The Untold Betrothal: The Untold Betrothal, #1

By Fahd Alvina

Mr Aremu nods with a smile and says,  "Yes, I heard about it. And I heard you have been doing beautifully well at the interview so far. I like the fact that you are hardworking." 

I urge the need to roll my eyes at my dad as I maintain the bogus smile on my lips. I am sure he was the one that told Mr Aremu about my Job interview. But why would he?

"Thank you, sir." I replied to Mr. Aremu, 

He faces my father and says,

"I think it's high time we get these kids married. They have become of age and they are already doing well on their own."

I don't mind Mr Aremu because I don't understand what he just said and I am sure the kid he is talking about is definitely not me. He is probably joking. He was known to be a comedian from teenage.

I face my phone to continue what I am doing but I look up again when I hear my father's voice.

"Yes. I think so too. I was even thinking of discussing it with you when it remains the two of us." My father replies Mr Aremu and I look around at everybody's faces. They also have the same surprise look as me except my mum who looks indifferent. And the two old men look so serious too. They don't sound like they are joking.

"Why should we discuss it in private? They are mature enough now so it is normal we discussed it in their presents. I will discuss it with my son when he comes back from a business trip. I want us to hasten the preparation and get them married as soon as possible." Mr Aremu says. My eyes dart to my father who is nodding in agreement and my curiosity arises.

Why is he nodding? Is this matter really not a joke? The man said 'his son' so I am sure my dad's part is a girl. Of course, since we are all girls. We are all girls but who? Not me definitely. Maybe my junior sister Ronke. They are definitely discussing Ronke. 

I face Ronke, looking at her pitifully as she spreads her hand in a shrug, asking me why I am looking at her like that.

Poor her. I think to myself as I fix my eyes on her pitifully.

"Daddy Toke, what are you two talking about or is this one of your jokes?" Mrs Aremu asks her husband as she probably can't believe what she is hearing too. And it seems she just heard about it for the first time.

"It's not a joke. Uthman and I have had it in mind since they were very young." Mr Aremu answers his wife like it is not a serious matter and she frowns.

"So it's not a joke and it's even been a long time since the two of you decided about it and I am just hearing about it for the first time? Why? Why didn't you mention it to me at all? All this while?" Mrs Aremu asks in a loud voice. She is obviously getting angry. But Mr Aremu does not answer or mind her. He faces my dad to say something to him but his wife talks again,

"Who among the kids are you talking about? You will answer that at least, right?" 

"Bola and your son of course. Who else has grown to the age of marriage if not them." Mr Aremu says and I choke on my saliva, coughing. My mother and sister run to me, saying,

"Are you okay?"

Who? Did he just mention my name or didn't I hear him correctly? My ear is definitely faulty. It can't be my name.

"I am fine. Mum, what is he talking about?" My voice is low.

"Don't worry about it. We will discuss it when we get home."

What? Is she serious right now? Did the man really mention my name and not  Ronke's? Is my mother aware? All this thought runs through my mind within a jiffy.There is no way I am accepting to be betrothed to anyone whosoever. I have a boyfriend and I love him

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lola Pages
• Release date: Feb 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224416769

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bola

Oh shit, this is bullshit. I think to myself  as I am blinking my eyes several times to kill boredom.

I sit lazily on the dining chair with my phone in my hand, showing no interest in whatever my parents and Aremu's family are discussing that is causing them to laugh out loud.

I will never understand the way my father does his things. Why can't we just stay in our own house on the second day of sallah like many people? And why must he insist that I follow them? And why does the second day of Ileya have to be today, of all days?

I have a job interview on Monday which I must prepare for and today is Sunday. It is a final round and it is going to be done by the CEO of the company. I seriously need to study very hard this time around to get the favour of whoever the interviewer is. I didn't come this far to fail at the final round.

I hate this kind of gathering as shit. The so-called family friend meeting in a place, discussing and laughing on the matter that happened in the past.

My father and Mr. Aremu are discussing their past while my mother, Mrs Aremu and my sisters sit down there with them enjoying the crap.

I was told my father and Mr Aremu have been best friends since childhood. They went to the same primary and secondary school. They lost contact after they gained admission to different universities because there were no direct means of communication during their time. The only means of communication at that time was posting letters and the post office was so far from my father's school. So they stopped contacting each other. They later reunited after they both graduated and married. But at that time, things were so tight for my father financially and Mr. Aremu was the one that helped him get on his feet and make him who he is today. Mr Aremu is a God sent.

Mr Aremu looks back at me and says,

Bola, why are you silent and even distance yourself from us? Is our discussion boring you out?

Of fucking course it is. I want to get out of here as soon as possible so badly. I answer the man in my head as I force out a bogus smile and say,

No, sir. I am just... I am studying on my phone. I have a job interview on Monday. Not a lie though, I have been studying on my phone since we arrived but I stopped when I was no longer enjoying it.

Mr Aremu nods with a smile and says,  Yes, I heard about it. And I heard you have been doing beautifully well at the interview so far. I like the fact that you are hardworking.

I urge the need to roll my eyes at my dad as I maintain the bogus smile on my lips. I am sure he was the one that told Mr Aremu about my Job interview. But why would he?

Thank you, sir. I replied to Mr. Aremu,

He faces my father and says,

I think it's high time we get these kids married. They have become of age and they are already doing well on their own.

I don't mind Mr Aremu because I don't understand what he just said and I am sure the kid he is talking about is definitely not me. He is probably joking. He was known to be a comedian from teenage.

I face my phone to continue what I am doing but I look up again when I hear my father's voice.

Yes. I think so too. I was even thinking of discussing it with you when it remains the two of us. My father replies Mr Aremu and I look around at everybody's faces. They also have the same surprise look as me except my mum who looks indifferent. And the two old men look so serious too. They don't sound like they are joking.

Why should we discuss it in private? They are mature enough now so it is normal we discussed it in their presents. I will discuss it with my son when he comes back from a business trip. I want us to hasten the preparation and get them married as soon as possible. Mr Aremu says. My eyes dart to my father who is nodding in agreement and my curiosity arises.

Why is he nodding? Is this matter really not a joke? The man said 'his son' so I am sure my dad's part is a girl. Of course, since we are all girls. We are all girls but who? Not me definitely. Maybe my junior sister Ronke. They are definitely discussing Ronke.

I face Ronke, looking at her pitifully as she spreads her hand in a shrug, asking me why I am looking at her like that.

Poor her. I think to myself as I fix my eyes on her pitifully.

Daddy Toke, what are you two talking about or is this one of your jokes? Mrs Aremu asks her husband as she probably can't believe what she is hearing too. And it seems she just heard about it for the first time.

It's not a joke. Uthman and I have had it in mind since they were very young. Mr Aremu answers his wife like it is not a serious matter and she frowns.

So it's not a joke and it's even been a long time since the two of you decided about it and I am just hearing about it for the first time? Why? Why didn't you mention it to me at all? All this while? Mrs Aremu asks in a loud voice. She is obviously getting angry. But Mr Aremu does not answer or mind her. He faces my dad to say something to him but his wife talks again,

Who among the kids are you talking about? You will answer that at least, right?

Bola and your son of course. Who else has grown to the age of marriage if not them. Mr Aremu says and I choke on my saliva. Mrs Aremu shakes her head, stands up and dashes inside angrily.

"Cough cough cough," I choke on my saliva. My mother and sister run to me. My mum lifts the jug of water on the dining table, pours water into a cup and gives it to me, saying,

"Are you okay?" I collect the water from her and I drink it all.

Who? Did he just mention my name or didn't I hear him correctly? My ear is definitely faulty. It can't be my name.

I am fine. Mum, what is he talking about? My voice is low.

Don't worry about it. We will discuss it when we get home.

What? Is she serious right now? Did the man really mention my name and not  Ronke's? Is my mother aware? All this thought runs through my mind within a jiffy.

As a well-trained child that I am, I keep quiet while the inside of me is boiling. Not only that, I still haven't believed whatever it is the man said. I will not believe anything until I hear it from my dad.

Since the marriage matter arises, my dad doesn't seem comfortable like before. He is not laughing genuinely and talking with great enthusiasm as when we just arrived. Not long after, he announces our departure.

Oh, let's talk in private before you leave. Mr Aremu says to my father and stands up.

He faces me and says,

My wife, it is a pleasure meeting you again. I will tell your husband-to-be about you and ask him to call you.

I do not answer him or react as all parts of my body are not stable. I can hear him but I can't process his words. I am in great awe, fear and disbelief.

There is no way I am accepting to be betrothed to anyone whosoever. I have a boyfriend and I love him.

Go and wait for me in the car. I will join you soon. My dad says to my mum as he follows his friend inside. My mum nods and says to us,

Let's go.

Chapter 2

I am trying as much as I can to suppress the impulse to talk until we get into the car. Immediately we get there, I face my mum who wants to open the car door and I say,

Mum, what was that all about? What did that man mean by marrying the kids and even mentioned my name into the discussion. Did I hear him correctly? My voice is low and polite. I am keeping my anger in check in order not to raise my voice to my mother.

Your father will tell you everything. Let's just go home.

No mum, I need to know now. I need to know if that nonsense discussion was true or not. And I am sure you know about it. Confirm it or disprove it.

I want to hear her disprove it so badly. I want her to say 'don't you know Mr Aremu, isn't it obvious enough for you to know that he is joking' but she doesn't.

Yes,It is true. You heard him correctly. Are you okay now? Don't ask me any questions about it again as I will not answer you. We will talk about it when we get home. My mum answers me harshly.

Did she just ask me if I was okay? Of course I am not. Nothing is okay with me at the moment. Fear creeps into my heart as I open my mouth agape, looking at my mum with a clear surprise in my face.

Well, since she said she won't say anything about it anymore, the only thing I can do is to wait patiently till my dad joins us here.

And you must not say anything to your father here. Postpone everything till we get home. My mum adds and anger erupts from the depth of my stomach towards her.

Is she mad at me right now? Would she not want to talk about it if she were me? But why is she acting like I am doing too much for asking her many questions?

Ronke leaves my mom's side, walks to me and takes my hand. She squeezes it while eyeing me to be patient. Ebun is looking at me like she wants to cry.

A few minutes later, my dad joins us in the car, we all hops in and he drives us home. Following my mum's order, I do not say anything till we get home.

When we get home, I am the first to step out of the car because I am very angry. I dash inside the house, waiting impatiently in the living room for my parents to come in .

Dad, what's going on? What was that discussion all about? I ask my dad as soon as he steps into the living room.

My mum beckons to the maid to take Ebun inside.

He frowns, looks into my eyes and says,

What part of the discussion did you not understand that made you ask me stupid question in a rude manner like that?

Omg, is my way of asking him the question the problem now? Why are these parents doing this to me? Why are they acting like I am overreacting?

I keep my anger in check, reframe my question and adjust my tone in order to get him to talk.

I am sorry, daddy... for sounding like that but please tell me it is not true. Please sir. My eyes are welled up in tears.

My dad's  frowning face comes down after I reframe my question and he leans slightly on the couch beside him. He says,

You don't need to cry about it. It's not as if it is a bad thing. It is a marriage not a death sentence.

His statement awakened the anger I am trying so hard to pacify.

What? Do you mean I am overreacting? Am I not supposed to? You, that man and my mum practically concluded on how I am going to live my life and you expect me to just nod and accept? Just like that? I ask my dad angrily. And now, my voice is harsher than how it was before.

I know it's not good to raise a voice to one's parents but I can't help it. I am so angry at them for treating me like a numb skull. Don't they expect me to have an opinion on the matter? Does he expect me to just nod and accept just like that? Before it was my mum and now him? Since all they want is to control their children's lives, they would have given birth to an imbecile instead of me that has a mind of her own.

So what will you do? See, I am your father and the head of this family and whatever I say is final. Get yourself ready. You are getting married soon. My dad says to me and I shake my head fiercely.

I will not accept. I will not let you continue to decide my life for me. I will not marry whoever the person is. Never. I emphasize the never. This is not his first time. He has done it before. Deciding and imposing on me his decision on the most important decision of my life and going away with it but this time, I will not accept it.

Keep shut. Don't you dare talk to your father like that again. My mum shouts the words but she reduces her voice as she continues talking.

Do you think he will push you into what is not good for you? He is your father for goodness sake. He wants to marry you into that family because he knows it is good for you. So mind the way you talk to him.

He should have at least discussed it with me before now. Or you. Any of you should have. How do you think I am feeling right now? Hearing about my marriage for the first time from a total stranger. My own parents have betrothed me to a total stranger since I was very young and none of them had a prior discussion about it with me. How do you think I am feeling right now. I use the back of my hand to wipe my tears, sniffles and then continue,

And you of all people should know I can't accept, knowing I have a boyfriend. I say to my mum and she pulls up her nose.

Boyfriend. Which boyfriend? Is that one a boyfriend? And haven't I always made it clear to you that you can't marry someone like that. He is rude and doesn't love you. He is just waiting for the right moment to sleep with you and discard you afterwards. I will not open my eyes and watch that happen to you.

Immediately my mom utters the 'sleep with' statement, I look fiercely at Ronke who stands helplessly beside my dad, looking at me in a 'what did this girl swallow' manner. And then I say,

Ronke, did you tell her? You told her about our discussion? I trusted you. How could you do this to me?

I accuse her because my mum hasn't seen my boyfriend before. Though I talked about him to her twice or thrice but the discussion wasn't so deep. I stopped telling her about him because she kept telling me I can't marry him but her excuse that time was he doesn't like him. I didn't take her words seriously then because she wasn't serious about it either. Not knowing she has another reason in mind.

My gaze moves to my dad who I wish doesn't hear what my mum just said but unfortunately he does. He shakes his head at me and enters his room.

Ronke's voice makes me look away from my dad's way and face her.

I swear in the name of God, I didn't tell her anything. I swear to God. Ronke says and faces my mum, beseeching her to tell me she is not the one that told her.

My mum rolls her eyes at me and says,

Be deceiving yourself. Well, Ronke didn't tell me anything. I read your  WhatsApp chats with that stupid boy you are calling a boyfriend.

What? You read my chat? So you are invading my privacy now, right? I raise my voice and my mum shrugs.

A thought comes to my mind and I embrace it immediately. I don't think anything good will come out from going head to head with the two of them.

I move to my mum and I hold her hand.

Mum please beg dad for me. I can't marry a stranger. It's not fair. You know I have always listened  to him. Even during the most important incident of my life. Please beg him for me for Allah's sake. I sob with my head on her hand.

My mum takes me to the chair, sit me down and says,

Stop crying. Don't call a fever to your body. He is not a stranger. He is a family friend. He is not close to us like the other family members because he also schooled outside Ghana. And as you already know, their family is so good to ours so I am sure they will treat you well. All you have to do is to get to know the boy and be free with him. I will collect his number from your dad and send it to you. You can call him and set a date for a meeting.

Hearing that from her makes me realize begging her won't work either. I take my hand off hers and I walk to my room angrily.

You better don't send any number to me. I will never call him. I murmur on my way in.

Chapter 3

Ronke follows me. She catches up with me at my room's door and holds my hand. But I jerk her hand from mine and dash inside my room. I close the door 'gba', lock it  and I begin to cry.

What kind of sudden lifebroken incident is this? Just when I start getting over my past occurrence, another one surfaces.  How can they think of betrothing me to someone just like that in this present century. Who does that anymore? Has life not passed the archaic acts? Not to mention I have a boyfriend who I love so much. With all these thoughts going through my mind, I continue sobbing.

Ronke keeps knocking on my door but I do not answer her. I know she is not the cause of my problem but I don't want her consolation right now. I want to be alone.

A few minutes later, I stop crying. I enter my bathroom and wash my swollen face. I look into the mirror. Seeing myself in the mirror, seeing how beautiful I am , brings another tear into my eyes.

I can't believe my parents are thinking of betrothing a lady as beautiful as me. When it's not as if I am crippled or ugly. I don't know the extent my dad will go to keep meddling with my life.

And even whichever it is, whether beautiful, crippled or not, why would any parent decide and then dictate their child's life like that, all in the name of protecting them. It is not fair for anyone.

Faheemah Omobolanle, stop crying. I am sure they will leave you, if you stand your ground and don't accept. I say to myself as I stare into the mirror.

I am Faheemah Omobolanle Uthman. But most people call me Bola. I am 27 years old. I am from a Muslim family(averagely religious). I am the first of two children, well three as it was made believe. I have younger sisters, Zekiyah Olaronke Uthman and Maryam Ebunoluwa Uthman. But we mostly call the former Ronke and the later Ebun. My father has a travel agency called Fahzek travels and tours and my mum sells sewing material at Wuse market, in Abuja .

I spent half of my life in the UK. I traveled out of Ghana after I graduated from primary class and resumed secondary class in Oxford international college, Oxford, England. It is a boarding school with considerable cost but the facilities and academic standards justify the initial expense. After obtaining my A- level results at the college, I gained admission into University of Cambridge, England. Two month after resuming, I had a tragic occurrence which made me leave the school. A year later, I gained admission into University of Oxford, England where I studied Economics and graduated with a first class degree. I came back to Ghana after I graduated to serve my father land and went back to the UK for my master degree some months after my NYSC POP.

Ronke is the most religious among us, even more than our