MARIAM THE GOOD GIRL.

EPISODE 12

I looked at him—he was just staring at me—doing nothing. That time I was pouring lots of blood—suddenly I saw thick darkness on my face—after that I didn’t know what happened. I came to senses after hearing prayers—people truly praying. I opened my eyes—found myself in church—surrounded by people praying a lot—men and women. Hmm—what happened—and how did I get here? I asked myself—no answer. They continued praying—me lying down there. I stood—sat. Suddenly heard: “Maimuna—you’ve woken, my wife.” Mmmh—I startled—looked where the voice came from—it was Roman—my heart calmed—because I didn’t understand at all—where am I—and these people praying for me—who are they? I said: “Yes.” At that time—those people finished praying. One father said: “Thanks Jesus”—held my hand—lifted me. Me there—not understanding what happened. That father said: “My daughter—I’m the pastor of this church. Sorry for your problems, my daughter.” I didn’t understand what problems he’s talking about—this pastor? I said: “Just thanks.” He said: “How do you feel now?” I said: “I feel just fine.” He said: “Do you remember how you got here last?” Hmm—I thought—I didn’t remember. I said: “I don’t remember—did I lose consciousness?” He said: “Yes—so do you know where you are?” I said: “I know I’m in Kigoma—with Roman.” Pastor said: “Okay—sorry. Truly you’re in Kigoma—but my daughter...” Before he finished—I said: “I remember—I fought with Roman—left—entered daladala—but while there—I started pouring blood—that’s why I saw darkness.” Pastor said: “Aha—you remembered, my daughter.” I said yes. He said: “Now my daughter—you were bleeding?” I said: “Pastor—I poured blood completely—they were pouring.” He said: “They weren’t blood—you were just wetting, my daughter. You had a jinn.” I startled—said: “Jinn? What jinn?” He said: “Do you remember ever dreaming with a man making love?” I said: “Yes—I remember.” He said: “That’s the jinn itself—the love jinn—and that’s what made you go mad.” I said: “I don’t understand what you’re saying.” He said: “My child—you got confused—you were running in the streets saying you’re following your Arab lover—luckily your husband was following you—so he was helped by people to catch you—take you to hospital. You arrived there—put in the mental ward—you stayed a week there.” I couldn’t believe hearing that. I said: “Pastor—am I dreaming—or are you telling someone else’s story?” He said: “No—it’s true. One day I came to visit patients—while praying—you fell—I prayed for you a lot—you calmed—but still wetting about that lover—and things you were doing—you stopped being violent and hitting people. I came the second day to see you—found it’s not you—but a complete jinn—so I rode you now—because your voice was also male—that’s why I talked with your husband—we talked with a doctor I know—he gave permission—so we brought you here to church.” I couldn’t believe I did all that—why don’t I remember? And that jinn—what jinn—why don’t I remember anything? Meaning I was making love with someone—I remember dream only—but the man—I don’t remember his face. Pastor said: “The love jinn followed you even here—and some people saw it—it was like a human—but Arab.” Hmm—I was surprised—I didn’t even remember. Pastor says: “You were in bad condition—and wanted to kill yourself—because you lost the love of that giant. And my child—the end of these things is death—because jinn when they finish what they want—they kill you—or take you to them—because he hated—so if he returns—it’s not love anymore—but destruction—and they have no mercy. Jinn are very vengeful beings. So my children—I advise you—pray a lot—get saved completely. And change that name—Maimuna—leave it, okay. Because living with jinn—you’ll have bad luck your whole life—you won’t know joy—because jinn are very jealous. Get saved, my child.” Mmmh—I feared—said: “I’m ready to get saved—and change name.” He said: “Okay—let us guide you prayer of repentance—and name—we’ll call you Neema.” I said okay. Pastor guided me and Roman prayer of repentance—then advised us to close marriage—Roman said okay—when we reach Dar—we’ll go register. Pastor said good—and advised me a lot to pray every day—and said expect trials here and there—but try to be strong. I said okay. We took pastor’s phone number—then returned to hotel. Roman all time quiet—me too quiet—thinking all that—I felt like complete dream. We entered room—found bags there—and it wasn’t the first hotel. I said: “Why bags here? And why did we move from there?” Roman said: “We’re leaving today—we’re returning to Dar—with my friend’s car, my love—sorry for everything.” I said: “Thanks so much.” He said: “That first hotel—that’s where those things happened—so we had to move.” I said okay. He said: “Bathe then—we leave.” I said okay. I entered bathroom—bathed—while thinking everything. I remembered everything now—truly I was making love with someone—but I didn’t remember his face at all—I remembered only how I was wetting—seeing blood. I remembered—after seeing that man—I got off daladala—started following him—he was leaving—I following—begging forgiveness—help me—blood coming—but that man didn’t stop. I continued following—begging—then even removing clothes—stayed naked—uwi—I startled—truly I was like mad. While in thoughts—Roman knocked door—I startled—said: “I’m coming out.” He said okay. I finished bathing—came out. We were followed by his friend’s car—all time me feeling guilty and hurt for what I did. Meaning I had a jinn? I remembered that girl when I was hit—while wanting to board train—she said: “Who hit you—why—no one passed here?” Uwi—meaning she was jinn? I prayed a lot—I feared so much. We passed eating place—then journey to Dar started. Roman tried to talk a lot—make me laugh—at least it helped me not think. We slept on the way—then next day we arrived Dar at night. His friend took us straight to where Roman prepared—like my own. It was a nice house—though not reaching where his wife lived—but I loved it. Inside—everything nice. Roman said: “Here is your home, my wife—welcome.” I said: “Thanks baby—I love it.” He said: “We’ll live here—me and you—and start family here, my Neema.” I said okay, baby—very nice—but what about your wife? He said: “Why did I show you divorce papers—I divorced her completely—I’m free—and I’ll marry you.” I said: “How did she take that—and does she know you’re with me?” He said: “She doesn’t know about you, baby—and she didn’t want the divorce—but that’s how it is—she was given—and still fighting for me to return.” I said: “Aha.” So we entered room—we ate on the way—bathed—climbed bed—prayed first—then slept.

Morning came—Roman woke early—left me in bed. Prepared tea—then prepared himself—greeted me—going to work. I said okay. I slept—woke around 9 AM—bathed—then started inspecting the house now—I loved it so much. I couldn’t believe—I’m in my own house now. I remembered our bags—removed clothes to wash. Entered another room—because that’s where baby put bags—looked at clothes—but all were folded nicely and clean. I started arranging in wardrobe. Arranged husband’s clothes—finished—then mine—arranged—reached bottom of bag—saw a box of very nice perfume and oil—I sprayed that perfume—suddenly saw thick darkness again—I fell down...