MARIAM THE GOOD GIRL.

EPISODE 13

My body felt numb—like hit by electricity. I feel my hair standing—no—this condition isn’t normal—I told myself—then started shouting—I prayed—I called the Lord—but every time I continue praying—it’s like something choking my throat—I can’t speak words. I knew perfectly it’s those jinn—I braced my heart—prayed hard—I shouted—I prayed until I felt heat—sweating—suddenly heard a long hiss—like someone hissed hard—then light returned. I didn’t stop praying—I prayed until I saw my body no longer feels that excitement and numbness. I stood—took phone—called that Kigoma pastor. Pastor picked: “Praise the Lord, my daughter.” I said: “Amen—my father—I called you—something happened, father.” He said: “What happened, my child?” I narrated how it was. He said: “They came, my child—now tell me how it happened—don’t leave any detail—even if you feel small—because it shows something of theirs is still there. Tell me—what did you touch and what there.” I said: “I bathed—thought to arrange clothes. Arranged husband’s—finished—then mine—then I saw this condition.” Pastor said: “Those clothes—did you buy them yourself?” I said: “No—all from sister I was living with.” He said: “Nothing else given by someone—or clothes—or anything?” I remembered the oil and perfume with similar names—I told him—and said: “As soon as I sprayed myself—that condition.” Pastor said: “Take that oil and those perfume, my child—go burn them while praying—even if you hear anything—don’t stop praying, okay.” I said okay—but this perfume is in glass bottle—will it burn? He said: “Burn it, my child—nothing is impossible for the one we worship.” I said okay. He said: “Don’t hang up—we’ll pray together while you do that—and I’m with other believers here—we’ll pray together.” I said okay then. I took the oil and bottle—went outside completely—fence—while praying—mixed with papers—started burning—now praying—and pastor and others—I hear them. As they started burning—I started hearing loud screams in my ears—but I remembered pastor said—even if you hear anything—continue praying—so I prayed hard—those screams in ears increased—were screams of many mixed voices—and like bells—I didn’t care—continued praying. The oil and perfume I saw in the glass container—melting nicely—burned completely—left ashes. Pastor said: “Now take that blessed water I gave you—go pour there—then continue with life—you’ve removed the source there—okay.” I said okay. He said: “Jinn are water beings—they don’t want connection with earthly people.” I said: “Amen.” I returned inside—took the blessed water—went poured on ashes—then returned inside. I sat on couch—thinking nothing happened—while thanking God—suddenly sleep overtook me heavily. Suddenly I found myself on the beach—like wearing the same clothes I wore—walking beside water. Suddenly saw a child sitting aside—knees folded—face on knees—I don’t see face—see only long hair—like white or Arab. Now big wave coming—I saw to tell her—I said: “Child—child—wave coming.” That child didn’t stand—I wanted to hold her—even before reaching—the child stood—looked at me angrily—eyes very sharp—face I don’t know what—said: “Don’t touch meeee—you pretend innocent—eeh—you’ll regret—” then screamed loud—until my ears hurt—I startled—in the living room. Uwi—what dream is this? Dreaming midday—I? Come on—wake—prepare food. I stood—though that dream tormented me—like reality completely. I went to kitchen. Roman—I don’t know who he sent—there was everything in fridge—and store full of food. I prepared fresh fish—put outside to dry—prepared spices—then fried—and made ugali dona. Texted baby: “Food ready—come eat.” He replied: “Thanks, my wife—and I was thinking of you here—I knew you’re still resting—I’ll call you—pick you—we eat out.” I said: “No baby—I woke.” He said: “Okay then—there’s small work I’m finishing—I’m coming, my wife.” I said okay.

I set table—went to room—lay on bed. I woke—being kissed hot kisses by Roman. I woke—said: “You’re back, my husband?” He said: “Yes, baby. Tell me—are you still tired—or why did you sleep?” I said: “Nothing—no work—I saw to lie down.” He said: “I’ll change that soon, my wife. And baby—did you go out—went to beach today?” I startled—said: “No baby—I didn’t go out even a little—why?” He said: “I found beach sand on the couch, my wife—when putting laptop bag—sand even down—I knew you went a little.” Uwi—fearing—I started shaking. Roman said: “Baby—why like that—did I speak bad?” I held him—said: “Baby—those things still follow me, my friend.” He said: “What’s wrong, my wife—tell me.” I held him—narrated the darkness and beach dream. Roman said: “Baby—demons lost, baby—that’s why—even don’t think—and you did a very good thing calling pastor—but I wish you called me too, baby.” I said: “I didn’t want to disturb you, baby.” He said: “Now we need to pray hard, my wife—okay.” I said okay. He said: “Sorry so much.” I said: “Thanks.” He said: “Let’s eat then.” I said okay. We went dining—I served him food—again didn’t serve him alone—I separated—we ate together. Roman said: “I love this so much, my wife—eating together—I feel very good.” I said: “We’ll eat like this together every day, baby.” He said: “Okay baby—but tonight don’t cook, my wife—I want to take you somewhere—we grill meat there—relax—you know me and you—we’ve never been free to go to crowded places—now you’re my legal wife—we’ll go out, my wife—and there’s something I want to tell you.” I said okay, baby—though I’m not well—see hair—hmm—and no nice outing clothes, baby—I’ll embarrass you. He said: “I’m giving you money—go do your thing, baby—you’re my wife—so small things to me—and also plan a day—go big shopping, my wife—okay?” I said okay—thanks, my husband. We ate—while talking small things there. We finished—he gave me salon money—then Roman returned to work. I prepared—left. I didn’t go to my friend’s salon—I went to another big one—they advertise online—even braids big artists. I wanted that too—and me be like sister Asma or more—because she was real city girl—wears expensive clothes—braids big salon—hmm—I wanted to surpass her—so I’m respected. I reached that salon—welcomed very well—I told them I want nice braiding. They gave hair prices—I chose—then braided—cleaned nails—nice manicure—painted. I looked beautiful. I asked the sister: “Aaa—salon—do you know a shop I can get nice modern clothes?” She said she has a client who has a shop—so connected me—I went—while taking Mary’s number now. I reached the shop—it was a real big shop—expensive clothes. I chose my outfits there—ready—evening darkening. Baby called—told him where I am—he said: “Don’t worry, baby—I’m coming there.” I said okay. Truly after some time—he arrived. When he saw me—he said: “Baby—you look so beautiful, my wife.” I said: “Thanks, baby”—while shaking head—playing with braids. Baby said: “Leave—you—hmm—I have a beautiful wife with so much swag. Okay—let’s go, my wife.” I laughed. We started journey home—bathed—prepared—then left. Roman took me to a classy bar on the beach—there many people—but rich ones. He chose our table—waiter didn’t delay—came—we ordered drinks and food. Waiter said: “Food will delay a bit—because it’s prepared fresh—we ordered—so bringing drinks first.” We said okay. Drinks came—it was champagne—because we don’t drink alcohol—we pray. We started drinking there. Roman said: “How do you see here, my wife?” I said: “Very nice, baby—I love it—and it looks like classy place, baby—right?” Roman laughed: “Yes baby.” I said: “Very nice.” He said: “I’ll take you out a lot, my wife—you’ll see all nice places here in town and outside town.” I said: “Thanks, baby.” He said: “My wife—I told you there’s something I’ll tell you—remember?” I said: “Yes baby—tell me.”

He said: “Today I passed by church, baby—to see padre about my matter of wanting to close marriage.” I startled when he said that—because I didn’t expect he truly wants to marry me. I said: “Baby—you’re serious?” He said: “Yes baby—I went—talked with padre—but answers didn’t please me, baby.” I said: “Why—why scare me?” He said: “Baby...” Before he said—waiter came with nice wooden tray—other foods still steaming. I was surprised—he arranged—invited us—then left. Roman said: “Let’s eat first, baby.” I said: “No baby—please tell me.” He said: “I beg you, my wife—let’s eat first—then I’ll tell you—because I’ve already solved it—so nothing changed, my love.” I said okay. We ate—while he praising me so much—and me praising food—making him happy—we finished eating. Waiter removed tray. Baby said: “Okay now I can talk here, baby.” I said: “I’m listening.” He said: “I went to church—talked with padre about marriage of me and you—but padre said—because I already closed marriage with that woman there—and we Catholics—marriage is one only, baby—even if there’s divorce—so I can’t close another marriage in church there—unless Asma died.” Mmmh—I sighed: “So baby—you won’t marry me again until Asma dies?” He said: “No—I’ll marry you, baby—any way—not must close Catholic marriage—we’ll go register in government—then we’ll bless in church—there’s a pastor I talked to—he said okay.” I said: “Uwi—I feared so much.” He said: “Neema my wife—no thing will stop me marrying you—unless I die—because I love you so much—you have so much respect—you know how to make me feel man—so I’m marrying you.” I said: “Thank you so much, baby.” So we continued talking—praising each other—while drinking our champagne—and there Roman held my hand on table—rubbing—we talking and laughing—suddenly heard: “Mamaaa—big things—these—Roman—this is the cause of divorce—meaning Roman? You prostitute—you witch—destroyer of people’s marriages—Maimuna—youuu...”