πŸ‘‘ Chapter Thirty Eight πŸ‘‘

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MARINI'S POV

Pacing was actually Isaacs thing but at the moment I was the one doing it. I was going to Meru to settle my debt to the council as well as pay my dowry so I could get it over and done with. Nervous was an understatement to what I was feeling. For the first time I had actually gotten dressed before Isaac because my nerves were everywhere.

I had been planning the day for weeks and now that it was finally at hand I felt confused. It's like I had been in a bubble so focused on the future I hadn't realized that I'd get to that future one day. It was becoming all too real and no matter how hard I tried to calm myself it wasn't working. Paying my dowry meant I had agreed to the elders directives and was actually getting married. I was getting married to Isaac in a few days and it felt like it was only now dawning on me. I had been wearing his ring for two months and now it was like a heavy cross I had to bear.

I had decided to put all the events in one week so I could deal with them and be done. The paying of the dowry was on a Tuesday and then we'd rest on Wednesday because I would definitely need a break after dealing with those men. Isaacs family would arrive on Thursday and the rehearsal dinner would be that evening. We would have the bachelorette and bachelor party on Friday before the wedding happened on Saturday. Talk about one hell of a week.

"I thought pacing was my thing."

I jumped at the sound of Isaacs voice and turned to face him my hand clasped over my chest.

"You scared me and trust me I know. I'm just too nervous about today."I admitted.

"I know and I am too but we've known it was coming for weeks and we prepared everything so don't worry. It will all be okay."Isaac assured me.

"How can you be so relaxed?" I asked him wrapping my hands around myself in a protective stance.

"Because I know that at the end of it all I'll get to call you my wife."He smiled and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't bring myself to smile back.

"Yeah that."I huffed.

"Any more excitement and I might just marry you now."Isaac replied sarcastically and I was not impressed.

He noticed that I was not myself and he got closer and pulled my hands into his.

"Now you're worrying me. What's wrong?"He asked looking very concerned.

"I don't know. I just feel like everything is happening all at once and its clouding my mind preventing me from thinking clearly."I admitted.

Instead of replying Isaac just pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight against him. I wrapped my hands around his waist and snuggled into his chest. He smelled so good I couldn't resist the urge to take a deep breath of his scent and let it waft into my nose calming my nerves.

"Before I say anything else I just want ask you one thing. Do you still want to marry me?" He asked sounding very vulnerable and I pulled away from his chest to look into his eyes.

He was already looking at me and I put my hands on his cheeks my thumbs caressing his face. His blue eyes held nothing but love for me with a little bit of fear.

"Without a doubt."I promised meaning it.

Marrying Isaac was surprisingly the only thing that didn't freak me out because it was about me and him. Everything else involved so many other people it just didn't settle well with me.

He took my hands in his and gave them a squeeze.

"Then listen and listen carefully. I love you Marini and its okay if you don't feel the same. I have enough love for the both of us. I can't wait to marry you and call you mine forever. It's just a few more days of a little hustle and bustle there until we seal the deal. I've seen you under more pressure than this and you always come through. I just want you to know that I'm so proud of you and I'm going to be with you every step of the way."He assured.

"Thanks Isaac, I really needed that."I replied smiling gratefully.

"I'm glad because I was just blurting things out."He chuckled earning a glare from me.

"It still helped so thank you. You look sharp today."I complimented taking notice of his outfit for the first time since he came out to see me.

He was dressed in a three piece maroon suit with a matching undercoat, a black shirt with a black tie and black shoes.

"Thank you, I'm dressed to impress. You my darling on the other hand look ravishing."He praised making me smile.

I wore a long sleeved blue maxi dress with white heels and simple jewelry and make up. I didn't want to go all out in dressing so I chose the simple but still elegant dress.

"We really need to go. Jeremy and his parents are here and your sisters got ready half an hour ago."He informed me and I nodded taking his arm and allowing him to lead me away from my office where I had been couped up having my meltdown.

Isaac's grandmother only had two kids, his mom and Jeremy's dad. Since his mom and grandma were dead and his dad wasn't in the country he'd asked Jeremy's parents to step in as his parents and they had been happy to oblige. I'd met them the day we'd gone to request them to accompany us and they had been so accommodating. We could definitely see where Jeremy's kind nature came from.

Lulu had travelled from Samburu to be with me even though I'd insisted she only come for the wedding. She got her stubbornness from me and took a week off work to be with me until we left for the honeymoon.

We found them all waiting for us in the living room. I hugged everyone and thanked them for coming. We were taking the Helicopter to Meru where we would land in a nearby primary school closest to my uncle's home where the occasion was taking place. From there we'd get two chauffeured cars to drive us the rest of the way. I had tried my best to keep the whole marriage situation out of the media and I had succeeded so far but I knew that it was bound to leak within the course of the week. I already had everything prepared just incase so that the media would print out what I wanted. I did not want them knowing I was getting married because a group of elders said so. As far as they would know I was getting married because Isaac and I had fallen in love after months of working together. I was merely stretching the truth and protecting my privacy.

"You all ready to go."I asked when I saw the chopper land in my backyard.

Everyone agreed with me before we all got up, grabbed our bags and left for the house. Kim was staying with Jeremy's neighbor for the day since I didn't want him being left alone.

For the day we used one of the bigger helicopters that could sit eight people. Lulu sat with the pilot, Isaac, Amani and I sat with in the second row while Jeremy and his parents say at the back. It was less than an hour flight and with a lot of chatter amongst us all it was easier for me to be calmer about what I was about face.

"Meru sure is cold."Jeremy commented as we got off the helicopter bending low due to all the wind the blades were blowing.

"It's because of the altitude being as the mountain is so close. I definitely don't miss that about this place."Lulu replied as we headed towards the parked cars.

We had landed in the field of my old primary school and the principal who had been my maths teacher had been honored to help me out.

"You grew up here?" Isaac asked holding my hand leading us to our car.

"Yeah I studied right here in this school."I replied and saw him looking around.

The school wasn't much but it was one of the actually better ones in the county. The students were on a midterm break so we weren't disturbing anyone.

"I can definitely picture you in a uniform helping the teacher carry the homework books to the staffroom."He commented.

"Are you calling me a teacher's pet?"I accused.

"No but you're a natural born leader so it had to have started somewhere."He replied.

"Nice save and yes I've been leading all my life." I concurred.

He opened the backdoor for me and he got in after me. Lulu sat at the front with the driver while Isaac and I sat at the back. Amani, Jeremy and his parents used the other car. The driver's already knew where we were going so we didn't need to give them directions. It had been so long since we left, I honestly didn't think any of us could remember the way that well.

"Have you ever gone camping at the mountain before?" Isaac asked on the ride over.

"Definitely not, you know I'm a beach person. Lulu has though so you can ask her."I replied.

"Hey game warden, how was camping at the mountain? I've been told you're the person to ask."Isaac asking making Lulu scowl at him.

They had the most weird love hate relationship that was actually funny to witness.

"Call me that again and I'm feeding you to my lions. And it was fun I guess. I've been to colder places so it wasn't that big of a deal for me."She shrugged.

"So what sort of places have you been to?" Isaac asked leaning forward clearly interested.

I tuned them out and decided to used the few minutes we had on the drive to compose myself and plan my strategy well. I was hoping for a smooth and short negotiation since I had all they wanted.

I admired the green scenery as we passed it and part of me missed being back in my home town. It was always so quite and peaceful but the city had become my home now. After all there was no way I would ever think it moving back there after what the elders had made me go through.

When everything started to get more familiar like the mango tree I used to watch boys climb up for fruits after school that's when I knew we were getting close.

"Mar whatever happens in there please don't get angry. You know hulk angry."Lulu pleaded with me and I scoffed.

"I don't get hulk angry."I defended and she turned to look at me with an are-you-kidding-me look."Okay fine I don't get hulk angry anymore."

"What does she mean by that?"Isaac asked and before I could reply Lulu answered for me.

"In very stressful situations when Mar doesn't get her way she... How do I put this kindly? She blows up."Lulu explained.

"How is that putting it kindly?"I asked ticked off.

"Oh oh it's about to happen."Lulu teased and before I could lunge at her Isaac held me caging me in his arms.

He knew we were just messing around so he didn't hold me too strong but I used it as an excuse to be close to him. He helped me ease a little on the nerves.

"This is normally something Amani would say but you guys look really good together. I ship you two."Lulu commented and none of us replied.

I just snuggled closer into his side while Isaac kissed the top of my head. He made it all easier because I didn't know what I'd do if I had to go through it all with a stranger. I was grateful to him for stepping up and being by my side.

Ten minutes later, too short a time we pulled up in front of a gate made of Iron sheets. We all got out of the car and assembled in front of one of the cars.

"In most traditions we're supposed to walk in carrying crates of soda on our back with ropes and singing songs."Amani commented.

"There's no way I'm carrying such a heavy load in these heels."I replied.

I didn't want my sisters knowing that the real reason why I was disobeying all rules is because I was being forced to be here. I would keep them in the dark for their own good.

"I hope you came prepared with a lot of cash because the way I see it we are going to be paying a lot of fines today."Jeremy's dad Robert commented.

"I knew what I was walking into so I'm ready."I replied and motioned to Amani to grab the bag she came with.

It was a small backpack with about a hundred thousand shillings in cash that we would use to pave our way through to the end of the day because we weren't going to be following any traditions.

I grabbed Isaacs hand and led him to the gate. I knocked hard and there was no reply yet I could her voices whispering on the other side.

"They won't reply because they don't here singing."Jeremy's mom Gladys advised.

"Really?"Isaac asked clearly shocked.

"Yeah. This would be the time to start paying your fine."Robert added and Lulu held out the bag for me.

I took out five thousand shillings and slipped a one thousand note through a gap in the gate. It was snatched so fast making me and Isaac look at each other before laughing.

I knocked again and this time there was a whisper on the other side of the door. I slipped in a another note and the voice became louder.

"Who is it?"The female voice asked loud enough for us all to here after they had extracted four thousand from me.

"Isaac Mutua here for Marini Kiarie."Isaac replied loudly enough.

He was supposed to say it that way having been schooled by Robert about it but it still made me want to pull my ears out.

"Okay you can come in but you have to open the gate first."The voice replied.

"That means more money right?"Isaac asked Robert who nodded at him.

We slipped five thousand to them and we had rustling on the other side before the gates swung open and we were met with a group of about thirty women all with expectant and bright faces. All their different colored lesos made them look great but I was too busy getting angry at how money hungry they were to appreciate it.

They broke into song and dance as soon as they saw our small group and after Isaac handed the lead singer two thousand shillings the singing got louder and more intense. Isaac just beamed and I had to hold him back from giving them any more money.

"I know you're excited but this is not the time to have fun."I reprimanded.

"I only get to do this once you know so let me have this."He pleaded and I let go of his arm.

He gave them another thousand and they pulled him into a dance. Soon enough I was pulled into the dance too and so was everyone else. It wasn't all bad and I did try to smile and laugh as I watched Isaac try to copy some of their moves but I wasn't entirely in the moment because of what was about to come next.

We were still dealing with the women and I knew they were they easy ones to deal with. As soon as the old men saw us they would start fishing for a lot of money.

Amidst all the dancing Lulu approached me and took my hands in hers pulling me away from the noise.

"Josiah said he's close with the truck. Should I tell him to drive up to the gate?" She asked me.

There were a list my uncle he sent me for a few things that I was required to bring. I trusted no one else but my trusty old driver Josiah to do the delivery.

"No tell him to wait away from sight. I'll tell you when to ask him to drive up."I replied and she nodded before we got back to all the dancing.

Twenty minutes later it all died down and the ladies excused themselves. We knew they weren't cooking because we had specifically asked not to be served anything. Our request wasn't out of spite but because I didn't what to spend anymore time there than was necessary.

A door opened in one of the houses in the compound and a group of men old and young came walking out. They approached us some dressed in traditional clothes and head gear. Then oldest one of them all who I assumed was their leader walked closest to us with the help of his cane. His skin was all wrinkled and his eyes droopy but he held a certain wisdom in his eyes.

"Marini Kiarie I presume?"He asked in native Meru language.

I understood what he asked since I had grown up speaking the language.

"Yes sir."I replied in the same language.

I knew Isaac would not understand and neither would the rest of them but luckily Lulu stepped in and started translating for them.

"Who did you bring with you? ."He asked.

I turned to my family and friends and introduced them one by one.

"That's good I hope you brought what we asked for."He inquired.

"Yes I did."I replied and looked at Lulu nodding at her.

She understood what I meant and called Josiah. A few minutes later we heard the roar of a truck and it drove right into the compound next to where we were standing. It was a medium sized delivery truck that was used for errands in one of my hotels. Josiah got out of the truck and waved at us before going to the side and opening it revealing everything that I had been asked for. Crates of soda, bales of maize and wheat flour, sacks or since, rice, cooking oil and a lot more.

"That's the first part well-done child. Now we can all sit down and discuss everything else. You're sisters and the respectable lady can remain, the rest of you please follow us."The old man smirked and walked away.

I looked at Isaac with an eye roll who just shrugged at me. I was already tired as we were barely halfway through. I knew women weren't allowed in the discussions but I was serving the punishment and I deserved to be there. Amani handed me the bag before she grabbed Lulu and Gladys and they walked back to the cars.

Isaac took my hand in his and squeezed it. That was his way of telling me that he was there for me without using too many words.

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There was a lot of tradition in this chapter and I hope I didn't bore you guys too much with it. I decided to divide the chapter into two so as not to make it extra long.

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