This is about the night my older brother gave me to his best friend. I mean 'gave' me, a present for his friend. They were both onto university after the summer break. I was just starting secondary school. After my brother gave me away I had to marry him. That was mandatory. I mean that is the reason he gave me away. In my country at that time I was old enough to get married. It happened all the time. Most girls were married before they turned 18, 16 really. It is just the way it was then, girls were a burden right? So give them away and let another man support them.
My wedding was traditional. I wore the customary gown and he wore the customary suit and everyone danced and enjoyed the party. I felt so grown up that day, I mean I was a married woman. My husband took me upstairs to the wedding chamber. A room set aside for that purpose. He asked me if I was ready. Ready? What did he mean. Yes, was I ready? He thought I was too young. The old tradition of blood on the sheets wasn't really in vogue anymore, the bride just walked downstairs with her hair messed up and half her clothes off. To show that he had done his duty with her. I messed up my hair, and took off some of my clothes, lost one shoe and walked downstairs with stars in my eyes.
He followed a few minutes later, adjusting his belt and pushing his shirttail in. No one had any idea that he had kept me for another day. When the days become months and I wasn't pregnant whispers were all around. If I wasn't the problem, was he? Have him checked. I told my mother I would never do that. My husband didn't 'touch' me until I was quite a bit older, until I was truly a woman and I could carry a baby without a problem.
That's how it was with me. Not all girls had husbands who were understanding. Marriage was the night that you forgot you were a girl. But I stayed a girl for several more years.
