What is dead may never die.

A group of old women then made way into my room.I looked at each one of them with utter disgust in my eyes,they all had a part to play in ruining my life and they did it gracefully.

"Misozi," one of the women began..."this is the beginning of a new life for you.Respect your husband and look up to his wives before you. You are now part of the Monde family,Mr Monde's youngest wife."

Her statement was accompanied by loud chattering and ululations.I felt like I could jump out of my little window and run away.I could barely look after myself but these women expected me to raise sons.

My mother then wrapped me around a rough brown material and signaled for me to get up and follow her. I looked up at her with my teary eyes hoping she would have a change of heart,instead she gave me a tight slap on my back and I immediately got up and walked to my ill destiny.The other women went ahead of us. As soon as I stepped foot outside the hut,the songs of joy were rekindled,I could not help but wonder what they were so happy about.

I was led to Mr Monde's compound where a large feast had been prepared in my honor.I did not feel honored at all.

Everyone else seemed to enjoy the food.They drunk and ate as if this were their last supper.After all this was over,they all went back to their homes and everything went back to normal.Not for me though.

I was introduced to the rest of my husband's wives.This man was his own version of king Solomon for he had atleast a hundred wives.Some of them looked at me with anger and some with pity because they knew I was as good as dead.I especially liked the first and oldest wife.She was so kind and received me with so much hospitality.

Mungole was her name.She was a woman of small stature,she looked pale and skinny.She seemed frustrated by life,but she wore a smile always.She held my hands in hers and led me to a small hut at the edge of the vast compound.The hut was filled with a variety of food stuff yet I did not hunger for it at all.

At the center of the room was a newly spread out reedmat. She spoke softly and told me to make myself comfortable,how could I?.She then looked at me for a while,I could see she had something to say but she held it back.She then closed the little wooden door and I was alone with my thoughts again.

I had barely started to doze off when I heard a loud thud,I looked swiftly at the door and I finally came face to face with the 'elephant' himself.He looked at me for a while but did not say a word,he instead licked his dry and cracked lips.I wanted to spit at him.He then walked towards me in a very unsteady manner,he looked like was was drunk and was about to fall on me.As he fell on my reedmat.I too moved quickly and stood up.

He took my hand in his and held it very tightly.I was scared to death.I knew this man was drunk therefore I grabbed the bottle of liquor in his hands and knocked it on his head,he now lay uncautious.I ran out of the hut sobbing greatly,fortunately I bumped into Mungole I hugged her as if she were my own mother.She looked down at me and wiped a tear from her eyes,she then wrapped her arms around me assuringly.I felt safe.

After a moment of affection.she led me to her hut and gave me a glass of water. I drunk it and felt at ease immediately,she was like a healer.she looked at me softly and before she could say a word I started explaining myself.She motioned toward me and lay my aching head on her skinny laps.

...."I too had a daughter of your age",at this point her voice sounded heavy.She coughed a little and continued to speak while she stroked my hair."She was my source of joy in this unhappy marriage.She was all I had until my husband decided to give her to one of his friends as a gift.I pleaded with him for she was only a child and knew nothing of marriage life,I feared for her."

.....she stopped and let out a sigh of exhaustion.I got up from her lap and looked up at her.I lifted my hands and wiped the tears from her eyes.

She held my hands in hers and continued,"you remind me of her."

"As if taking her away from me was not enough,she died during child birth for she was far too weak."

She broke into uncontrollable tears and I couldn't help but cry with her.

"You will undoubtably end up like her Misozi."

....I couldn't die,I wanted to go to school and make a difference,I had dreams that I had to achieve.

"I can help you escape"

I looked up at her and she nodded her head."I could not save my daughter but I can save you.You are far too young to die such a terrible death,you must ran away today my daughter."

I wiped the tears from my eyes and felt an impulse of excitement.I thanked God for this woman.

She packed dry foods in a basket for me and handed me a warm blanket. She then peeped outside her hut and signaled for me to follow her. We walked for a while in silence and then she suddenly stopped.

"you will have to go alone from here"

She could see the fear in my eyes but she held my hand and assured me that I had the power to achieve anything that my mind conceived

"you are stronger than you think you are"

She did not know this but she filled me up with so much confidence.She gave me a tight hug and stuggered slowly back to the village,she did not look back.

...I looked ahead with so much hope.It was now or never.

I decided to face my life as it would come.I had nothing left to loose.