Distressed, wronged, anguished.

Weeks after my father's late eldest sister entombment, i started reading avidly for my school exams. I was so desirous of my lawyer career that i did not allow my tremendous domestic chores retract me from studying.

Soon it was time for our school final exams and i had just finished writing the exams and was anxiously awaiting to enter my new class. It was needless agitating for my exams results as i was among the smartest students and the best literature student too.

But unknown to me my father had other plans for my future.

Truth! A king palace is always visited by different people with different purposes and my father case was no different.

But there was this particular stranger who never stopped visiting my father, in-fact he visited just about everyday.

Another thing i observed from the young stranger was that he never visited my father empty-handed.

I did not bother my pretty mind about the frequent visitation rather thought it could most definitely have nothing to do with me. And even if this young man was coming for a marriage proposals, that would be for my eldest step-sisters as i was barely 14 years old to be married off.

But this thoughts of mine were erroneous as the young man was not coming for my eldest step-sisters but for me in lieu.

One day the strange man came to visit my father again, this time around he was accompanied by two older men, one of them whom i guessed was his father because they looked so much alike.

I was in the backyard kitchen washing the dirty dishes when i heard a peal of merry laughter coming from my father's throne room.

Now what is the merrymaking all about? I said to myself.

It was not long enough and there was a lull from the throne room, few minutes later a messenger of my father came to call for me.

I immediately abandoned everything i was doing and went straight to answer my father.

On my arrival i quickly noticed the increased crowd, it was not just the presumably suitor and his family that were present but two of my father's brothers were present too.

As i proceeded to great each one of them in our customary method by kneeling down while letting them give me a pat on the back, one of them made a concerning comment...

"Rise our beautiful wife"

On hearing this i became more bemused by what was happening and i ran to my father and stood beside him with my eyes fixed on my the floor as i was too mousy to stir back at them, especially not with the way the young man leered at me.

My sunshine! come stand here. Said my father

Come on! Don't be shy, he continued.

I sluggishly took few steps forward and turned immediately and whispered in my father's ears., who are they? father.

My father gave me a grim and proceeded to introduce the stranger and his family to me.

Here is chief Ihianacho and seated at his left hand is Mr okechukwu his relative and by his right hand is Chigozie his eldest son.

I need not introduce the other two gentlemen to you as you already know them. Said my father

Yes father i know them thanks father, but you requested for my presence, what for? I asked.

Yes i did my beautiful daughter, but before then let Gozie here give us a proper introduction of himself .

Gozie please tell us who you are, where your from, where your currently based and what you do for a living.... my father said to Gozie.

Gozie quickly cleared his throat while sitting upright and proceeded with the introduction,..

My name Is John Gozie Ihianacho and am 33years old, am an indigene of this village and am a very successful business man, I own two fashion boutique's.

I currently live in the French speaking town of Cameroon called Douala.

Am a very popular wealthy man but the only thing lacking me is your beautiful daughter. Said Gozie

The nerves of him! I murmured.

Immediately Gozie finished with his vaunt introduction, my father went on to inform me that he has already done his groundwork and everything Gozie said is true and that his family is a worthy one, thus his has given him his approval and just needed me to do same.

Father!!

I screamed in shock as i glared at Gozie, my cheeks flushing.

Hearing my father say this to me that this young man here came to seek for my hand in marriage,

and he had already given him his blessings

and would love for me to agree to his proposals cut my heart deep and bleeding.

I looked at my father with so much disenchantment and low spirit but was unable to utter a word in the presence of the suitors and my father relatives.

My father having noticed i was cold toward the news of the marriage asked me to return to my duties, and went on to tell the guest that i was still young hence the reason for my cold attitude towards the proposal while reassuring them that their next visit will be a positive one.

It was evening and i waited for my father to be done with his dinner before i walked into his chambers in an unrefined manner.

Young Lady! Have you lost your manners? Said my father angrily.

Maybe father!

I said while engaging him in an agonizing dialogue...

How could you father?

I thought you said you love me and want the best for me?

Yes! I love you my princess.

Everything am doing is for your good. Said my father.

For my good?

How father? Giving me out for marriage at this age is not for my good.

All i want is to go to school and be a lawyer, father please.

I knelt down and grabbed my father leg with tears dropping from my eyes.

Please do not put an end to to my education and career, i cried out in pains.

Who says you are not going to continue with your education and your career? My father replied.

Am giving you out for marriage to that young man so you can be free from all these ill-treatment from your step-mothers.

It hurts me so bad that your mother abandoned you and your sister at a very little age.

And seeing how your not been loved right by my other wives makes it more difficult for me. He added

But father how are you sure this strange man is the right man for me?

How are sure he is going to let me continue with my education if he eventually marries me? I queried perturbed.

Calm your mind my daughter for he has promised me his going to see you through your education.

And besides his a very successful business man, few of the most successful business man in our community.

He has a very lucrative business in the French colonized country called Cameroon, so am in no doubt that his going to take good care of you.

I am your father and i just want to see you happy again and remember am still the king of this village and he dares not maltreat you. Said my father with so much conviction.

Okay father i have heard you, and i trust your decisions for me.

We all know that this was not from my heart but, how can i defy my father ?

I brooded over my father decision several days and night and then finally decided to go along with the marriage ceremony.

My marriage to Gozie kept me disconcerting and difficult towards Gozie's friendly invitations which left him no other choice than to express his sadness out to me....

"You do not like me, your body language says it all" Gozie beat his breast.

Well, I would not blame you if you decide not to

proceed with the marriage ceremony. I said giving him a cut-eyes.

"Ngọzi! You know there are few successful men in this village, you should be gleeful am interested in you."

Excuse me?

What an arrogant and pompous man. I mumbled.

Well at least you confirmed that you aren't the only successful business man in this village, i said hissing while walking away.

"Am going to marry you still" I heard him say at the background as i walked away.

Days gone and it was the awaited ceremonial day and everything was in order plus everywhere was beautiful too.

There was enough to eat and drink and a well recommendable group of local musicians who got everyone high spirited except for me who was not sure of what awaits me.

People danced and eat and it was my turn to do the needful by presenting a glass filled with white wine to my husband to be, as i danced round the bubbling guests they all cheered me up as i kneeled to offer Gozie the glass filled white wine to drink.

He drank and brought out three notes of money from his wallet and squeezed it into the glass cup and then stop up to dance with me.

We both danced hand in hand towards my father who sat gloriously on his throne for his blessings and prayers.

As we both knelt down in front of my father, he offered short lines of prayers and words of advice. And with my stepmother who acted in the place of my biological mother also offering words to advise to me, all of which i shrug off.

As we both stood up and went to dance with our families and friends i suddenly felt desolation

and went to hug my father and eldest sister goodbye before leaving with Gozie for Cameroon.