Episode 2
Amina knew she had to be careful with the old man. Mallam Tukur would do anything to have the ranch he had always wanted, including selling her off to a man she hated. Even though he’d wanted to give her in exchange for some horses; she wouldn’t have a problem with that. Her only worry was that the man in question was Idris, Dafa’s chronic womanizer.
She had never been with a man before. But she had always wished to have a blissful and quiet marriage like that of her parents. She wanted to be with a man who loved and cherished her. And not some middle aged philandering man.
She hated to think there was no way out of this. If she remained in Dafa, her father would never stop talking about Idris. And the next thing that would follow would be his incessant nagging and complaining of her refusal to do his bidding.
“Hajia,” a sigh escaped Amina as an idea presented itself to her. She had to be prepared for what was coming her way.
Apart from ranching and farming, Dafa was known to have the highest number of matchmaking houses. A lot of young women from the poorer families were ready to get fixed with men who would take care of them. This eased the burden on their families. The most famous house belonged to HajiaUraira, and she was popularly known as “Hajia.”
The old lady was Amina’s friend. In fact, she had advised Amina to try putting herself up for a potential mate, but the idea sounded ridiculous to Amina. But now, she was having a rethink. She’d rather be married to a total stranger, than someone like Mallam Idris.
Amina pulled herself from the window and hurried to a wooden trunk, where she kept her special dresses and pictures. Without waste of time, she pulled out her finest picture. She had taken it when she was just nineteen. Dafa had been visited by some photographers who were interested in taking pictures of the rural dwellers.
“Excellent,” her eyes twinkled as she stared at her image. She would follow her father to Idris’ ranch first; and if things didn’t work out well. She would have no choice but to put her picture up, in search of a husband.
The ride to Mallam Idris’ ranch was quiet. Tukur said nothing to Amina and she remained silent. He couldn’t wait to show off his exquisite daughter to his old friend, Idris. He knew quite well that Idris favored light skinned women. And his daughter was perfect for him.
It wasn’t long before they sighted the wooden gates that caved the ranch in. Tukur’s heart thudded with excitement. It was only a matter of time, before he owned a ranch as enormous as this. He brought the horse to a halt as they reached the ranch.
“Be nice Amina, having our own ranch depends on us now.” Tukur announced.
“Yes father,” Amina nodded.
The men on Idris’ ranch glared lustfully at Amina as she got down from the horse. She was the prettiest woman they had ever seen. Her petite figure added to her allure. She wore a yellow dress, which clashed with the greenness of her eyes. Her black curls tumbled in waves down to the middle of her back. She had a small waist, and ample bosom whose peaks were incredibly smooth and creamy. Her father had told her not to wear a niqab.
“Where is your master?” Tukur asked one of the men. He had come to the ranch several times, so they knew who he was.
“Erm, he is in,” the man stuttered as he peered on at Amina.
Amina gritted her teeth angrily as she strolled towards the bungalow with her father. She could feel the lusty eyes of the wranglers on her small frame. They were definitely undressing her in their minds.
“You are a beauty like your mother. See how they all adore you. Idris will not refuse my offer.” Tukur’s smile was satisfactory. He loved the confusion that Amina’s beauty caused in the ranch.
They hadn’t reached the entrance of the bungalow, when a pot bellied man stepped outside with a scowl on his face. He was short, stout and the sides of his face were covered with white hairs. He looked like he was about to burst. Mallam Idris had come out to punish some of his wranglers for disobeying his orders, but at the sight of Tukur’s fine daughter; all his anger fled.
“Tukur?” Idris got rid of the scowl and surged forward. He remembered Amina’s face quite well. She was one of the finest women in Dafa who had refused his advances.
“What a long time Idris.” Amina’s father moved closer to his friend and they hugged each other, like old friends would do. Amina stood quietly and watched their exchange. She ran her eyes over the big bungalow and the ranch. It seemed Idris had taken half of Dafa for himself. She was impressed by his hard work and industriousness, but she could never marry him.
Idris was yet to say a word to her. Instead, he decided to show her father around the ranch, while she waited for him.
Angrily, Amina began to stamp her feet. She quickly pulled out her picture from the little purse she carried with her. She couldn’t wait to hear the outcome of this visit.
After what seemed like eternity, Idris returned with her father to where she had been waiting. While taking a tour on Idris’ ranch, Tukur had gone straight to the point of his visit. He wanted his daughter to be Idris’ wife, in exchange for some horses.
“My beautiful one…” Idris flashed a smile and advanced towards Amina, who quickly got on her feet.
Without her permission, he grabbed her wrist and placed a soft kiss upon it.
“I always knew that we were meant to be together. Your father has stated your wishes to be my wife. I do not object. I will be travelling to Qabir shortly, to purchase a finer breed of cattle. Once I return, we shall have our wedding.”
“Hmm,” Amina forced a smile that hurt her chin. So, her father had been serious about this eh? She couldn’t wait to get home. She was paying Hajiya a visit, and that would solve this problem.
Tukur felt happy that Amina played along and answered all of Idris’ questions.
“I told you she wanted you. My daughter is a well bred woman.” Tukur showered praises on Amina.
Idris nodded in agreement, “she would make a fine bride.”
Idris’ journey was going take a month, and this had given Amina all the time in the world to execute her own plan. After they had reached home, she had told her father of the need to fetch water from the stream before it got dark. He believed her and let her go.
Amina wasn’t going to any stream. She quickly hid her bucket in the tall grasses, and hurried towards the Dafa Market Square where she would find the matchmaker. She had to escape this marriage by all means possible. Idris wasn’t a good man, and she wasn’t prepared to be with him in marriage.
The woman sensed a stranger by the entrance of her house. She had been going through the fixtures of the previous months. Young ladies flooded her house every day, in need of a mate. And she made a lot of money from their visits.
“Who is there?” She quickly dropped one of the catalogues she held, and pulled on her Hijab and rested against the chair. Hajia had been working since morning; maybe the entrance of this stranger would help her relax.
Amina took a deep breath and glared at the picture in her hands. Once she was in that catalogue, there wouldn’t be any going back. She would be free from her father’s hold, and from Idris’ grip.
“It is I, Amina Tukur.” She released the breath she held slowly and gently.
Hajia’s thick brows contorted, “come on in sweet little thing. Why stand by the door? You’re no stranger to me.”
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