SHE IS NOT A BRIDE

One

Kazembe threw a glance at his new bicycle with extreme excitement and pride. Nonetheless, part of his intuition registered total unbelief. He therefore pinched himself hard on his wrist to prove he wasn't dreaming. He winced in pain from the pinch with a realization dawning on him that it was all happening; live and direct.

He jumped on the bicycle and rode down the road whistling and waving at everyone he saw. A new bicycle, two goats, seven hundred kwacha (US $70) in his pocket and his farm soon to be cultivated made him the happiest man in the village that day. He realized his dream to be the richest man in the whole village was nigh.

He reached his destination; Kamponda Primary School and went directly to the classroom block where the grade seven pupils learnt from. Reaching there, he entered the classroom without knocking.

"What can I do for you sir?!" the teacher asked him in a voice enshrouded in surprise. "I am here for my daughter and not you," he answered curtly while beckoning his daughter. "Mwansa let's go!" "But father you know I am learning, and that I'll be writing G7 examinations next month. Why then do you want me to leave the classroom?" She responded in disappointment. "Let's go I'll explain everything once we reach home."

-At home-

Mwansa's brain found it difficult to process what her eyes beheld; three men comfortably seated outside the house and scrumptious Munkoyo drink served before them. "We're here!" Mwansa's father called out as they reached home. Mwansa's mother came out of the house with unusual happiness blended with an extremely wide smile which Mwansa couldn't place. "Come my daughter and sit down here!" Mwansa's mother said to her seemingly lost daughter.

When everyone was comfortably seated, Kazembe began...

"Most excellent Kalo's family, this as you already know is my beautiful small family; my wife here and my daughter Mwansa." Turning now to Mwansa he said, "My daughter, this is the honoured Kalo's family from the next village. The man in the middle is Mr. Amos Kalo your husband and he's come here today to take you to his home as his wife."

"Father! are you marrying me off now?!" "Yes daughter, aren't you happy the time we've all been waiting for has come?"

"Father with all due respect don't you think you're being selfish here?! I mean we've never discussed this before. I am only thirteen (13) and besides you know I'll be writing grade seven examinations next month. And I've always pronounced to you that I should become a nurse, remember?!" Having ranted thus, Mwansa ran into the house crying loudly... her mother following behind.

"Daughter, don't tell me this has come to you as a surprise. Remember, school to us is nothing, we just go there to wait for that day you become a woman and in your case, it came last week. Because of that, your aunties and other women took their time to tell you everything that pertains to marriage." Her mother counselled her as she sat in her room weeping. "For your information, everyone that you know in our family from your aunties to me got married at this same age. So, stop crying my girl and prepare for this new journey you're beginning today and now.

"Mother...what about my school? I've always made mention to you my desire to become a nurse. When I become one, I can even purchase greater things for you like that car I saw in Kasaba, far much better than that bicycle. And please remember my encounter of two years ago and help me to become a nurse." Mwansa managed to speak between sobs.

-Two years Ago-

"Mr. Kazembe, your daughter has been hit by a bicycle and she can't get up!" shouted a running woman who was now trying to catch her breath. Kazembe upon hearing that voice let go of a small calabash of Katubi beer he was holding to his mouth. It fell to the ground, breaking and sending its content into the shoes and trousers of those who sat around him.