The day Farida was to leave came sooner than everybody in Shakur's household wanted, she stood in their hut looking at every corner of it so she could remember vividly when she was away from home sweet home.
Rahma joined her as she stood by the window, saddened by her nearing departure from the people she loved dearly.
'You don't have to do this Farida, you're still young. Allow me to go instead of you, the debt was because of my...'
'Mother,' Farida interrupted angrily. 'She is my aunt too Rahma. You are asking me to let you go instead, do you think Mona will wait for you that long?'
'Yes he will wait, I told him about the situation yesterday and he is willing to wait for me, he promised.'
'What! Did I hear you say to Mona, an outsider the situation we are in? That's despicable.' Farida walked the few distance between them, livid at her cousin.
'He isn't an outsider Farida, he is my husband to be.'
'Oh yes! He is your fiancé but not yet your husband,' her voice rose angrily 'you think his mother and uncle will wait for two whole seasons for them to have a daughter-in-law? If you know what's good for you, you better stay here and marry who you love.' 'Moreover, you once told me your suspicion that someone set your home ablaze in Odinya. How sure are you that the unknown person won't come after you when you are back there because a person that will go to the extent of setting a hut ablaze when the occupants are asleep will not stop until...'
'Stop' Rahma screamed startling Farida. 'Don't say a word Farida, I'm warning you.' Rahma said, now angry.
'I...I am sorry Rahma, I didn't mean to say all that but I have to go.' Farida said, feeling remorseful. 'I want you to be happy and the truth is I really want to do this for us, please let me. You'll see, it will surely be like a knife through cheese and before you know I'll be back home.'
'If you say it like that I can't say no to you.' Rahma walked to where her belongings sat on the floor and fished around her clothes, pulling out something wrapped with a piece of cloth. She turned back to Farida and handed it to her.
Farida rolled the wrapped item in her palm for a second before raising her eyes to her cousin, in question.
'Check for yourself.'
She loosened the cloth and found a sharp knife with a wooden handle. 'Oh! The handle is beautiful.'
A smile graced Rahma's lips, 'Yes I know. Have it, Mama gave me three days before the accident. It might come in handy where you are going.' Her voice shook with emotion.
She closed her eyes tightly as the memories of her mother giving her the said knife came rushing back.
'I have something for you, my child, sit beside me.' Salame beckoned her only child to sit by her side.
'Close your eyes and open your palm my dear.' she urged Rahma to do as she said.
'Okay Mama but you know I don't like surprises.'
'I know that but I'm sure you'll like this one.' She said placing the gift in her daughter's palm.
'What is it Mama?' Rahma asked curious to know what was in the piece of cloth her mother placed in her palm. 'Can I open my eyes now?'
'So impatient my child,' Salame chuckled at her daughter's impatience. 'You can check for yourself my dear.' she said to Rahma.
'A knife!' she gasped, 'the handle is beautiful.'
'I know that my dear, your father carved it well. Always keep it with you. It will help you one day.' She smiled warmly, pinching her daughter's cheeks.
'Thank you Mama'
'Thank you.' Farida hugged her tightly. Rahma closed her eyes refusing to cry.
They heard voices coming from their parent's hut. They both step back from the bone-crushing hug and walk towards the voices, only to see two men talking with their father. 'The debt collectors.' Rahma said in a whisper.
Farida walked closer to where her parents stood with the strangers. Her heart sank seeing her mother's red swollen eyes.
'Rahma go get her bundle of clothes, it's time for her to leave.' Her mother said to Rahma who stood stunned looking at them.
'Go on, they will be coming with that thing pulled by horses anytime soon.' Her father said, snapping Rahma out of the shock as the men went out of the compound while her mother turned and went to the kitchen.
Farida watched, fascinated, as two black beasts pulled the wooden thing with wheels attached to it to the front of her father's house. She has never seen such a thing in her life. She took a curious step towards it but a hand to her shoulder stopped her. She turned to see her father looking down at her with sad filled eyes. Forgetting about the carriage, she hugged her father.
'Papa, it's time,' she choked back tears.
'Take care my dear.' her father patted her back affectionately before releasing her to say goodbyes to the others.
'Guess this is goodbye then,' Rahma said from behind her.
'I guess so dear friend.' She opened her arms and Farida walked into the hug.
Rahma burst into tears hugging her tightly, 'I'm going to miss you.'
'I'll miss you too,' a tear rolled down her cheek as she pulled back. Taking the bundle from her cousin, she ran and hugged her mother crying her heart out. 'I'll miss you Mama,' she said between sobs. Her mother whispered the same before pulling away wiping the tears from her eyes, 'take this my dear, it's dried and salted buffalo meat with some salted groundnuts. You'll eat it for a while during the journey.'
'Mama thank you.'
'We don't have all day.' One of the men shouted.
'Be safe.' Her mother said hugging her for the last time. Turning away reluctantly, she took small steps to the carriage.
She watched her family cry and waved as the carriage pulled away until everything grew smaller. Farida wept for the family and village she would miss dearly until her eyelids got heavy with sleep.