It’s money in the bank

‘It’s the list  of items we need to buy for the formal introductions this weekend Aunty.’ He replied, joining me to sit on the chair opposite me, in the sitting room.‘Do you realise that all these items put together are going to cost us 250 thousand naira? And this is only the introductory stage, what […]

‘It’s the list  of items we need to buy for the formal introductions this weekend Aunty.’ He replied, joining me to sit on the chair opposite me, in the sitting room.
‘Do you realise that all these items put together are going to cost us 250 thousand naira? And this is only the introductory stage, what do you expect us to spend when we start the real formalities?’ I demanded.
‘Just something suitable Aunty, something that will not make them look down on us. I mean you know the family we are dealing with, we have to rise to their standard.’ Talle explained.
‘Is that all you have to say, that we have to spend something suitable so they wont look down on us? Doesn’t it occur to you to wonder where this money will come from? How do you expect us to raise the money to buy all the pre-wedding gifts if only this first batch can cost us a quarter of a million naira? Who made this list anyway, who was it that said we have to bring all this just to introduce you as a suitor?’ I bombarded him with questions.
‘It’s Aisha herself. But I was the one who asked her what was expected of us at this stage. So she went and brought this list. But don’t worry Aunty lets just try and do what they say. It will all be worth it in the end.’ He replied.
‘Are you pretending to be deaf or stupid? I just said to you we don’t have this kind of money and you are still telling me that we should just try and do as they say? Your mother and I just finish discussing what we will need to sell in order to raise the money to do just this. We thought of auctioning your late father’s old car to achieve it. Now what do you think we will need to mortgage when it is time to do kayan lefe and the other things? This house that you all live in, the only roof you have over your heads?’ I queried.
‘Haba Aunty don’t tell me that between you and mother you do not have 250 thousand in your bank account and you have to sell off something to raise it. That doesn’t sound right.’ Talle protested.
‘I see, so in other words your mother and I were lying. We just said we didn’t have the money because we don’t want to help you out. Well the truth of the matter is we may have this amount between us but in the light of other competing demands on the same money, we just can’t sacrifice it because we need to intoduce you as a suitor to a high society family.’ I defended.
‘But I’ve already told you that it will all be worthwhile in the end. Why won’t you trust me Aunty?’ Talle pleaded, with a smile.
‘Because I fail to see how it will be worthwhile to spend an arm and a leg getting you married when there are easier ways to do so.’ I retorted. Then I added ‘For instance you can just tell Aisha that we will only bring what we know to be the normal introductory gifts, which should not cost us more that 50 thousand naira to buy. If she said no then you just forget about marrying her and go for someone less expensive, someone closer to your class, who will appreciate whatever you bring.’
‘But you don’t understand Aunty Bint, I can’t just forget her and go for someone else because Aisha is the one I love, she is the woman of my dreams.’ Talle declared.
‘Marrying her is also like having money in the bank.’ Aminu, his younger brother said from where he stood at the doorway. Neither of us noticed his presence till he spoke. I had no idea how long he had been listening to our conversation.
‘What do you mean Aminu? I mean its not like you to declare such mercenary intentions towards anyone.’ I observed.
‘Believe me those are not my intentions Aunty, they are my brother’s. He told me himself that he chose Aisha because it will be the end of his struggles. He said that with a father like hers, he is assured of a beautiful house and car, as soon as they married. He is looking forward to a European honeymoon and an easy life from then on.’ Aminu disclosed, walking into the room to sit near his brother.
‘Is this true Talle? Are you only interested in this girl because of her father’s wealth?’ I asked, unhappily.
‘No Aunty Bint. Pay no heed to this fool who likes to think he knows everything.’ Talle responded, glaring at his brother.
‘But I do know everything because that was what you told me.  You told me that you broke off with Laraba because you have realised that you will only suffer getting married to her but wont get anything in the end. You told me, even before you met Aisha that you had decided to do what two of your friends did. They married young daughters of multi-millionaires and today they are busy enjoying their loot. Wasn’t that what you said seven months ago when you jilted Laraba? Then when you met Aisha what did you tell me? You said you had found your prize. Your prize bro, was what you said, not the love of your life.’ Aminu challenged.
‘You are lying, crazy fool.’ Talle shouted in response.
‘Are you sure you are telling the truth?’ I asked Aminu, looking straight into his eyes.
‘Yes I am. Didn’t you hear it yourself. Twice I heard him say to you that you should spend that huge amount to prepare for his wedding because it will all be worthwhile in the end. I heard everything because I was by the doorway from the moment you started to speak. I had gone to mother’s room to greet you but found that you had left for this sitting room. I walked over here at the very moment you started speaking to him. That was why I didn’t interrupt. But I decided to speak because it wont be fair on you two to suffer raising money to do want he wants when all he cares about is what he will gain out of the investement.’
‘But this is truly sad Talle, it’s so unlike you to plan something like this just so you will enjoy the easy life with your in-laws’ money. When did you change? You used to be so honest and sincere.’ I observed with disappointment.
‘I’m urging you not to believe him Aunty. This jealous idiot is just envious that I am getting all the attention as the first born.’ Talle alleged.
‘Well just in case he is right, let me tell you that there is no gain at all in this kind of marriage, even if it will seem so to the outside world. First of all look at how we will have to suffer because you need to buy numerous, expensive, foreign-made, designer things, right from the introductions because you have to meet their standards. Then we will have to do ten times more than that when we are packaging the kayan lefe which will run into a dozen or more suitcases and cost us a few millions of naira.
 Then you will have to find her an accomodation, befitting her status as a millionaire’s daughter. Do not expect her to be content with a two or three bedroom flat and her father may not be ready to give you that mansion you are dreaming of from day one. May be they accepted you courting their daughter with your old Honda car but there is no guarantee that they will be ready to hand you the car of your dreams immediately,  at most they may present it to their daughter.
When she is finally in your house, she is going to need maids and other servants because she is not used to doing any work at home. Can you do all this with your 50 thousand naira a month salary? Maybe your two friends were able to do it because they had living fathers who struggled to help them with their ‘investment’. But between your mother and I, we cannot undertake this great burden. So take pity on yourself and on us by going to Aisha with a list I am going to put together now. It will contain the things we are willing to present to her parents as introductory gifts. They will not cost us more than 50 thousand naira. If they are willing to accept them, we will go shopping tomorrow and take to them by the weekend. If not then we will have to call this off and you will have to seek a girl you can afford. Wealth and comfort all come by decrees from Almighty Allah, you do not have to marry a ‘money in the bank’ bride to get them. If He SWT blesses your marriage, you will get all that with time.’ I advised.
‘Ok Aunty, I will take the list to her when you are ready.’ Talle said with resignation.