IF ONLY I HAD WAITED.
©️Ojo Rhoda Ayanfeoluwa.
Part 2.
I never knew he had told my mum about his intention.
I never knew my mum was in full support of him being my husband.
On that fateful day he came to my house to visit me for the very first time, I almost vomited on his body. He was such a disgusting guy. I was irritated by everything he ever had. In fact, I got to know that he was 24 years older than me in age.
“Sandra, I want you to be my wife.” He said. As he opened his stinking mouth, I almost puke. I just couldn’t bear the odour. I covered my nose with my hands.
“Please, marry me.” He said.
“No! Never!!!”I yelled at him.
“Over my dead body will I settle for a man like you.” I replied, looking at him as if he was a piece of trash.
I read frustration in his eyes. He was very frustrated. He thought I was going to give him a “yes” immediately. He didn’t know that he was so disgusting to me.
I just couldn’t fathom why I hated him. He wasn’t handsome. The fact that he was old enough to father me made everything pissed me off.
“Sandra , I will sponsor you in your academics. I will make life easy for you. I will spoil you with mon…” I didn’t allow him to finish his statement when I cut in.
“With due respect, sir. I don’t need your f*****g money. I don’t need anything from you.” I said, trying to be calm.
“Are you telling me you’ll not marry me?” He said.
“Yes, I will never marry you. Or is it by force?” I asked sarcastically.
“Yes, you must marry me or no one else.” He said authoritatively.
“Never!!!!!” I shouted.
“Move out now!” I ordered him. He didn’t want to take his leave but, my face read fire. I was ready to show him pepper. He had no choice than to take his leave.
“No, Juwon, come back here. Don’t ever step out of this house.” Mum said. I never knew she was around. I never knew she heard our conversation.
“Sandra, you must marry him else, you will smell pepper in this house.” Mum said.
“Mum, over my dead body will I marry a man that is old enough to be my father. I will never marry him.” I said in annoyance.
Before I could say “jack” a dirty slap landed on my cheek.
I couldn’t recover from it for minutes because it was as if I was going to die. It was as if I was dreaming.
“Marry Juwon or you smell pepper in this house.” Mum said.
I did as if I didn’t hear anything.
“Sandra, you’re getting married to him by next month.” Mum said.
“Help me to talk to her very well. I’m coming back with my family members for the introduction very soon.” He said as he dipped his hand into his pockets and gave my mum a large sum of money.
Before he left, he dropped a bag for me. The bag comprises clothes, shoes and jewelries.
I almost fell in love with him but, I was still disgusted.
Mum tried her best to convince me to marry him.
“Mum, why do you want me to marry him?” I asked her.
“Juwon is a very good man. He is a wealthy man. I need you to get married to him so that an end can come to our miserable life. To be candid with you, Juwon has three wives. I want you to be his fourth wife. I’m very sure he will take good care of you. He will definitely love you more than the three women because you’re still young.
Besides, he promised to make your dream a reality by sponsoring your education. He is just the right man for you at the moment of our lives. Please, accept his proposal. He has spoken to his wives and they are fully in support of him marrying you.”
” Mum, hold it!!!” I yelled
” I need to be sure I heard you well. Do you mean Mr Juwon has three wives? ” I asked.
” Yes, my daughter.” My mum said, smiling.
“Three what???” I asked again.
“I now know that you are my greatest enemy. How could you suggest a man like that for me? Well, you’re one of the bad woman I have ever met. I’m not surprised selfishness led you there.
He has brainwashed you with money no wonder you want me to get married to him at all cost. Mum, why are you so selfish? Even if things are worst, I believe God hasn’t forgotten us. Mum, aren’t you the one telling us not to marry wrongly. So, you really want me to enter the lion’s den..” I wasn’t through with what I was saying when a slap landed on my face. Mum was boiling in anger.
I received another dirty slap. Tears gushed out of my eyes.
“It is either you marry Juwon or life becomes more unbearable for you.” Mum said.
“I will never marry that trash.” I shouted as I walked out on her and went straight to my room. I couldn’t help but sob.
I remembered my dad. I cried all through the night. I knew all this wouldn’t had happened if he was alive.
The day for the wedding ceremony was fast approaching. I was confused. I didn’t know what to do.
When it was three days to the D-day, I did something.
What did I do?
©️Ojo Rhoda Ayanfeoluwa.
