FARIDA
Oge’s Story
Episode 38
It took a lot for Wale to see Farida again. She excitedly shared the story of how the relationship started. It was obvious to him Sam had seen a smart girl he could use. He didn’t believe he genuinely loved her. When he asked her if Monica was aware Farida decided to call her immediately.
“Farida how are you? To what do I owe this call?”
“Monica, why would you ask that?”
“When was the last time you called me?”
“I know. I’ve been busy. Anyway I wanted to share some news with you”.
“Go ahead”.
“I am getting married!”
“O, he finally proposed!”
“Who?”
“Sam. He came to ask my permission”.
“He did? He didn’t tell me and you didn’t mention it”.
‘Did you tell me both of you were dating? Why should I tell you when he came to see me”.
“I am sorry about that”.
“I am sure Wale will be heartbroken by this news. You betrayed both of us”.
“Wale is fine. He is here with me. Would you want to say hi?”
She handed the phone over to Wale. Wale and Monica chatted for some time. Monica called out a number for him which he typed on his phone. He handed the phone back to Farida.
“Has a date been fixed?” Monica asked.
“We are waiting for a response from your people on the date. We have to be sure it is convenient for everyone”.
“So, are we going to Kwara?”
“No, I am getting married in Lagos. No engagement; just registry”.
“Why? Your parents are alive. Why are you getting married like one who doesn’t have anyone?”
That was a statement she wasn’t expecting. What was wrong with wanting a simple wedding. What was important was her being one with Sam. She had to talk to maami about it. Sam was just interested in getting a date and that was all. They never discussed the wedding they would be doing. They should have. Her worried look caught Wale’s attention.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s the wedding. Where will it hold?”
“Haven’t both of you discussed it yet?”
“Not in details. He proposed just two weeks ago”
“Let’s discuss with maami what she wants”.
They went to maami to discuss the wedding. Maami informed Farida that she thinks the engagement should be done in Ilorin as her father is very sick. The court and reception should be in Lagos.
“I am not travelling to Ilorin for any wedding. He disowned us remember? Why then do I need his blessings? Does he know how we got to the stage we are in now? Did he help in any way? I am having my wedding here in Lagos. Engagement and registry on the same day. I will leave for the honeymoon immediately. You can invite them but you are the only one going to give me away”.
“I am honoured my dear daughter but know that I am a woman and I can’t give you away”.
“Says who? You will give me away. No one else will” Farida said with finality.
“I have to agree with her. You deserve to give her away. It was your determination that has brought her to this stage. They can come but they will ask you for her hand in marriage”, Wale added.
Maami was silent. She knew it was wrong traditionally. Her worse fear was Sam accepting. She could see he was egoistic but Farida was blinded by love to see it too. She knew he would kick against it. That would be their first major obstacle. She wanted to know what Farida would do. Hopefully, it will break them up.
Sam came to Lagos to pay a surprise visit to Farida and discuss some things with his father. He went to their house without her knowledge. As he entered, Maami, Akram and Ahmad were in the sitting room. There was another guy also seated close to maami. Farida was not there. Instantly Sam disliked Wale. He asked after Farida and he was told she was in the room. Akram went to call her.
“What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming around”
“I wanted to surprise you”.
“Have you met Wale? You guys met during our graduation. He is my best friend. The one who went to the UK for Masters. Remember him?”
“I don’t think so”.
“Wale meet Sam, Sam meet Wale”.
“Nice to meet you,” Wale said while offering Sam his hand which he reluctantly accepted mumbling a reply.
“Let’s go out. I have a few things to discuss with you” Sam suggested.
“Wale came to see me. I can’t just leave him and go out” Farida explained.
“Don’t worry. I am fine with maami and the guys. Go and have fun. I will still be here when you get back” Wale replied.
Those words ticked Sam off. What the heck was he doing in her house and was bold to say he will wait for her until she gets back. What effrontery? He had to tackle this with Farida.
Sam refused to talk to Farida from the moment they left the house until they got to the restaurant. She asked him a number of times what the problem was but he refused to reply. She then let him be which annoyed him the more. Sam was used to girls being uncomfortable when he ignores them but Farida was different. She would leave you alone until you were ready to talk to her which he didn’t like. She did it again and he was offended.
“What is that guy doing in your house?”
“Which guy?”
“The guy you introduced me to. Didn’t your mother teach you how to behave as a soon to be married woman?”
“What’s going on here? Did you wake up from the wrong side of your bed? I can take anything but if you insult my mother you have insulted my God so please desist from that”.
“I asked what the guy was doing there”.
“He is my friend and he is free to visit me. What is wrong with that?”
‘That guy I saw there is not your friend but a potential lover. I don’t want him in your house again otherwise I will create a scene”.
“Create a scene because my best friend came to my house? Anyway, it won’t be necessary as he is going to his base in Abuja this week. He will play a major role in my wedding. Himself and Monica are my closest pallies”.
“I don’t want him around you”.
“Are you choosing my friends for me? I don’t choose your friends for you. Let us respect our boundaries. The lady I met in your house the last time I came to your village whom you claimed was a childhood friend looked like a potential lover. I never asked you never to let her come to the house again. But if you want us to play that card, I can play it. I will surprise you more often than you can imagine”.
Sam calmed down. He had forgotten how smart Farida was. He remembered the guy. Farida liked him; he was a potential threat. For Farida to defend him like this, then he had to be careful. He also didn’t need Farida sneaking in on him. His hands weren’t clean. Did Farida really expect him to be celibate until after marriage? Not with the girls in his state. He never knew how sweet they were until he relocated there. There was one in particular that he liked. Her hips were like they were moulded on her body and boy could they do wonders. She was dark and also tall but not as tall as Farida. He employed her to work with him, under and on top of him. She became his regular. He has tried to be discreet with the affair. So far so good.
Sam noticed after he went back that Farida wasn’t talking to him as often as before. He was worried she would change her mind with Wale around. He decided to hasten the wedding ceremony so she would be all his. He came to maami to pick up the list which she gave him. Then he asked for a date for the introduction. Maami asked if he has spoken to Farida about it which he replied he hadn’t. She asked him to.
“My mother will be giving me away so the introduction will take place in our house”.
“What do you mean? Do you intend to embarrass me? In our culture, a woman never gives away her child”.
“I agree but I have told you my story. My father disowned me and I was raised by my mother. Who would give me away?”
“Your father is still alive, he will. We won’t accept anyone else”.
“Ok. I am not talking to my father and he is not giving me away. End of discussion”.
Sam was mad. Farida could be very stubborn but he had plans to clip her wings. What was this? He called her mother on the phone and asked her to talk to her daughter. Maami tried to appeal to Farida but she wouldn’t listen.
Sam discussed the issue with his father. His father said he understood where she was coming from. When a father abandons his children, he should expect this from a strongwilled child. If Sam actually loved her like he claimed he did, he should go with her desire.
‘But dad, there is a natural order of things. I can never support this. She has a father. Please talk to her and convince her to allow us to have the introduction and engagement in Ilorin and then the court in Lagos and the reception in the village house”.
“Is that what you want? Is that what will make you happy?”
“Yes father”
“Have you thought of how it will affect Farida? Do you love her enough to make a sacrifice for her?”
“I love her but I also don’t want to be made a mockery of too. She will be alright”.
“I will talk to her”.
Sam’s father spoke at length with Farida. He tried to make her see reason but she was adamant. He hoped Sam knew what he was getting himself into. He then begged her to do it for his honour and the love and respect she had for him. He promised to give her a brand new car as a wedding gift if she agrees. She rejected the car but agreed to the proposal with a slight adjustment; she wanted her reception in Lagos. She could have another in the village. Sam’s father agreed. He also told her he was taking care of all the bills; they were not to spend a dime. He was sending a wedding planner to her for preparations to be on the way. The introduction was to come up a week before the engagement and the wedding will hold a week after. They had three months to prepare.
Farida travelled to France with her mother to buy her wedding gown and accessories for her fairytale wedding. It was her mother’s first time travelling abroad and it was gladly sponsored by Sam’s father. They wanted her to look as amazing and gorgeous as ever. Sam is the first son of his father and the heir of his dynasty. His father refused to leave any stone unturned concerning this wedding. It was a taste of his capability. He knew Sam was marrying smartness and intelligence which was a good alliance compared to marrying into wealth. He also loved Farida like a daughter. Even his wife was excited when she heard Sam wanted to marry Farida; she gave her consent immediately. Farida had had a positive influence on her. She had learned how to cook and also she was running a successful events management business. He was proud of her.
On their first night in France, maami asked Farida again if she was sure of what she was doing.
“I have never been surer of anything”.
“I don’t trust Sam”.
“I know. You don’t like him but maami I’ve got this. I can handle him”.
“Farida, never accept to be beaten in your life no matter what. If he beats you, leave immediately; I will take you back. Sam is manipulative and he seems to have control over you. Use your head more than your heart. If you insist on going on, remember what I told you today”.
“I will remember maami”.
“Does he know about —– you know?”
“What is that?”
“Never tell him about it please. Never. He will use it against you. Do you hear me? It never happened”
There was silence between them. Emotions were passed in silence; no need for words. There was an understanding; it was never discussed again even when they came back to Nigeria.
Maami travelled to Ilorin to officially inform Farida’s father’s family on the date for the introduction and engagement ceremony. They insisted on paying part of the cost which was impressive. Her father wasn’t a pauper after all. They asked maami to get the hall and cost of everything they need, they will pay. The information was passed to the wedding planner. She gave them the cost. They complained it was too high. They suggested a smaller hall which was still prestigious. Maami agreed with them and the venue was changed. They said they would cook their own food while the caterers hired for the wedding can attend to other guests. They gave the wedding planner some money to cover part of the cost.
The family chose a light blue lace aso ebi with gold aso oke. Farida shopped for her mother without telling her. Sam’s father credited her account with an obscene amount of money and told her never to tell anyone he did. She bought three quality laces for her mother with, jewelry, the designer shoes and bags. She also bought for her brothers.
Monica came back for the wedding. Farida went to pick her up. She insisted on staying with Farida while in Nigeria. Farida was glad to accommodate her. When Farida saw her, she became very worried. Monica was fatter than when she left Nigeria. She was still pretty but she didn’t look healthy to Farida. She was going to be in Nigeria for a month before the wedding. Farida was bent on having her lose some weight before she goes back.
“Do you know my mother thought you were an opportunist? She didn’t have nice things to say about you until I turned the tables against Sam. I told her it was the other way around. Sam isn’t half as smart or intelligent as you are so you were the one doing him a favour by marrying him. I told her to ask Sam who is now so popular who gave him the ideas he worked with. I told her Sam doesn’t deserve you; apart from handed down wealth, what more did he have to offer. She was angry and never brought it up again”.
“Why would you fight your mother over me? I really am not bothered what anyone thinks. I am following my heart. Sam loves me and I love him in return”.
“I hope so. I don’t trust Sam. You have been celibate; that I can vouch for but I bet you he has been with other ladies”.
“I know”.
“You know and you said nothing?”
“I don’t have a right to fight him when I am not legally his wife yet. And also, we are not having s*x. For a man who is used to having it often staying celibate for over a year is like mission impossible. As long as he does it with respect for me then I don’t mind. It will become a problem when we get married and he continues”.
“My father never stopped. He is still doing it. Sam is like him. But if you believe he will change then go ahead. Nothing I say will change your mind. Wale is heartbroken and he has to attend this wedding. Not fair at all”
“We were never romantically involved. We shared a moment and that was it. He didn’t bring it up again and I didn’t too. Why is it so difficult for me to be happy with my choice of a husband?”
“Well, people are calling you a gold digger. I just thought I should let you know. That’s what the tabloids are saying about you”.
“Am I a gold digger?”
“I wasn’t the one that said so”.
“I am asking you if you feel so”.
“I don’t”.
‘Does Wale think so?”
“No way”.
“That’s all that matters”.
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