STORY: WHAT WENT WRONG(Episode 6)

Sometimes luck falls on the wrong side.
Chanda never imagined in her entire life to get married to a chief's son. The gods were on her side, she wished to get married to a successful man. This was her dream come true. The entire village was going to learn to respect her.
As she approached her compound she screamed on top of her voice.
"I'm getting married!"
Chibuye who was in the back yard pounding groundnuts heard her friend's screams. She rushed to ask what it was all about. Chanda by passed Chibuye as if she didn't see her. Chibuye puzzled and amused kept quiet, she went to the back yard to finish what she was doing.
"Ichongo Chanda ninshi kanshi!," shouted her mother.
"Mayo ala prepare yourself," said Chanda
"Prepare myself for what?"
"Some people are coming here to ask for my hand in marriage."
"Hand in marriage! Are you serious?"
"Mum as we are speak they are at the headman's house."
"Where are they from?"
"From the chief."
"Mwana wandi ulebepa."
"Mayo chinshinka."
"Namutotela Lesa wandi achidikwe."
"I'm the luckiest girl in this village."
Chanda's house was filled with joy, news went round the village about Chanda's alleged marriage. Everyone in the village was talking about it. Poor Chibuye her best friend was getting married without telling her anything, she was very happy for her though.
The elders from Muma's village visited Chanda's house. They discussed their intentions. At the end of the day they reached an agreement. The marriage preparations were to begin as soon as possible.
The men went back to their village with good news. They complimented Muma on the choice of his wife to be. Muma was very pleased and happy to hear those words coming from the elders. He himself knew the kind of woman Chibuye was. He was glad that finally he was going to marry her.
That night Muma slept with a pleased soul, he imagined how Chibuye must have been feeling for he was a bit nervous about everything. He knew for sure there was no other right time to make things right. He was finally going to be a husband, the head of the house. A father to his unborn children and a pillar to the family. Whatever challenges married life came with, he was ready to overcome them with the help of his good spirited woman.
His father called out for him for a man to man talk.
"My son I have watched you from the time you were born. I watched you grow from a toddler to a handsome man that you are. Young man I want to confirm your decision concerning your marriage."
"Its not a problem father you can ask."
"Are you ready for this?"
"More than ever father, I'm very much ready. If you where to bring Chibuye right here right now. I would still marry her."
"Young man marriage is a lifetime commitment, it carries with it pain, sorrows, laughter, joy, trails, peace, love and harmony. It's not the kind of life you lead here among us. I have been with your mother for the past 25 years. We have differences and argue on certain things but we make sure you our children have no knowledge of it. We may not be talking to each in the bedroom, when around you, we joke and laugh. I want you to know that this road you have taken is not an easy road. It will be smooth and sometimes rocky, just stay focused and determined to take the next step."
(Mediapronounce ng)
"I hear you father, thank you so much."
"This means no retreat no surrender. Take good care of that girl, God gave you that woman for certain reasons. Be the reason she wakes up to a new day. You will be her father, husband and pillar of strength."
"I trust and believe our God, he can never go wrong to give me a wrong companion. I know it and I feel it, she is the one for me. Chibuye is my missing rib."
"Ohhhhh young man this pure love is driving you insane. Go and have your rest, you have a long week ahead of you."
"Goodnight father."
The bride was not to be seen by the groom until the night she is taken to him.
Chanda distanced herself from Chibuye according to her mother, Chibuye was a bad influence considering what she had done with the stranger.
Chanda under went marriage teachings and counselling. She was kept in the house for 13 days, she was only allowed to go out in the night. It was bad luck for a bride to be seen by any other man before her husband sees her.
Chibuye had not heard from Muma since the day she met him by the tree. More over he never told her what he meant by what he said. Suspense was eating her up. Why would he disappear after everything. She had hope Muma would come back and clear the air.
On the fourteenth day around 2pm Chanda was taken to be joined with her husband. The village women and men took her to Muma's place singing songs of joy expressing their happiness. Muma's people on the other hand were prepared and waiting patiently for the arrival of the bride. Muma couldn't hold his excitement when he saw his woman brought to him. He couldn't see her face, she was wrapped from face to toe.
When they reached the groom's compound, they stopped, as per tradition the groom's family was to give money to the people that came with the bride as a token of appreciation. Muma didn't waste time, he went to the women and put some money, his father and other relatives did the same. The women and men proceeded in taking Chanda. As usual she was not to be seen by anyone. The two were therefore married though they had to sleep in separate rooms. The marriage initiation ceremony was to take place as the sun set to welcome the day. There were to be two witnesses from both families. The bride and groom were expected to make love on a white cloth to know whether the lady is a virgin or not.
After the traditional marriage ceremony Muma and Chanda slept in separate rooms until then Muma had not seen that the woman brought to him was Chanda. Chanda on the other hand didn't know the man she just married was the dirty beggar she despised so much. No one knew the mistake that had occurred.
In the morning Chanda was taken to Muma with the presence of two witnesses from both families for the initiation ceremony to finalize the marriage. Muma took off the wrapper Chanda was wrapped in. He shouted on top of his voice " what in the world is this witch doing here and why is she dressed as my bride?" . . . . ... . . .
"Isn't she your bride?" One of the women respond.
"My bride! Are you people insane! This can't be my bride!"
"Calm down son! Lower your voice."
"How do you expect me to calm down?"
"I won't calm down, get this thing off my face."
"But son this is your wife?"
"My wife? Impossible! This woman is not my wife!"
"This is the woman you married."
"No I didn't marry this woman, there seems to be mistake somewhere."
"This is the woman that was brought to you."
"Whosoever made this mistake should clarify before it worsens. Young lady go back to your people, you are not the woman I wanted to marry."
Chanda was shocked! How could a man she married say it was mistake. What happened?
Muma called off the marriage even if they had undergone marriage rituals. The young man was very upset. His father tried to calm him down as they waited for the elders who had gone to finalize the marriage to come.
"They have to be come and electrify this mistake or else I will kill someone," Muma said as he paced up and down.
In less than an hour the elders gathered, they denied making a mistake because she is the young lady they found wearing the neckless Muma known mentioned to them. They went to Chanda's village to sort things out. This time Muma followed to make sure they picked Chibuye.
They explained to the headman the wrangle. Chanda was called to explain how the neckless was found with her. She tried to play dumb saying she picked it up on her way from the stream. The village headman cautioned her on the consequences if she was found lying. Upon hearing that she confessed stealing the neckless from her friend Chibuye. Muma was at peace after hearing that, he revealed himself to the village headmen and his present subjects as the beggar who came to the village, the one everyone thought was a fallen soldier that might have lost his memory, he told them his reasons for disguising himself as a beggar. He disclosed everything including the lies Chanda cooked up about him eloping with Chibuye. Chanda was shocked. She never imagined the dirty beggar to be the chief's son.
Muma, his father, the headman and a few elders set out to Chibuye's compound. Chibuye saw them from a far. She wondered what Muma was doing with the headman . Was her suspense finally going to be cleared?
Muma wasn't ready to waste any more time. His father introduced himself, his elders and his son. They told Chibuye's parents why they were there. They gave Chibuye parents seven days to get Chibuye ready. Chibuye was the happiest lady. Her best friend got married, within that period Muma asked for her hand in marriage. She couldn't wait to share the news with her best friend Chanda. Their dreams came true at the same time. Chibuye was put in the house for teachings. One night when she was taken outside for some fresh air. She saw Chanda passing, she slowly followed her. She told her about her suppose marriage to Muma. Chanda didn't seem happy at her friend's news.
"What are you doing here?Ain't you suppose to be at your husband's house?"
"I wish you all the best in your marriage, I should get going."
"Chanda! Wait! What's wrong with you."
"Nothing is wrong with me."