Valuable woman : arranged marriage

My name is Bella Fasi , age 18. I am here from a family of two children including my little brother Annick and me . My family is not rich but we are not in need. My father is a farmer but he earns a good living and my mother is a fruit seller in the Aka market in our village Boula. You are wondering if I go to school or not. Well, we are in the vacations and next school year, I will take my baccalaureate. I hope I will pass my exam.

In short, my parents love each other very much, it is the total submission of women to their husbands. It has always been like this in my village, the woman has no say in her husband's decision. Our parents gave us a good education, that's why I love them very much. I am a brilliant student and I dream of becoming a doctor, saving lives anyway. As far as relationships are concerned, I have never had one but I like a boy in my class named John. But I feared my parents a lot and I also wanted a better future so I am wary of men.

Today is a Monday, it was my mother who woke me up with her screams. At 5 o'clock in the morning, she was already in the kitchen because she had to prepare the meal before my father got up to go to the field.

« I say ooh, Bella, aren't you going to wake up? Or did you not see the time?»

« Mom I'm already coming don't worry»

So I got up quickly to get a loincloth dress that I wore and ran to the kitchen. I greeted her.

«Hello mom»

«Good morning Bella, I hope you slept well.»

«yes mom I thank God»

«Ok go and bring me the two pots here and put the water in the big one to prepare the yam.»

«ok mum»

«hurry up then»

After finishing the kitchen, we put the dishes on the mat. The family eats together on a mat spread in the middle of the living room, it's the rule. After putting down the food, I went to take a shower before my father arrived. Once in the living room, I see him already installed with my brother on the mat. I greet him quickly and sit down too.

«Hello father»

«Good morning my daughter and your night?»

«yes father I am fine»

«Ok then, let's eat, woman I hope your food is sweet.»

It was in this atmosphere that we had lunch. My father and my little brother had gone to the field. My mother and I had gone to the market aka to sell our fruits of the day. In the evening, we all meet at home to eat and sleep.

A month has passed already, there is nothing special my friends, the beginning of the school year is in a week. We are already in the preparations, supplies and other. With my savings I bought two dresses, I was happy because I know that one day I will be able to afford everything I want.

The school year starts today, I was already on my way with my little brother. When I arrived at the gate, I breathed the air, looked around and smiled. I remember last year, I gave the best of me. This year too I will succeed, pass my exam and leave here. I will fight. We entered the school to look for our names and found our room. After that, I wanted to go home already because I am hungry.

«Annick, I don't think we have anything to do here anymore. We can leave, right?»

«Yes, big sister, let's go.»

We set off for home. When we arrived at the house we ate and then everyone went to bed.

Six months have passed, the exam is already approaching. Today we didn't finish the course quickly, I'm very tired. On the way back I was walking fast when I saw a scene that really irritated me.

Indeed it was a young man kissing a young girl on the side of the road. It is disgusting, I pass in front of them, it does not concern me. I'm going to sleep quickly today because I'm tired now.

A week later, at 7 o'clock I am already ready for school, we said goodbye to our parents then we left.

When I came back in the evening, my father told us...

«Woman you and your daughter I want to see you in the living room after dinner.»

« Okay, husband. Bella accompany me to get the food.»

After dinner, my brother has gone to bed because the meeting does not concern him. I am already asking myself unanswered questions because I don't know the purpose of this meeting, in any case my heart is already beating.

«Sit down, Bella, you are already a big girl. You already know a lot about life. My job doesn't pay too well. At a certain age, a woman is called to keep a home, here you have studied and I hope that you have not forgotten the education that my father has given you.»

«my husband, where are you going with this?» said my mother, surprised.

«I have found a husband for your daughter » said my father calmly.

I am dead. I heard a husband, that word was echoing in my head. No, my father won't do that to me, I refuse. What will become of me, and my dreams, as a nurse. It's not true that I'm going to marry a complete stranger, that's still what it is. In my village, we did not discuss the order of the parents or else they would call you a rebel, and then stone you or deny you. I ran to my room and cried all night, hoping that I could convince my father not to marry me. I know that one day it will happen but I never imagined that it could be so fast and with a stranger.