Chapter 3 The unsuccessful marriage

"What have those people come for?" Kimora asked her mother the following afternoon, watching through the broken window as chief Adekunle and four of his kinsmen settled under the tree inside their compound.

"This is not a time for questions. Wear your best clothes quickly, and come with me. Our in-laws have come to make their intentions known, "her mother announced, hurriedly tying her worn-out wrapper.

Kimora's mother's sister, Juliet, was already attending to the visitors, and Kimora's incessant questions were beginning to irritate her mother. Kimora looked at her mother with surprise, Wondering whom the in-laws had come to marry.

"Mama, is it you you they have come to marry?" Kimora questioned, wearing visible frowns.

Her mother hissed and said in an angry tone, "stop asking foolish questions. You are the bride, and I am the mother of the bride," she said decisively.

Kimora started grumbling. She told her mother that she was not going to marry chief Adekunle because she was too young for marriage. She said she preferred to work, or go to the city to look for a job. She did not want to marry an old man who was old enough to be her father. She also said that the man already had four wives, and she didn't want to be the fifth. Kimora pleaded with her mother not to force her to marry chief Adekunle.

She started crying, saying that her life would be miserable if she married the man.

Kimora reminded her mother the circumstances surrounding her birth. Kimora's father was a farmer who had many wives as well. He married Kimora's mother when she was sixteen years old. Unfortunately, a snake bit him in his farm,

He died just before kimora was born.

Immediately after Kimora's father's burial, the other wives ganged up against Kimora's mother. They accused her of being a witch, and said she was responsible for their husband's death. She was driven away from the compound, and she ended up going to local church headquarters for help. It was the missionaries there, a kind woman named Catherine, that gave her room to stay in at church premises until kimora was born.

In fact, it was that female missionary that gave her the name "kimora" because she's gorgeous, lovely, and looked like she was going to grow into a beautiful maiden. Kimora's mother was eventually given their presents house by the village king after the church pleaded on her behalf, since she could not continue stay in the mission forever, and her parents were too poor to support her and her child.

Kimora's mother shifted uncomfortably where she had been standing for the past ten minutes, listening to kimora's narration. By this time Kimora was on her knees pleading, with her face and clothes already soaked in tears.

"Have you finished?" Her mother asked, finding her voice. "Now let us go and meet our in-laws before they get angry and leave, " she said, dragging Kimora to her feet.

"Mama, I don't want to suffer the way you suffered, just because you married a man who had many wives. Please, mama, I don't want to marry chief Adekunle. Your father was a poor poor man. Chief Adekunle is a rich man. Chief will help us change our fortunes. I am tired of being poor.

Chief Adekunle and his kinsmen were very happy to see them. They bought some chicken, palm wine, kola nuts, and some Nigeria wax materials for Kimora and her mother.

Kimora pretended to be happy. She forced a smile on her face, and knelt down to thank the visitors. After some minutes of discussion, the visitors left, confirming that the marriage ceremony would take place in two weeks' time.

The next couple of days were terrible for kimora. She had many nightmares about herself and chief Adekunle, living a miserable married life. She also dreamt of your mistake."

With the different exhortations, kimora became very confused. The days seemed like years to her. Nothing excited her. Not even the thought of wearing the new clothes bought by the chief for her.

The day for the Marriage finally arrived. Kimora woke up very early that morning. She wore one of her worn-out gowns, and told her mother that she was going to the stream to fetch water. Her mother told her to be quick as they had a long, busy day ahead.

Kimora took her bucked and left the house. A few minutes later, she was running. She looked behind her to see if anyone was following. She ran in the opposite direction of the stream, taking the path that led to the tarred road. Nobody seemed to take notice of her.

Perhaps that was because it was still quite early. The time was about six o'clock in the morning. By the time she got to the main junction, she stopped to take a rest.

She was panting and sweating. She looks to the left, than to the right, and noticed from afar, bus that was heading in her Direction. She stood by the roadside, waving her hands in desperation so that the bus could stop for her. As the bus drew near, she heard the conductor yelling on top of his voice: "Onitsha straight! straight to Onitcha!".

The bus slowed down beside her, and kimora jumped inside. She went to the the back seat and say down, looking like a frightened bird. The bus, which was almost empty, moved fast, stopping intermittently to pick other passengers. Before long, the bus was filled with men and women, mostly traders, who were to the busy Onitsha town for business. Kimora's mind was in turmoil. She heard the conductor the conductor asking passenger to pay for the ride. Everyone seemed prepared with his or her money, everyone .... except her. When it got to her turn, she stared at the conductor with her mouth open.