NIGERIAN MEN WILL STAIN YOUR WHITE

3

At twenty-seven Kemi still lived with her parents and they made sure to constantly

remind her of the fact every day. Her ears by now were used to the litany of questions they

asked. Kemi where is your husband? Please she wasn't the only unmarried twenty-seven

years old woman alive. It's not like the man was going to fall from the sky right into her lap.

Kemi when will you get a job? Just because she worked remotely from home, it didn't mean

it wasn't a real job. Kemi why don't you want to make us happy? As if they had ever

considered her happiness. Kemi do you want to kill us before our time? That's rich coming

from people who were in the prime of their lives.

She was the only child and all her life she had been constantly compared to cousins,

neighbours and children of close friends and acquaintances. Her parents were well-to-do and

were part of the upper echelons of the Lagos social circle. Thus she lived her childhood,

adolescence and early teenage years according to their standards. Kemi do this. Don't do that.

Dress properly and most of all, her family's golden rule: to never bring shame to the family

name.

Her decision to study arts instead of law in the university was the beginning of her

rebellious phase. It resulted in a big fight which she won in the end. They had only agreed

because they were certain she would regret her actions and come running back to them but

she vowed to herself to never let that day come.Kemi sat at the dining table working on a design for a client. The pay for the job was

enough to cover her expenses for two months. Although she lived with her parents, she didn't

rely on their hospitality. That would be like waiting for manna to fall from the sky. As far as

her father was concerned, his investment in her education had been a complete waste and was

as good as gone. Thus he was not going to spend a kobo of his money on her anymore. Since

she was determined to go against their wishes and follow her own path, she might as well go

all the way.

Now they were pressuring her to get married since it was the only use they had left of

her. The only reason she was still staying under their roof was because it was a cheaper

alternative. Why waste money on rent when her father had several empty bedrooms in the

house. She would rather put the money to much better use.

Her mum came out of the kitchen where she had been supervising lunch preparations

for the day. "E kaasan ma. You are here again," she greeted in a mocking tone.

Kemi rolled her eyes. Here we go again. It was time for her daily dose of reminders of

how much of a failure she was to the family and to the entire world. She ignored her and

continued working not willing to let her taunts slow her progress.

Her mum, fueled by her lack of response continued, "No job, no husband, all you do