I normally help my mother with making butter and ghee which are diary products that we sell for some money in town.
This very day,I had finished churning some ghee and stored it when I was called by my mother.
" You said father wants me to attend to some guests?" I asked.
"Yes,I see many heavy and expensive cars in the compound. He said that you should dress up and attend to the guests" my mother said.
I had no other option but to do as I was told. I was surprised to see that it was Musa Charpil, with his son Henry Charpil!
Who was Henry Charpil you say? he was the most famous man in Muni and abroad! His social following was known far and beyond to people who weren't on social media like me.
When I went in town,I normally heard stories about him,his current girlfriend and last girlfriends. To top it off,many girls were still fighting to be his girlfriend even for one day! He was so handsome that he was asked why he didn't become a star on live Tv.
His answer was that actors were like pets who entertained people,no one would take them seriously out of their acting career. If anyone had said that,they would have faced heavy backlash but that was Henry!who would dare rise their voices if they didn't want their career to end.
I composed myself and quickly served the guests. My father was laughing from ear to ear at everything they said.
"Oh by the way Shiba,this is Henry, Charpil's son. You must have heard of him right?" My father said.
"Yes,I have heard of him" I quietly said.
"Haaa...your son's fame is surely not small,even my hidden daughter knows him" my father smilingly said.
"This boy,it was my fault not to teach him well. Please forgive me" charpil's mother said.
"What do you mean? Henry is a very brilliant man! Well-rounded in Muni and beyond!" My father greatly praised. You would think he had known Henry ever since he was born.
I excused myself and left the room before the attention was directed to me again.
As I was patiently waiting in the side room,I heard the door being pushed before I saw Henry coming in. I was lost for words and just stood there.
"Haa.why are you so shocked? I just came in for us to talk since we are getting married any way" Henry said.
"......"My brain stalled for some time. Had my father settled on my marriage,and Henry was to be my future husband? Why me though? I thought that those high class families only wanted to marry within their circle,why the sudden change?
"Your facial expressions are so funny,let's just talk like normal adults okay?" Henry said before sitting down.
"So I am Henry I guess you already knew about me,25 years old,your future husband. What about you? Anything you would like to tell me?". Henry introduced himself before asking me.
" Why was this marriage set all of a sudden?" I immediately asked.
"I don't know? I guess my father liked your face,you are pretty by the way" Henry said.
This is not how I expected my marriage to be announced to me,it was so fast, confusing and overwhelming.
"Hey,what is your name?age etc " Henry repeated.
"I am Shiba Ada Fuli,19years old." I quietly said.
"Have you always been this silent?" Henry asked.
"I guess I can be talkative to people I know" I said.
"Then be talkative,we shall be tied together from now on,it's better to get used to each other" Henry said. I could only nod.
Henry seemed like an extrovert and lively person. I don't know if I could match his energy.
But at least,it wasn't Musa Charpil I was being married off to,I guess it was alright.
"Henry?I knew you would be here! Quickly come out,you will give Shiba a scare" Henry's mother said before taking him outside.
Henry smiled at me before leaving,he was indeed very handsome,my face couldn't help but heat up.
After some time,the charpil's left. My father called me and my mother before telling us about the marriage agreement.
"Shiba,what do you think of Henry?" My mother asked.
"What would she think? Henry is young,rich, wealthy and on top of that he liked her,she is the most luckiest girl in Muni now" my father said as he slipped his coffee.
After listening to my father's words what would I add,indeed he was right. For a girl like me,who is uneducated and knows almost nothing outside Muni country,Henry was the best man I could ever be matched with.
" Go and prepare,the charpil's bought many clothes and jewelry with them,see the ones you like. Avoid dressing down in public from now on. You are no longer on the same status you previously were" my father added
My mother and I left the room and we were met with my father's third wife,wonga Ani,she wore an envious look before entering the room we just left
"Wonga is still young,she likes nice things,seeing that all the expensive gifts were given to you,she couldn't hide her envy. If there are some clothes you don't like,send some to her" my mother said
"Okay mother" I replied. Among my father's wives,wonga was the youngest as she was the last wife. She was only 26 years old this year.
We then reached our house,rows and rows of gift bags were assembled Infront. I was surprised,if these were just greeting gifts,what about the actual gifts to be sent on the wedding day?
I told my sister and brother about the matter. My brother was slightly relieved that it wasn't Musa as I was. My sister also exclaimed in surprise as I had previously done.I guess we were siblings after all.
Tanti was overwhelmed with the news,she informed me that Zire was friends with Henry and they normally discussed business together.
She said it was God's will for me to be married to Henry as that meant that we would always interact with each other occasionally,this somehow put my heart at ease.
We slowly unpacked the gifts until midnight. I found some candy and chocolate in some packages. I planned to give it to my younger siblings
tomorrow. Swanti would be very happy to have some,I imagined her smile before going to sleep.