The Bride
My family is glad and so am I if I am honest. To be courted by the richest or grandest of homes because of who my husband was. I can hear the excitement around, the city is buzzing with it. This hometown girl has done us proud.
The pride in my mother, surely if we prick her she will burst. Her arms crammed with thick gold bangles. In her rooms only the best incense from Saudi to ward off evil from her precious person. Aunties and cousins and in-laws, and neighbour’s wives and their cousins and their in-laws, father’s compound is chocked full.
And of friends, I have so many. So many friends all gossiping away hoping to catch a fine match themselves while their mothers’ scheme.
And of me, I lost a husband I barely knew. He was not unkind to me. I cooked his food. I took care of his needs. I was a dutiful wife. He fed me and clothed me. He wasn’t unkind. His children were respectful if not pleasant. But I for myself had no complaints.
Now he is dead. His spectacular death has turned my life into a Bollywood movie. And now we all wait for what the soothsayers say to choose my next husband.
I imagine if I am silent and still I will project the necessary qualities to keep my new husband and his family in awe. After all isn’t the mere fact that I survived a miracle in itself. I imagine people paying homage to me and asking for my blessings.
The pride in my mother, surely if we prick her she will burst. Her arms crammed with thick gold bangles. In her rooms only the best incense from Saudi to ward off evil from her precious person. Aunties and cousins and in-laws, and neighbour’s wives and their cousins and their in-laws, father’s compound is chocked full.
And of friends, I have so many. So many friends all gossiping away hoping to catch a fine match themselves while their mothers’ scheme.
And of me, I lost a husband I barely knew. He was not unkind to me. I cooked his food. I took care of his needs. I was a dutiful wife. He fed me and clothed me. He wasn’t unkind. His children were respectful if not pleasant. But I for myself had no complaints.
Now he is dead. His spectacular death has turned my life into a Bollywood movie. And now we all wait for what the soothsayers say to choose my next husband.
I imagine if I am silent and still I will project the necessary qualities to keep my new husband and his family in awe. After all isn’t the mere fact that I survived a miracle in itself. I imagine people paying homage to me and asking for my blessings.
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