5 CHAPTER FIVE - AMINAT
September, 2012
The suicidal death of a loved one is very devastating. It could either make or break You. It could make You if You rise up and be determined to make that person proud or it could break You if You decide to rise up in a wrong way.
Aminat was determined to wipe off poverty from Her family as suffering from poverty was the reason She lost Her Mother. She thought of so many things to do and ways to make Money in other to raise Her family from poverty.
Finally, She thought of a good and decent way to earn Money and that was to Make and sell Mats, which was the business Her Mother was doing before She died. She also went to Apply at a local beauty parlour to start braiding hair for costumers. Though the money She earned per month was not much but still She knew it was at least enough for Her and Her Father to eat and provide their daily needs.
From Monday till Friday, She concentrated on braiding and then from Friday to Saturday She sold Mats at the Main market.
One fateful day, Aminat returned from work early by 1pm and met Her father Talking with a Man in His 60s.
"Thank You Sir" Mohammed said with a smile shaking the Man in 60s.
"Salaam alaikum Papa" Aminat said looking anxious and inquisitive to know what was going on.
"Ohhh.....here comes My daughter" Mohammed said happily to the Man in 60s and then turning to Aminat He said
With a smile
"Walaikum salaam dear"
Aminat greeted the man in 60s and was about to leave when Her Father called Her back saying
"uhmmmm....Aminat, You have a visitor, Alhaji Mustapha is here to see You"
"Me?" Aminat asked anxiously.
"Yes" Her Father answered Her with a smile.
"Goodafternoon Sir" Aminat greeted Alhaji formally
"Goodafternoon dear" Alhaji answered smiling in admiration
"So....You are here to See Me?" Aminat asked.
"Yes dear, seeing Your face is enough for Me. You father will explain everything to You" Alhaji said smiling helplessly He turned to Aminat's father and said
"I will take My leave now"
"Ok Sir. Goodbye" Aminat and Her Father chorused with Her Father smiling Aminat turned to Her father and said looking amused.
"Papa, that Man must really be a good Man, ever since Mama's death, this is the first time I have seen You smile"
"Yes My child, He is a really good Man" Mohammed smiled looking at Aminat
"My daughter, I would love to have a word with You" Mohammed added
"What is it Papa" Aminat said looking inquisitive
"Lets take a sit first" Mohammed said sitting down on a stool inside the hut and Aminat too sat down on another stool
"Now tell Me papa, what is it You want to discuss with Me" She said still looking inquisitive
"Alhaji Mustapha has requested for Your hand in marriage and I have accepted it" Mohammed said to Aminat with mixed feelings
"What!!!! Papa!!! Is that Man not of Your age? How can I marry Him" Aminat protested
"My Child calm down" Mohammed said trying to calm Aminat down
"I cannot marry someone who is old enough to be My father" Aminat calmly begged with tears in Her eyes.
"Aminat I know He is old, but He is very rich. He is willing to pay a dowry of $18,000. This is the only way Our family is going to rise from poverty forever. I will start living large, building houses, wearing expensive clothes and He even promised to take You to America as soon as You both get married" Mohammed explained to His daughter
Aminat cried bitterly as She listened to Her father beg Her.
"You remember that poverty was the reason We lost Your Mother, do You want to loose Me too?" Mohammed continued
"No, I don't want You to commit Suicide Father. You are My only family and I am willing to do anything for You. I will marry Him" Aminat said assuring Her Father with a smile mixed with tears
"Really? Am so happy My child, God bless You" Mohammed said happily
"One more question Papa, is this Man married before?" Aminat asked
"Yes He has two wives already" Mohammed answered
"O My God" Aminat said lowering Her head and crying the more
"Just don't worry My child, everything will be fine" Mohammed consoled her.
*******
That evening, Aminat went to visit Hakeem. Aminat knew there was no future for Her and Hakeem so She wanted to be blunt in other not to cause heart aches to Him in the future.
"Asalaam Alaikum Ma" Aminat greeted a woman in Her late 40s who was sitting outside a hut like that of Aminat's house
"Walaikum Salaam Aminat, how are You" She replied with a smile
"Am fine ma" She said with a shy smile and just as She was about to continue talking Hakeem came out of the hurt and saw Her
"Hey Aminat, How are You" He greeted Aminat happily coming closer to Her
"Am fine Hakeem, I would like to have a word with You" Aminat replied
"Ok dear, just a minute" He replied and turning to the woman in 40s He said
"Mama I will just take a walk down the road with Aminat"
"Ok dear, You two take care" She answered with a smile.
"Lets go" Hakeem said to Aminat
They both walked out of Hakeem's compound and strolled towards the streets and then stopped at a mango tree
"Hakeem, My marriage has been arranged" Aminat said looking into Hakeem's eyes with sorrow
"Ohhhh No!!!!" Hakeem exclaimed
"Hakeem, I have not come here to make You sad but to tell You as it is. I can not be with You. My Father has already arranged My marriage to a Man old enough to be My Father" Aminat explained
"I knew this was bound to happen. The society We belong to does not support Our Relationship" Hakeem said
"Am so sorry Hakeem, am doing this for My father. I don't want to loose Him to suicide just like My Mother" Aminat explained with a teary eyes.
"Just one honest question Aminat, Do You love Me" Hakeem asked looking into Aminat's eyes with tears
"Does it even matter what I feel now? I will be getting married very soon so, My feelings don't count" Aminat said with helplessness
"It does matter to Me what You feel for Me Just answer Me Aminat,pls" Hakeem asked Her with teary eyes filled with emotions
"Hmmm...Yes Hakeem, I love You" Aminat answered looking into Hakeem's eyes with Tears running down Her cheeks then She continued
"Why is life this unfair to Me? Why is it that what I love, I can't have? First, I want to go to school but I couldn't go because I am poor, secondly, I am in love with You but I cant be with You because I have to save My family." Aminat Lamented
"it is already enough for Me to know that You love Me, I will never forsake You Aminat. I promise You" Hakeem said with tears in His eyes
"Thank You" Aminat said with tears and hugged Hakeem who embraced Her as well. They both cried in each others arms never wanting to let go.
