A widower’s tale

‘It seems because of your young widow friend you are really determined to make a widower out of me.’ He complained. ‘No, how can that be? I am alive and well, how does that make you a widower?’ I asked. ‘You are never there Bint. These days you find every little excuse to go down […]

‘It seems because of your young widow friend you are really determined to make a widower out of me.’ He complained.

‘No, how can that be? I am alive and well, how does that make you a widower?’ I asked.

‘You are never there Bint. These days you find every little excuse to go down the street to Adama’s house. Ok, so it is understandable that you feel sorry for her. I mean a pregnant young lady losing her husband to a soldier’s bullet, after only six weeks of marriage is a moving tale any day. But you mustn’t get so obsessed with it at the expense of our happiness.’ He warned.

‘It is not an obsession Tahir. I only went because she phoned and asked me to come.’ I explained.

‘And you couldn’t tell her you were having dinner with your family?’ Tahir insisted.

‘But in truth we had actually finished dinner. You had risen to wash your hand while the children and I were clearing the plates when she called.’ I defended.

‘You could have waited to tell me yourself. Why did you have to rush out and tell the children to let me know you had gone to Adama’s house?’ He demanded, finally sitting up to put the bedside light on. ‘It is not as if this girl has no one around but you. Her sisters and aunt are there till the end of her mourning period, you said so yourself.  But your goody-two-shoes, I’m-indispensable-to-all-attitude will not let you see that others can comfortably do what you think only you can do.’ He accused.

‘I’m truly sorry you feel this way. Actually she didn’t just call me because she needed a shoulder to cry on. A group of activist/lawyers took interest in her case and came to offer its services. The first time members of the group came I wasn’t around and she said she needed to consult widely before she gives them the go-ahead to institute a case against the government for the killing of her husband by soldiers. She told me about them and I advised her to let them go ahead because she will certainly be happier if justice is done Abdul’s murder. The ladies showed up after 8pm, because as they explained they were all very busy in the day time. She called to tell me that they had come and were requesting to see me. I looked at the kitchen clock and said “It’s already late, I better rush since am sure it wouldn’t take long to consult with them.” I had no idea they will take so much of my time. I am sorry hubby dearest, inshaAllah this won’t happen again.’ I pledged.

‘Ok, apology accepted’ he said, relaxing his features into a smile, ‘but I am curious, what do they think they can do? I mean your activist lawyers.’ Tahir asked.

‘It’s like I said, they plan to institute a court action against the government and the Armed Forces on killings like these. Apparently Adama is one of three new wives who suffered a similar fate recently. One had only been married a week, the other a year with only a two month- old-baby to show. These women lawyers compiled their stories and are going to file a joint suit in their favour. They plan to push for identification of the particular soldiers who pulled the triggers on these innocent victims for eventual prosecution and they will seek compensation for these young wives to enable them find some relief from the pains of their loss.’ I explained.

‘And where do you come in? I mean you don’t expect me to believe that it is explaining this plan to you that took you almost three hours.’ He asked.

‘Where I come in is in mobilising other women. They sought my help to mobilise our neighbours here to participate in the court appearances and in subsequent demonstrations to the National Assembly and other relevant offices. We are supposed to leave no stone unturned to rouse people’s consciousness on the fate of these young women and how society must stand for them. That is what took me this long.’ I declared.

‘I see, well it’s a good thing you people are trying to be proactive in helping these young widows but I wonder how much you’ll succeed because these soldiers claim they are fighting terrorists to rid the society of insecurity. What can you prove against them?’ Tahir enquired.

‘A lot actually, we want to prove that they use excessive force in their so-called pursuit of terrorists. And that there are rules of engagement for these things in all security arms of government, whether the police or the armed forces, why don’t they apply them? Why should these uniformed men be allowed to commit such excesses under the guise of looking for armed insurgents? We have to do something to end their menace.’ I announced.

‘Ok best of luck, darling activist. I am truly tired and really wish to sleep. I had to stay awake and register my displeasure at your attempt to make me a grass widower. However now that I know it’s all for a noble cause, I can only wish you luck as you take on the might of the federal government and the Nigerian armed forces in a court of law. Meanwhile there are ways to prove to me I’m not a widower yet, and this is what I hope you will resolve to do before the night is over.’ He urged.

‘Oh my God, to think that I have a great headache due to the exhaustive discussions we had with the activist/lawyers, can’t this wait till tomorrow?’ I responded.

‘Yes it can, in fact it can wait till another night and another night and another night. And If by then your young widows have quite finished their mourning period, I can see whether to choose one of them and push forward a widower’s agenda. By then you would have given me a good reason to do so.’ He said, turning over to his side and picking up his book.

‘I am truly sorry Tahir darling, I really do have a headache, this is not an excuse. But rather than have you thinking of a widow-bride any time soon, I’d better take some panadol and put on my best act. I mean I may be ready to fight for our unfortunate young widows, but that’s as far as I can sacrifice for them.’ I declared resolutely, reaching for my hand bag to pick some panadol tablets.