by Omar Cham..... episode one .
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Fatou's decision not to marry shocked everyone but left her parents, especially her mother, devastated. With a master's degree and years of experience in banking and finance, she had been approached by banks all over The Gambia, each proposing a fat salary with huge benefits. She finally chose to work for Guarantee Trust Bank (GT Bank) as an investment banker. Her decision to join GT Bank was inspired not by the benefits and salary, but by the bank's engagement in community development.
At 30, people mistook her for a teenager. She was beautiful, attractive, smart, and had a top-notch personality. Men from all walks of life had sought her hand in marriage but she'd rejected them all, giving the fact that she wasn't interested in a marriage as her reason. This sounded unlikely to come from a woman like her, they couldn't believe her. Some of them – who desperately wanted to get her – visited her parents but to no avail, because even her own family was shocked by her decision.
Pressured by everyone– her family, friends, coworkers, and the community at large. Initially, it didn't bother her much since they didn't know her reason which she refused to reveal to anyone. But people, too, in their love to meddle in others’ affairs, continued fabricating their own stories. Some said she wasn't fertile. Some said she had a spiritual boyfriend who drove men away. And others said it was her bad omen. These rumors later made her uncomfortable. However, they left Bintou, her mother more frustrated and devastated and consequently exacerbated her health. Her blood pressure levels increased more than normal.
One day, after returning from work, her parents called her to discuss why she didn't want to marry. After discussing the weather and the traffic for some minutes, they were silent for a few seconds before her dad broke the silence.
"Fatou," he said in a cold tone. "We've called you to talk about your refusal to marry. So many good men had sought your hand in marriage, but you've refused. I’m still astounded by how you rejected the president’s nephew. He resembles a good man. He is someone who’s not only affluent but disciplined and religious. You're no longer a young girl and late marriages don't favor women. We want to know whether you've been in discussions with a man of your choice, someone who would bring kola nuts...."
Fatou’s heart bounced in her chest before her dad could finish. "Baa, I'm sorry for interrupting. All that you’ve said here is true, but I don't want to get married because I can’t love a man in my life," she said with sheer difficulty to look up and tears flowed down her cheeks.
Her parents' eyes met, all depicting sheer dread. They sensed that something had happened to their daughter, something she found difficult to explain.
After a heavy silence, Fatou’s mother, Bintou, spoke after swallowing a lump. "Fatou, please tell us what has happened to you. We're your parents. You shouldn't hide anything from us.” She made a short pause and scratched her left hand before continuing. "I feel ashamed when I hear people talking about your singleness. Look at your friend, Isatou, she is happily married and has three kids."
"You shouldn't worry about that, Maa,” Fatou said with a steadier voice now. “People will always talk regardless of what is happening." She continued, “As for Isatou, I’m glad she’s happy in her marriage.
"That's true. I shouldn’t worry about it, but everything has a limit and you know “teranga jigain seyy la”. You should get married, and have kids so I can have grandchildren. Do you want to deprive me of grandchildren?" Her mother said with pleading eyes.
"No, Maa. But..." Fatou sobbed and her mum held her hand.
“Don’t make me cry, my daughter,” her mother said, embracing her tightly. They held each other closely, trying to prevent the other from crying. Tamsir, Fatou’s dad, whose face depicted worry and confusion, didn't cry, consoled them, and gently persuaded Fatou to tell him what had happened.
Fatou’s words were stuck in her throat, her sobbing made it difficult for her to speak clearly. She paused, wiped her tears with her right palm, and said "I can't tell you, Baa. I'm so sorry, but I can't share this with anyone." Tamsir shook his head in despair and left the living room, the transparent curtain closed softly behind him. Bintou, Fatou’s mother, intensely worried, continued the prodding.
"Fatou, I'm your mother. Talk to me about this so we can find a solution, please. Anything we discuss will stay here," Bintou said reassuringly with a warm voice.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you. I don't know how to tell you this, Maa," Fatou said in a lower voice.
Bintou’s dread was now at its peak, her mind bringing a rainfall of different thoughts. She began guessing, attempting to get a hint through Fatou’s reactions.
"Have you discovered that you have an underlying health problem?" She cautiously asked.
"No, Maa."
"You've been seeing your periods lately, I guess?"
She nodded in confirmation.
Bintou leaned closer, with a whispering voice, and said, "Have you ever had an affair with a man who didn't treat you well during the process?"
Fatou's eyes, initially fixed on the gray carpet, looked up when her mother said 'affair with a guy'. Quickly, she looked away again and mumbled "It's not that."
Suddenly, Fatou’s phone buzzed loudly on the brown leathered couch. She seized the opportunity, saying “It’s my boss,” before leaving hurriedly.
Bintou sat on the couch, her left hand supporting her left elbow as she absently stared in the direction of the main door. Conflicting thoughts came to her mind. Did Fatou have an affair with a man? Or was someone's hand behind her daughter’s reluctance to get married? She was more convinced by the latter. "Someone's hand must be behind this," she murmured.
To be continued....... “A hand can remove anything that another hand does,”
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