Zainab, the Eleven-Year Old Mother

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'Zainab! Zainab!! Called her mother from the kitchen.

Eh, mama! Ina zuwa.

She reluctantly left her homework to carry her lunch.

'You've been with that book since you got back from school, Zainab. Haba mana, please try and eat something.

'I just wanted to finish solving number five mama. This math is so simple.' She smiled hugging her mother.

Zainab was a beautiful girl. She was light-complexioned and slim. Her cheerful nature also proved to be an attractive charm.

She was intelligent too. She loved science and mathematics. And wanted to become a doctor in the future.

Though sometimes, she wondered if that would be possible. Because none of her older step-siblings had proceeded to higher institutions. Many of her step-sisters were married off as soon as they turned 13.

Her father had no value for education.

Yet, she felt she could be the first to become a graduate. She believed if she studied hard, she would earn enough to give her family a better life.

She was the first child of four siblings. Her mother was the third and last wife of her father.

Tomorrow, she will be submitting her math assignment to Ms. Grace. The youth corper serving at her school. 

Ms. Grace had opposed her posting to the North. Matters got worse when it was a Government Secondary School in Wada. A poor rural community in Katsina state. 

But she accepted her fate when attempts at getting a reposting failed. Now, she has fallen in love with teaching. She is touched by her student's desire to learn.

Zainab was one of her favourite students. 'Zee', as she fondly called her, was very impressive. Always eager to learn mathematics and bubbled with excitement in class. 

Ms. Grace had helped her with formulas and textbooks. They had become friends.

On Thursday, as Zainab got home from school, she saw her father with an elderly man sitting under their compound tree. She saw some gift items but paid no attention.

She greeted them and went inside.

That night, her father sent for her. When she got to his room with her mother. 

He said, 'My daughter, I have good news for you. That man you saw me talking to this evening, wants to marry you. 

His name is Mallam Kazaure. He is the biggest beans farmer in our neighbouring village. He will take good care of you.'

Zainab was too shocked to respond. She wondered if she was dreaming. She stared at her mother, who didn't look happy either.

'No Baban. I will not marry him. I want to go to school. I want to become a…'

'Shut up!  I'm not asking for your opinion. What do you know? See a ten-year-old child talking to her father ai. You will marry Kazaure and he will take care of you.

Get ready because we will soon start the preparations. Ka ga ne? Shikena!

Zainab went to her room crying. How can she marry that old man? Never!

She got to school the next day moody. Ms. Grace noticed it and met her after class. Zainab told her what had happened. 

'Aunty, I don't want to marry now. I'm too small. I still want to be a doctor.' Tears flowed down her cheeks.

Ms. Grace was sad. So it's true. Child marriage does happen. She promised to talk to the School principal.

'Good afternoon sir', she said, entering Mr. Bala's office.

'Welcome Ms. Grace. What can I do for you?'

'Sir, Zainab Ahmed, a ten-year-old girl in JSS 1 is about to be married off against her wish. 

She's bright and has her whole life ahead of her. I was wondering if you could talk to the parents to reconsider their decision.'

Mr. Bala laughed. 'Ms. Grace, I'm sorry that will not be possible. We're in the North fa. Our cultural beliefs permit early marriage. 

I would have loved her to grow a bit older as our religion permits. But since the parents have decided, there's nothing we can do.'

Ms. Grace could not believe it. Her beautiful and smart Zainab will become a wife. She didn't know when she screamed aloud on her way home.

She saw Zainab's glow lessening by the day. Her smile was gone. She looked lost during classes. She missed basic calculations.

Toward the end of the term, Zainab came to see her.

'Aunty, my marriage is next week.'

Ms. Grace hugged her as tears poured through Zainab's eyes. 

'Aunty please help me. He's old. I will suffer. They say I'm his fourth wife'.

Ms. Grace hugged her tighter. Feeling helpless. 

'Talk to my mother. She doesn't want me to marry now. But she cannot tell my baba.'

'Ok. Get me her number. I will call her.'

Ms. Grace and Mama Zainab met in the marketplace.

'Ma, I understand that you are afraid to speak up for your child. I'm going to make a suggestion that may sound strange. But if you allow Zainab to get married at this age, her chances of achieving her dreams will be ruined.

Would you forgive yourself for that?'

Mama Zainab knew that was true. She had equally married early. She became a wife at 16. Now 35, she wanted a better life for her children. 

But she wasn't sure she was ready to go against her husband or tradition.

'Ma, I can escape with Zainab by Monday night. I can help her travel far away. To a safe place.'

That night, Mama Zainab could not sleep. This was the toughest decision she would ever make. 

She told Zainab and she agreed. Zainab would be sent on an errand. Then she will find her way to Ms. Grace's house. 

Both of them will leave Wada that night.

Things went as planned. Mama Zainab pretended she didn't know anything when Zainab didn't come home till 7 pm. 

She joined her husband and some neighbours in search of her.

At 8 pm, Ms. Grace and Zainab disguised themselves and set out for the bus park.

Unfortunately, the bus driver recognized Zainab. He was a friend of her father.

'Zainab, ina zi ka? Where are you going?

To be continued...