagos traffic.” I said with a smile. He smiled back and raised his hand, calling the waiter. “Its fine, I understand.” He said as the waiter arrived. He ordered for cups of coffee and has me choose desserts.
After some awkward minutes of silence, he broke it and started talking. “Jenifer, I really want to thank you for helping me out the last time, even though we had a couple of misunderstandings. I also want to tell you why I behaved that way in the library. I had a serious phobia for darkness right from a childhood experience. I don’t want to talk about it no but I will definitely tell you when our friendship becomes strong.” He said looking at me.
I was a bit confused at his last statement. I gulped as I stare at him “Are you asking me to be your friend?” I asked stammering. He smiled and picked up his coffee. “Why not? Don’t you want to be my friend?” he asked with another smiled. I was too excited to speak as I just nodded my head.
I stare at him in admiration as he keeps on talking. “This guy is actually not a bad guy.” I said to myself as I kept on staring at him. He is also good looking, have a high taste of fashion too. His choice of colors really matches his chocolate colored skin. I kept on smiling and ignoring his conversations.
“Wait. Why am I suddenly admiring him? What is going on?” I asked myself still looking at Greg as he keeps on moving his cute lips…