MARIAM THE GOOD GIRL.

EPISODE 8

I feared—but braced myself. I said: “Sister—forgive me. I went out late—I went to salon.” She said: “You’re joking me? Which salon were you at? Why did you tie a headscarf?” I removed the scarf: “I went out from here late—that’s why I came back now, sister—please forgive me.” She said: “You know I didn’t like it at all? Up to now—no food cooked inside—and midday looks like no food cooked—meaning my husband hasn’t eaten today?” I said: “I asked husband—he said he won’t come to eat—and I was full—that’s why I didn’t cook, sister—I didn’t know you’d come early. Forgive me—I’ll cook quickly.” Sister said: “And who brought you? I saw that car—it’s not Uber. You’ve started climbing other people’s husbands on the street, right?” I said: “It’s Uber, sister—maybe you didn’t see well. When I went to braid—I asked the stylist to get me Uber because I was late.” Sister said: “Go cook—things of coming home late at night in my house—I don’t want.” I said okay, sister.

I hurried to kitchen—sighed first. I texted baby: “I found sister home angry—but I said I was at salon. I want to cook—what should I cook for you, husband?” Immediately he replied: “Sorry, my wife—cook ugali and fish in sauce, my wife. I’ll drink with your milk. Don’t fear her—I love you so much, my Mai.” I replied: “I love you too, my husband.” I smiled and started handling fish. Sister came: “What are you cooking?” I said: “Ugali and coconut fish.” She said: “Hee—what schedule is that at night? Since when ugali at night?” I said: “Husband said tonight cook like that.” She said: “Hmm—it shows you communicate a lot with my husband these days—you have closeness, right?” I said: “No, sister—he said when I called midday asking food—he said midday he won’t come—but night cook like that.” She said: “Okay—I’ll make chips.” I said okay. She said: “Children come back tomorrow—I want you to cook pilau midday—and I won’t go out tomorrow—I think it’s weekend—and my husband won’t go out.” I said okay.

I cooked, finished, set table—texted husband he’s ready for food now. He said: “I’m nearby—I’m coming—and I brought you a gift.” I was very happy. Truly he didn’t delay—he came. I wore kitenge, served him food—and that day sister didn’t say anything seeing me with kitenge. We ate—sister telling husband business things—husband replying shortly: aha, okay, fine. When finished—husband went upstairs. I said: “Sister—I forgot to make the bed.” Sister said: “Leave it—from now I’ll make it myself.” I said okay. She went upstairs too. Suddenly message entered my phone: “My wife—I’m not asleep yet—I’m coming to hug you down there, okay?” I laughed—replied okay. I was washing dishes—when he came truly—hugged me, gave a big kiss: “You give me so much pleasure, my wife—all the time I’m thinking of you only.” I said: “We’ll be caught, baby.” He said: “Don’t worry, my wife—tomorrow morning don’t forget to give me one.” I said: “But tomorrow sister said she’ll be here—why?” Husband said: “Don’t worry—I’ll wake early before leaving—start with you.” I laughed: “Okay.”

We kissed—then he gave me my gift—it was a waist chain: “Wear this, baby—I love it so much.” Then day after tomorrow—Sunday—I want you to go out and enjoy somewhere—because I’ll be in Bagamoyo for work meeting, my wife—I want you to go to any beach and relax, okay? I said okay, baby. He kissed me again—squeezed my breasts—then went to his room. I finished dishes—went to sleep. Morning—he usually goes to gym early—I woke early, entered bathroom to bathe so he doesn’t find yesterday’s sweat. While in bathroom—husband came—we gave each other pleasure there in bathroom—he was satisfied and left.

Love was sweet—enjoying only. Sunday—he gave me money. Sister left with children—I don’t know where. I went to Coco Beach to enjoy. I ate and drank—then decided to go to the beach. I sat on the beach—water hitting my feet—because I fear swimming—I have no skill. While admiring the ocean—suddenly a beautiful Arab-like child came—girl—long hair tied nicely—sat near me crying.

I started stepping—English: “Baby—baby—what?” She looked at me—beautiful eyes—though sharp. She pointed to the ocean—I saw a ball carried by waves. I said: “Your ball there?” She nodded. Hmm—why did it go far—and I fear water? I said: “If you get it—will you stop crying, beautiful child?” She nodded yes. Hmm—I said: “Stay here—I’m coming—wait—I’ll get it, okay?” She nodded again—crying there. I decided to walk into the ocean. I walked—hmm—water reached my knees—uwi—ball going farther. Water to thighs—ball to waist—I saw here I’ll die—I jumped—fell fully in—luckily caught it—returned soaked—body all wet. The child—seeing I brought it—came following—happy. I said: “If you laugh—you’re beautiful.” She said: “You were fearing water?” I looked at her—wondered how she knows? It’s like she knew. I wondered—she said: “I saw how you entered water with fear.” I laughed: “For you—I wasn’t afraid.” She hugged me. I said: “Who did you come with, beautiful child?” She said: “With mom and uncle.” I said: “Where are they?” She said: “I don’t see them.” I said: “Let’s go find them.” She said okay.

We started walking on the beach—me holding her hand—carrying her ball—she jumping happily. We walked far—no people anymore—we were on the beach till I started fearing. I said: “Why no people here?” She said: “Mom there.” Truly—because I hadn’t seen anyone ahead—there was no one—but I saw a beautiful Arab woman—she was smiling—coming to meet us. These people are so beautiful—even the child. The little girl left my hand—ran to her mom: “You saw my friend?” Mom said: “Yes—beautiful.” She said: “Where’s uncle—I want him to see her.” Mom said: “Your uncle—I don’t know—he went somewhere.” She came closer: “Thank you for bringing my child.” I said: “Don’t worry.” I said: “Please let me leave—time has gone.” She said okay. The little girl came down from mom—hugged me—gave me something nice like a gold-colored small container: “Here—oil—I like it—it’ll give you nice color.” I said thanks. She said: “You’re my friend now.” I said yes. Mom opened her purse—gave me a box: “This is perfume—I know you’ll like it—very nice smell. Use it at night when bathing—apply the oil your friend gave—when you want to sleep—you’ll smell one thing directly, dear—and this doesn’t finish quickly—just two drops.” I said: “Don’t worry—I loved my friend only.” She said okay. I said bye. They greeted—I started leaving. When I reached ahead—the little girl said: “Bye Maimuna.” I said: “Bye baby.” I left—straight to catch daladala home.

I reached home—it was evening—but no one. I bathed—changed clothes—then took phone—found many messages and missed calls from husband darling. I was shocked—why didn’t I see them when I was with the child—even didn’t hear the phone ringing—had I put it on loudspeaker? I read them—all complaints—what am I doing—not picking calls. I had to call him—he picked: “Where are you?” I said: “Home, baby.” He said: “I’m at the gate.” He hung up. Husband entered—very angry: “Ehee—where were you and what were you doing—why my calls not picked—messages not replied, Mai?” I said: “Baby—you won’t believe—phone fell in water—it stopped—even now I put it in rice so it can work.” I lied. Husband looked at me: “I’ll give you two phones this time—so this nonsense doesn’t repeat.” I said okay, baby—forgive me. He hugged me—kissed—carried me to the short kitchen cabinet: “I’ve missed you so much—I want just one.” I said okay—he spread my legs—moved panties aside—he wanted to enter—gate opened. Husband stopped: “Your sister.” I sighed relief—because I was fearing so much. She came upstairs—I started cooking. Sister entered—called me—I went to living room. She said: “Your brother-in-law back?” I said: “Yes—he came a short while ago.” She said: “Aha.”

At that moment—he came down—children ran to him calling daddy daddy. Husband stopped them from climbing on him. Sister said: “Hee—my husband—why like that with children?” Husband looked at her with contempt—sister said: “Husband—please bring me drinking water.” He spoke while looking at me. I hesitated to go—sister stood like going to kitchen. Husband said: “Mai—isn’t it me talking to you?” I was very shocked—said okay, husband. Husband said: “What did you call me? Repeat—what did you call me?” I said: “Husband.” He said: “Didn’t I forbid you to call me that? You’ve become arrogant these days?” Sister said: “Hee—now you want her to call you what?” Husband said: “What did you tell her?” Mai—I’m waiting—answer me. I was shaking—said okay—my husband. Then I looked at sister—sister gave me a sharp eye. Husband said: “Good.” I went to bring water. I knelt and gave husband the water. He took—started drinking—while staring at me. When finished—I took jug and glass—returned to kitchen. Husband went upstairs. Sister came to kitchen suddenly: “What’s going on when I’m not here, Mai?” I said: “What, sister?” She said: “What happened there? So you’ve been forbidden to call him husband—I want to know why—and how—and why you didn’t tell me.” I said: “Sister—I...” Before I finished—sister said: “You’re joking me? You’re going around me—eeh? There are things you talk with my husband when I’m not here—isn’t it? Mai—don’t see me as stupid—I have a worse soul than Satan. I forbade you to trap him—you continued—eeh? You want to pour my ugali—you—why? My husband calls you his wife? Come first—give me your phone now.” Uwi—I was shocked—phone has husband’s messages—and I didn’t delete. Sister said: “You don’t hear—or I said give me your phone—here?” She came closer—put hand in my dress pocket where I kept phone. Uwi—I’m finished...