Damsel Not

CHAPTER 12

Grrr! Grrr!

Katie took a look at her door and back to the big flat screen TV mounted on her wall. Jake preferred a bigger screen, he wanted a wider screen to play his games, and he didn't want to leave to his house, so instead, he ordered a bigger screen and was waiting for his new x-box to be delivered. In the meantime, they streamed YouTube funny videos and new music.

Grrr! Grrr!

"Is your x-box here already?" Katie seemed shocked, only 15 minutes had elapsed.

'They can't be that quick.'

"Lemme check." Jake pulled his undone jeans up to button them and reached for the house tablet as he walked towards the door.

"Who is it? I don't know some old man." Jake pressed the speaker button and called out. "May I help you?"

'Is that a man's voice I hear? Abraham it's a man,!' A woman’s voice came through.

'Maybe it's the gateman.'

"Um, young man, I'm here to see my daughter, tell her, her family and In-laws are outside. Thank you."

Jake froze and Katie shot from the couch to where Jake was standing. Clear as daylight, her Papa' and Mama' were by the gate. And that's when she panicked.

"Buzz them in." She said absentmindedly.

Jake unlocked the gate, placed the tablet down and turned to look at her. Then he saw it, fear. She was afraid. Suddenly she took off running, but before she could reach the stairs, he called him.

"Jake hurry!"

"What's going on?"

She burst through her bedroom door and ran into the closet. She pulled out a neatly folded t-shirt, a fresh pair of jeans and a pair of socks.

"Wear that, and brush your hair, and teeth. Don't forget the socks." she yelled as she went back into her closed and pulled out an old suitcase.

Jake dressed as fast as he could as he watched her frantically change her clothes. She removed the large t-shirt she was wearing and stood naked. She then flung the old suitcase and drew out a black cotton pant, a long really shapeless skirt, a blouse and a head scuff.

"You are wearing that?" Jake asked, shocked. "Why?"

"My father doesn't like his daughters dressed the modern way, he is a very traditional man." She said as she covered her glorious locks and Jake groaned.

"Even your hair?"

"I'm unmarried, that's the tradition." She stated.

"So you have to cover your feet and arms?"

"Yes."

"You aren't married?" Jake was now confused.

"What! No I'm not."

"Your father said family and In-laws." Katie come to a standstill, her headscarf halfway done, her hands dropped to her sides and she stared back at Jake. She knew this day would come, she hoped hiding away from her family will make those disinterested in her, but how wrong she was.

"Oh no!"

She grabbed Jakes hand and together they went down the steps. She was finally about to live the African nightmare of traditional marriage.

"Talk to me Katie, what's going on."

"Just hold me, and no matter what, don't let go, don't. Okay?"

"Okay."

Her living room was now flooded with so many old women, all speaking in her native language. Her mother was busy settling the elders around the table and was now pouring our native brew into their cups. That's not right. She observed. Suddenly, the room grew still and everyone looked at them. The women wide eyed and the men scoffing.

"Greetings." She Said in her native language and was rewarded with a room full of murmurs.

"Greetings." They all said.

"Good God my daughter, I thought you were hiding from us."

"No Mama’, I just come out of the shower. “She said.

"Beautiful, my child, beautiful. Your time has come, come now, go kneel before the elders." She stilled momentarily, her eyes locking on both their hands. "Katherine, who is this young man?"

"Mama' this is my boyfriend, Jake." She said, her lips quivering. She knew what was next.

"Eeeeeeeh! Eeeeeeeh!" The crowd of women erupted. Her father slowly moved closer to her and looked at Jake from head to toe; he could see the disapproval in his eyes.

"What did I hear you tell your mother?" He bellowed.

"Papa'..."

"Silence! Your dowry has been paid, go back to your room with you mother and aunties, dress like a proper bride, and come get married. As for you young man, you better leave." He said and turned to head back to the elders. Katie's grip became even more fierce on his.

"I'm sorry, but no can do, old man. I'm not leaving, and this wedding is not happening." Jake jibbed.

"Jake!" Too late. Her father turned around so first he gave all of them whiplash, his anger written all over his face.

"Papa'...."

"Silence! You are here living in the city, in this big house, with a man who has not laid claim to you. Who has not sought me out for permission to court you, and now he talks to me like he knows no tradition and has no respect for his elders. And yet an honorable man had brought dowry for your hand, and you deny this union? For what, this white African!" He was steaming now.

"My husband, calm down, she will get married, we just need a quick talk." Her mother turned to her. "My daughter, let's go and prepare you now and talk." The older woman tried to nudge her to move but she moved from her touch causing the headscarf to fall off.

Everyone in the room gasped. This must be good. Her mother was horror stricken, she was now weeping and wailing, a few women holding her and consoling her. This is a true circus. Jake turned to look at her father, whose cane was raised like he wanted to strike her, he probably would. And that's when he saw the cause for distress, her lock.

An older woman, probably a hundred, leaning on her walking stick, stood in front of the wailing mother, hunched over and began to speak.

"Don't trouble your soul my child, we can cut off the evil on her head and her hair will eventually grow back on again. Come now, that's a simple matter." She said, weakly.

"I'm not cutting off my hair. And Papa' who is my be throated?"

"Such disrespect!" He bellowed.

"I'm your fiancé' " Come a voice.

Kevin!

Suddenly her father yanked her so hard she lost a hold of Jake and stumbled before the elders.

"Papa' no, stop Papa'."

"You are getting married and will not be a disgrace to my family."

She was let go and now stood in front of three elderly men, her father and Kevin's father sat opposite at the edge of the curve. Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind her only to see Kevin take a heavy beating from Jake. They were soon broken off and Jake come straight to her and held her by the waist and pulled her to his side. After what happened, he wasn't taking any chances anymore.

"I'm sorry I let go." He apologized, you are here now.

Kevin walked before them and sneered at Jake. "She is mine now!" He erupted in an evil laughter. "I asked you nicely, and you thought you were clever." Kevin said from behind her.

"I still won't marry you Kevin, came rain come sunshine." She hissed. "Papa'Ezekiel, Papa'Jeremiah, Papa' Simion, I greet you."

They all murmured their greetings.

"Sorry about your long travels, but I do not wish to get married.”

"Why will you not marry, my child, you are of again and a strapping young man has already been given your hand in marriage." Papa' Ezekiel asked.

"I am already wed, Papa'Ezekiel. To this strapping young man with me."

Her father wanted to strangle her, but she knew he was too traditional to out speak his elders. So as expected, he sat down and clenched his jaw. Her father was furious, especially because if she kept on being too headstrong, he was going to lose the wealth he had just acquired.