Rapando woke up still a disturbed man. He had not healed from the pain of his brother Andrea accepting unimaginable request of Ksh. 500000 dowry request for hand in marriage of Alice. He needed to do anything he could at his disposal to stop it. He knew his brother very well. Money was not a problem to him. He woke up very early in the morning and took his walking stick. Andrea’s home was 100m away. Although it was too early but it was the right moment to talk to his brother before being caught up by day to day activities. He found the gate still locked. He stood there for almost a half an hour. Although he was disappointed he didn’t want to walk away. Besides confronting his brother he was going to have a “short” milk tea with a loaf of bread marinated with margarine. This was a rare moment he could not afford to miss. At his home he could not clearly the last time he had taken milk tea if not during festive seasons when his son who stayed in the city visited. He was relieved when Derrick opened the gate for him. It was strange to find Rapando at their gate at such a time. Normally he could send his wife, Nang’ayo.
“Good morning uncle” he greeted him as he opened the gate for him.
“Good morning too son” he replied.
“I am sorry to keep you waiting” he apologized.
“Worry not” Rapando replied clearing his throat.
Andrea who was still in his bed could easily know that his brother had paid him a visit that morning. He also knew that a visit Rapando and his son Derrick paid a visit a previous day at Alice’s parents was the main agenda.
“Now he thinks I am going to sell ancestral land” he wondered.
Rapando was one man who was well known in Buratso village for his typical selfish and economical behaviour. It was said that he didn’t like Andrea because he had a giving heart something that made him to be loved by everyone. Rapando could go shopping for his wife and could give precise days in which 2kg maize floor could last. He had even improvised sufuria in the house and could easily note if the wife exceeded the maximum limit. Whenever anything in the house got finished under unclear circumstances his wife, Nang’ayo was answerable and this followed severe beating. Andrea had tried mediation but all his efforts landed on a deaf ear.
Rapando was welcomed in the house. After heavy breakfast which he seemingly enjoyed he sought to have a private session with his brother. He went straight away to the point.
“Now are you going to part away with Ksh. 500000, your son must have told you?” he asked.
Andrea thought for a moment before replying. He recalled how his brother was against his desire to pay a dowry of 10 cows and five goats. His brother could hear none of it. However it never affected anything, he went a head paid the dowry and got married. Twenty seven years down the line had passed and they were happily married.
“What if I say yes because you won’t even contribute a single penny” he said to his irritation.
Rapando wanted to jump and strangle his brother in the neck. He was young to him and never showed respect to him as an elder. He writhed in anger and great disappointment. His brother was not going to listen to him at all. Soon he was going to be the only father in-law in Buratso village whose son paid a whooping Ksh. 500000 and more so a well educated girl. He knew his brother was going to be iconic and the most respected.
“Well as you say, but this is wastage of resources, remember” he reminded him.
“I appreciate you accompanying my son yesterday to kick start marriage negotiations for a hand in marriage, but that does not give you the privilege to dictate anything” he shut down his brother.
Andrea reminded his brother of what dowry meant in 21st century. Due to changing times dowry was quantified in terms of money and this also dependent on the agreement between two families and the couple. It was the only ideal way to appreciate bride’s parents in a respectable manner.
Alice was also at war with her uncle Indiri. She did not find any reasonable ground to quote a hefty dowry. Although she was educated Derrick too was educated. She candidly remembered how girls were getting married while in college and in some cases they were married without paying dowry. What if I got pregnant and move in with him, will I be burdened with this dowry issue again? What if Derrick’s parents reject the offer? What if the issue marks the end of my relationship with him? She hated traditions. They were not helping her at all. She spent the rest of the day on her bed wondering what to do. Unable to control her emotions she started sobbing. Since she didn’t want her mother to suspect anything, she locked herself in the bathroom. Her mother became curious. She went into her bedroom; however she could not find her. As she walked past the bathroom she heard her sobbing. She tried to open the door but it was locked from inside. She called out a loud.
“My daughter what is the matter with you?” she called out.
“I am tired and sick of these traditions” she finally spoke.
“Traditions! I think they give us identity if anything” she replied.
Martha was not getting the message her daughter was trying to convey. She was not happy about the hefty dowry that had been quoted the previous day.
“Do you think the Ksh. 500000 dowry quoted for Derrick is fair?” she asked.
“Well according to your uncle and traditions, maybe” she said.
“What if Derrick’s parents won’t accept? What will be my fate?” she inquired more.
“My daughter calm down all will be well” she assured her.
Alice wanted the value to be reduced to around Ksh. 200, 000, an amount he could afford. She didn’t want to overpressure someone’s son when there were several ladies with titles (education and money) yet they were ready to get married either as a second wife with or without dowry. To handle the crisis before it escalated into a disaster, emergency meeting was organized. Indiri was called to address the matter urgently.
“My daughter” Indiri began, “I realize that you’re not familiar with Marachi traditions but these are traditions that we must follow and uphold at all times”.
“I respect that uncle but do anything you can’t to reduce that amount, you’re not selling me any way” she reminded him.
Indiri was shocked. He was a fierce man with sparkling red eyes who had curved niche for himself for being a lion. That day a very young girl Alice was up at his toes. There she was confidently looking at Indiri as if he was a five year old boy. Martha was also in great fear. Her daughter was on a mission and no one was going to stop her.
“Well my daughter but without this dowry, I am afraid marriage will not take place” he roared.
“Mum and uncle I don’t care what your culture may dictate about dowry but I am doing it my own way. With or with out dowry I will get married” she told off them before leaving hurriedly for the kitchen.
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