We will not allow you to keep our daughter in such a house. A two-bedroom flat for that matter! It is not even a duplex. No! Thank God we had seen this before giving our daughter off to a pauper.

My mother-in-law and her sisters had said the statements above. I just knew I had lost the love of my life. They returned everything I had sent, the gifts and clothes and even attempted to give me back my money. This is all because of a two-bedroom flat I had procured.

I didn’t know that the house could make them change their mind. I thought it was about building a family together – a successful future. I thought my bride-to-be would fight for our love, but I was surprised when she married Alhaji Shehu’s son a month after our disengagement.

I don’t understand these people. I wonder if they realize it’s not all about a fancy wedding. Do these people try to find out about their prospective in-laws, or do they give their daughter out based on the impression a family makes?

My Dad used to tell me that even if he was rich, I could be poor. What he owned was his. The two-bedroom flat was mine. I bought it with my money. I had a business in my name. Although my dad helped me with capital, I worked hard for what I had, and the wedding I planned was based on my budget.

What was the use of a wedding that made you go bankrupt afterwards? Weddings are crazily expensive nowadays. The lefe, bridal shower, Kamu, you name it.

On the other hand, Alhaji Shehu sponsored the whole wedding. He needed it glamorous because he was an important person in society. You and I can understand that. It seems my love and her husband were going to be fed from Alhaji Shehu’s wealth.

What baffles me is how her family didn’t care about what happened later.

Somehow, I don’t blame her. This materialistic mentality is what she grew up with. I am grateful I got out before bills wrapped my neck like chains. She was always after the latest things in town and will rather attend every wedding ceremony.

To so many families, social status was more important than the future. They wanted to show off and be the talk of the town. I know I’m not the only one affected by this, but a bunch of others are as well.

Would you rather watch your child live unhappily in wealth or see them happy?

Some might say I’m pushing them to marry their daughters off to paupers, but please try to make research on who your daughter is getting married to.

I am glad to state that the marriage didn’t last. Call me names, if you will. It turned out Alhaji Shehu had a son out of wedlock, an agola, and his gift to the boy was sponsoring the glamorous wedding. They eventually had to sell the house. In three months, my sweetheart was returned to her home.