Black-market marriage II

‘No Hauwa, our marriage isn’t a job. I told you that I fell for you the moment I saw you. By the time we were married I was thoroughly in love with you.’ Isa insisted.‘No you couldn’t have been, if you were you would have stopped collecting that pay.’ I observed trying hard to remain […]

‘No Hauwa, our marriage isn’t a job. I told you that I fell for you the moment I saw you. By the time we were married I was thoroughly in love with you.’ Isa insisted.
‘No you couldn’t have been, if you were you would have stopped collecting that pay.’ I observed trying hard to remain calm.
‘But I’ve already told you, I believe we need the extra cash and that old man does not miss anything by giving me that money.’ He replied.
‘No, he doesn’t, he is so rich he can buy a husband for his daughter and another for her prospective co-wife. But those of us who can’t use our money to control others because we don’t have it, can at least escape with our pride. This marriage is over Isa, that is, if it’s ever a marriage in the first place.’ I declared rising up, and walking away. I couldn’t believe how calm I was, may be because I was too shocked to accept that all I heard was true. May be because deep down I was hoping that it was all a joke and Isa will suddenly tell me the real reason he was being paid monthly. But before I could reach the end of the sitting room, he reached me and grabbed my arm.
‘What do you mean “if ever it was a marriage in the first place”? We had a real marriage, complete with a dowry witnesses and the prayers. Why should you begin to cast doubt into that?’ He demanded, forcing me to face him.
‘Because you married me on false pretences. In Islam works are judged in accordance with intentions. Your intention, when you married me, was to earn money. I was only the bonus but what you were really doing was working for Alhaji Maihali, Abdallah’s uncle. So for all I know our marriage is only a job contract, I don’t think there is any such condition for marriage in our religion. And because of this I cease to be your wife from this very moment. My children and I will leave first thing tomorrow. You can find what to say to your employer.’
And with that I ran to my room. I sent my children to bed and went to sleep next to them. Of course I couldn’t sleep at all Hajiya Bint. I couldn’t cry either. I was just too shocked to feel any such emotion. I never ever thought Isa was capable of such deception. Nor did I ever think I could be a victim of such grand deceit. Later I picked my charbi, the prayer beads, and continued to pray with my head on the pillow. Then I heard Isa turning my door handle and afterwards knocking, when he found it locked.
He called my name a few times and then walked away when I didn’t answer. In the morning, he came to my door soon after the Subhi prayer and began to knock again. I ignored him and continued with my morning supplications. In the course of the night, when I lay sleepless, I had planned how to make my escape. I had to plan because it’s obvious he wouldn’t make it easy for me.
So at 7am I opened the door and went to ask him what he wanted. He said I had to forgive him and continue with our marriage as well as promised not to collect another kobo from Abdallah’s uncle. I pretended to agree to his demands and actually got the kids ready for school. After dropping them at the nursery school, I rushed back and fixed his breakfast. He left for the university happy but apologetic, thanking me profusely for every little thing.
I began to pack our things as soon as he left. I made a few calls, to my mother and sisters, before I drove over to your house to say farewell. You were always like a big sister to me when we were neighbours. I wanted to tell you all that happened before I left the house. But you weren’t there so I had to leave the note. On noticing that it was almost noon, I rushed to the children’s school and picked them up. And here we are trying to run away before Isa returns with his apologies and more deceit.’ Hauwa concluded.
‘Don’t you think you should report him to your elders first instead of running away?’ I suggested.
‘No Hajiya, you usually call in the elders when you want their intervention in order to save things. I do not want to save this marriage, I want to end it. I have been used and deceived beyond my wildest imagination. I can never get over this and certainly can never continue with this marriage. I can’t stand living with Isa or even being in the same room with him. I just can’t tolerate him anymore. But even more importantly, I doubt the legal status of our marriage. I don’t think a marriage like that has any value in the spiritual sense.’ She opined.
‘Well, it’s like Isa said, your marriage is sound legally because all the legal requirements had been met. But now that you know his real intentions, maybe it is deficient in the spiritual sense. But we can’t decide that until we consult the ulama, qualified Islamic scholars, only they can tell us the real status of your marriage. However, I really do suggest that you bring back your things and go home to report Isa to your parents. Let your elders meet his to solve this problem but don’t be hasty in working out on him.’ I advised.
‘Didn’t you hear all I said Hajiya Bint? I just said I am not interested in saving this marriage…’
‘Yes but think of your children, they are used to living with their father and you are going to make them products of a broken home.’ I interrupted her.
‘Personally I think they are better off as products of a broken home than as products of a black-market marriage.’ Hauwa protested.
‘Is that how you see your marriage, as a black market deal?’ I asked, surprised.
‘Well how do you see it? A man was chosen, sent and paid to marry me in order to serve the purpose of his employer. What will you call such a deal?’ she demanded, rising from her side of the bed and picking her hand bag.
‘May be you are right Hauwa. And I do understand your pain but please don’t do anything you could regret, especially where your children are concerned. Please swallow your anger to think about them.’ I said, also rising up to pick my bag.
‘Thanks, I’ll consider your suggestion on seeking the ulama to interpret this marriage but nothing will make me re-consider my stand about leaving and definitely nothing will make me regret walking out on this marriage. Meanwhile we have to rush out before Isa returns to make a scene. You know he left believing that I had decided to stay, he will react if he sees otherwise.’ And with that she walked out of the room, summoned her children from the sitting room and led us all out of the front door. She turned back to lock it, hugged me and quickly walk her two kids to the car. I stood there and waved them farewell, it was then that I noticed Hauwa wiping a tear front her face. The recent events of her life were finally taking their emotional toll on her.