ยฉ GAMBO ELVIS
Joshua's heart was already shattered when he stepped his feet on Shehri's compound. He was expecting some questions and her father to stop him from marrying his daughter because of his medical results. He sat in the living room waiting for him while Shehri was standing close to the door leading to the parlor to hearken to their discussion. Her father took about thirty minutes while he was waiting to join him in the living room.
"Good day sir,"
"Nothing is good about today my son. What kept you from seeing me. You know In the Nso tradition the bride price is usually the same items paid on the woman's mother's head?"
"Yes sir,"
"But the doctor advised me and made me understand that tradition is not fair. I was the one who educated my daughter, I paid her school fees and bills. Then a chief sitting on an old throne somewhere will collect everything on my daughter's head. Is that fair my son?"
"No sir,"
"So you have to do something. Make a gesture. Prepare a huge envelope for me, her father, because I don't believe her mom was married with three jugs of palm oil you will just offer that. They can ask you for three barrels instead. But be less assured everything depends on me. So do something."
"I will do something sir, I am going to prepare a huge envelope for you,"
"Now you are talking."
That was all her father wanted, he thought tradition was unfair and though it had been for centuries like that. When he walked out his future bride was relieved her father only wanted some compensation.
And so they were given the go ahead to become husband and wife. It was not long they finally got married and kept the secret of their status. Some people who never knew their fate thought his wife was the sick one amongst them. Their love was unconditional and the marriage lovely. They were admired by those who were having more safer marriage.
It was two lovers who meant to be together, it was not only their fate but it was surely an ordained love.
Her ugly past gradually faded in the shadows of the night and her new life shone bright in the lights of the day.
But that was not the end of the story. Even though the girl that was dumped by every guy finally got married, she was never sick. Lola on her part took her phone a year later when Shehri and Joshua had gotten married and called her friend Shehri.
"There is something I want to tell you. Please can I see you."
And Shehri decided to go check on her the next day.
TBC....