Marriage changes a lot about us, I mean a lot, but I never taught it would have a negative toll on Tina. Tina was a young lady in her late 20s. Despite the fact that she was young, she was so hardworking that she shouldered all responsibility in her family. Tina became the breadwinner of a family of eight, and was really doing beautifully.Her mother once called me and said, "Do you know I'm always thankful for giving birth to Tina, I almost aborted her". Thank God she didn't, Tina was just a miracle child. She had a scholarship throughout her education and a thriving business that she started long before she graduated.
Her parents wouldn't even let me rest as her best friend, "Why are you not talking to Tina, is she not old enough to get married." They started pressurising her for her marriage. "we are getting old, and we want to see your children". They continued telling her that ladies have no much time to waste. Eventually, Tina agreed and brought home a gentle man from a very humble background. "Tina , where is his car?" "Doesn't he have a job?" Tina's parents became so worried, after the man left. In fact, they gazed at his back till his shadow disappeared as she hopped on a bike. "Tina, are you sure this man will take care of you?" Tina replied affirmatively that there was nothing to worry about.
A few months later, the civil wedding and they promised to come back for the traditional wedding because the man doesn't have much. Do, after they were declared as husband and wife, Tina relocated to her husband's place. Every couple needs their privacy. So, nobody bothered Tina after her wedding. Her parents used to call her once in a while to know how she was fairing, but it's not for long. Tina stopped picking her parents' calls. Everyone became worried, her siblings could neither access her nor her husband. I was surprised when I learnt she had changed her line. What could be wrong, it's some months after the wedding. Tina's aged father r became sick, he was being taken from one hospital to another. I actually thought mothers are the closest to their daughters until I Tina's father. His health condition grew worse day by day until he passed away. It was so pathetic and saddening.
The rest of the children gathered to lay their father to rest, Tina's mother was inside the house but the pastor that wanted to conduct the burial service asked that Tina's mother be present. So, about three people rushed in to bring her out, Alas! She was dead in her bed. What a catastrophe! Two people at the same time, how? All hell was loose at the burial service, the children had two their both parents to bury on the same day. As the weeping and wailing continues a bike zoomed me with a seemingly mad woman on it. People never knew it was Tina, until she moved closer. Everybody started shouting Tina. Hardly has she alighted from the bike when she fell and fainted. Some people rushed to her aid to perform CPR, and quickly rushed her to the hospital.
Thankfully, Tina came back to life but couldn't help crying. She looked so emancipated and pale. She must have been passing through hell. I had to stay with her in the hospital for two days. She kept crying, "where is my father?" "Where is mama?" No amount of words could console her. " I didn't mean to ", "I should have told you my plight" " Mama wake up, I didn't want to bother you, that's why I kept a distance!" , "Wake up mama!", " I'm here now".
It was a sorrowful period in the community. Tina did not get herself nor talk to anyone until after a week. We later realized Tina's husband married her to dupe her and ran away. Having gained Tina's trust, the man left her and carted away all the money she had ever worked for. She couldn't open up to anyone and she handled the case in the worst manner ever. Probably because she was warned beforehand but even at that a child would still be welcome by her parents. Tina's parents, though were earlier concerned about the man's physical appearance. They accepted him because he looked so gentle and calm, but they forgot that look could be deceptive. Now, her parents are dead, money is gone and husband is gone. Tina wished she had opened up and talked to her parents but it was late. She felt responsible for her parents' death and has not been able to forgive herself ever since.
Thanks for reading.
The picture used is Ai generated.