History repeats itself, but in such cunning disguise that we never detect the resemblance until the damage is done. – Sydney J. Harris

         
My husband.
        
Zainab's jaw dropped and she stared at her father with wide eyes. 

"What do you mean, Uba?" 

Her father squirmed and his lips thinned. "Mr. Danladi is your husband."

His words rang in her ears and shock surged through her. 

"T-that is not possibl-e-e," she sputtered. "Uwa, what is he talking about?" Her eyes darted to her mother.  

Her mother's eyes dimmed and a grim expression appeared on her face. 

"Uwa, please say something." Zainab's lips quivered.

Her mother looked away but Zainab didn't miss the tears in her eyes.  Her eyes flew to the side as her supposed husband hissed. 

"Are you telling me she didn't know?" He gritted out.  

"That wasn't part of our deal," his father said to Zainab's father.  "You were meant to tell her after the wedding ceremony. " 

Her father grimaced and sent them a pleading look. "Please calm down. We'll resolve it."

"You better do it fast," Mr. Danjuma said with a scowl.

Wedding day? 

When did it take place? 

Her mind traveled to that day eleven years ago. The day of her tenth birthday. The day she was dressed similar to how her sister was dressed as a bride. Events of that day became clear.  That day wasn't just her birthday but her wedding ceremony. 

The realization was a punch in her stomach and dizziness washed over her. 

Through blurry eyes, she saw her mother approach her.

"Please excuse us. Zainab, come with me." She pulled Zainab to her feet.  

Zainab's legs quaked but she let her lead her out of the room. So lost in a daze, she didn't notice when they reached her parents' room. Her mother's cold hand against her cheek broke her trance. 

She looked at her mother with heavy eyes.  "What's happening, Uwa?" Her voice came out low. 

Her mother's lips turned down and her eyes dimmed with sorrow. "We are so sorry." 

Zainab let out a dry chuckle and shook her head. "Are you apologizing for marrying me off or are you apologizing for doing it without my knowledge?" 

Her mother's face scrunched up and she shook her head. "We didn't want to hurt you, that's why we didn't tell you." 

A pained smile grazed Zainab's lips. "You guys have hurt me already." she sniffled.  "Anyway, for now, let's leave that. You just tell me why I am married to a stranger." She wiped her wet cheeks.  

A grimace marred her mother's face and she dropped her hand. "Do you remember your 10th birthday?" 

Zainab's breath hitched as a sick feeling welled within her.  Images from that fateful day flooded her mind and her chest tightened. 

The similarities between that day and her sister's wedding day weren't a coincidence. The guilt on her mother's face said it all. 

"Yes, I do." She whimpered and gazed at her mother with tear-filled eyes. "It wasn't my birthday we celebrated but my marriage." A sob left her lips. "How could you guys do that?" Tears rolled down her face. 

Rage suddenly bubbled within her and she jumped up and began to pace around the room as angry tears fell from her eyes. 

"I had so many expectations that day. And you guys promised to make that day a special one but you broke your promise." Her shoulders shook and tears rushed down her face.  

"We had no choice," her mother said through tears.  

"Really?" Zainab turned to her with raised brows. "What made you guys helpless?" 

Her mother moved towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "The business was suffering and we needed investors.  Mr. Danjuma came with a lucrative offer but he had one condition.  He wanted one of our daughters to become his son's wife."

"What?" Zainab's mouth hung open and she gaped at her mother. Suddenly, her mother's touch scalded her and she moved away.  Rage shimmered within her and she ground her teeth. "You guys sold me!" Her voice rose. 

Her mother vigorously shook her head.  "It's not like that. We were desperate." 

Zainab's hands flailed in the air. "That is no excuse." Her lips thinned and her eyes darkened. "All you guys thought about was the failing business and not your daughter's life." 

Her body trembled as waves of sobs wracked her body.  

"Listen to me, dear. We had no other choice." Her mother touched her arm but she pushed her hand away.  

"No, mom.  You could have turned down his offer instead of ruining my life."

She balled her hands and moved towards the door.  However, her mother's voice stopped her in her tracks. 

"You know it isn't such a big deal. You were going to get married sooner or later."

Zainab's stomach churned and she swung around to face her mother.  "Seriously, Uwa? How can you say that?" Her brows wrinkled. 

"Because I was once in your shoes." A faraway look came over her mother's face. "You probably don't know, but I was betrothed to your father at 8 years old." 

Zainab's lips puckered and her frown deepened. "I didn't know that." Her legs carried her back into the room. "Tell me everything."

Her mother jerked her head in agreement. "Let's sit and talk."

Zainab nodded and the women sat side by side on the bed.  

Zainab's mother clasped her hands on her lap and began talking.  "I was 8 years old when my family betrothed me to your father who was 22 at that time.  When I reached puberty at age 12, your father's family came to take me to live with him. I had my first child at 14. It was one of the most difficult times of my life." A lone tear fell from my eyes. 

A lump formed in Zainab's throat and it took all her strength to push it down. She was aware of the age difference between her parents but she never wondered why.  She thought of her mother who at age 45 was the mother of six children.   

Her mother sniffled and resumed speaking. "After I moved in with your father and his family, it was hard for me to adjust because everyone expected so much from me. I got rebuked for every mistake I made and I used to cry myself to sleep." She wiped her cheeks. 

Zainab gently touched her mother's hand. "I am sorry you had to go through all that." 

Her mother nodded and shifted to face her. "I am not telling you all these because I want you to pity me. I am telling you because I want you to understand that I would never wish ill upon you." She sniffled. "In fact, I pleaded with your father to let you be an adult before telling you the truth. I didn't want you to go through the pain and agony I experienced as a young bride and mother." A pained smile graced her lips. 

"When your father told me about Mr. Danjuma's deal, I told your father to refuse the deal. However, as I thought about it, something burned within me, telling me that it was the right thing to do. And besides, it's part of our Hausa traditions. Girls were born to be wives and mothers."

Zainab shook her head with vigor. "But it is not right. We have a right to aspire for more than having children and taking care of our husbands."

Pain gleamed in her mother's eyes. "Not everyone is privileged to enjoy freedom. You should also look at the bright side of things, all these might be a blessing in disguise." Her eyes brightened a little. 

Dismay coursed through Zainab as she digested her mother's words. "So what do you want me to do? I can't imagine anything good coming from a marriage to a stranger." Her shoulders dropped and she sighed. 

Her mother gently patted her hand. "You are the one who will decide what will happen next. But remember, if you refuse to uphold the marriage contract then we stand to lose everything." She squeezed Zainab's hand and got up. "I will be with your father and the guests," she said and left Zainab to her jumbled thoughts.   

Zainab rose on shaky feet and wandered down the hallway to her room. The door squeaked as she pushed it open. She entered inside and locked the door.  Her legs gave way and she slid to the floor.  

She wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her head in the crook of her arms. Hot tears stung her eyes and she let out a wail. How could things change so fast? 

History repeated itself after eleven years. 

From celebrating her 21st birthday, she was contemplating whether to remain in a marriage she didn't know existed. 

Pictures of her 10th birthday flooded her memory and she cried harder. Eleven years ago, her expectations were shattered and now, her life and the lives of her family could be ruined forever if she made the wrong decision.  

Remember, if you refuse to uphold the marriage contract, we stand to lose everything. 

Her mother's words rang in her ears, reminding her that whatever decision she made could either make her forever bound to a stranger or free but penniless.  

                      ★★★★★

Oh boy!

Poor Zainab 😩😭

Do you agree with her mother's explanation?

What decision do you think Zainab would make?

I look forward to your thoughts.

Until next time, stay safe❤️