It's time for the meeting

Ami’s pov

The next day felt like the longest day of my life. My home, usually so full of activity, had gone quiet. It was as if someone had died. The heavy atmosphere made me anxious. What if my family agreed with what Solomon had said? Their faces and body language looked helpless. But I love Efosa, and nothing anyone says can change that. Just thinking about him is comforting, he always knows how to make me laugh.

The joy I felt when my aunt was braiding my hair was gone. My hair was still half-done, but I didn’t even care anymore. Those in charge of cooking didn’t know whether to keep going or stop altogether. I was certain the news had already reached Efosa’s family, just like it had spread to my best friend. I didn’t know how to feel—happy, sad, or something else. My heart was in turmoil.

Early that morning, while I lay in my room, I overheard Solomon saying,

"If Efosa’s family refuses to come to us, I’ll take your daughter with me.”

The moment he said "your daughter," I knew he was talking to my mum. But she didn’t reply.

“I may not have money,” Solomon continued, “but that doesn’t mean I should ignore what’s best for this family. If Ami were my daughter, I’d know exactly what to do.”

What would he do? Drag me to Lagos against my will?

My mum’s silence made it clear she didn’t support his plan. I expected her to remind him of the rumors we had all heard that those who travel overseas often never return. They might send money back, but they’re considered lost to their families. Sometimes, when they die, their bodies aren’t even brought back home for burial.

As I lay on my mat, staring at the closed window, I waited anxiously for the meeting that would decide my future. As a bride-to-be, I hadn’t been allowed to do any work for the past four days. Through the window, I noticed the noise of bunches arranged outside the compound, a sign that visitors were expected. Soon, I heard footsteps and the sound of greetings, men and women exchanging pleasantries in the compound. Still, I didn’t feel like getting up.

“Ami,” my mum called softly. I hadn’t even noticed when she came in. I turned to her quickly, my heart pounding. Her voice was filled with doubt. She didn’t know what would happen next. As a woman, tradition bound her to follow whatever decision the family made. I could see she felt my pain, just as I felt hers. She hadn’t been able to console me since last night. Neither of us had eaten, despite Monica’s efforts to convince us.

“It’s time for the meeting,” she said, taking my hand. Her touch was gentle, and I felt sorry for her, knowing she had no power to change the situation. She couldn’t tell me that Solomon’s plan wouldn’t work or that things would go my way. For the first time in years, she pulled me up like I was a child. Together, we walked out of the room.

Halfway through the sitting room, I realized my hair was messy. I stopped and wanted to go back, but my mum said,

“This meeting is more important than fixing your hair.”

When we stepped outside, I realized everyone had been waiting for us. The first person I noticed was Efosa’s father. I scanned the faces on his side, but Efosa wasn’t among them. My family was seated on the right, with some relatives standing behind them since there weren’t enough chairs. Efosa’s family sat on the left, ten of them in total. Amos, one of my relatives, officially started the meeting. But from his very first words, he stumbled.

“Our in-laws,” Amos began, pausing awkwardly. “Yes, yes, you are highly welcome to this meeting.” He seemed unsure of how to continue, fumbling for the right words. Sensing his struggle, Solomon cleared his throat and stood up with so much confidence, like a city man who believed exposure was the same as wisdom.

“Thank you, Amos,” Solomon said, turning his attention to Efosa's family. Without wasting time, he went straight to the point.

“I want to thank you for coming to this meeting. Unfortunately, we, the Osadolor family, have decided that the marriage between our daughter Ami and your son Efosa will no longer take place, for certain reasons.”

The compound erupted in murmurs, not only from Efosa's family but also from members of my own family. It was clear that Solomon’s words were not universally accepted. The spokesperson for Efosa’s family then stood up, his voice filled with restrained anger.

“When our son Efosa decided to marry Ami, it was a moment of great joy for us. Our family is respected, and when we came for the introduction, we were warmly received. We ate together, drank together, and now you’re saying there will be no marriage? Under tradition, Ami is already our son’s wife. The only thing left is the exchange of the bride price. In fact, the marriage ceremony would have taken place last month if not for my brother, Efosa’s father, falling ill.”

His words struck well. He was right, the wedding should have happened a month ago.

Solomon stood firm. “Our daughter, Ami, has been offered a job overseas, and we want her to take it and not a marriage will stop that.”

The spokesperson interrupted sharply, “Solomon, you could have said that from the beginning. Her traveling overseas doesn’t stop the marriage. If she wants to travel, fine. We are not against it. They can still marry.”

Solomon smiled slyly, as though he had expected this response. “Thank you, Osasu. I appreciate your support for this union. But you know one thing, a wife is under the authority of her husband. Once a husband tells his wife to sit here, she must sit. Once a woman is married, her family no longer has control over her decisions.”

It was clear Solomon was implying that Efosa could stop me from traveling once I became his wife. By tradition, he wasn’t wrong.

“Are you saying that all we have done for the marriage to take place will be wasted?” Another man from Efosa’s family stood up angrily, pointing his walking stick at Solomon.

Solomon seemed ready to respond with the same level of anger, but Amos quickly intervened. “Please, everyone, sit down. This isn’t something we want to fight over.”

The man with the walking stick retorted bitterly, “This is more than worth fighting over!”

“When I heard about Ami’s travel plans and the cancellation of the marriage, I was confused. Let me speak plainly, no family would be happy to see their son’s and daughter’s wedding plans suddenly fall apart or cancelled,” Amos said.

“Cancelled?” Efosa's father snapped. “That can’t happen,” he said with a fist, leaving no room for doubt.

“Please, let me finish,” Amos said, trying to calm the tension. “No one is canceling the marriage here. We’re only trying to figure out the best way forward for everyone. I have a suggestion that could work for all of us. What if we allow Ami to travel and, after one year, she comes back and marries Efosa?”

At this, the room fell silent. Amos glanced around, trying to read everyone’s expressions.

“It’s a peaceful suggestion,” he said with a shrug. But at that moment, it became clear to me that my family had already decided Solomon would take me away.

“One year?” Osasu echoed, his tone incredulous. “You mean our son Efosa should wait? For twelve whole months?” As he spoke, Efosa's father leaned in and whispered something in his ear, causing him to pause and nod slowly.

“Amos, we’ve heard your suggestion,” Osasu said, his tone now more measured. “We’ll hold a private discussion to consider it.”

With that, Efosa’s father and three other men stood up and walked to the mango tree in front of our house to deliberate. While they were gone, I noticed one of my relatives bringing out a keg of palm wine, followed by another carrying cups. Was this really a meeting worth celebrating?

It didn’t take long before they returned and sat down again. All eyes were on them as the man standing in the middle rose to speak.

“I have a question,” he said bluntly. “Are you giving us your daughter in marriage or not?”

Before anyone else could respond, Solomon stood up, his posture exuding readiness for a confrontation.

“We are not refusing to give Ami in marriage,” Solomon began. “As Amos has explained, Ami will need to travel first. After one year, the wedding ceremony can take place.”

“So,” Osasu interjected, “is it possible for us to bring the bride price now and leave it with you?”

“No,” Solomon replied, shaking his head. “Once we accept the items, Ami will be considered your son’s wife. Keep your items until the time comes, then you can bring them.”

The tone and hand gestures Solomon used seemed to irritate Efosa’s father. He stood up, his face tight with anger, but the man sitting next to him gently pulled him back down.

“We understand,” the man said calmly. “You want the wedding postponed for one year. That’s fine. But on one condition, Ami and Efosa will have to take an oath at the shrine of Isusumaya.”

My heart sank. Was this really the end of the discussion? From the tone of the spokesman, it seemed they had agreed to delay the wedding. But could I wait a whole year? What if Efosa found someone else? Then I remembered the oath. Taking an oath before the shrine would bind us and prevent us from cheating on each other. My thoughts were racing when Solomon’s voice broke through.

“Isusumaya? Never! My beliefs from the city forbid her from doing that.”

“What?” Efosa’s father shot up from his seat, his eyes blazing with anger. “How dare you?”