Chapter 42

It happened in their final year, just two months to the Cambridge Advanced Certificate Examinations.

Sauda approached Esau after their supper in the dining hall and said, "I'd like to talk to you."

She looked worried about something and also sounded rather serious.

"What is it?" He asked and was apparently alarmed.

She turned her head, looked around to ensure no one was listening, eavesdropping, and said, "I have missed my periods. This is my third month. I think I'm carrying your baby," she appeared rather desperate as she added, "What do I do, Esau, my love. Are you going to abandon me?"

Esau was caught unawares, thrown off balance and thunderstruck. His lips hung loosely, and his mouth was half open. He studied her face, a mask of sorrow, and it appeared she was quite agonised.

Then, he said, "No, I can't do that. Why do you even imagine that?"

"So will you marry me?" She asked.

"That can be arranged later," his voice was soft as he asked promptly, "Does anyone know about it?"

Relieved Sauda replied, "No one knows yet, except my mother. I had to tell her when I sought permission and went home last weekend. I'm not sure, but by now, I think my dad probably knows too."

Suddenly, Esau felt jittery. He was frightened, and his mouth turned dry as blood began flowing in his veins as speedily as the Nile flowed down across the Sudan and Egypt on its way to the Mediterranean.

Suddenly, he wished he had not come to study in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, and began blaming himself for the danger he had exposed himself to.

His fears and worries were even to increase later when Sauda approached him one Friday evening after supper; almost a week to the end of examinations.

"My parents want to talk to you and require you to come home this weekend," she said and quickly added, "You had better go, Esau my love, because if you don't, there could be trouble for you; actually for us."

As he listened to those words that were like thorns piercing his ears, he felt helplessly nervous. Why on earth could they not leave him alone until he finished his final year examinations?

He had only two examination papers left to sit and then quit Tanzania; a History and a Swahili paper.

"Look here, Sauda," he tried to plead. "Why can't they wait until we finish our exams next week?"

"Dad can't wait as he has to fly out of the country to China next week."

"Suppose I don't go. What happens?"

"He warned me he would be forced to come to school and talk to the principal. You know Mr. Pollard!" She spoke seriously.

If there was anything he feared, it was the school authorities, especially the strict Englishman who had warned him against love affairs on the day he joined A-levels.

Esau feared being exposed to the school administration and teachers about his love affair with Sauda, which had remained secret for two years. The exposure would definitely lead to his expulsion from school, yet he had only two papers left.

"Okay," he gave in. "We leave tomorrow. But please tell me, what kind of questions do you think your dad wants to ask me?"

"I can't tell. But Mum tells me he wants to know whether or not you will deny your responsibility for my pregnancy. Mum has no problem, but it is dad who can be our biggest headache and nemesis," she disclosed.

"So what is his problem?"

"He's quite opposed to our love and plan to get married."

"Why is that so?"

"Islam forbids a Muslim woman being married to a non-Muslim."

"So what shall we do?"

"You must convert to Islam for you to get married to me. I think that's what dad is going to ask you."

Unknowingly, she had said something that put Esau on his guard. Cautiously, he said: "Okay, that's no problem at all. We shall leave tomorrow in the morning, but let's get back by 4 pm so that we can study for our remaining papers."

"It's ok, my love," she replied and became confident all would be well. "We'll seek permission to leave the compound tomorrow at eight o'clock in the morning."

They took a taxi the next day and arrived at Mbezi in the outskirts of Dar-es-salaam at nine o'clock. Sauda's parents lived in an affluent home.

All was quiet as they arrived, and Esau realised there was little difference between them. They were rich.

At the gates, the security guard opened the door to let them in, and they proceeded to the Ahmed mansion. Outside the door, Sauda paused and rang the bell.

A small boy aged twelve years old came to open the door.

"Sauda!" The little boy dressed in a white robe exclaimed when he saw them. "And who is this man with you?"

"He is a friend of the family. Now, Ibrahim, tell dad and mum we have arrived."

The little boy ran across the lounge and disappeared into one of the rooms. Esau watched in silence as Sauda put her handbag on the small table near the door.

Then she said, "Feel at home, my love Esau. Don't let my dad scare you."

Five minutes later, a tall, heavily built brown man in white robes, popularly known as kanzus in Swahili language, strode into the living room.

Esau looked at him and saw he had a long red beard and fierce looking eyes. He was probably in his fifties.

In his wake came a tall, willowy woman who was dark skinned and whose head was covered in a pink veil.

"So, you have finally brought the young man," said the man whom Esau presumed was Sauda's father.

"Yes, dad," Sauda said. Then she turned to Esau, "This is my dad, his name is Ahmed."

To her father, she said: "Dad, this is Esau."

Esau stood up at attention when she stopped talking and lifted his hand. He prepared himself to greet Ahmed, who ignored him, proceeded to sit on the couch.

Sauda and her mother watched him disapprovingly.

"Can't you shake Esau's hand, dad?" Sauda asked, then she added: "Look, he wants to greet you now!"

"Shut up!" Ahmed snarled. "You've disgraced us; now you want to dare talk around this place? I give the orders in this home. Now sit down all of you and let the young man answer the few questions I have for him."

They all sat down and waited for the inquisition to begin. For a few seconds, Ahmed sat staring at them, his eyes suddenly turning angry and cold.

Then, he spoke, "Tell me something, Esau. Why did you involve yourself with my daughter? Don't you know I can cause problems for you and even terminate your studies at that school?"

"Yes, dad!" Esau's reply sounded rather weak as he added, "I'm really sorry for what has happened."

"So, do you accept or deny being responsible for making Sauda pregnant?"

At that moment, Esau realised arguments would not help in the circumstances. So he said, "I do accept. I have wronged you and your family. Please forgive me."

Ahmed swallowed hard. He considered for a few seconds. Then he asked, "So, now that you accept the wrong you have done, what are you going to do? Do you accept to take Sauda to be your wife immediately you finish your studies next week?"

"Yes, I do," he replied.

Ahmed seemed relieved to hear those words. Then he asked once more, "But you are a Christian, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Islam forbids kaffirs marrying Muslim women," Ahmed said rather disdainfully. Then he queried, "Are you prepared to convert to Islam and also marry Sauda, my daughter? Will you be a Muslim?"

Kaffirs in Islam meant pagans or non-Muslims. Esau felt quite hurt, but his face remained expressionless.

He replied calmly, "Yes, I am prepared to convert and also marry Sauda."

"Can you do it right now?" Ahmed pressed on, his face suddenly beaming as he thought he had won a soul for the Prophet of Islam and Allah.

"Yes, dad. But as you said, at the beginning, I will convert and take her as my wife at the end of my studies. It is also a matter that I need to inform my father of my decision. Actually, he has always respected my decisions and would never stop me."

Ahmed sighed. "I see you're quite a responsible and reasonable young man. I think there will be no problem between us."

Esau said nothing. He could only listen. The others were also listening attentively. Sauda stood up, relieved that everything was going on well, contrary to her expectations.

Ahmed continued speaking, "I'm very happy and satisfied with your decision. I will be flying out of the country next week, but when you are done with your exams, I will be back. Then we can arrange for your marriage."

He paused for a few seconds and then said happily, "I have to inform Sheikh Abdallah about this."

Turning to Sauda, he said:"Why are you standing there like a statue doing nothing? Prepare tea or something for your husband to be. I've got to start preparing things for my flight next week."

He rose to his feet and left the lounge. A few seconds later, his wife followed him into their bedroom.

Sauda eyed Esau admiringly and said, "Wonderful! That was great, my love. For a moment, I almost thought you were going to falter and be thrown out of the house. But you haven't disappointed us. You gave quite a humble and remarkable appearance and even impressed my dad."

Then she rose to her feet, saying, "Let me get you some juice and something to bite. We have to go back to school by noon and get down to work on our books."

Esau was happy with her change of plan. He really felt uncomfortable and wanted to be out of the Ahmed home.

He watched her as she crossed the living room and disappeared into the kitchen to fetch the drinks.

So far, so good. He reflected seriously as he waited for his drink.