*ARRANGED MARRIAGE (I)*
"No, no Madam. No be so I dey sell." {Translation: No, no Madam. That isn't how, I sell these.} The tall and slim Hausa trader spoke in pidgin with a pure Hausa accent dripping from his tone. His black face, darkened from constant sunburn twisted into a frown as he stuck to his words.
"Chai, Aboki. You no do well o, You no even put Jara." {Translation: Chai is like an exclamation in Nigeria. Aboki means friend in Hausa language. Jara is a slang for Extra. You did not do well, you didn't even add extra.}
Seeing, no way to convince him otherwise, Lilian reached out to grab the sugar cane from his stretched hand.
"Ah..ah.. Madam, Country hard o. No be my fault, no worry eh... Next time, I go do you well."{Translation: Ah.. ah.. madam, things are hard in the country. It's not my fault. Don't worry, next time I'll treat you well}
The man's lips stretched into a wide smile. Finally handing over the goods, he grinned, counting his payment before putting it in his Sale's bag.
Lilian shakes her head with a snort, glancing at the pieces of sugar cane wrapped up in a nylon bag.
She stopped a Cab, moving away from the noisy local kioks of Campus.
There was no way to relax your brain than to treat yourself to a bowl of chilled Sugar Cane. The Coldness plus the sweetness that melts into the lungs leaving that chilling sweet aftertaste. What a way of life!
Lilian grinned alighting from the Cab at the junction Of her home. Walking the trekable distance to the Estate.
She had finally dropped her pen. Being done and dusted with her final year exams was definitely a good feeling. Now she can finally take a break from school and the stress.
"Ah... Welcome Small Madam." Okon the Officious Gateman greeted with his usual enthusiasm, seeing her walk through the Gate.
"Good Evening, Okon." Her reply were short, as she walked pass him.
In the entire Estate, Only a fraction was theirs. The Apartment that took several millions yearly as rent.
She climbed up the stairs to their Apartment which was several floors above the ground floor and opened the door with her spare key.
Before she could Close the door, she heard her Dad's voice. "You are back."
The atmosphere was tense as she picked up little bit from her Father's face.
She didn't expect to come back to another drama. What now..
"Dad, Good Evening." She glanced over at the middle aged man seated some feet away on the couch.
"Where is Mom?" She asked glancing around, not finding her silhouette.
"She must be in the Kitchen preparing dinner. You should go freshen up, I'll like to have a word with you, once you're done." Her Father said, not once moving his attention from the Television.
Lilian paused scanning his face, trying to figure out a little bit from his expression but his serene look sent her little hope crashing.
Running to her room, she could not shake off the scary feeling. It seemed like a calm before the storm.
Anyway, whatever. She pushed it to the back of her mind as she made way to the mini fridge in her room. Opened it before throwing the bag of Sugar Cane into the fridge. She twirled and went to wash up.
...
When she opened the door to her room, she heard her parents voices. Though it was low, it did seem like they were arguing.
As she entered the Living room, It suddenly became quiet.
"Good Evening, Ma." Lilian greeted her mother, finally seeing her form. Though she sat tensed at the sofa beside her Father. From her form, you could tell, she was displeased. Her Mother gave her a light smile, nodding to her in acknowledgement.
"Take a sit." Her Father Once again, made his presence known as he looked at her. She looked at her mother, seeing her quiet, she walked to a seat and sat down. "Dad, what is it, that you want to talk about?"
"I've found a suitable husband for you." Her Father's voice sounded in the living room.
"Wait, What?" Lilian asked unsure of what she heard.
Looking at their faces, she knew what she heard wasn't meant for a joke. Her father really meant what he said.
"I can't get married, I'm just 20 years old and I have just written my last final year exams. I haven't even Celebrated my convocation. I... I'm..."
Her Father cuts her off, "You are of suitable age to get married. You will marry into the Adenuga's family. Their family and Influence are high up in the Pinnacle of power and wealth. You should know, what good this Alliance will bring to us and the company."
"Dad, So you decided to sell me into a Marriage for your own selfish reasons! You are being greedy and selfish, How can I marry a man I do not even know?"
"Mind your tongue, Young Lady! I will not have you disrespect me in my house! You will marry Martinez Adenuga and that's Final. Seeing how useless and unproductive you are, you can finally make yourself useful by marrying Mr. Martinez." Her Father's stern voice boomed across the room as he bellowed angrily at her defiance.
"This is the 21st Century, you can not do this to me!! Mom!" She turned to her Mother who seemed too quiet in the whole conversation. Right, she saw it in her eyes. Helplessness. Telling her, she was not going to be of help in convincing her Father otherwise.
Useless? Wasn't it because she wasn't born as a male? The fact that the only way to prove herself to her father was not by getting A grades, or being a good daughter. It was about bringing him benefits! It hurts knowing her usefulness was bringing a rich son-in-law home. Benefits, was all that he cared about.
°•°•°•°
"Brother, I can't do what you are asking me to do. It is Wrong."
Martinez looked at his brother he had to his study some minutes ago and let out a frustrated sigh. "I know and I'm sorry, for asking you this. But you know my condition, Grandfather will hand over the Company to our Cousin. I can't let that happen, not when our parents worked for what it is today. I know, you are not interested in any of these things and went ahead to do your own thing and I have always covered for you and had your back. Can't you just do this little favour for me?"
William frowned upon his Elder brother's emotional blackmail. "What you are doing is all levels Wrong. Do you even plan to tell her about your condition?" He ruffles his dark hair with a groan. "Fine, but only Once." Not that he could deny his brother anyway.