Family drama

If you think your family is scandalous, consider mine.

I am only in my teen age full of energy and adventurous. My father is polygamous and my mother is not dad’s favorite. My siblings are all men and I am their only sister…yes, the only bean in the mixture. We have never had a home of our own. As a matter of fact, we only relocated to this place a month ago. We dint leave in peace rather we had to hide and time when the home owner had left, we also left for a three days journey till he was informed and followed us. Father’s favorite – my step mum made it worse by stealing some of her father’s precious jewels thus they were after us for a week. 
 Father has to meet his brother one he has missed so much but has forever hated the come back because it will be just messy.  You ask why? He left home a century ago having stolen something too dear to his brother that the brother swore to kill him. His brother- my uncle is a herder and so his threat can’t be taken lightly. It’s actually the reason we have no place of our own to call home.

As I said earlier, we are only a month old in this place that father acquired for us to abode. It’s quite different actually very different from what I have been used to. Full of people, new culture, new stuff just to name a few. Three days ago, I decided staying in the house doesn’t do me good because my brothers are in the fields herding and father has servants’ left right center. So I decide to explore my neighborhood without anyone’s knowledge and escort. It’s such a serene place anyway and the people, awesome. Who can resist a leisure walk around the city?

As I walk through the market place, I am oblivious of those that stare and talk about me or our family. Fortunately or unfortunately, someone has actually spotted me rather differently. He is a prince here and sort of uses his position to get me for his selfish desires. So he rapes me. Along the way though, he falls in love with me and can’t let me go. Especially not after what he just did. So he calls his dad and tells him what he just did and what he wishes. His dad then goes to report to his in law to be where his daughter is and their intentions. Word has already reached before the king here can present himself to the visiting family but he goes ahead and presents his case anyway.

Father is enraged but he holds his tongue and decides to wait for his sons who are out in the fields. On arrival and discovery, they are bitter with anger and actually start plotting and scheming behind my dad’s back. On sitting over the issue- father, the king and his son the prince and my brothers, several demands are put forth and promises made. Everyone has a part to play. As all this happens, I am growing to love this man, after all, he is the only man who has ever loved me in my life and he has constantly dealt well with me- Giving me gifts and presents, treating me to the best of stuff the city can provide, to listening and paying attention to my small- small teenage demands.

The price for my dowry has somehow surpassed our thoughts. I dint expect it to be that huge. Ever heard of the proverb “hornbill’s pain is everybody’s pain”? The entire city pays the price. All the males in the entire city have to be circumcised. Yes, that’s right, for me to be given to their prince, they have to be circumcised. They find it a fair punishment and beginning with my father in law to be, they are circumcised. I am filled with range for the punishment my brothers give these innocent men and as I cool down, my two elder brothers come to my new house to pick me up.

“Where are you taking me”? I ask them

“Home” they say

“But I am safe and happy here with my new husband” I say

“Which husband”? They ask in mockery laughter

 Right then, I read mischief and accept to go back home. That’s when I realize that the city is a pool of blood. My two brothers had taken their sword and gone through the city slaying the already sore and pain stricken men dead. All dead, even my new found love. As if that’s not  bad enough they have taken their wives and looted all their wealth and goodies. I am just sick and wish to die as well. I just can’t handle all this. This is when I wish to disown all my brothers. Dad is equally shocked and feeling betrayed by his own. His reputation has been marred and soiled in the broad daylight and he can’t stand the rage of the city and the neighboring lands.

Why have you done such a detestable thing? Why have you stabbed me in the back? Why do you want to kill me now?

“We are few and they, many and soon will be after us, where shall we hide”?

Questions and more questions, father asks with no answers.

Sincerely speaking what should I do? where should I go?, how should I face life ahead?

I am so confused.

Dinah