A Weakness Called Love: Memoirs of an African Housemaid

CHAPTER 16: THE UNORTHODOX MOTHER

It so happened that we finally ran out of capital. We could no longer sell food at the market. So instead of sitting around and doing nothing, I went to Shatu's house.
Luckily for me, there was drama. At least I will be entertained.

Kubura, Shatu's full sister had came back home from her husband's house. As soon as she entered their compound, she put one hand on her head and the other arm was spread across her face, covering her eyes, she started screeching, crying and shouting saying:

"By God, I shall not go back to his house, I will never go back"

Shatu's mother came out of the room running, when she saw her she puts both of her hands on her chest and exclaimed

"Is everything fine, what is it Kubura, talk to me"

"Yeiii yeiii, weiii, weiii, hahhhhh yeii "
She continued crying as her chest heaves up and down.
We came to where she was and also started asking her what the matter was. It was then she said
"He hit me, the wicked man hit me"

"Why? What happened? What have you done to him?"
Her mother asked
" I had washed his clothes, set them on a rope outside our room, waiting for them to dry when I saw heavy clouds forming, it was going to rain. I took the clothes off the rack to our room. It had rained a little when it stopped. He then asked me to take the clothes outside, I obliged, it started to rain again, I took the clothes back into our room again. Then the rain stopped. He asked me to take them out again but I refused. I told him if he liked he can take them out himself, that I was tired. He threatened to hit me, but I hissed because I was really tired. Then he hit me on my back. "

"He had hit you. I never gave birth to a punching bag neither had I given birth to a slave." Shatu's mother said angrily.

Come along she said as she grabbed her veil and hurried out of the house.

Kubura stopped wailing at ones, she smiled and followed her mother behind, stomping, swinging her arms as she walks.

Shatu and I followed behind excitedly.

We reached the house, Shatu's mother did not bother stopping at the in laws section of the house to say hi. She went directly, to her daughters room. Liti, Kubura's husband was sitting in the room alone, when we stormed in.

" you hit my daughter?" She asked
" Good evening Mother" he quickly replied, bowing a bit

" Don't ever beat my daughter again. Do you wish to kill her? I thought you were better than that. I trusted you with my child. Is this how you repay me? If you beat her again, you will cease to be her husband. You would then have beaten your marriage" She said

"I'm sorry, it shan't happen again"
He replied
" it better not" She retorted.
She turned to Kubra and said
" we will leave now, you shall stay"

She turned walking as Shatu and I followed her yet again. The people in the compound had started peering from behind doors. Shatu's mother ignored them.

We were giggling behind, feeling proud at Shatu's mothers behavior.

After we left the compound Shatu asked me, "how is Musa?"
I immediately knew what she meant. She was reminding me of my promise. Shatu and I may be buddies but I dare not cross her. If not I can kiss Mudi bye bye. I shan't be ungrateful.

"He is fine" I managed to say.

When I went home that day. I said to my mother
"Mother, I need to talk to you"
"About what?" She asked
"About Musa"I said blankly
"Musa needs to be seriously thinking about his future, he is 21 and still unmarried. You wouldn't want to have a 30year old bachelor as a son"
I continued
"God forbid" She interrupted
I smiled and continued
" Has He find a wife yet?"
"Not that I know of, maybe I should have betrothed him at a young age." my mother replied.
" No need for regrets while you can still do something about it. How About Shatu?She is the daughter of your dear friend, and a very good girl. She will make a good wife and a splendid daughter in law." I continued