LEILA (my Africa story)

   My name is Leila and this is my African story

     

     That evening like every other evening, I had just returned from the market where I helped my parents sell reed baskets that was produced at home. Singing joyfully, I walked into our room which was built partly from our parlor in our large spaced compound filled with trees of palm kernels, coconut and maize. The trees were still developing flowers to produce seeds. It wasn’t their season at that time of the year. 

    Selling reed basket produced with the leaves from the palm trees and coconut trees was another thing my family did as a means of survival. And being the first child of the family, I had always loved the process of reed production.

         

    Stepping into the room, my singing was cut short when I saw my mom sitting on the bed with that familiar look, that look she always had when she wanted to say something important.

   “Good evening mama” I greeted as I knelt with one of my knees and kissed her palm as required by tradition.

    “welcome my daughter.... how was sales today?

I smiled telling her sales was fine even though I didn’t have any costumers today 

   “My daughter, how can you say sales was fine when u didn’t make any today” 

  “Don’t worry mom, I believe tomorrow will be better “ I replied while looking around for a cup to fetch water from the keg of water sitting by the corner of the room

   “yes Leila...tomorrow indeed will be better. You had suitors today, mr Idako has come to ask for your hand in marriage to be his fourth and last wife” my mom said 

  At hearing this, I coughed out the little water I had drank as it almost choked my throat. My mom came closer while she patted my back to stop the coughing 

   I couldn’t believe my mom was saying this to me. Mr Ida was a man my father’s age plus even half of my mom’s own because he looked so old and already had three wives. I still tried to remain calm while I let my mom finish what she was saying

         

“Yes Leila we agreed to it. It would be for the better. Mr Ida will take care of your and this family.

  think about it, your dad will be able to pay off all his debts and your four siblings will go to good schools....mr Ida is a very big man”

    I looked at my mom’s face as she said this with all assurance and smiles. I had never said no to my parents before. My head was all shades of scattered. Different thoughts lingered on my mind