Chapter Two : Marriage Annoucement

Two days later, I was summoned early in the morning by my Dad to the family living room.

After getting dressed in a simple Lemon Knee-length gown I went out of my room and headed to the family parlor.

  ' Why am I summoned so early in the morning? , What do they want to talk to me about?, Or do they want to talk about my marriage? , I hope it hasn't been brought up. ' With all these different thoughts going to my mind I reached The family parlor in no time.

It was a Mini large room with Five Single Brown Sofas which were as old as me or even older, it also has one large Study table and an old portrait of my Dad while he was younger, I guess, The room was painted Dull Yellow, though the colors were already fading.

The room happened to be the largest in our Five bedroom home which was single-handedly built by my Father and his Workers.

Well, my Dad isn't as poor as you guys think he is as he owned About two hectares of land where he cultivates Common Food crops like Rice, maize, yam, and so on.

As it was still early morning, my Two younger siblings who Happened to be twins, my mom, and my Dad were Seated on the sofas in the living room.

Well, have I ever said that I have two sisters? , I guess no but I do have two sisters, one is my Elder sister, Davi, the firstborn of my family and the other is  Little Oprah who happened to be the last born of my family.

My Elder Sister, Davi got married Three years ago to Sir Thomas a Hunter who had Three wives, well she is a little lucky as she only has three women before her, she'll be the fourth Wife and might be able to blend in soon enough unlike me who is to get married to a 50-year-old man with Five wife and Twenty Children.

I am pretty sure that I won't survive a week no matter how Strong I claim to be as those five wives are vicious, The was once a rumor that claimed that the five wives all belonged to the same Secret Club so they were friends with one another so they don't want another woman to come into their midst and that other woman who had tried to lose their lives in the process.

    ' How would I survive in a place like that? But as always no one cares about my well-being as all my parents care about is the dowry they'll get from the groom's family after marrying me off. ' 

Back to the present.

Though it's a usual thing for my Dad and Brothers to be in the living room early in the morning my mom isn't always with them but today she is which means that we are going to be discussing a serious issue.

I noticed that my little sister isn't in the room, perhaps she's still asleep, I can't blame her though as it's still very early in the morning for a Five years old girl like her to be awake.

  As usual, my Dad was Drinking Palm wine I wonder why he often drinks it in the morning before dinner, won't it upset his stomach? , I often wondered but I never got the courage to ask him.

My two brothers, Cyril and James were playing the card game as they always do.

    All they do all day is play but that's probably going to End soon as my Dad had already planned that he'll give them a plot of land each once they turn fifteen So they can start cultivating on it.

He wanted them to become Independent early in life as he always claims that a man shouldn't be lazy and must be hard working as he's going to be the head of his family.

Well, I agree with him on this though.

Am not being partial as even the Bible says that the man is the head of the household.

As soon as I walked in all eyes fell on me and I felt very uncomfortable, though we are family and have been living together for years I can't help but still feel uncomfortable with their gazes.

I immediately went on my Knees When I noticed that they were already aware of my presence.

" Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom. " I greeted while on my knees.

Well, it's part of our tradition and culture that when greeting, the female child must be on her two knees as a sign of respect to her elders. 

   

" Can't you greet your siblings too or do you want to pretend to not notice them in the room? How disrespectful! " My dad Scolded, He was displeased by my behavior.

I sighed deeply hearing this, I should know better, I was about to speak up but was interrupted by my younger brother, Cyril.

" We can't blame her Dad, Her upcoming marriage is what's boosting her ego, she believes that she's getting married soon so she doesn't need to respect us. " He said.

" Really? " 

" Yes, Dad. "

" Oh, do you think your husband will be happy with this disrespectful Character of yours? , I guess you don't know him too well because if you do then you won't be like this. " 

' He's not my husband! We aren't even married yet! So don't call him my husband! Husband? As if I am even going to get married to him. ' I ranted inwardly, I didn't dare refute my Dad's words when it's not like I am seeking for Beating, though I don't think he'll lay a finger on me as I am of much use to him now.

It hurts me to realize that my parents only see me as a tool for money-making but what can I do apart from being hurt? , Nothing I guess, I just have to bear with it, for now. 

" I pity her, Dad. " James sullen voice Interrupted my thoughts.

' Pity? , Do I need that? , Of course not. ' 

" Am very Sorry, Dad, I was wrong, Please please me, Dad. " I said and Earning no reply, I turned to face my two siblings who sat down on the Sofa like Two Royal Highness.

Even the king of our village isn't as arrogant as them, it's not like they have money or anything but just because they look Very Handsome, they got their genes from Mom who could be tagged as a Disney Princess.

Too bad she didn't get to marry her Prince Charming.

Though not all Disney Princess got married to their Prince Charming as Ariel the mermaid died for her prince instead.

Well, I am not bad either but I won't rate myself, I don't want to be tagged as being proud so I'll leave that for my Prince Charming to say.

That's If I'll ever get a Prince charming, I hope my life doesn't become like Mom's, that would be brutal. 

" Good morning, Bro Cyril, Good Morning Bro James. " I greeted them still on my knees though they weren't my elder, they are my younger Brothers for pits same but yet I have to greet them like my elder!  and I could see the Smirk on My brother Cyril's face, James on the other wore a blank Expression, They both didn't nod in acknowledgment but that's not any of my business, the fact that I have greeted them remains the same. 

" I guess you aren't that dumb after all, well I can't blame you, I'll only blame your mother who didn't train you well, I just hope that you don't bring shame and disgrace to our family. " My Dad replied 

" I hope so too Dad, I don't know how I'll be able to show my face to my friends if she does. " Cyril said.

" Same here's " 

I just Kneeled silently listening to them, I badly wanted to refute but I don't dare to, I don't have a voice, I am nothing but a female child with no voice.

I looked towards my Mom's direction and then I realized that she was also listening Attentively to them though she had a bored expression on her face, she wasn't looking in my direction but my Dad's.

She didn't look displeased at all it felt like she was Enjoying it.

' Is this Woman my Mother? ' I asked myself for the umpteenth time that day.

Chapter Five.

" You can have your seat on the sofa over there. " My Dad's voice Interrupted my thoughts.

I quickly stood up but because I have been kneeling for about Twenty minutes or so my Knees felt numb so I ended up stumbling a little but I was quick to regain my balance.

  " Lazy girl. " I heard Cyril say.

I just ignored him, he doesn't deserve my time.

After Settling down on the Couch, I looked in my Dad's direction and saw that he had dropped the glass of Palm wine on the small glass table in front of him.

' Time to talk business.  ' I thought.

" The reason why I summoned you here today is to inform you all that Malisa's Marriage has been brought forward, she's now going to get married in seven days.

" What? " I squealed.

I felt my heart sink hearing my Dad's word, I felt my whole world Crashing down at that moment.

' 7 days? What will I do in seven days that I couldn't do in 17 years? , What will happen to me? My dreams? My aspirations in life? , Is this my fate? ' I sobbed inwardly but didn't dare to show it, I just putted up a blank Expression on the outside, the only thing I did was clench my fists tightly in anger, it was so tight that I felt my Fingernails piercing through my palm.

Though the pain came I didn't have time to think of that, pain is nothing compared to my shattered dreams.

" Why what? Why are you so Suprised? You are going to get married anyway so what's the need for Prolonging the day or don't tell me you are planning to escape? , Am sure that you wouldn't dare to as you know the consequences, am sure you remember Gloria? " 

Of course, I remember Gloria, she ran away a day to her marriage but what happened? She ended up being brutally raped to death by Some drunken men and that was her end, no one even bothered to bury her dead body not even her family, her Corpse was just carelessly thrown into the Bush for wild animals to feed on.

" She wouldn't dare to run away Dad, she's not as Brave as that. " James Said as if he knew me that well.

" Good, anyways you need to start preparing for it as you'll be married off Two days after your circumcision so you gotta be ready, go it? " 

" Yes, Dad. " 

" Better... And you " he said referring to my Mom.

" Make Sure you get her A set of beautiful clothing for her marriage ceremony, make sure that they are top class, I don't want her Tarnishing my name because of her poor dressing. " 

" Yes, Sir. " My mom replied bowing a little.

She's always a scary Cat when it comes to my Dad.

" Good, so you guys can leave now, go and start preparing for the big day, and Malisa, Your Husband is coming over to see you tomorrow evening, he claims that you guys should get to know each other better before marriage. " 

' He's not my Husband! He's nothing but a Shameless old man who wants to marry a girl younger than his daughter! ' I thought inwardly.

" Alright, Dad, I'll be prepared, thanks for telling me this. " I replied as respectfully as I can.

" Good, I know that you'll always listen to me, go to your room now and take a bath, Breakfast will be ready by the time you are done with freshening up. " He said.

" Okay, Dad. " I nodded as I then walked away.

Anyone who heard my Dad last statement would think he cares a lot about me but he doesn't, the truth is that he wants me to be well-fed and healthy so he'll be able to demand more money as a diary from the groom's. Family.

He's treating me just like a woman Rearing a chicken, she buys the chicken and feeds it regularly not because she loves it but because she is aware that she'll earn a lot from it in the future.

I went back to my room and took a bath and changed my clothes as instructed.

I then went to the Dinning room to have my breakfast.

The meal was Jollof Rice and Fried Fish, it was tasty as always.

Though my mom can't be termed as the perfect mother one thing I love about her is the fact that she knows how to cook delicious food, of course, she'll know how to since she had been practicing how to since she turned ten years old.

After Breakfast, I was about to go back to my room when I heard my  ' Friends ' voice.

' what are they doing here now? ' I thought.

Since they are three to four months younger than me, they still have more time before they get married off so they still have the privilege to move about as they like unlike me who has to remain locked up in my Home every day.

" Hello, Malisa. " One greeted Smiling brightly at me, she was wearing a wine-colored Long Dress.

Women and young girls putting on Trousers are completely forbidden in my village as they believe that it should be only Worn by  Whores.

But I am sure that that's not the only reason why it's forbidden because well, Married women are not Permitted to wear panties indoors as it's believed that it's a kind of obstruction for men when they want to have sex with their woman.

It's believed that as long as a married woman is indoors she should be ready and prepared to have sex with her husband at any time and anywhere in the house

 including the kitchen and Dining room as long, the kids are not present there.

Back to the present.

" Hi, what brings you here? " I asked straightforwardly, I don't need to pretend since I am very well aware of the fact that the Trio don't like me.

" Don't be such a bore, Malisa, we heard about your marriage ceremony Being brought up so as your friends, we must get you ready and prepared for it, right? " 

" Really? " 

" Yes, that's what best friends are for, right? " 

' Best friend my foot. '  I thought.

" Okay, if you say so, you can head in. " I said as I ushered them in after which I offered them water and they drank it quickly in a haste, it's very obvious that they raced here, the three of them are always competing with one another, they'll never change.

We then went into my Room and expected they started gossiping.

I don't know how I got myself this kind of friend who only Knows how to gossip about other people all day like they have nothing important to do with their time.

" Aren't you listening, Malisa? " One asked when she realized that I wasn't.

" I am not. " I replied truthfully.

" Anyways, Have your mom bought the pain Reliever Medicine for you? " Kate inquired.

" Pain Reliever Medicine? Why would I need that? What will I use that for? " I asked Confused.

" Don't act dumb Malisa, I know you know what I mean. " 

" But I honestly don't know. " 

" Whatever, as you are aware, after your marriage ceremony is over you are going to be having your wedding night when you and your husband will consummate your marriage. " 

" Oh, but what does that have to do with the Pain Reliever Medicine? " I asked.

" Well, since you are still a virgin, the first time a man penetrates you will be very painful so you have to use the medicine to ease the pain. " 

" Oh." 

" And yes it'll be better if you learn how to massage your body yourself before your marriage. " 

." Why? " 

" Well, Your Husband wouldn't just go one round on your wedding night nor will he go one round each throughout the first week of your marriage so you have to be well prepared. " 

" Okay. " 

" Btw, I have a question to ask you. " 

" Ask away. " Kate replied quickly.

" What do you think about getting circumcised? , Do you think it's a good idea? " 

" Of course it's a good idea, you know when you are already circumcised you wouldn't have the urge to have sex so you'll be able to control yourself and not be at the risk of  ' Turning on ' When you aren't supposed to. " 

" Also, it prepares you for your marriage, it makes you feel like a grown-up, you feel like a woman who is ready for marriage. " 

" But there are effects of this act on women, isn't it? " 

" Of course, have you forgotten about the fact that everything that has an advantage also has a disadvantage but the effects of circumcision are not that difficult to bear, that's part of being a woman, we have to bear the pain of it all. " 

" Hm, thanks for telling me all this, thanks for the enlightenment. " 

" You are welcome. " 

Though my ' Friends ' can be selfish and bad at times they are not that bad, I just have to be very careful with them as they are the type of people that won't think twice before selling me off for money and jealousy.

Having them as friends is better than not having any friends at all in this village.

Wedding bells are ringing, would I get circumcised and get married to an old man? 

Continue reading the next chapters to find out.