MARIAM THE GOOD GIRL.

EPISODE 10

I was confused—what happened now? Where did the fluids come from? Suddenly sister and husband returned—they searched under bed—to wardrobe—but no one. Husband left without saying anything. Sister said: “Where is your man?” I said: “Sister—I have no man—I didn’t bring a man—why?” Sister said: “You—there’s something—it’s not for nothing—one day yours.” Suddenly husband came: “Doors were locked as they were—no one here—leave her to sleep.” Sister said: “Husband—I know what I heard with my ears—you’re just denying me—but this one had a man—that’s why bed like that—and she’s naked.” Husband said: “So you’re planning for her—how does she sleep in her room? Okay—no one—or you mean she had a ghost or witch? Go to your room—I don’t want noise. You, Mai—sleep.” I said okay. Husband left—sister looked at me: “One day.” She left—but left me with so many thoughts. This wasn’t a dream—why was I so wet? I went to bathroom—checked—I had marks like I was with someone. While thinking—I remembered that love—I found myself closing eyes—my body needing that love again. Suddenly water poured on me—I startled. I bathed—cleaned well—returned to room—changed sheets—lay down—deep sleep from tiredness. I woke—sister shaking me: “House mother—I see you slept till now, our friend?” I jumped: “Sorry, sister—I overslept.” She said: “Tea won’t cook itself—please—I need to eat—and children prepared for school.” (That time the young one also goes to school.) I woke quickly—went to bathroom—washed—then down to cook and prepare children—but all time I wasn’t okay—I was thinking bedroom love so much—my body needed that love again.

I prepared—sister drank tea—husband I didn’t see. When finished—she said: “Now bring your men inside again—let me find you—I’ll chop you, prostitute.” I just looked at sister. When she left—I went to room—I had so much desire for love—I found myself touching myself on bed—thinking bedroom man—hmm—pleasure. Suddenly my phone rang—I hated—took it—husband. I picked. He said: “Where are you?” I said: “Home.” He said: “I need to see you—we talk—what happened yesterday.” I said okay—where do we meet? He said: “Come to hotel.” I said okay. For the first time—I didn’t like going to husband. But I went—found him sitting on bed—full of thoughts. I sat beside him. He said: “Maimuna—what happened yesterday, my wife?” I said: “I myself don’t know—I was sleeping—then I was dreaming—being chased by someone—I startled—sister saying I brought a man inside.” Husband said: “From how you were—I know you—like you were dreaming love dream—because you were completely relaxed, Mai.” I stood: “So I’m judged because of a dream? Can you refuse a dream—or call it real?” He said: “No—not that, my love—I’m not judging you—but they say such dreams aren’t good—try before sleeping to pray.” I said okay. He said: “Now I have a trip to Kigoma for work, my love—and I need you to accompany me—we’ll stay a bit—like three weeks there. I want to be with you there in new environment, my wife—let ourselves enjoy—and you—travel, my wife—I don’t know what you say?” I said: “No problem—but I don’t know how to tell sister.” He said: “Lie to her as you can, my wife—and you should leave three days before—then I’ll follow—so picture doesn’t burn. And my wife—know—my matter is going to finish—and I’m going to marry you as official wife.”

Hmm—I didn’t believe: “Roman—if you love me like this—you can leave white Asma—so beautiful—and you’ve come far—to me truly?” He said: “Haa—this is how you see yourself? You think men love white only—and added with shop oils there? Your natural orange color mixes me so much—and also you’re so beautiful than that woman. And that’s why I have every reason to leave her—I was just keeping things okay—because I know she has a lot of nonsense—she’ll disturb me—and I don’t want disturbance. You go to Kigoma—when you arrive—know—when you return—you’ll return new—with your own place—and you won’t return there. I’ve prepared everything for you—and I wanted to surprise you, my wife. And everything about Asma—I’ll tell you in Kigoma—because I know we’ll have a lot to talk—me and you there—for whatever time we’ll be—without disturbance.” I said okay. He said: “There’s a nice train—I think that side tomorrow—then when you arrive—there’s someone who’ll receive you—take you to nice hotel, my wife—you’ll get all VIP services—till your husband comes—and I’ll give you money—if you want to travel—and whatever you desire—I love you so much.” I said okay, baby.

Roman came closer—kissed me—but I didn’t feel any feelings anymore—I felt like I don’t know—he just used me—I didn’t like his kiss. He said: “Now—my wife—I’ve missed you—you know I haven’t touched you for days.” Hearing that—my body completely refused—even I was surprised. But for his promises—I thought—let me force myself. I braced—forced—we touched—removed clothes—when I climbed well on bed—let myself—blood started coming from there where flower is. Hmm. Husband said: “Baby—what again—did your days start?” I said: “No—I haven’t even started—I’m surprised.” He said: “Mmh—it’ll be weather change—and now I got answers why you dreamed like that, my wife—it was coming.” I smiled—but I felt something not right. These aren’t my days at all—and even if days—they start slowly—but today like floods—mmmh.

I stood—went to bathroom. Roman followed: “Don’t worry—good they started today—till I come to Kigoma—you’ll be dry—because I want us to have kids too, my wife.” I smiled—but full of thoughts. After bathing—he followed me with pads—brought—I wore. We talked—then he escorted me out of the house. I hurried home—he said he’s going to office immediately. Before I entered house—I called my friend Alice—give her the script about the trip. She said okay—now what do you want me to help? I said: “Call me at night—tell me my young sister is very sick—she’s in Kilimanjaro region—I need to go get her.” She said okay. I said: “Insist—my—pretend the number you called from village—they gave you. Because if I say she’s in village—sister has her relative there.” Alice said: “Done—that, boss.” I said okay.

I entered—time to eat—I sent the message to call—when we’re at table all. Alice—who used another number that time—called. I took phone—pretended to look—ignored. Sister said: “Eheee—morning—your boyfriends calling—you see—don’t pick?” I said: “No, sister—strange number—even I don’t know.” Sister said: “Pick—put loudspeaker—let us see pictures—eheheheee.” I looked at husband—he was looking at me too. I picked—put loudspeaker—heard: “Hello—am I speaking to Maimuna—sister of Elina?” It was a female voice—but speaking pure Chaga. I said: “Yes—it’s me—who are you?” She said: “I’m just a good citizen—I was living neighbor where your young sister was working—now she was beaten by her employer—thrown out—we’re with her at hospital here—that’s why they gave me your village number—sister—we ask you to come get your young sister—her condition isn’t good.”

I was truly confused—even though it was lie—but I felt like true. I said: “You’re serious—give me Elina—let me talk to her—if true.” Suddenly I heard: “Sister—sister—forgive me—I’m Eli...na—I’m hurting, sister.” Right there I stood: “My young sister Elina—sorry—I’m coming now.” Phone cut. Sister said: “Hee—it’s become that? What did she do now—or thief caught—or prostitution with house owners?” I didn’t answer anything. Husband said: “Prepare—go see your young sister—Maimuna—she seems very serious.” Sister said: “Let her see her—or take her—or didn’t you hear husband? Told to take her—now I don’t know where she’ll take her? My home is full—and I’m thinking to reduce problems I brought here.” I said: “We have village home—I’ll take her there, sister—don’t worry.” Sister said: “You have village home? That wooden hut standing this side—with these rains of this year—you’ll find it?” Hehehe—let me laugh—you’re being fooled—but you dream horns truly—poverty is poverty. Husband stood angrily: “Mai—prepare—you go, okay.” I said: “Thank you, husband.” I was happy inside—while biting this one who pretends sister—thinks I have problem—I don’t know her man doesn’t breathe here—stupid—disrespects me so much—is poverty a curse? And if I leave here—I’ll show her—I’ll be more than her in wealth—I’ll use this her husband—so one day she comes—sees me up there—let her stop disrespect.

Husband left table—I cleared dishes—sister laughing only. I did cleaning—went to room—I carried some clothes—I didn’t want to take many—but took important ones—and important things—others I left. I looked at room—told myself—even whatever—I won’t return here. I carried my perfume and Arab oil I was given at beach—packed. The next day I woke very early—did cleaning inside—prepared breakfast. Husband woke—gave me money. Sister said call me Uber—I thanked—left. Husband texted—go to hotel—because train trip is tomorrow—and I went to hotel. Reaching there—surprise—those periods stopped coming. Since yesterday when I reached home—I didn’t care. I contacted Alice—called her to hotel to thank her—gave her thank-you money. We drank and ate. Husband said he’s coming—Alice greeted—left. Husband came—we talked a lot—he left evening. I slept—woke—followed by Uber next day—to station—now board train. I reached—found queue for ticket check—entered—now queue to enter coach—suddenly someone hit my shoulder—like he was passing hard—till I dropped my small bag. I bent to pick—looked up—face to face with the Arab man I dreamed—the same one. My heart froze—zzz—I felt chills—even hair stood completely...