The suitor came with a Gulf stream ticket, my father said I had one month

I was 27, junior HR officer in Kaduna. My father call me into the parlour one Sunday, the suitor was sitting there with his cap and his Gulf stream ticket to Dubai. The man was 51. Two wives already. My father said I had one month to decide. Marry him or pack out.

My mother didn't say anything. She just looked at the floor.

I had ₦18k in my account and a scholarship letter from ABU that I never used because they said university was for boys. I kept that letter in my bag for years.

I packed out on the 28th day. Went to Abuja with one small bag. My father didn't call me for eight months.

Now I'm HR Manager, married to a man I chose, one daughter. My father and I talk small small now. He even calls her 'my princess'.

But wallahi, that one month taught me something. When they give you a deadline to choose their way, they are not asking you. They are telling you.