C1 ONE

KALGO,DAURA.

I was once a happy girl like any other girl, but then my miserable life started one day when I came back from school, when my dad gave me one of the biggest shock of my life

He had given out my hand in marriage, he is getting me married! and that too in two weeks time, I couldn't believe it.

To say I was shocked will be an understatement, I was broken because I never expected to get married this early, it was a big nightmare.

My world turned gloomy as I spent endless night crying, mark of tears all over my innocent face which was wetting my comfy pillow.When I am not crying then, I'm praying to my Lord for help.

It wasn't the marriage I was scared of, what scares me more was the fact that I don't even know the kind of guy my parents are getting me married too, is he good or bad, humble or arrogant, will he love and respect me, will he let me achieve my dreams, I was completely in the dark so were my parents.

You might be surprised as how my parent will give me out to a stranger, well I will tell you all about me and how I ended up here.

My name is Indo Bukar and I hail from Kalgo, a village located in Kastina state. I live with my mom and dad, I'm just a 16 years old girl who was still studying at Secondary School, senior class 2 to be precise.

I have always dreamt of been a journalist but then, you plan and Allah plans and he is the best of all planners.

It might sound odd but My parent never wanted me to go to school because they believe it's just a waste of time, not only them, many parents in our village believed girl child education doesn't matter, they believed that girls belonged to only one place; her husband's house in the kitchen.

Thankfully my uncle didn't share their belief, I only go to school due to his tireless efforts, he begged them to let me go to school until they couldn't refuse any longer.

They agreed, but that too with some conditions.

"I won't spend a dime on useless western education" My father said.

To him western education was useless and just a waste of time and money, that was also the belief of many in the northern Nigeria.

I never experienced what we call parental love, my parent were very strict and never gave me an ounce of freedom to make my choices nor speak for myself.

My opinion was never needed,they chose everything for me.

After hearing this you might think my parents hate me or even think they aren't my biological parents, no,they are my biological parents and I believe they love me even though they are bad at showing it.

My father agreed to the marriage because he was paid huge amount of money, and trust me he valued his dream of becoming a rich man more than anything. There was no dream in his life other than to be a very rich man, I guess that's why he is very selfish when it comes to money and he can go to any length for money. Not to exagerate too much but he can even sell himself for money, I'm just trying to tell you how much he loves money.

My mom on the other hand is just like him, birds of the same feathers flock together I guess. Alas, let's say she is worst than him when it comes to money.So technically,my parent sold me out to a stranger for money, how sad.

The day my dad announced my wedding is the worst day of my life,I couldn't sleep nor eat, the world itself seemed upside down to me.

All I thought of was committing suicide or run away from the house but then I knew it wasn't the best option so I decided to beg them to call off the wedding.

I decided the next morning I'll beg them to at least let me finsh my secondary school before they get me married, it was too early to get married and I needed some more time, which I knew I was never going to get.

My eyes were open through out that night, I couldn't even close them talkless of sleeping, all that inhabited my mind was the fact that I Indo is getting married at 16, I am still a naive child.

Soon the cocks announced the arrival of dawn.

It was time for subhi prayer, so I got up to brush my teeth and also perform ablution then say my prayers.

After I was done praying, I swept the whole house and did my usual morning routine.

It was already 7 O'clock when I finished my chores, then I took my bath,wore my uniform and waited for my mom and dad to come out to try my last luck,it was taking them so long to come out not like the usual days or may be I was in a too much dilemma and yes I was very nervous.

It was 7:30 when they decided to show up, I greeted them like I usually do every morning,

"Baba, good morning" I squatted to greet him before turning to my mom "good morning mama" I greeted her too.

"Good morning indo, how was your night?" They answered in unison.

"It was fine" I lied. I was really nervous and didn't know where to start from, then I heard my mom talk.

"Have you eaten yourbreakfast?" She asked

"Yes mama" I answered with a smile that shows I wasn't okay.

"It's like you want to say something" my father got the clue from my behavior.

"ye...y...yea" I uttered. I gathered my whole courage and confidence as I started speaking

"Baba please can you leave this wedding till when I'm done with my ss3, it's just a year remaining for me" I said with a shaky voice as I played with my fingers, by mere looking at me you will know I'm scared.

They next thing I heard was my father's voice insulting me.

"It's like you have gone mad?

This boy is from a rich home, they have enough money is that not the reason you go to school? To have money ko? Well he has it all. Besides he's very nice,how dare you utter this rubbish in front of me!" His voice echoed with anger, honestly I wasn't surprised because I expected that.

"Baba please reason this situation, please let's me finish my secondary school before I get married, I am not saying I will not, all I am asking is more time please."

"Indo! indo! indo!" He called my name three times.

"Yes Baba"

"How many times did I call your name?"

"Three baba" I mumbled

"Good, by Allah if you don't stop letting your school interfere with my chances of getting rich, i will stop you from going to school totally." He said

With teary eyes I looked up to my mother, not that I expected anything from her but at least she is my mother and as the saying goes a mother love her child more than anything.

"Idiot girl! If i slap ehnn wallahi you will be back to your senses in 2 seconds" she finally spoke.

I couldn't say anything again,to be honest I knew this was coming but I won't give up.

I will let it slide for now but I will definitely try again..

"Goodbye, take care of yourselves" I said before standing up to go.

"Start saying that to your friends, not us" my mother shouted at me.