"I don't understand" I said looking at her in shock. Did I hear her right?
" I knew you weren't going to understand and I told you didn't I?" Rabbiyatu said very amused.
"No... I just need you to break down what you said" I replied.
" What do I need to break down in the fact that my father said he is getting old to go to the farm" she said quizzically.
" Wait! I am sorry, when was the last time your father went to the farm?" I asked sincerely .
" Its been a while, my brother and I have been the one working on it" she thoughtfully replied.
" And your father claims he is too old at 40 to farm when you have been the one farming?" I asked her, looking straight at her. Poor Rabby, she seemed like a rat caught in a trap, she couldn't say a word.
" Its alright, I just wanted to clear my confusion... So, you think getting married to this man you hardly know from Lagos is a solution?" I asked.
" Well... I have no choice here" she said not looking at me.
"You think you have no choice, okay. What if this husband to be does not agree with his wife to be schooling?" I asked still looking at her
" Koko, I just need you to pray for me, that this my husband will want me to be more educated" she said pleading.
" Its alright, I will" I said with a sigh and then I remembered something. " lest I forget, I have been wanting to ask, is your father not going to need your service at home or is he going to depend on your brother who hardly stays home?"
" Hmmm" she sighed " koko, you would not believe, Megida has plans to marry another wife with the money he gets from my husband."
" What!" Now, this is the height of it. What exactly has this poor girl done to deserve this? " you mean your father plans to sell you off to get a wife for himself?" I had said it before I realized myself. Rabbiyatu just kept mute and stared at me, It is like it just dawned on her. I really didn't mean to say it. But, honestly, no matter how I try to look at it in another way, that is the only angle at which I can see it.
"Rabby, I am sorry, I didn't mean it that way" I said breaking the silence that lasted like forever.
" Koko, it is alright. Just pray for me. Tomorrow is the wedding I cant do anything now" she Said defeated.
Really! Who says so, not in the twenty-first century. You virtually farm to pay your school fees without your father's help. The only thing is that you do it on his farm. Who says you can't do it on your own . Things might be tough but you will get through. Anyway I dared not say this to her, I have said enough already, after all, I am but a child.
" I will pray for you" was all I could say.
" Lets go in, your mother might be unaware, you are with me" she said as we moved toward the house.
I keep wondering how things can be this clear, how she can just take a bold step and stay clear the trap her father had planned out but Rabbiyatu seemed to want to prove blind and remain fearful to pick a choice that will help her future. Anyway, the only thing I am allowed to do from henceforth is to pray and that is what I think I will do. I pray God takes his eyes off our stupidity and help Rabby attain her future no matter what happens.
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" koko... Katiya have you removed the pot of water from the stove" mum asked from outside.
" I have mum" I am trying to read for exams" I replied.
" So, I am disturbing you?" She continued.
" Mama, I never said that, I was only telling you what I was doing"
" katiya, what is wrong with you?" She asked appearing at my room door, looking concerned.