Replacement Bride

Chapter 11 - Amani

What happened that day wasn't my fault, and when I tried explaining things out to Ya Hamid he yelled at me which made me to burst into tears.

I disliked it when people falsify me or call me a liar when in fact I am not. I swear, I was shaking that moment and even when we reached home I couldn't step out of his car.

It was Safiya that later came and consoled me, she asked what happened and I told her exactly what had transpired between us. Hence, she told me to calm down and be strong.

Since then, I had been strong. As for Ya Hamid, I made sure we didn't cross paths anymore. The only thing that connected us was our unbreakable ties, he was my husband and I was his wife.

Every school day, I would wake up early and make sure I cook breakfast for us. It didn't matter if he's awake or not, I would serve him in his warmer and leave it in the dining table for him.

And before leaving, I would tell Safiya what to do and what not to do. She was a very understanding somebody, she loved working too and that was one of the things I loved about her. Laziness wasn't in her dictionary.

At school, Latifah and I became close friends. I even used to share personal issues with her and she would give me some advice on how to make things workout. I also used to advise her on how to resolve her own problems as well.

Yesterday we were talking about labour when she told me her second child hadn't clock a year yet but she was carrying another child for her husband already.

"Congratulations!" I said expressing how happy I was for her.

"Hmm!" She heaved a sigh. "Thank you but, Oga isn't happy o!" 

"Why?" I wrinkled a brow at her.

"He said he doesn't want me to be giving birth to children like Hausa people" She said making me to puzzle.

"Hausa people? Like seriously? So we used to give birth anyhow, right?" I said a little bit pained. 

"No, not like that" She gulped and continued. "Besides, you are Hausa stroke Fulani not pure Hausa"

"Hmm" I sighed folding my arms across my chest.

"Yes!" She cleared her throat. "My husband is referring to those Hausa people that used to give birth anyhow and send their children to Almajiri Schools"

"Ohh, that?" I muttered.

"Yes!" She nodded. "He wants me to be giving birth at least after every three to four years because he doesn't want many children"

"I understand" I huffed and continued. "Maybe you should be cautious next time or try and be using birth control pills"

"I can't use any pills, Amani" She said shaking her head. "I can't o!"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because it's not really healthy. I can't end up not being able to conceive for him again in the future" She responded.

"Some are healthy now" I giggled.

"No, it's better we stick to our coitus interruptus. If belle (pregnancy) enter, Ma Shaa Allah!" She said adjusting her sitting position.

"What's coitus interruptus?" I asked, actually I didn't know it. In fact, I've never heard of it before.

"It's..." She lowered her voice. "It's a kind of sexual intercourse where your man will not, you know, release inside you. He will remove his thing as soon as it's coming"

"Eww!" I said imagining the whole idea with my baby-mind.

"Yes, it prevents pregnancy but sometimes it's not reliable because men can be very selfish. They would want to release inside you especially when they are driven by..." She said as I quickly cut in.

"It's okay sister Latifah, you are making me to feel somehow in my body already" I said and quickly changed the topic. "Maybe you should consider aborting any baby that comes beforehand"

"Abort kini?" She glared at me. "I am not aborting anything o my dear, the baby stays"

"Ma Shaa Allah, but I hope Oga will not..." I said as she cut in.

"It's better to face him than kill innocent child in the name of abortion, jare!" She said with her Yoruba accent. 

"Good then" I gulped.

"Do you like children?" She asked after a prolonged silence that crept upon us. 

"Yeah, why asking?" I puzzled.

"Nothing o!" She cleared her throat. "Just that," she continued. "I can't wait to see your children, you know? Cute Hausa stroke Fulani babies!"

"Hmm" I sighed imagining myself becoming a mother someday. "In Shaa Allah the right time will come"

"We are waiting!" She winked at me. "That reminds me," she continued. "Has he changed?"

"Changed? Who?" I curiously asked.

"Your husband, Hamid, has he apologized for what transpired between the two of you?" She said.

"Oh, that?" I huffed. "Latifah, things are still the way they are o!"

"Well, that's bad! Are you doing all that I advised you to be doing?" She asked.

"Yes, I am trying my best though my cousin sister is still our middle person. If he has message for me he will send her to deliver it to me, and if I have message for him I will also do the same" I said as she shook her head.

"You both have a long way to go, Amani. And the fact that your parents have prohibited you from divorcing each other, I think it's better you settle things out" She said as I snapped at her.

"But what can I just do, Latifah? God knows I did my best and I am still trying. Wallahi I am ready to work things out with him but he's just, ahh!" I squalled almost luring the entire class's attention to us.

"Hey, calm down Amani. I think all you should try and do is to conceive for him even if it's just once because children can strengthen parents' bond" She suggested.

"Really? But how's that possible? I can't conceive for him without having an affair with him" I deadpanned.

"Yes my dear, that's why you need to try all possible ways to make him sleep with you" She winked at me.

"Hmm," I sighed rustling my veil. "I am scared, Latifah, and I don't think I am ready for that right now"

"Come on, Amani. Or don't you want to have your matrimonial home fixed? Or are you trying to tell me you don't love that handsome husband of yours? Should I ask someone to steal him away from you?" She sarcastically said making me to laugh.

"You are funny, Latifah!" I uttered.

"You can say that again" She smirked.

"Hmm, I will think about what you said In Shaa Allah" I assured her.

"Good!" She beamed.

"Okay" I beamed back.

***************

Eid Mubarak to you all!

I decided to update on #Day3

Have a gracious Eid.