Garin Mazugal

Chapter 10.

The Janazah ended and Yaro was back at a dark spot, a spot where his problems are his and no one bothers, a spot he is only acquainted with, a spot where darkness permeates with friendly diabolism, rubbing every thing it comes in contact with with depressing submission, browbeating it into thinking and feeling the way it does; that spot.

The stage was set. Expenses weren't withheld to make the event a memorable one. Numerous guests were invited,food was made a aplenty, drinks ubiquitous,a confusing mix of expensive ostentatious events giving the venue a unique touch of splendor and wealth. The guests oozed class. Some travelled thousands of kilometers to attend the weeding between Alhaji Sabi'u and Binta. The day was indeed a memorable one. Mal Musa Tsafe didn't bother closing his mouth. He flashed his teeth, informing anyone he meets that he fathered the girl about to marry the richest of them all. He also never ceases to impugn on others the "familiarity or friendship"  that existed or exists between himself and Alhaji. His clothes was beautifully embroidered with designs and costs effectively cushioned with the wealth of Alhaji Sabi'u. Binta's mum wasn't too concerned. She just flashed a smile,her heart harbouring hatred and disgust for her husband's greed and puerile urge for elitist association. She didn't want to disrupt the wedding of her daughter with her emotions so she smiled, going about her duties with a cheering and enchanting demeanor. "There's white in salt even with it's bitterness" She thought to herself. Binta,the bride was emotionless. There was no iota of emotions in the way she behaved. She just did whatever they asked her too. Her tears ceased to flow 2 weeks to the wedding date. Now she just wants to have it done with. What comes next,she doesn't know but she's sure she'll find her way around things. Alhaji Sabi'u on the other hand wasn't too keen on the wedding initially. He saw it as means to an end,an end of winning popular sympathy, a necessary ingredient in the meal of becoming the next democratically elected leader of Mazugal. Moreover, the thought of having another damsel bestride his harem was so appealing  to be rejected hence so he assented.

"Binta" her mum called out. It was time for the customary bridal admonition before the conveyance into the domain of her husband.

"Na'am!"

"Come here. I want to talk to you"

"Ga ni Mama (Here I am mother)"

"We know the nature of this wedding. I'll be lying to you if I tell you that I'm in support of...."

Her talk was interrupted by a sudden outburst and outpour of waterworks from Binta. The sudden release of tears surprised even Binta herself.

  'Wipe your tears my dear daughter. This isn't time for that. This is time of strength and acceptance. Strength to pull through the challenges we face,are facing and are going to face and the acceptance of these challenges. I know that you don't love him. I know but please my daughter don't put your father to shame. Learn to love him. Try to make him happy. Know that your husband is your head and that the head is the master of the body. Respect and honor him. Respect his friends and all those associated with him. Don't keep him hungry. His house should be kept clean at all times. Do things he likes and with time,both of you will get to common ground. Kin ji ko?"

Binta replied with sobs.

"Ba komai. Be patient my daughter. Whatever happens, pls stay in your husband's house except when your life is threatened. Allah shi miki albarka( God's blessings). Stand, your husband's people are here to take you. I'll come by the house tomorrow".

Yaro heard of the wedding and kept quiet. He went into the bathroom,turned on the shower and stood under it. For 5hours.

Mal. Goni walked,bowing his head,oblivious of the world of his bodily existence. Business hasn't boomed of recent, his scam of attributing every ailment to the diabolic machinations of jinns was quickly loosing steam. People were beginning to become aware of the lies he lived and how he arm twisted his victims and family into parting with huge sums of money to cure people of ailments that never existed in the first place. He wore a dejected look,mirroring a man who has lost everything and still hopes to get something doing nothing. He swinged his hands sideways as if hoping to grab bread being thrown from heaven. His cap was dirty,a cobweb of zigzagging map of sweat lying beneath the perimeter of the cap. He wore a faded " FILA" jacket,with the smell of a burrow,the pockets torn and protruding, begging to be filled with anything but money. The clothes has been on him for God knows how long. He completed his dressing with an archaic rubber footwear, worn out,a confusing world color war heavily taking centre stage in the scheme of the jurisdiction the shoe represents. He was a moving garbage. Ado Almajiri was by happenstance, following the same route with Mal. Goni. It was a meeting none was really happy with but have to make do with. Mal. Goni knows Ado Almajiri to be a lying hypocrite. Ado Almajiri on the other hand,knows Goni to be a lying cheat. It was more like meeting your secrets in person. And that person turns out to be your worst enemy.

"Salaamun alaikum" Ado Almajiri greeted.

"Wa alaikumusalam,Mallam. How're you?"

   " I'm very fine Alhamdulilah. "

" We meet today....again "

"Yes again"

  "Ya sana'ar cutan mutane?(How is the business of cheating people?)"

"Ya na hanun ku ( Its yours to have)."

"Allah shi taimaka (May God help us)"

"Ya yafe mana dai (Praying for forgiveness is most important)"

Both turned away. No one bothered talking to each other. Thy weren't happy to meet in the first place. Separation shouldn't prick them either.