BOUND TO MY NEMESIS

6 ~ My Very Own Hell

My heart thumped as we walked to the door, Auntie Kamila and Auntie Hauwa at either of my side along with my entourage of escorts, I could hear their compliments on how nice the house was but I wasn't interested in that, and like every dutiful shy bride I couldn't raise my heard to give it a once over.

The owner of the house was my worry, the life he'd promised me the previous day at the dinner party made me feel like running the hills, I wasn't welcomed and I was told aforehand, the warnings contrasted the advice I was given on marriage.

"Congrats mayya (witch) you've always had what you wanted even killing the....." he was silent then I heard a beep signalling the call had been ended. I have been crying since I started dressing up for this evening, I didn't want to irritate them so I kept mute but how could I willingly go to his house, if nothing but hell on earth has been promised.

I couldn't push Mom and Dad in the scorching sun when all they did was shade me from it when I was skin deep in my sweat, for the love they showed me I'd endure whatever awaited me behind these closed doors.

"Lift your right leg" I smiled sadly when I heard Aunty Kamillah's voice, did she know the man I'll be living with, of what use will entering the house with my right foot be of I have already been told what to expect, "Subhanallah, Sala what's wrong with you" I burst into tears as I was gently walked into the room, I made no attempt to stop the tears, all the pent up anger I did not have the guts to release on the instigator, the fear of the unknown and the self pity.

Happiness might have not been in store for me when I was created, but Alhamdulillah for the one I had from Mom and Dad it might suffice for the rest of my life.

"Haba Salma it's not like you've been brought to the abattoir to be beheaded or something, you've known Amdan all your life or have you already forgotten how you used to stick to him like glue already" she ended sounding a little annoyed, I heaved choking on my saliva, I felt a hand pat my back as I coughed, "Be gentle with her, she might be used to him but she's not used to leaving her parents" Aunty Kamila retorted saving me from Aunty Hauwa's nag.

"Salma look up here" she spoke softly, "We have all been through this phase, some women even had to go through it without knowing the men they were married to, Alhamdulillah you and Amdan love each other and you've practically lived with him all your life, well marriage might not be a smooth sail for anyone but I bet yours will be as smooth as it can get, be patient with him and continue loving him, don't disrespect him the fact that you're married doesn't open door to disrespect no"...... I bowed my head with tears welled in my eyes looking at our joint hands how could I tell the truth to this woman the person they were bringing me to wasn't the one they knew, "love, cherish and respect him, you know how his mom holds you in high regard, don't be the cause of them drifting apart or anything if you have a problem just call me or your mom here and tell us, but I'd prefer you resolve it between each other, I wouldn't want to deal with the shameless love the youth show for each other these days, Hajia Talatu they act like these telemundo actors, in our days we couldn't even hold hands with our spouses" they chuckled and continued talking about the shamelessness of this generation's couple when one of the escorts told them how her son didn't give a care to anyone's presence when kissing his wife in public.

One by one the I saw the women leave in my peripheral vision, "we'll be leaving now Salma we've overstayed already" the tears I had been holding trickled down, why were they all leaving, my fate was already sealed, "Mufeedah and Fareeda will be here tomorrow" she ended walking out of the room, was she fed up of consoling me already, I heard Aunty Hauwa's silent tsk as she reentered the room, "Stop crying Salma, I'm broken by each drop of tear from your eyes, I feel like we've disappointed you as parents, don't you want to be with your beloved anymore" I shook my head as I wiped my face with my veil. I hugged her tightly when she wrapped her arms around me. "Stay blessed" she whispered in my ears "I pray I soon come to see my husband or rival, but I'll be happier if I get both" she added as she left the room with a light chuckle, I frowned looking at the door, Aunty Kamillah also had a wide grin on her face, I covered my face when realisation dawned on me, only if they knew.

🔽

A thunderous clap had bolting upright, I'm a light sleeper and the littlest sound had me awake, I blinked trying to adjust my eyes to the light that flooded the room, "Come here" I heard his voice order I looked around the room trying to make out where the voice was coming from, my heart picking up on its beat. My eyes stilled hovering over him before they unwillingly looked down, "Do you have an hearing problem or have you never laid eyes on me" a tremor ran down my spine at his cold voice, "today you made me do what I've never done in my life, I've lived a major part of my life seeing you, as if that isn't punishment enough I've been bounded to you don't forget I warned you, you could have done yourself a favor and married one of your numerous love interests, but you stuck to Amdan, well congrats but bear one thing in mind just like you've robbed me of my remaining happiness you shall know no happiness for the rest of your life because there will be no separation or divorce in this affair, you just sold your soul to the devil... you just made your own hell on earth"

'Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un' I chanted in my heart continuously, "What did I ever do to deserve such hatred from you Dan?" I asked in a wobbling voice, I was mortified by his hysterical laugh. Who was he? I didn't know this guy before me. He jerked my face up his bloodshot eyes searching mine.

"If I tell you the reason behind this hatred you'd probably hate yourself more than I do" my heart stilled shattering into shreds. "Take my life Ya Rabb, have mercy on this orphan's life and make me among Thee's martyr, I don't know if I can endure this life, for now I know I'm orphaned".