BEFORE DECEMBER
Chapter 2
….. Chimamanda,mother I am coming,so I would have to shout down this house for you to answer me,take, you have a call,getting closer to where she was the call had disconnected,take it’s Helen,birds of a kind, of all the persons you could make your friend,you had to chose Helen, that one that is same age as Methuselah of the Bible,mom, she’s 35,and notttt,will you shut up, she’s 35 and still single,and she is your friend,how would you possibly get married,you couldn’t make friends with girls who are young and married,so they can tell you the secret of getting a good husband,or better yet if thier husbands will find interest in you and make you thier second wife,what?, mother,I Chimamanda OKEKE second wife,ehennnnn and so what,are you better than those who are second wives,is it not better than been 34 in your father’s house, Chimamanda go get yourself a man,oh my God,how did I forget this phone inside ,See let me tell you,you will not become 35 in this house,your 35ft birthday must be in your husband’s house, remember,you are to get married BEFORE DECEMBER,I want to invite my friends to come to this very house for your wedding,I want to invite my clubs,I want to be mother of the bride,I want to tell Oluchi and the other ladies that my daughter is getting married,I want to walk with pride in the church,I want to be incharge of your wedding planning,I want toooooo,oh mom,can we leave this wedding planes untill God gives me a husband, Amanda I have told you,you must get married and leave thissssss,just then Helen call came in,oh thank you Jesus,what a right timing,,,mummy excuse me,I said as I went away to take my call,even though I could still hear her talk,I didn’t even bother listening,since I was already on the phone with Helen….
Hello Helen,how are you,am fine Amanda, were are you,she asked,I am home of course, Amanda aren’t you coming for the youth seminar,we are about to start,oh my God,I had actually forgotten,(who wouldn’t forget things in such a house as mine),I am still home,but I sure would be there soon ,let me just Change,okay dear hurry up,she said.i ran inside to get into something more appropriate, it’s better I went to church and be with people who have positive energy,than been in this house with my both parents….
And where are you going,mother asked,we have youth seminar in church I am already late as it is,you see your life,your mates are attending women meeting,you are there attending youth meeting with people Young enough to be your children,chia Amanda,,,mom please not now,I ran out,I would certainly get to church late since I didn’t have my car…
I had opportunity of owning a car, courtesy my job,but papa siezed the car keys,saying it will be difficult for men to approach me when am in a car,the ones who would have loved too, would be scared that I may not respect them since I already had a car,but it’s been more than 8months I started going out and to work without the car,yet things are thesame..
I rush to church in a taxi cab, getting there,the seminar had already started,,,I managed to fit somewhere without causing much attention nor distracting the speaker,I waved at Helen,so she knows I am around.Helen owns a little supermarket,she is 35 years old,A very amazing person,I met her in church during one of our youths seminars and we became friends, she’s such a nice person,she cares so much about me,she is also my prayer partner,we pray together sometime concerning of marital status, she’s a perfect example of what a good Christian should be,i really wish I could be like her, she’s so gentle and kind and am glad to have her in life.
All through the seminar,I was not myself,my heart was wallowing in thoughts,mama and papa words couldn’t get off my heart and mind,I could barely concentrate all through the seminar,at last it was over,and I was walking along side Helen as we went home.
Ama, what’s happening,she asked,what do you mean,I replied her ,I mean your inability to concentrate all through the seminar, what is going through your mind,I mean,what are you thinking,she asked out of care,,, nothing Helen,you know I know you Chimamanda,oh oh oh,now you are serious, anytime I hear you call my name in full Chimamanda instead of Ama,I know it is serious,,,,we both burst into laughter’s, on a serious note,what is it Ama, Helen,who else if not my parents,they are at it again, disturbing me to bring a man.the worse is that,they have given me BEFORE DECEMBER to bring a man home as my husband,my God,how is that possible in two months, that I don’t know Helen,I am so tired and confused,no no no,you don’t have to be,there is time for everything,we shall get married by God’s grace, Helen was able to say some few words of advice that strengthed me