HEART OF GOLD

CHAPTER 11: UNEXPECTED OUTCOME

It has been a hectic day. The traditional marriage was uneventful. It was a low key event with only a few people in attendance which consists of Tony, his friend, Alex, Mr. Alliu and just a few members of his family. It was intentionally made to happen that way in order not to attract unwanted attention.

Though it was a relief to know that she wouldn't have to marry Alhaji Sani again, Miriam was a little shocked at this sudden and impromptu development. 

Tony had promised her that he would come up with a plan, but due to the rush involved in order to beat Alhaji Sani in his game, he never had the time to update her with details. This she understood but a little heads up would have done much in preparing her mentally and psychologically for this turn of event. Yes she is now free from marrying Alhaji Sani but marriage to Tony was never her expectation, she was not prepared to marry at  age eleven so it was still difficult for her to adjust to this reality.

This explains why contrary to usual expectation from brides on their 'big day', she wore a moody expression through the entire event and despite all the effort by Tony to cheer her up all through their journey back to Lagos, the expression tends to have made her face a permanent residence.

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Kpo.... Kpo... Kpo.... Kpo... sound the knock on Tony's bedroom door in his three bedroom apartment in Lagos.

"Hello Miriam," Tony said as he opened his room door in response to her knock, revealing an awkward looking Miriam standing timidly with her face to the ground in front of the door patiently waiting for him to answer the door. 

He had never known her to be timid,  therefore, he was a little confused and helpless on what to do, fully aware that her new disposition was a product of her father's rash decision and the fact that he played a role in making that decision a reality is an explanation to the guilty expression written boldly on his face as he meekly asked, "I hope there is no problem?"

"No, oh" she answered in a very low voice that Tony could barely hear. 

Raising her head up to stare him in the face, she added, "can I come in?"

"Forgive my ill manners, please come inside." He said apologetically and followed her inside. 

"Please have your seat" he said, tapping on a spot close to where he now sat on the bed. He did not fail to notice her squirmed in discomfort as she sat a little distance from him. He sighed in frustration as he stood up and squatted in front of her so that he could meet her at eye level. He took both of her hands in one hand and with the other, he lifted up her chin until she was staring him straight in the eye. "Miriam, I noticed you've been giving me the silent treatment all day. See, we've been through a lot already and you know you can trust me so please tell me what is bothering you." 

She broke the eye connection and shyly started playing with her fingers on her lap not sure of how to voice her worries. After a while, she finally blurted out her worries shuttering, "I... I... I... havenotbeenmarriedbefore, I'm afraid,Idon'tknowwhattodo..."

"Miriam, you are too fast, I didn't catch one thing from what you just said. Take a deep breath in," She inhaled, "and out," she exhaled. "Now, repeat yourself." 

Feeling a little better now, she repeated, "I said, I have not been married before, I am afraid, I don't know what to do."

At this Tony burst into an uncontrollable laughter which left Miriam wondering if she had said something funny. He must have read her confusion from her expression, seeing as he suddenly started struggling to gain control over his emotion.

"Sorry about that," he said and allowed the laughter to die down before continuing. "I can see that I owe you an explanation seeing as we didn't have time to talk after our last discussion. See Miriam, fulfilling your marital obligations shouldn't bother you because there is none to fulfill in the first place."

Her brow creases in confusion as she lifts up her head, locked gaze with him again and said, "I don't understand what you mean by there is no marital obligation to fulfill. You performed the traditional rites today and by tradition, you are now my husband. My father also told me that my role as a wife is to fulfill all your desire."

She recalled her father's words to her immediately after the marriage rite was concluded. He took her aside and started his own version of parental counsel. "Miriam my daughter," without waiting for her reply, he continued, "Now that Mr. Tony has performed the marriage rites, he is now your husband and you are leaving with him immediately. Know that it's a wife's duty to satisfy your husband's desire. I know you will not disappoint our family." He concluded. He stood up, patted her shoulder and added, "be a good girl," and joined the others...

"Miriam, you don't have to worry about that because the marriage is just a ploy to give you your freedom. Let this marriage be a thing between both of us. I see you as a sister, so take me as an older brother, OK?"

She nodded her understanding as an incessant and uncontrollable outflow of tears of joy couldn't allow her to word her feelings as a sense of relief overshadowed her.  

"Miriam, please don't cry," he pulled her head to his chest. You will not have to struggle anymore." 

She sniffed trying to gain control over her emotion but as much as she tried, her tears like an opened floodgate kept pouring. 

"See, I got you. I promise to take care of you. Tomorrow, I am getting you back to school." 

On hearing that, she cried even more. This is like a dream, could this day turn any better? It started as the worst day of her life, and suddenly came this unexpected twist of events? 

"Hey, stop crying nah..." Tony continued, rocking her front and back. See, I got your back. I've got all this planned out. I promised not to relent until you achieve your dream." 

Pulling back from the embrace she snorted in between tears, "thank you... thank you..." 

His hands on her shoulders on both sides, "it's OK, please stop crying. You have your freedom now. You are free to pursue your dream and to marry anyone of your choice when the time comes."

"Thank you very much," she said with one hand covering her mouth in an attempt to suppress the fresh outburst threatening to surface. 

"It's OK, just stop crying. But you have to promise me something." He paused. 

To this, she lifted up her head, looking straight into his eyes. Having gotten her attention, he said, "promise me to work hard, promise me you will do your best in studies, promise me that you will not allow anything distract you from your dream." He paused again. 

"I pro... promise." she sniffed. 

"Then I promise to do all in my power to make sure you don't go back to hawking."

A/N: What do you think of this Chapter? 

Who is your favorite character so far?

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DeMountainMan.