Chapter Three

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It was her wedding day and Amirah had tried avoiding having 'the talk' with her mother but, Hajiya found her and dragged her to her bedroom.

"Toh Amirah, you are not a kid and I really shouldn't even say more regarding this issue of marriage, you've seen enough failed marriage as it is, from Halima's son, Lawal to the one we are trying to resolve between Adnan and Samha but your brother has refused to come home. All I want you to know is that marriage is all about patience.

As a woman, try to be patient with your husband, guide his secret as thou yours, since you like running your mouth anyhow, I have to warn you, men are a breed of different species, egostical and very prideful. We women have to always remember our husbands are our king, be ready to bow to him when the need arises, men hate to be wrong so do not hesitate to agree to be at fault even when you know you aren't." Amirah bowed her head listening carefully and acting as if she wasn't utterly bored and was hating every second of this conversation.

"You have a power over your husband, wield it to your favor wisely, there might come a time in your life where you'll share him with another woman. I don't wish that for you but if it comes, use your head, be cunning and show her who's more powerful, put her in her place which is second, after you comes her, show her you are first, let her know you were there before her and that you are more powerful."

Amirah's head snapped up at Hajiya's utterance.

Hajiya sneered, "yes I am talking about I and Halima, if I had not stood up and proven to her who was here first, I'd have been the one outside the main house, peeping rather than looking, whispering rather than talking and tip-toeing rather than walking care-freely. Be guided and alert, prayers work but sometimes you have to take some drastic measures to keep your home. I was young and naive and that is why Halima even got into this home to start with so if you sense anything you do not like, don't hesitate to tell me and not that Khadijah girl, what does she know? Now that you are married, I expect you to let go of that girlish friendship you both have, you are now a woman, you should be surrounded by married women as friends so as to enable you learn one or two things."

Amirah had long decided into this talk that Hajiya was crazy and had no idea what she was even saying, so she wasn't even listening to heed to any of the advices her mother was dishing out.

"Lastly, be always ready for your husband, stop being lazy Amirah, you are now a woman, you now have a home and a husband, sleeping all the time isn't what you should be doing, the transformation from being a girl into a woman is a huge moment in every female's life, I congratulate you. I've said mine and I can only talk, I can't make you listen but if you know what is good for you, you will."

"Thank you Hajiya, I've heard you and I'll try my best to do as you've said." Amirah said glad that the conversation was over.

"If you like don't do your best, oho! It's not me that will be crying when my husband no longer comes back home to me. Anyways, I have some things to give you."

Amirah watched carefully as Hajiya went into her wardrobe and brought out a white polythene bag, she placed the leather ontop her bed and began to bring out the contents under the watchful eyes of Amirah.

"These are the kayan mata I got specially for you." Amirah's eyes widened at this, Hajiya didn't seem to notice her daughter's reaction or rather, she chose to ignore it as she busied herself trying to decipher which from which and when she did, she continued,

"This one is vagina tightner, from the name you already know what it does but if you want me to elaborate..."

Amirah immediately interrupted, "No! No! Hajiya what's all this haba?"

"DanAllah-please keep shut! What do you know? It seems you are ready to lose Muhammad, well me I'm not ready to lose face in front of my friends, it's better he ends up like Taheer rather than him divorcing you."

Amirah gasped, Taheer was Ya Hamidah's late husband, she didn't believe Hajiya could be this callous wishing death for her husband so as she shouldn't lose face.

"Hajiya!" She exclaimed.

"Don't Hajiya me! Do you know the things Aisha and her mother did? Do you think it's ordinary that her husband is showing her this much love and doing everything she wants? Be there decieving yourself. As I was saying, this is kohl, just be applying it twice a week, you'll be the coolness of his eyes, I promise you."

Amirah sighed and Hajiya caught on it and flared, "do you know how many girls wish to have this opportunity? Do you know how expensive these things are?"

Tired, Amirah said, "Hajiya just continue, I'm listening."

"Better, ehen this one you'll apply it before you sleep, it'll make..."

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It was time for Amirah to be taken to Muhammad's family house, her whole family was gathered in the main parlor with the exception of Adnan and Aunty amarya.

Khadijah, Fareedah and Na'eemah had tears in their eyes. Amirah has never been close to Zarah who sat down solemn, watching the whole scene.

Alhaji Aliyu cleared his throat, an indication he wanted to speak, "Amirah!" He called.

"Na'am?"

"You are going far from home, I expect you to show good conduct wherever you find yourself. I and your mother have raised you up well and taught you to the best of our knowledge. As you are taking this bold step now and completing half of your deen, I pray Allah guide you to the right path, stray you from angering Him and recieving His wrath, may Allah bless your new home, grant you both patience, may you be the coolness of each others eyes, may there be..."

Amirah was tired of replying amin to her father's prayers which proceeded to go on for a few more minutes.

"That's the little I can contribute into this union of yours and may Allah answer our prayers." A chorused amin rang through the house then they proceeded out.

Inside the compound, two cars has been arranged with Amirah's luggages, the drivers have been given the location of the couple's new home in Lagos and they were set to leave for Lagos immediately.

Aunty amarya came out of her wing and went up to Amirah, Hajiya placed a hawk eye on them both and every movement they made.

"Here you go Amirah, this is the best gift I can give you, the holy book." Aunty amarya handed her a black medium sized bag.

"Thank you very much." Amirah said before engulfing her step mother into a hug, she wished things were different in their household. Aunty amarya was a woman with a golden heart who didn't deserve the treatment melted out to her by both Hajiya and Baba. Many a times, some issues she feared to discuss with Hajiya, she did with Aunty amarya and she recieved the best advice money could buy.

The most prominent being when she and Khadijah finished their secondary school, Baba had asked what they wanted to go study in the university, Khadijah had immediately said accounting for she had the passion to become a banker, Amirah had hesitated for she hadn't really thought about it. Baba said he'll give her a week to think thoroughly about what she wanted to become but the moment she had retired to her room, Hajiya barged in, held her by the ear and said,

"So at this point you don't know what you want to be ko? The Khadijah that has her mind made up on being a banker, isn't she your mate? If you know what's best for you, tomorrow morning you'll go to your Baba and tell him you want to study medicine, you'll be a doctor!"

Amirah knew she didn't want to be a doctor, so she sneakily went to Aunty amarya and discussed her problems for Khadijah had told her it was her mother who had helped her realize her passion for accounting. Truly, Aunty amarya had discussed at length with Amirah and at the end of the day, she decided she wanted to study architecture. Six years later now and she had a certificate showing she had graduated with a second class upper from the federal university in the state.

"I'll miss you so much." She gave Aunty amarya one last hug just as Hajiya screamed at her to hurry up.

Amirah hugged her sisters that weren't going with them and tears pooled up in her eyes when she realized how much she was going to miss them especially Na'eemah.

Baba, Hamida, Hajiya and one of her sisters, mama Sumayya entered one car that had Lawal behind the wheels, while Amirah, Aunty Samha and Khadijah entered the a different car that was been driven by Samir.

Muhammad's family house wasn't that far and when they got there, it was full of noise and activities as they all awaited the arrival of the bride, Amirah took in a deep breath, this was it!