Chapter 28 Hamid

Marriage may be beautiful, but with parents' support it is awesome!

I initially couldn't buy Rahmat's idea of undercover marriage because doing that meant going against my parents.

Last month she won her case in the court and just as I was preparing a visa for her to leave the country, she reminded me about her undercover marriage proposal.

Again, I told her it wouldn't be possible. Somehow my words hurt her and she told me she wasn't going anywhere anymore, that she would stay in Nigeria.

Not a bad idea after all, she could basically move to another state and start a new life. I left her and didn't get in touch with her until a week later, she sent Barrister Khadija to me at shop to talk to me.

I knew they were just trying to convince me despite knowing what they were proposing was bizarre. Khadija and I talked for nearly two hours, she was so concerned about our reunion. She wanted me to marry Rahmat against all odds.

In the end she said something that got into me, she said Rahmat was willing to return back to her old life – sleeping around with men – if I didn't marry her. At first I found it funny but I later realized it was heartbreaking.

I pondered for days about it, trying to figure out what exactly to do. I tried hooking her with my single friends but none of them was interested, in fact people like Hafiz advised me to do the undercover marriage with her while Zubair told me to just talk to my parents first.

Well, I knew my parents would never agree so I guess I just had to make the decision myself. I would marry Rahmat but first I would need something or someone to back me up, and I needed a very solid reason for that.

Perhaps if I should bring the issue of Amani's conception I would be given the chance to add more THAN waiting, although it was too early for me to start complaining but considering the fact that a handful of people in our family knew about her mother's problem, nobody would expect Amani to give birth anytime sooner.

My mother had once recommended some herbs for us but I never cared to get them, in fact I still didn't care because I was ready to wait until God decides the right time for us to start having children. But the fact that I needed to make things out of nothing in order to marry Rahmat, I had to pretend as if Amani's inability to conceive had started bothering me.

Just a week ago I started acting weird, I had to! And everytime I act, I'd end up making Amani to weep. I truly loved her and seeing her in tears used to hurt me but what could I do? I had to do what I thought was right.

Eventually she came to me and told me if I was so desperate then I should get another wife but on one condition, I should NOT keep her in the same house with the person.

That was really fast and surprising because I never really thought I could convince her easily into allowing me to add another wife. Anyways, one problem solved.

I talked to Barrister Khadija about it and she told me it was time for me to talk to my parents but I shouldn't tell them about Rahmat just yet.

When I talked to them they told me to wait for some time, at least a year more or two but I told them I couldn't.

I tried to persuade them but all my efforts were to no avail, they kept telling me to wait.

Waiting might not really be a problem but being allowed to marry Rahmat, would they allow me?

I believed if they knew Rahmat was the person I had in mind they would definitely tell me to and get well soon.

I didn't want to end up crumbling so I decided to reach out to a local mosque imam. I told him my plight and he said marrying Rahmat would be good judging from her situation but I should try and convince my parents in order to earn their blessings.

"Every marriage needs blessings, especially from parents" he said.

"But Mallam, my parents don't like her. They will never allow me to marry her" I lamented.

"Just try and do what I told you" he said.

"Okay then" I muttered.

When I left his house I headed straight to my parents' house, I was so lucky to find them in the garden – alone – watering the followers and chitchatting.

After our normal greetings I raised the issue of my second marriage again.

"Wai kai me ke damun ka ne wai (What on this earth is wrong with you)?" My mother asked, glaring at me. "Why can't you just wait a bit more," she continued, "do you even know what people will say if you ADD this early?"

"I think it doesn't matter what they will say because it's my life not theirs" I said trying hard not to sound rude.

"I am out of here" my father said disappointedly and left the scene, these days he hardly talk a lot due to his blood pressure.

"How about Amani?" my mother queried – wrinkling a brow at me, "What will people say about her? What will her parents think? Just because we are related to them doesn't mean we won't have problem"

"I know, mom... but she was the one that asked me to add. She's aware of her problem too" I said boldly, deep down ashamed of myself.

"Really?" she uttered.

"Yes!" I nodded continuously.

"In that case, fine! But you will have to give me sometime to think, I also need to talk to your father about it"she huffed, "Who do you even want to marry?" she asked

"It's..." I paused and heaved a sigh, "Rahmat Ali"

"What?" she rose her brows, "Did you just say Rahmat?"

"Yes mom, she's the one wallahi" I said wearing a pathetic face.

"I am sorry then, I don't really think I can EVER help you on this!" she dropped the watering can in her hand and began walking away.

"Mom, look... Rahmat has changed wallahi!" I said, trailing her. "Rahmat has totally changed," I continued, "and I am very sure she would be a good wife..."