KASAO

3

THE SOUND OF marriage drums and music filled the air and Kasao knew it was time. Time for her to lose her happiness. Happiness she owned for two years.
She sat in the hut in her usual clothes, watching Mama Tia, a neighbour, dress Bedar.

"They are here!" Bedar's voice rang out as Mama Tia placed beads in her hair.

"Calm down Bedar, you need to look your best"

"Kasao! You are not dressed! What are you wearing?"
Bedar screamed at Kasao.

"I... I will dress soon" She knew she had no excuse right now. Bedar is unaware of her relationship with Wadam. She decided she would do her best not to ruin Bedar's day.
She stood up and wore one of her special clothes, telling herself she was doing it for her sister.

After so many contemplation, she headed outside, forcing a small smile.
Wadam's family danced in the compound, the women shouting "Bring out our wife".
Kasao pictured herself being the wife everyone was waiting for, smiling to herself until her eyes met Wadam's.
He was sitting among the men. He kept staring at her as if pleading with her. For he thought she was going to ruin the party.
Kasao gave him a knowing smile and proceeded to the kitchen without giving him another glance. She had to act brave and not pained.

Making way through men pounding boiled yams; women turning roasted meat on fire, crowded over a big pot of oil soup, serving dishes for the guests; children ran around, screaming each other's name, young boys touching little girls' breast and running before they hit them.

"Mala, if you touch her chest once more, I will hit you!" She scolded one of the boys, catching him as he ran past her.

"Yes, I'm sorry"
She released him and immediately, he touched the girl's chest and ran the other way, laughing loudly as he ran.
Kasao fumed, watching him run away.

"I will hit his head when i catch him" She told the young girl.

"Kasao, come. Help me serve Wadam's family"  Mama's voice called her into the kitchen.

She took a deep breath, knowing she won't be able to avoid Wadam throughout the ceremony.
She collected two fine clay plates of food from Mama and went back to the compound.
Standing in front of Wadam's family, she placed the two plates of food on the bamboo table in front of them.

"Kasao, how are you?" Wadam's mama greeted her.
She never liked the woman, and now it was much worse. The woman's voice sounded like stone scratching metal in her ear.

"Fine ma" She answered, not adding even a bit of enthusiasm in her tone.

"Where is our wife, Bedar?" Wadam's mama asked, smiling from ear to ear.

"I do not know" She impatiently waited for the woman to leave her be. Shifting from one foot to the other.

"Okay. Do not worry Kasao, your turn will come" She touched Kasao's hands trying to act sympathising.
Meanwhile, Wadam watched without saying a word, daring not to talk or he would piss her more.

"Please eat" She said angrily, leaving Wadam's mama mouth hanging.

In no time, the ceremony ended and Bedar went with Wadam's family. She's his wife now.
Kasao had gone back to the hut, crying her eyes off.
Now she was the only one left in Papa's house. Her sisters all have married and left her.
Somehow, she was happy not to be married but it was starting to be a shame.

"Kasao!" Papa's voice rang from outside the hut.
She jumped from her bamboo bed, hitting her foot on a wooden stool. Not caring to nurse her leg, she ran outside the hut, limping all the way.

"Papa" she breathed
He looked at her foot but said no word.

"You would go to the market with your mother tomorrow. I heard there are visitors from the neighboring land in our town. Dress well" At that, he walked away, saying nothing more.

She bent over to nurse her foot, feeling a bit happy Papa did not come to scold her for her poor behaviour. For she thought Wadam's mama will report her rude behaviour to her Papa.

She went back in the hut, pulling out her best cloth. She couldn't dare disobey Papa's words.