WHAT'S WITH THE PRESSURE TO GET MARRIED?

I guess I went out with the devil that night. Come to think of it, I am just a 20-year old whose education happens to be faster than the speed of light. But really, that’s not the point. The way he stared at me is not the point either. The point is, the words he said to me!!

Nenye is my name. I love Nenye but the full name is Chinenye. I am 5’7 tall. I’m not bony or skinny neither am I fat. I just happen to have my fat in the right places. Dark in complexion with dark long hair to match my skin colour. I bet your breath would freeze when you steal a glance of me. You think that’s hyperbole or exaggeration? This is reality because beautiful, when used on me is an understatement. Well, they say I am gorgeous! So, let’s leave it gorgeous. But really, all these information are not necessary. They are not needed.

That night, I was on my baggy sweatshirt which was revealing my knees and legs. I wanted to get food. It was late, so, I thought getting plantain and fried eggs was the best for the night, hence, I went to this open kitchen in school. They are known for quality and that exactly is why I patronise them irrespective of the price. However, that night, the devil was with me. Gosh!

I already placed my order when I thought of getting chicken just because the sight of the roasted chicken was irresistible. While going to change my order, the man in charge of it called me. I was surprised! Well, he was familiar. Yes, I see him around and we exchange pleasantries. That didn’t change there though. In fact, I was excited even when my stomach was the opposite.

After exchanging pleasantries, he looked at me and jokingly cracked an offensive joke. I didn’t take it as an offence. I just smiled and was about returning to where I was seated after placing my first order when he repeated the joke but that time with a devilish grin.

‘Would you stop that, sir?’, I showed no emotions.

‘You are a girl oh. Is it when wrinkles start appearing on your face or when you become old and ugly that you’d think of getting married? Then, no man would come for you again oh’, he spilled.

My gawd! I was offended but I didn’t utter any word.

‘You know, go get a boyfriend. You can’t come to this school and score 5-0. No! After 5 years, Nenye, I pity you’, he brought his mouth closer to mine.

How disgusting! He wanted to kiss me or what? I quickly used my left hand to hold his jaw which brought his mouth to an halt. Then, he was embarrassed!

‘Don’t you ever try that again. Never again!’, I walked away. I left the place.

That was bullshit, yes? What is someone else’s business with my life? I mean I didn’t even know he was keeping record of my life. That is pathetic. I should go get married because I am in my final year? I should go get married because I am a female who would what exactly? I don’t get this but to be candid, what is with the pressure of getting married early? What is with the pressure? What on earth is your business or headache with my life? I am a female, so? What if I don’t want to get married? You’d kill me?

I am not encouraging nobody to remain or die single. No! You marry because you want to not because you are pressured and the likes. It’s absurd and doesn’t make sense. What’s with the pressure of getting married or having a man in one’s life as a woman when you don’t want to or see it as the right time?