The Forbidden

Part 12

Despite my fooling around in campus, I always made sure I handed over all my assignments in time and passed all my exams. My eyes were always on the prize-the degree certificate. Munir sent me money through someone the whole of my first year in college. I would easily pass off as his relative since we shared a last name.

The school required me to go for attachment after I completed my first year. I was informed that I could go anywhere as long as it was East Africa. Munir invited me have my internship at his company in Dar es Salaam and I accepted. I stayed in Dar es Salaam for three months with my cousin Cheo.

One day, Munir and I went out for lunch. We talked about school, my dreams and hopes after graduation, family. I told him that I was the only one in my family that had taken an interest in school. My younger sister who was the last born had dropped out in class four and joined Islamic studies.

He informed me that his family lived back in Canada and that he lives alone in Dar es Salaam. All his kids were older and the last born was in college just like me. The conversation then took a different turn when I was asked "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No"

"I find that hard to believe, you know"

"Well, it's true"

"You are very beautiful"

"Thank you" I said uncomfortably.

"I want to say something and am not sure how you will take it"

"Here we go....." I said to myself as I looked at him

"Whatever we discuss here will not affect my sponsorship with you, I will keep my promise to the end. I really like you, you know. I can no longer ignore my attraction towards you and since my wife is not around, I need someone to make me feel loved and special. I am a respectable man who cannot be seen misbehaving around and your sister trusts me to take care of you. Here is my proposition to you. I want to secretly marry you, get you an apartment and take care of you. In return you also take care of me. No one should know that we are married not even your family, so that when the right guy comes along, I can secretly divorce, then you marry him."