TAMAR - Episode 7

“We want the best for you princess, a man who can give you all you need and will be able to take care of you and your children when the gods bless your womb; a man with a strong arm who will be able to protect you, a good man who has no stain to his name. Adolfo likes to read, he also teaches history at the temple school in his spare time, he only has one child, a son, who will not trouble you at all… He is a fine young man who manages his father’s business. He travels to the museum close to the market place with his friends, according to his father. He is also brilliant like Adolfo, so you won’t have a problem being a step mother to him. Adolfo is very intelligent and smart, he’s only forty three…”

Zity, who was in tears told her parents boldly
“I said I will never marry him, I won’t father. no matter what you and mother say, I won’t marry a man old enough to be my father, a man I don’t even have any feeling for. What kind of parents are both of you, sending your daughter to an old man to be his wife? Allow me to make my own choice… I’ve tried not to disobey you, I sit when I’m asked to sit, I go out when I’m permitted to go out, I do everything I’m asked to do… Even when Tamar was brought to me, I did not want her at first but I ended up with her because you both insisted, lots of other things have happened, but I have no choice than to accept and now this one… No way!. I won’t marry him, I swear by the gods I won’t, I’m old enough to make my own choice, I want someone as young as Vim, somebody filled with youthful pleasure, Adolfo or whatever his name is will not even be romantic, stop making choices for me… I love another person not Adolfo, the choices you make for me are usually bad, the gods bear me witness this day, I won’t marry him, to hell with him and everyone who wants me to be sad…”

She cleared her throat and continued, “..
Father, you are just being self centered, because he’s one of your wealthiest friends and you’ve decided to push your only daughter to him… What kind of father are you? And mother, you always agree to everything father says or does… This is pure wickedness…”

I watched as Lord Reese stood up angrily and slapped his daughter across the face and everyone was shocked.

Zity was shocked to the bones as she left her mouth wide open and her hand stuck on her right cheek.
Lady Phin begged her husband to calm down, Vim looked at his father unbelievably and shook his head, while Zity, who was standing all this while, slumped into a chair and burst into fresh tears.
I just guessed she had not been beaten before, that’s why everyone seemed surprised at Lord Reese’s reaction.

Vim spoke angrily:
“Father, that wasn’t necessary, you don’t have to strike her to pass your message! What has got into everyone in this house? Zity deserves to make her choice, she says she doesn’t want Adolfo and you have other young, wealthy friends of about thirty years old, who are not married, and have not been married. You can choose for her from among them since you don’t want her to make her choice or be with the person she says she’s in love with. Can’t she be allowed to make her choice? She’s no more fifteen, father. she can differentiate good from bad, Zity is no longer a child, and from what I heard, nobody picked wife for you… You chose mother at a young age, she fell in love with you and you both got married. You have been together ever since, growing old together… The love you share has not faded… I watch both of you and smile…

That’s how marriage is supposed to be. Also give Zity that chance, father please… Mother, please talk to father because I know he only listens to you. Mother, when you brought Tamar and handed her over to Zity, she had no choice than to accept her, we all deserve some chances in our lives to make our own choices. Hitting her was not necessary father, there’s a better way to correct her and make her see reasons why you have chosen Adolfo for her, it shouldn’t be forced down her throat… We live in a land that allows us to worship different gods, and also gives us freedom to do whatever we want without restrictions…”

His father quickly interjected,

“Not to live a carefree life and make mistakes right under my nose! I’m your father and when I speak, I expect it to stand! The citizens of this land take my words seriously, they obey every word I say, yet my own children play and toy with it, and question me at every given opportunity. I’m the kind of father that wants the best for his children and will not watch any of you make a bad choice that you’ll regret later. Vim, I may not have control over what you do because you’re a grown man and you’re supposed to know the right thing. I feel proud of the fine young man you’ve become, but I sometimes feel disappointed at the way you live your life. These few weeks, you have been home and seem calm and collected, having few friends who visit, unlike before. Although I don’t know what you’re up to with this recent behavior of yours, which is so much unlike you; I know my two children like the back of my palms. Abel behaves more like a son to me, because I have watched him grow into the man he is today, and he has never disappointed me. I can trust him with everything and feel at peace… Why can’t two of you learn from what is happening around you? Don’t feel too big to learn even from a common slave! Zity was taught how to read and write at home, and you, Vim, we sent you to one of the best learning institutes with great and most sought after teachers, to tutor you. Everything I have laboured for is for you and your sister. You can choose to do away with them when the gods call me to rest, and I won’t be there to see what you are doing. I’ll be resting from all the toils and labor of life… Your mother and I won’t see the mess you’ll become if you continue with your reckless lifestyle. I have done my own part as a father and your mother has sacrificed too much for this household. The little we ask is to be obeyed, respected and loved as we both deserve… Stop being selfish, it’s not always about you, it’s about everyone, because the mistake you make today will affect those close to you tomorrow…”

Turning to Zity, Lord Reese continued, “…i slapped you Zity, because you needed to be cautioned… There are things a child doesn’t say in the presence of her parents and if I need to do it again, I will, if that will make you to listen and heed advice. Nobody hates you… We love you Zity, you’re our princess and all we want is only the best for you, if I say you should marry Adolfo, it’s just because I know he’s a good man and he can take good care of you. He’s a young friend to me, he got married in time and lost his wife during childbirth. Adolfo has never remarried, he single handedly brought up his only son, who is all grown now. Adolfo has maintained a good name, and has remained committed to his book. Reading makes him feel alive. He saw you one day coming out of his estate with your maid, Tamar. I asked you what you went to do in Adolfo’s estate and you said you rode on a chariot to visit one of your sick friends there.

I believed you because you’ve never lied to me and your mother. Adolfo saw you there twice and asked about you and he was told whom you were, and he came to see me… Adolfo is the third district ruler which practically makes you the queen of that district if you get married to him. I’m not going to allow you make a wrong decision by choosing one ordinary boys of this kingdom, who still want to live carelessly, like your brother Vim. I don’t want you to have too much regrets, I love you my princess, I want you to be happy and I know with time, you’ll learn to love Adolfo when you see how good a man he is. Just give him a chance and we’ll try to reduce our involvement in your personal life.

Your mother and I want the best for you, princess. At least, you have come to realize that the young maiden we’ve got for you is actually not ugly and you seem to be happy with her now. I have overheard her singing and telling you stories, she’s humble and cares deeply for you like she will do to her sister.

Tamar was a bad choice to you at first because you saw only the outward part of her but we looked beyond that and felt at peace with her. We always have the best at heart for you, give Adolfo a chance and be loyal and respectful to him. Develop love in your heart for him, he deserves it, and allow him to be the husband of your dreams. Everything depends on you, but I know lucrus, the goddess of fertility will see you through and bless your womb with both male and female…”

The wedding preparation began, but nobody knew of Zity and Adolfo’s son, Chakan. She was not allowed to go out again, she stayed indoors to undergo some cleansing before her wedding day.

The day Adolfo visited, he was not old like Zity’s father, who was almost sixty. Adolfo was forty-three years old and he looked even younger than his age, and was also handsome. He dressed like a wealthy, learned man and was very fluent in speech.

Lord Reese and some other men sat in the big sitting chamber, while Adolfo told them about historical events and with the way he made his points intelligeni everyone listened with rapt attention.

I was among the people that served food and drinks on the first marriage gathering. Zity was quiet, she seemed to have her own plan as she pretended to be happy and calm, but I knew even her laughter wasn’t real, her heart was with Chakan, who sat beside his excited father. Chakan and Zity exchanged looks shyly, they were cautious so as not to attract attention to themselves.

On their wedding day, I saw different kinds of dressing, different dishes were prepared; different classes of guests were present. We were given fine clothes to wear.

Zity was beautifully dressed, she looked stunning as they covered her face with a veil and when Adolfo pulled it off, she smiled. The officiating priest, an old man, bound their hands with a colorful rope, which signified that their home would be exciting and colorful. The marriage vows were exchanged, they drank the blessed water which was offered to them and I watched Zity smile adorably as Adolfo kissed her.

I observed Chakan’s face as he watched his father and Zity. His face was expressionless, I couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad, his eyes were fixed on Zity, the binding rope was later loosened and Adolfo danced with his wife.

After the ceremony, Zity followed her husband back to his estate. I was asked to stay behind for sometime until Zity settled in and send for me, so I stayed, working with other household maids.

Abel came back and I couldn’t hold back my excitement. I embraced him tightly and warmly, and refused to let him go, even after seeing that Vim passed by and saw me.
Abel was laughing at my cheerfulness.
when I disentangled myself from his embrace, I kissed the back of his palm joyfully, which showed sign of respect.

He gently squeezed my shoulder with a smile before going to greet Vim who was standing at his chamber’s balcony watching us.

Vim shook him warmly with a smile, and responded very well to Abel’s greeting. Vim asked him how his journey went, Abel replied affirmatively.

After the pleasantries, Abel went inside to greet Lord Reese and his wife, Lady Phin.
I waited for him outside by the door as he sat down with them and discussed his journey and business trip , which were successful at the end after encountering few problems that made him stay longer than necessary.

Everyone seemed so happy to see him back, especially me.
I missed him so much. I was outside, waiting for Abel so that I could tell him everything that happened while he was away.

Vim came and saw me there and I bowed my head in respect. He stopped and looked at me. He wanted to say something but decided against that. Instead, he walked into his father’s chamber where Abel was.

Abel stayed long talking and laughing with them.
I decided to go to the water fall, where he usually sut and prayed. I sat there, hoping he would come out soon and join me.

Since Zity left with Adolfo, her husband, to his estate, I had less work to do around here. I just joined other slaves to do few things sometimes, waiting till the time Zity would send for me.

I waited there for a very long time. It was already evening before Abel showed up. He had refreshed and changed his cloth before coming down to the fountain which we also called the water fall. He looked so handsome in his new cloths, and had shed some weight compared with the last time I saw him.

I ran straight to him again and hugged him and he held my hand as we walked back to the fountain and sat down on a chair.
I thank God for making his journey a success, everyday without him in the house was so lonely.
Vim may be right about Abel: I have never seen him pick interest in any woman. I was the only girl mostly seen around him and yet he treated me like his sister.
I liked Abel because he built my faith and he had a good heart.
I liked it whenever he smiled at me, it melts my heart.

If he ever wanted to have a family tomorrow, I knew his wife would also be a believer just like him and she would be one of the luckiest women because Abel would make a good husband and a great father too.

Talking about marriage, I hope Zity makes a good wife to Adolfo.