CHAPTER 5
We had been walking for about an hour when the beating of the drums suddenly increased in tempo. They were met with the singing and ululations coming from a distance. I figured we were just arriving at our destination. I could hear the men jumping all around me with shouts of jubilation, which meant only one thing. That this was a wedding celebration, my wedding. This realization sent chills right through to my bones. I tried to break free one more time, I kicked and wriggled desperately, as I broke into screams again. But this only served as fuel for their dancing and singing, as it was believed that brides always cried at being separated from their families. To them this was only acting. As we entered the homestead I could hear more people dancing and singing all around me, and it made me sick to the stomach. After what seemed like eternity I was dumped on a bed, in a very warm hut and the sack was removed from my head. There was a middle aged woman sitting by the bed and two of the men who had carried me from my home were standing by the door.
"How are you my child. " The lady spoke to me kindly as she wiped my face with a wet clothe. I did not answer. She went ahead to apply some heavily scented oil on my face and hands.
"You are getting married to my husband today, so I guess I can't be calling you my child," she spoke again this time smiling apologetically.
"What do you mean? " I finally found my voice.
"You are ready now, and he will be here shortly. Welcome to our home my cowife."
I was about to give her a piece of my mind, tell her what I thought about her welcome and good gestures, when I saw the pain in her eyes. She didn't want this too and it hurt her deeply to see her husband take another wife. But who would listen to 'stupid' women's thoughts. Certainly not the men.
Just at that moment the door of the hut opened, and in walked a stout middle aged man. He walked with an aura of power, a man used to commanding people to do his bidding. On instinct I scurried away to the farthest corner of the bed and folded my legs to my chest. He in turn let out a loud laugh, as if to mock me.
"You are beautiful indeed daughter of Kanyi, but you need to get cleaned up and fed in readiness for the feast this evening. Woman, see to it that she's ready in time."
He looked at me one more time then he scoffed and walked out.
His orders were followed to the letter. Water was brought and with the help of other women I was scrubbed and oiled, my hair was plaited in unique patterns and a new dress was provided too, all in readiness for the wedding I did not want.
At dusk I was taken outside to join the large crowd that was dancing around the largest bonfire I had ever seen. I was to sit down shyly beside my groom and smile every now and then, a task I did not perform well as I was busy trying to find a route of escape. This proved futile as I was constantly guarded by the two burly men who had helped in kidnapping me. In the end my Cowife came for me at a signal from her husband, now our husband, and took me to the largest hut in the homestead.
"I can see you really don't want this, maybe just as much I don't, but there is nothing we can do about.... "
"Please don't leave me at his mercy, help me escape. Then you'll have him all to yourself again." I held on to her rough hands as hot tears fell down my face. I was now literally begging her. She looked at me sadly, quietly trying to communicate to me the impossibility of my request, then she squeezed my hand, "Be strong young girl, at least just for tonight, then later we'll find a way. "
Before she could say anything more 'our' husband walked in.
