J U S T I C E

17

*Day of Nikkah*

"Congratulations wifey," he breathed through the line. "I'll be there soon, dress nice for me. Muah. Bye,"

I couldn't even form a word until he hung up. My sober expression must have alerted my friends, because next thing I heard was my aunties gud'a*.

"An daura!!!"

It suddenly came crashing down on me that I was now somebody's wife. I was going to be someone else's responsibility. I was going to have to obey his every command or else I'd go to hell, and worst of all, I'd have to leave my home. The place I grew up in.

I looked across the room to the bed on the other side remembering how angry I was when Bibi wouldn't move out. It was during my SS2, and I used to think it wasn't cool. I remembered all the beatings she, and I, received in this room. I remembered the late night chats I had with my brothers too. The pointless conversations that kept a smile on my face the whole of the next day. I remembered how one time, I'd taken my time to cook indomie, but before I could come back from my room, it was gone. I remembered all the late night errands that my mum sent me and my brothers. All the fun we had.

I'm going to have to leave all that now. I felt like someone was placing an iron on my heart. I couldn't swallow well, and soon I was hyperventilating.

I bolted out of the room with just my robe and undies on. On reaching mama's room I fell into her laps.

"Mama ban so na tafi. Dan Allah mama. Kuce mai na fasa. Na hakura, ban so in tafi. Kuce yayi hakuri, Mama I can't leave you here alone. Who'll teach Bibi how to cook? Who'll take care of you? Dan Allah ku roke shi..."

"Yi shiru kinji. Stop crying. It'll be alright. You're not leaving me alone. I have Bibi and your brothers, you know they'll take care of me just like you would. Now cheer up baby, kar a ce auren dole ne," she said smiling with tears in her eyes. Just looking at her dark orbs were enough to show me she would miss me too.

I didn't reply her, but simply kept crying until I slept off.

Hours later I was awoken by Rabiah,

"Iskancin banza. Abbati din ne kike da bakin cewa baza ki bi ba. As if we don't know you ko? Abeg, get up the makeup artist is here,"

I looked at the wall clock and it read 4:30pm. What the hell? I was out for that long!

I hurriedly got up and brushed my teeth then washed my face. I was finally a bit calm, but I had a feeling I wasn't done crying just yet.

The makeup artist set to work. She did a marvelous job because even I knew I looked good. The makeup was simple nude one with my hair pulled back into a bun. I wore my well fitting, beaded dress and took a couple of selfies.

Checking the time it was just past seven. Just in time, I thought. Rabiah helped me with my train as we moved to Mama's room. There, I almost fell apart again when my aunties were giving me a second nasiha*,  it was very emotional to say the least.

"Ya Momo, ga Uncle Abbati nan yazo," Bibi said coming in looking so cute in her lace blouse and skirt.

"Je ki ce mai gata nan," Ma said, then turned to me.

"Toh kinji abunda aunties inki suka gaya miki. Be patient with your husband, try your best to obey his commands. Notice what he likes and what he doesn't. Learn how to avoid his anger. Be good to his family, treat them like your own. Karki bari kawayen banza su rabaki da shi. Kuma kar in saki in ga kin dawo nan wai da sunan kinyi yaji. A woman must be patient. That said don't ever tolerate him hitting you. Even a minor hit. I didn't say you should use that as an excuse to disrespect him. Always communicate with each other. That's the only know you both will know what the other is thinking. Don't deny him his rights,ever. Be jealous over him but don't be irrational, remember, a man is allowed four wives in Islam. Treat him like a king and no matter what other woman he marries, you'll be the one he adores most. Now, you can go and see him," she finished, helping me up from my kneeling position.