"A long time ago, I told him that my parents passed away when I was just ten years old. We are originally from Katsina; that is where my parents married and gave birth to me as their only child. One day, thieves broke into our home and murdered them, then set the house on fire. Only Allah saved my life, but I went through excruciating pain in the hospital. I spent three months bedridden. A daughter of my father's elder sister nursed me, and she was the one who raised me until I reached adulthood. I provided for myself and paid my own school fees; there was no petty business I didn't try. Through hard work, I successfully gained admission into Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University. I studied Business Administration, and Alhamdullilah, I graduated with good results. Right after graduation, her husband invited me to Abuja where he ran his business. On our way there, he received a phone call informing him that a car had struck his wife and child, killing them both. We turned back for the mourning period. This tragedy hit me incredibly hard, and it took a long time for me to recover emotionally. In the end, he didn't return to Abuja, but I took the risk and came alone. I rented a small shop using the little money I had saved as capital, and continued doing various petty jobs. Now you know my background and education. It has barely been two years since I completed my national service, and I am currently saving up to return for my Master's degree." Alfah simply nodded, staring at me before saying, "Honestly, Malik, you are a real man. You have deeply impressed me. May Allah have mercy on your parents, forgive them, and do the same for the woman who raised you. Here is what we will do: get up, let's go to my wing so you can see our room, because we will be sharing the same bed. I will introduce you to Mami, and to Abbi when he returns, because I have already spoken to him about you. Mami is also eager to meet you. Later, after you rest, we can go pack your belongings. By tomorrow morning, we will head out so I can show you how everything works around here. I hope you will look at me as your own flesh-and-blood brother, because from the first day I saw you, I took a liking to you and felt a strong desire to help you for Allah's sake. Please, Malik, be trustworthy. Never let anyone use you to harm me. I can forgive anything except betrayal and hypocrisy. Please take note of this. May Allah grant us success and protect us from enemies."
Integration into the Household and the Hidden Romance
From that day on, I became a member of the household. His mother, Mami, cherished me just as she did Alfah. The same warmth extended to his sister, Ni'imah. I was also warmly received by Abbi; we grew so close that he treated me exactly like Alfah. However, on Umma's side, things were completely different. She and her daughters, like Zuwairet, looked at me as if they wanted to set me on fire. Zakiyya, Alfah's girlfriend, was the only one I exchanged pleasant greetings with because of her deep love for Alfah. They were intensely in love, acting as if they could swallow each other whole. They couldn't go a single day without seeing each other or hearing each other's voices. No matter how busy Alfah was, he always carved out time for Zakiyya. Out of nowhere one day, he called and asked me to pick up Zakiyya and bring her to his company, the Fashion & Designer’s Gallery. He hadn't seen her all day and they hadn't spoken on the phone, and he wouldn't be back until late at night. I called her and told her to wait for me by the roadside so that none of her sisters, like Haulat or Khadija, would see her with me, because if they did, she would face a severe beating. She successfully met me by the road, and we headed to his office. Noticing she looked downcast, I asked, "Zakiyya, is everything alright? I notice you don't look cheerful at all." Tears welled up in her eyes as she replied, "Brother Malik, I love Brother Abdoul. By Allah, even I am overwhelmed by how much I love him. But that isn't my main worry; my problem is how Umma constantly spies on me. Even if I say I'm going out nearby, she interrogates me relentlessly. I barely manage to escape. Today, she almost didn't let me leave until I lied that I was needed at school. Everything Khady and Amina do escapes her scrutiny, but she constantly watches me, even though I do my absolute best to protect my modesty." I comforted her and calmed her down until we arrived at the company. We went to his office, where he was swamped with files and receipts. The moment he laid eyes on her, he closed his eyes and flashed a soft smile. He stood up from his chair and opened his arms wide to welcome her. I stood off to the side, observing them. When Alfah loves a woman, absolutely nothing can distract him from her, and he is never ashamed to show his affection in front of anyone. He stepped closer to her, tilting his head gently with his eyes locked on her. Smiling, he said, "My life (Alhayat), what is troubling you? I am not used to seeing you like this. Do not hurt me; my heart cannot take this change in you." Tears filled her eyes. As she was about to cry, he cupped her chin, looked into her eyes, and said softly, "I know the problem. They did what they usually do to you again today, right? Please don't cry, or I might cry too. I cannot bear to watch your tears fall. By Allah's grace, everything will pass soon. I will approach Abbi with our marriage intentions to put an end to this. The only thing I ask of you is that, no matter the hardship or trouble, never turn your back on me. Do not allow anyone to destroy our happiness. Zakiyya, I have never loved anyone like you, and I will never love another woman as long as I live, whether you are alive or not. Despite all of Umma's malice, I will take you away from this house the day you become mine. I even went as far as Bakori to meet your father's elder brother and we spoke. By Allah, Zakiyya, if I don't end up marrying you, it will only be because you chose to reject me."
The Vows and The Betrayal
She wiped her tears, feeling the depth of his immense love. How could she ever let Umma separate her from this handsome, ideal guy? She knew she would never find anyone like him again. Besides, Abdoul was incredibly wealthy, and her ultimate dream was to become his wife—partly just to immerse herself in his immense riches. Weeping, she said, "Consider yourself the lock and key to my heart, Brother Abdoul. Since finding you, I have locked it and thrown the key into a bottomless well. By Allah, I know I cannot live a happy life without you. I feel your presence just like I feel my own breath. But I am terrified of Umma's plots, since she is my mother, and her malice is far too powerful for me. For God's sake, find a solution for us to rescue me from this fear." He comforted her extensively. Eventually, I stepped out of the office to give them their privacy to enjoy their love. They remained together until 6:00 PM when they closed up and headed home. Unbeknownst to us, Khady had been secretly tailing us all the way to the company office. Late that night, while we were in the courtyard in front of our wing, she called him on the phone. "Brother Abdoul, are you drinking the tiger nut milk (kunu aya)? I made it myself. I want you to drink it and tell me how it tastes, because Sister Zuwairet claimed it wasn't delicious." He smiled, operating his laptop. "My love (Hayaty), even if you mix plain dirt, it would taste delicious to me, let alone tiger nut milk. Wow, I'd love to drink it right now and tell you how it is." She laughed and asked, "Where are you? Let me bring it over right now." He adjusted his posture, enjoying the sound of her voice. "I'm right inside the enclosed courtyard in front of our wing." After they finished speaking, I warned him, "Alfah, I think there is trouble brewing. Earlier today, Khady tailed us all the way to the company. You two need to stop meeting so frequently. I am deeply afraid of Umma's plots, especially if she discovers that you are carrying out this romance in secret." He smiled and dismissed it. "Leave her be. Tomorrow I will speak to Abbi. I know he will handle her and put an end to it. I love Zakiyya, and I am not afraid of anything Umma might do, as long as Zakiyya never turns her back on me." I dropped the matter. Shortly after, she arrived and brought the drink. They immediately became engrossed in their romance as if I wasn't even there. From a distance, I noticed a shadow. Looking closer, I clearly saw someone secretly taking photos of them. I stood up and headed toward the figure, but before I could reach them, the person fled, and I couldn't identify who it was. I returned but decided not to mention it to anyone. They chatted for a long time before she finally went back inside.
The Trap and The Scandal
As time went on, Abbi became completely unavailable, so Alfah never got the chance to inform him about his love for Zakiyya. Alfah was also swamped with work, preparing for an upcoming long-term trip to Paris. Meanwhile, I was tasked with traveling to Switzerland to import some goods to stock Alfah's stores. For some reason, I felt a heavy reluctance to travel. It was Mami who kept encouraging me until I found peace of mind. I departed three days before Alfah left for his trip. It was during this specific period of travel, Sofiyyah, that everything fell apart. Alfah returned before me. The very day I arrived back, I walked right into a horrific nightmare. Abbi had ordered soldiers to hold Alfah down while he brutally beat and whipped him. Abbi was weeping out loud, screaming: "I regret the day you were born! I would have preferred your mother miscarried you than for me to witness this day! Abdoul, after ruining my wife's daughter, you turned around and violated her mother! So you are an adulterer and a degenerate! You even drink alcohol, Abdoul! You drank alcohol inside my house! What did I ever do to you? How did I ever wrong you that you want to kill me with heartbreak?!" Abbi wept bitterly, and no one dared intervene to rescue Alfah. Meanwhile, Umma stood off to the side, shouting, "Alhaji, if you do not evict this degenerate from this house, I will leave! And by Allah, I will prosecute him before the authorities. I thank Allah that He never gave me a male child who would bring this kind of catastrophe!" She burst into tears. To the side, Zakiyya was crying hysterically as if her soul was leaving her body. Zuwaira and Haulat stood in a corner, hiding inside their abayas and secretly snickering. Anyone who saw Alfah that day would weep for him; his entire body was covered in blood before Abbi finally grew tired and stopped. Mami was too deeply traumatized to even shed a tear, while Ni'imah wept uncontrollably. In no time, the courtyard filled with people. Alhaji Kwangila approached Abbi to ask what happened, and Abbi explained through his tears: "Kwangila, I regret fathering Alfah. Alfah has ruined me; he has humiliated me. He drank alcohol until he was completely wasted and raped my lawfully wedded wife! This is after he defiled her daughter, Zakiyya, and got her pregnant, only to cruelly force her to get an abortion, which has now caused severe medical complications for the girl! What use do I have for Abdoul in my life? I hate you, I hate you Abdoul, and I will never forgive you until the end of time!" Infuriated, he advanced on him, weeping, and screamed, "Get up, you degenerate, you disgraced bastard! There is no longer any tie between us; I disown you from my lineage! If I ever see your face again in my life, I will destroy you! By Allah, I will kill you!" The onlookers began insulting Alfah and raining curses upon him. Alhaji Kwangila was the loudest and most aggressive among them. Driven to an extreme, blinding rage—a side of Alfah I had never seen before—Alfah lunged forward and grabbed Kwangila by the throat, letting out a terrifying roar from the sheer agony in his heart. Just as Alfah raised his hand to strike him, Abbi thundered, "If you dare strike him, I will formally curse you, Alfah! By Allah, I will cast a curse that will follow you through this world! Will you let him go or not?!" Journalists were already arriving on the scene, eager to broadcast the scandalous headline for profit.
Present Day: Malik’s Warning and Alfah’s Stubbornness
"I think we should stop here for now, Sofiyyah. Go take your test, and tomorrow we will finish the story, even though we are very close to the end." She wiped away her streaming tears, looking at him while he smiled at her. She said, "Brother Malik, honestly, your friend has been through hell, or rather, he is still going through it. Why did this happen? Who is responsible for framing him? By Allah, I can swear he would never commit such atrocities. From everything I've heard about his character, my heart tells me there is a hidden plot. Please finish the story now; I will skip the test, after all, it's just a make-up test." He laughed and said, "Heaven forbid! Go take your test, please. Is the lecturer your boyfriend that he would easily let you take another make-up?" She flashed a beautiful smile and replied, "No, he's just my friend's older brother, we are on good terms." Malik stood up and called over a restaurant worker, telling him to pack some hot grilled meat worth 3,000 Naira as a takeaway. "Get up. By Allah, I won't let you miss your test. Let's go, my car is over there, I'll drop you off." When the food was brought, he took her bag and tucked it inside. She looked at him and said, "Brother Malik, all of this for me? Please keep it, I'll get scolded at home." He made way for her, saying, "No, don't get scolded. When you get to school, eat it with your friend, the one who is a fan of Alfah." They both laughed as they walked toward his car. (If I don't see plenty of comments, I won't type another chapter until the New Year! — Written by Mrs. BB, Mom Muhseen)
Part 13
Malik drove her right into the school campus. She thanked him deeply and asked, "Brother Malik, when will we see each other again?" He rubbed his head and smiled. "I think whenever you find time, since it looks like you have to sneak out." She laughed. "By Allah, Brother Malik, it's like you already know! But Insha Allah, tomorrow I will make an effort to come out because my mind will not rest until I hear the conclusion of this story. By Allah, I feel so much pity for your friend. Will I even be able to sleep tonight? This story has made me feel his pain deeply, and it gives me even more determination to help him." He nodded and said, "Don't worry. Head inside so you don't waste time. Good luck, I hope you ace all your questions." They said their goodbyes with a smile, and she went inside. He watched her walk away, a thought forming in his mind. A very handsome smile spread across his face as he whispered to himself, "Even this step will bear fruit. It will help us, Sofiyyah." He started the car and drove out of the school, heading home to check on Alfah. Upon arriving, he saw Daddy's car parked, indicating he was around. Malik parked and walked straight into the living room. Alfah was kneeling on the floor in front of Daddy, who was furiously scolding him. Malik found a spot to sit and observed them. He greeted Daddy, but Daddy barked back, "Keep your greetings to yourself, Abdulmalik! Abdoul-Nasser is drinking alcohol right in front of you, yet you made no effort to inform me! Alcohol! And not just any alcohol, but the most potent kind that can kill him within a short period!" In a submissive and gentle tone, Malik explained, "Daddy, by Allah, He knows I did my absolute best. I pleaded with Abdoul repeatedly to stop drinking this alcohol, but it only seemed to provoke him further. I used to empty everything inside the house refrigerator and throw it away, but he would react so violently it felt like he wouldn't leave me alive. Then he would go out and bring in even more. By Allah, Daddy, I don't know what to do with him anymore. He refuses to listen to advice, rejects Allah's decree, and refuses to surrender his affairs to God. Just because he was falsely accused of drinking alcohol in the past, he decided to start drinking it for real. The doctor even explained to me that he is incredibly lucky the internal damage hasn't become fatal yet, because anyone who abuses this specific type of wine rarely survives to tell the tale." Daddy nodded in deep anger, staring at Alfah, who kept his head bowed. Daddy looked as if he wanted to give them a severe beating. "Alright, it is fine. I will personally confiscate all of it and throw it away. Don't you dare buy any more, do you hear me? And as for you, Malik, if you ever fail to report his condition to me again, you will answer to Allah. Just because his own father disowned and abandoned him doesn't mean Abdoul has no elders left to look after him. Therefore, whatever situation he is in, inform me immediately so I can take severe disciplinary action against you if you hide it." Daddy stood up, and Malik helped him gather every single bottle of alcohol in the house, taking them outside to destroy them. Alfah, however, remained completely unbothered; he had already resolved in his mind that even if alcohol became his demise, he would never stop. After Daddy left, Malik returned to the living room, only to be struck by a shocking sight. Alfah was holding a cup filled with wine, sipping it slowly with his eyes closed in satisfaction. Malik stood frozen in utter shock, wondering where on earth Alfah had hidden that bottle from them. He walked across the room, knelt right in front of him, and held his knees. Heartbroken, Malik pleaded, "Haba Abdoul, why? Why won't you let us have peace? Why won't you let yourself rest? Everything we are doing is for the sake of your own future. I am terrified that death will catch you in this sinful state. Allah has nothing to do with the false accusations made against you that drove you to this extreme decision. There is no justification for this in the Qur'an or Hadith. Do your life a favor, come back to your senses, and return to your Creator. All this burning rage will change nothing. Turn back to Allah and beg Him to vindicate you and expose the truth, instead of trying to stray from your religion." It was as if Malik wasn't even speaking to Alfah. Alfah kept sipping his wine with his eyes shut, his leg twitching. Inside, his heart was boiling with a rage so intense he felt like ripping it out and throwing it away. After draining the cup, he violently hurled it away and snapped his eyes open, locking them onto Malik. From his explosive fury, his eyes had turned a terrifying shade of blood-red. Malik instinctively backed away, but Alfah lunged forward, grabbed him violently by the throat, and pinned him against the wall. Glaring at him with eyes that looked ready to pop out, Alfah hissed in a harsh, menacing voice: "I will never stop drinking alcohol! Yes, I said I won't stop! Are we going to share the same grave? I am treadly lightly with you, but you fail to see it. The moment you make the mistake of reporting anything negative about me to Daddy again, that will be the end of our friendship!" He roughly threw Malik to the ground and marched toward the exit. As he reached the door, he paused, turned around, and glared fiercely, adding, "If I ever see her face in this house again, I will kill her. Pass that warning to her!" Malik gasped. Did he mean he saw Sofiyyah here the other day? Oh Allah, I thank You that he didn't harm her. Oh Lord, bring relief to this servant of Yours.
Back at School and the Looming Threat
Meanwhile, at school, Sofiyyah met up with her friend Rafeea, who immediately brought up Alfah. "Fiyah, have you ever seen that guy again?" Fiyah was busy checking the questions from the test they had just completed to see if her answers were correct. She replied, "Where on earth would I see him, Rafeea? Crossing paths with that hot-tempered man is a pure hazard." Rafeea laughed. "That's true, but you know, ever since that day, he has been stuck in my mind. I feel so much pity for him. I wish I could help him regain his sanity. Honestly, I think I'm falling in love with him." Fiyah looked up, staring at her friend in absolute shock and bewilderment. "Are you out of your mind, Feea? Out of all the people to fall in love with, you pick that guy? You better watch yourself unless you want to lose your hearing or sight. Confronting that leopard of a man is worse than hugging a live electrical transformer!" Rafeea burst out laughing, bending over from how funny she found it. Fiyah laughed too and added, "Seriously, save yourself the trouble and stick to your guy, Salim." They continued chatting as they headed home together. When Fiyah arrived home, she found a massive load of gifts brought by their older brother, Jalal. There was half a sack of local potatoes, Irish potatoes, plenty of vegetables, bananas, and exceptionally beautiful shoes for her and Yasmeen. He also brought three sets of traditional outfits for their father, including a grand robe (babban riga). These were all gifts for the upcoming Eid, as Ramadan was barely a month away. For their mother, he brought an expensive, high-quality fabric (atamfa) and a beautiful abaya shawl. Brother Jalal was incredibly hardworking; even when away, he engaged in dry-season farming, sold SIM cards to make a decent living, and saved from his salary. They spent the day in pure joy because Brother Jalal brought so much happiness to the house, even though he could sometimes be strict like Anty. When their father returned and saw the items, he showered him with prayers and blessings. They didn't sleep until midnight. At dawn, Fiyah secretly called Malik while Yasmeen was in the restroom. "Brother Malik, I hope I didn't wake you up too early?" Malik adjusted himself in bed, having gone back to sleep after dawn prayers. In a groggy voice, he replied, "You have earned the right to wake me up. How was your night?" "Very fine, Brother Malik. I was wondering where we could meet today. I'll be out by 12:00 PM." He smiled. "You can meet me at the house." Her eyes widened in fear, as if he could see her. "At the house, Brother Malik? No way! Please come out so we can meet somewhere else. Honestly, I am terrified of that man." He laughed, trying to rid her of her fear. "He isn't around today. I managed to send him to the company." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright then. But honestly, Brother Malik, I am scared he might hurt me because I know for a fact he remembers my face." "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you as long as I am here." "Alright, see you later." She hung up, her heart pounding with a mixture of pity and terror. Yet, her determination to help him fix his life burned bright. She wanted to see Abdoul-Nasser return to the true, kind Abdoul everyone used to know. Yasmeen tapped her, breaking her train of thought. "Sister, what are you thinking about? I've been talking to you and you didn't even hear me." Fiyah snapped out of it. "It's nothing, Yasmeen. I was just pondering over my test from yesterday, wondering if I wrote it well, since the results are coming out today." "Oh come on, Sister! Whatever you write, you know you're going to pass with flying colors. You're a genius!" Fiyah laughed. "Don't flatter me! You and Brother Jalal are the real geniuses here." They bantered as they began their daily chores. After breakfast, as Yasmeen prepared for school, she said to their mother, "Mom, I haven't seen Dad since I woke up, and I need to head to school before I'm late." Their mother, sipping her porridge, replied, "He was called out right after dawn prayers and hasn't returned for breakfast yet. Go meet your older brother to give you taxi fare so you don't miss your classes." Yasmeen said her goodbyes and left. Fiyah completed her chores, took a bath, and dressed up exquisitely, looking breathtakingly beautiful. Brother Jalal gave her taxi fare, since their father was still not back. The moment she arrived at the gate of Alfah's house, her heart hammered against her ribs. She quickly paid the taxi driver and ran toward Malik, whispering frantically, "Please, hurry up and bring me inside! I am terrified!" Malik turned off what he was doing and stepped out, looking incredibly sharp and well-dressed. He laughed at her anxiety and said, "You must drop this fear completely if we are going to succeed. If he senses that you are afraid of him, it's over; you've ruined our chances. You need to harden your face and stay firm. Whatever harsh words he throws at you, give it back to him even harder than he expects. Doing that will act as an antidote to his fiery temper. By the way, your very first encounter with him here... it turns out he actually saw you, but he didn't mention it to me until yesterday." Her heart skipped a beat, but she tried to keep her composure. "What did he say, Brother Malik?" Malik chuckled. "He told me to warn you that if he ever catches your face in this house again, he will ki—" Before Malik could even finish the word, Fiyah bolted, sprinting back toward the exit gate! Malik burst into a fit of laughter and chased after her all the way outside, shouting through his laughter, "Hey! Come back!"
Story Summary
Malik’s Tragic Past: Malik opens up to Alfah about his childhood in Katsina, where armed robbers murdered his parents and burned down their home when he was ten. After surviving months in the hospital, he was raised by a relative, put himself through university, and graduated in Business Administration. Following a second tragedy where his benefactor's family died in a car crash, Malik moved to Abuja alone to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Deeply moved, Alfah adopts Malik as his brother, brings him into his wealthy household, and shares his room with him.
The Secret Romance & Umma’s Spying: While Malik is embraced by Alfah’s mother (Mami), sister (Ni'imah), and father (Abbi), he faces deep hostility from Alfah's stepmother (Umma) and her daughters. Meanwhile, Alfah is deeply in love with Umma's daughter, Zakiyya. Because Umma relentlessly spies on Zakiyya, Malik acts as a secret intermediary to help them meet at Alfah’s design company. Despite Alfah's immense wealth, Zakiyya secretly harbors a desire to secure his riches, while Alfah vows to marry her and rescue her from her mother’s malice.
The Frame-Up and Disownment: Malik spots a hidden shadow taking photos of the secret lovers but keeps it to himself. Shortly after, while Malik and Alfah are away on business trips to Switzerland and Paris, a catastrophic trap is sprung. When Malik returns, he finds Alfah covered in blood, being brutally beaten by soldiers on Abbi's orders. Orchestrated by Umma, Alfah has been framed for getting Zakiyya pregnant, forcing her into a failed abortion, and raping Umma while heavily intoxicated. Believing the lies, a heartbroken Abbi publicly disowns Alfah, strips him of his lineage, and threatens to kill him if he ever returns, while media journalists flock to capture the scandal.
Present Day Chaos & Fiyah’s Danger: Back in the present, Malik narrates this backstory to Sofiyyah (Fiyah), who feels an overwhelming desire to help clear Alfah’s name, intuitively knowing he was framed. Meanwhile, Alfah has spiraled into severe alcoholism to cope with the trauma. Despite Alfah's guardian (Daddy) and Malik destroying the alcohol in the house, Alfah secretly hoards more and attacks Malik, violently pinning him by the throat for reporting him. Alfah issues a chilling death threat, stating that if he ever catches Fiyah—who accidentally stumbled into his life—near his house again, he will kill her. The excerpt ends in a mix of comedy and suspense when Fiyah arrives at the house to hear the rest of the story, but runs away in pure terror the moment Malik reveals Alfah's death threat.
Malik Shares His Past with Alfah
"A long time ago, I told him that my parents passed away when I was just ten years old. We are originally from Katsina; that is where my parents married and gave birth to me as their only child. One day, thieves broke into our home and murdered them, then set the house on fire. Only Allah saved my life, but I went through excruciating pain in the hospital. I spent three months bedridden. A daughter of my father's elder sister nursed me, and she was the one who raised me until I reached adulthood. I provided for myself and paid my own school fees; there was no petty business I didn't try. Through hard work, I successfully gained admission into Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University. I studied Business Administration, and Alhamdullilah, I graduated with good results. Right after graduation, her husband invited me to Abuja where he ran his business. On our way there, he received a phone call informing him that a car had struck his wife and child, killing them both.
We turned back for the mourning period. This tragedy hit me incredibly hard, and it took a long time for me to recover emotionally. In the end, he didn't return to Abuja, but I took the risk and came alone. I rented a small shop using the little money I had saved as capital, and continued doing various petty jobs. Now you know my background and education. It has barely been two years since I completed my national service, and I am currently saving up to return for my Master's degree."
Alfah simply nodded, staring at me before saying, "Honestly, Malik, you are a real man. You have deeply impressed me. May Allah have mercy on your parents, forgive them, and do the same for the woman who raised you. Here is what we will do: get up, let's go to my wing so you can see our room, because we will be sharing the same bed. I will introduce you to Mami, and to Abbi when he returns, because I have already spoken to him about you. Mami is also eager to meet you. Later, after you rest, we can go pack your belongings. By tomorrow morning, we will head out so I can show you how everything works around here. I hope you will look at me as your own flesh-and-blood brother, because from the first day I saw you, I took a liking to you and felt a strong desire to help you for Allah's sake. Please, Malik, be trustworthy. Never let anyone use you to harm me. I can forgive anything except betrayal and hypocrisy. Please take note of this. May Allah grant us success and protect us from enemies."
Integration into the Household and the Hidden Romance
From that day on, I became a member of the household. His mother, Mami, cherished me just as she did Alfah. The same warmth extended to his sister, Ni'imah. I was also warmly received by Abbi; we grew so close that he treated me exactly like Alfah. However, on Umma's side, things were completely different. She and her daughters, like Zuwairet, looked at me as if they wanted to set me on fire. Zakiyya, Alfah's girlfriend, was the only one I exchanged pleasant greetings with because of her deep love for Alfah. They were intensely in love, acting as if they could swallow each other whole. They couldn't go a single day without seeing each other or hearing each other's voices. No matter how busy Alfah was, he always carved out time for Zakiyya.
Out of nowhere one day, he called and asked me to pick up Zakiyya and bring her to his company, the Fashion & Designer’s Gallery. He hadn't seen her all day and they hadn't spoken on the phone, and he wouldn't be back until late at night.
I called her and told her to wait for me by the roadside so that none of her sisters, like Haulat or Khadija, would see her with me, because if they did, she would face a severe beating.
She successfully met me by the road, and we headed to his office. Noticing she looked downcast, I asked, "Zakiyya, is everything alright? I notice you don't look cheerful at all."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she replied, "Brother Malik, I love Brother Abdoul. By Allah, even I am overwhelmed by how much I love him. But that isn't my main worry; my problem is how Umma constantly spies on me. Even if I say I'm going out nearby, she interrogates me relentlessly. I barely manage to escape. Today, she almost didn't let me leave until I lied that I was needed at school. Everything Khady and Amina do escapes her scrutiny, but she constantly watches me, even though I do my absolute best to protect my modesty."
I comforted her and calmed her down until we arrived at the company. We went to his office, where he was swamped with files and receipts.
The moment he laid eyes on her, he closed his eyes and flashed a soft smile. He stood up from his chair and opened his arms wide to welcome her. I stood off to the side, observing them. When Alfah loves a woman, absolutely nothing can distract him from her, and he is never ashamed to show his affection in front of anyone.
He stepped closer to her, tilting his head gently with his eyes locked on her. Smiling, he said, "My life (Alhayat), what is troubling you? I am not used to seeing you like this. Do not hurt me; my heart cannot take this change in you."
Tears filled her eyes. As she was about to cry, he cupped her chin, looked into her eyes, and said softly, "I know the problem. They did what they usually do to you again today, right? Please don't cry, or I might cry too. I cannot bear to watch your tears fall. By Allah's grace, everything will pass soon. I will approach Abbi with our marriage intentions to put an end to this. The only thing I ask of you is that, no matter the hardship or trouble, never turn your back on me. Do not allow anyone to destroy our happiness. Zakiyya, I have never loved anyone like you, and I will never love another woman as long as I live, whether you are alive or not. Despite all of Umma's malice, I will take you away from this house the day you become mine. I even went as far as Bakori to meet your father's elder brother and we spoke. By Allah, Zakiyya, if I don't end up marrying you, it will only be because you chose to reject me."
The Vows and The Betrayal
She wiped her tears, feeling the depth of his immense love. How could she ever let Umma separate her from this handsome, ideal guy? She knew she would never find anyone like him again. Besides, Abdoul was incredibly wealthy, and her ultimate dream was to become his wife—partly just to immerse herself in his immense riches.
Weeping, she said, "Consider yourself the lock and key to my heart, Brother Abdoul. Since finding you, I have locked it and thrown the key into a bottomless well. By Allah, I know I cannot live a happy life without you. I feel your presence just like I feel my own breath. But I am terrified of Umma's plots, since she is my mother, and her malice is far too powerful for me. For God's sake, find a solution for us to rescue me from this fear."
He comforted her extensively. Eventually, I stepped out of the office to give them their privacy to enjoy their love. They remained together until 6:00 PM when they closed up and headed home. Unbeknownst to us, Khady had been secretly tailing us all the way to the company office.
Late that night, while we were in the courtyard in front of our wing, she called him on the phone.
"Brother Abdoul, are you drinking the tiger nut milk (kunu aya)? I made it myself. I want you to drink it and tell me how it tastes, because Sister Zuwairet claimed it wasn't delicious."
He smiled, operating his laptop. "My love (Hayaty), even if you mix plain dirt, it would taste delicious to me, let alone tiger nut milk. Wow, I'd love to drink it right now and tell you how it is."
She laughed and asked, "Where are you? Let me bring it over right now."
He adjusted his posture, enjoying the sound of her voice. "I'm right inside the enclosed courtyard in front of our wing."
After they finished speaking, I warned him, "Alfah, I think there is trouble brewing. Earlier today, Khady tailed us all the way to the company. You two need to stop meeting so frequently. I am deeply afraid of Umma's plots, especially if she discovers that you are carrying out this romance in secret."
He smiled and dismissed it. "Leave her be. Tomorrow I will speak to Abbi. I know he will handle her and put an end to it. I love Zakiyya, and I am not afraid of anything Umma might do, as long as Zakiyya never turns her back on me."
I dropped the matter. Shortly after, she arrived and brought the drink. They immediately became engrossed in their romance as if I wasn't even there. From a distance, I noticed a shadow. Looking closer, I clearly saw someone secretly taking photos of them. I stood up and headed toward the figure, but before I could reach them, the person fled, and I couldn't identify who it was.
I returned but decided not to mention it to anyone. They chatted for a long time before she finally went back inside.
The Trap and The Scandal
As time went on, Abbi became completely unavailable, so Alfah never got the chance to inform him about his love for Zakiyya. Alfah was also swamped with work, preparing for an upcoming long-term trip to Paris. Meanwhile, I was tasked with traveling to Switzerland to import some goods to stock Alfah's stores.
For some reason, I felt a heavy reluctance to travel. It was Mami who kept encouraging me until I found peace of mind. I departed three days before Alfah left for his trip.
It was during this specific period of travel, Sofiyyah, that everything fell apart. Alfah returned before me. The very day I arrived back, I walked right into a horrific nightmare. Abbi had ordered soldiers to hold Alfah down while he brutally beat and whipped him.
Abbi was weeping out loud, screaming:
"I regret the day you were born! I would have preferred your mother miscarried you than for me to witness this day! Abdoul, after ruining my wife's daughter, you turned around and violated her mother! So you are an adulterer and a degenerate! You even drink alcohol, Abdoul! You drank alcohol inside my house! What did I ever do to you? How did I ever wrong you that you want to kill me with heartbreak?!" Abbi wept bitterly, and no one dared intervene to rescue Alfah.
Meanwhile, Umma stood off to the side, shouting, "Alhaji, if you do not evict this degenerate from this house, I will leave! And by Allah, I will prosecute him before the authorities. I thank Allah that He never gave me a male child who would bring this kind of catastrophe!" She burst into tears. To the side, Zakiyya was crying hysterically as if her soul was leaving her body.
Zuwaira and Haulat stood in a corner, hiding inside their abayas and secretly snickering. Anyone who saw Alfah that day would weep for him; his entire body was covered in blood before Abbi finally grew tired and stopped.
Mami was too deeply traumatized to even shed a tear, while Ni'imah wept uncontrollably.
In no time, the courtyard filled with people. Alhaji Kwangila approached Abbi to ask what happened, and Abbi explained through his tears:
"Kwangila, I regret fathering Alfah. Alfah has ruined me; he has humiliated me. He drank alcohol until he was completely wasted and raped my lawfully wedded wife! This is after he defiled her daughter, Zakiyya, and got her pregnant, only to cruelly force her to get an abortion, which has now caused severe medical complications for the girl! What use do I have for Abdoul in my life? I hate you, I hate you Abdoul, and I will never forgive you until the end of time!" Infuriated, he advanced on him, weeping, and screamed, "Get up, you degenerate, you disgraced bastard! There is no longer any tie between us; I disown you from my lineage! If I ever see your face again in my life, I will destroy you! By Allah, I will kill you!"
The onlookers began insulting Alfah and raining curses upon him. Alhaji Kwangila was the loudest and most aggressive among them. Driven to an extreme, blinding rage—a side of Alfah I had never seen before—Alfah lunged forward and grabbed Kwangila by the throat, letting out a terrifying roar from the sheer agony in his heart.
Just as Alfah raised his hand to strike him, Abbi thundered, "If you dare strike him, I will formally curse you, Alfah! By Allah, I will cast a curse that will follow you through this world! Will you let him go or not?!"
Journalists were already arriving on the scene, eager to broadcast the scandalous headline for profit.
Present Day: Malik’s Warning and Alfah’s Stubbornness
"I think we should stop here for now, Sofiyyah. Go take your test, and tomorrow we will finish the story, even though we are very close to the end."
She wiped away her streaming tears, looking at him while he smiled at her. She said, "Brother Malik, honestly, your friend has been through hell, or rather, he is still going through it. Why did this happen? Who is responsible for framing him? By Allah, I can swear he would never commit such atrocities. From everything I've heard about his character, my heart tells me there is a hidden plot. Please finish the story now; I will skip the test, after all, it's just a make-up test."
He laughed and said, "Heaven forbid! Go take your test, please. Is the lecturer your boyfriend that he would easily let you take another make-up?"
She flashed a beautiful smile and replied, "No, he's just my friend's older brother, we are on good terms."
Malik stood up and called over a restaurant worker, telling him to pack some hot grilled meat worth 3,000 Naira as a takeaway.
"Get up. By Allah, I won't let you miss your test. Let's go, my car is over there, I'll drop you off."
When the food was brought, he took her bag and tucked it inside. She looked at him and said, "Brother Malik, all of this for me? Please keep it, I'll get scolded at home."
He made way for her, saying, "No, don't get scolded. When you get to school, eat it with your friend, the one who is a fan of Alfah."
They both laughed as they walked toward his car.
(If I don't see plenty of comments, I won't type another chapter until the New Year! — Written by Mrs. BB, Mom Muhseen)
Part 13
Malik drove her right into the school campus. She thanked him deeply and asked, "Brother Malik, when will we see each other again?"
He rubbed his head and smiled. "I think whenever you find time, since it looks like you have to sneak out."
She laughed. "By Allah, Brother Malik, it's like you already know! But Insha Allah, tomorrow I will make an effort to come out because my mind will not rest until I hear the conclusion of this story. By Allah, I feel so much pity for your friend. Will I even be able to sleep tonight? This story has made me feel his pain deeply, and it gives me even more determination to help him."
He nodded and said, "Don't worry. Head inside so you don't waste time. Good luck, I hope you ace all your questions."
They said their goodbyes with a smile, and she went inside. He watched her walk away, a thought forming in his mind. A very handsome smile spread across his face as he whispered to himself, "Even this step will bear fruit. It will help us, Sofiyyah."
He started the car and drove out of the school, heading home to check on Alfah.
Upon arriving, he saw Daddy's car parked, indicating he was around. Malik parked and walked straight into the living room.
Alfah was kneeling on the floor in front of Daddy, who was furiously scolding him. Malik found a spot to sit and observed them. He greeted Daddy, but Daddy barked back, "Keep your greetings to yourself, Abdulmalik! Abdoul-Nasser is drinking alcohol right in front of you, yet you made no effort to inform me! Alcohol! And not just any alcohol, but the most potent kind that can kill him within a short period!"
In a submissive and gentle tone, Malik explained, "Daddy, by Allah, He knows I did my absolute best. I pleaded with Abdoul repeatedly to stop drinking this alcohol, but it only seemed to provoke him further. I used to empty everything inside the house refrigerator and throw it away, but he would react so violently it felt like he wouldn't leave me alive. Then he would go out and bring in even more. By Allah, Daddy, I don't know what to do with him anymore. He refuses to listen to advice, rejects Allah's decree, and refuses to surrender his affairs to God. Just because he was falsely accused of drinking alcohol in the past, he decided to start drinking it for real. The doctor even explained to me that he is incredibly lucky the internal damage hasn't become fatal yet, because anyone who abuses this specific type of wine rarely survives to tell the tale."
Daddy nodded in deep anger, staring at Alfah, who kept his head bowed. Daddy looked as if he wanted to give them a severe beating.
"Alright, it is fine. I will personally confiscate all of it and throw it away. Don't you dare buy any more, do you hear me? And as for you, Malik, if you ever fail to report his condition to me again, you will answer to Allah. Just because his own father disowned and abandoned him doesn't mean Abdoul has no elders left to look after him. Therefore, whatever situation he is in, inform me immediately so I can take severe disciplinary action against you if you hide it."
Daddy stood up, and Malik helped him gather every single bottle of alcohol in the house, taking them outside to destroy them. Alfah, however, remained completely unbothered; he had already resolved in his mind that even if alcohol became his demise, he would never stop.
After Daddy left, Malik returned to the living room, only to be struck by a shocking sight. Alfah was holding a cup filled with wine, sipping it slowly with his eyes closed in satisfaction.
Malik stood frozen in utter shock, wondering where on earth Alfah had hidden that bottle from them. He walked across the room, knelt right in front of him, and held his knees. Heartbroken, Malik pleaded, "Haba Abdoul, why? Why won't you let us have peace? Why won't you let yourself rest? Everything we are doing is for the sake of your own future. I am terrified that death will catch you in this sinful state. Allah has nothing to do with the false accusations made against you that drove you to this extreme decision. There is no justification for this in the Qur'an or Hadith. Do your life a favor, come back to your senses, and return to your Creator. All this burning rage will change nothing. Turn back to Allah and beg Him to vindicate you and expose the truth, instead of trying to stray from your religion."
It was as if Malik wasn't even speaking to Alfah. Alfah kept sipping his wine with his eyes shut, his leg twitching. Inside, his heart was boiling with a rage so intense he felt like ripping it out and throwing it away. After draining the cup, he violently hurled it away and snapped his eyes open, locking them onto Malik.
From his explosive fury, his eyes had turned a terrifying shade of blood-red. Malik instinctively backed away, but Alfah lunged forward, grabbed him violently by the throat, and pinned him against the wall. Glaring at him with eyes that looked ready to pop out, Alfah hissed in a harsh, menacing voice:
"I will never stop drinking alcohol! Yes, I said I won't stop! Are we going to share the same grave? I am treadly lightly with you, but you fail to see it. The moment you make the mistake of reporting anything negative about me to Daddy again, that will be the end of our friendship!"
He roughly threw Malik to the ground and marched toward the exit. As he reached the door, he paused, turned around, and glared fiercely, adding, "If I ever see her face in this house again, I will kill her. Pass that warning to her!"
Malik gasped. Did he mean he saw Sofiyyah here the other day? Oh Allah, I thank You that he didn't harm her. Oh Lord, bring relief to this servant of Yours.
Back at School and the Looming Threat
Meanwhile, at school, Sofiyyah met up with her friend Rafeea, who immediately brought up Alfah.
"Fiyah, have you ever seen that guy again?"
Fiyah was busy checking the questions from the test they had just completed to see if her answers were correct. She replied, "Where on earth would I see him, Rafeea? Crossing paths with that hot-tempered man is a pure hazard."
Rafeea laughed. "That's true, but you know, ever since that day, he has been stuck in my mind. I feel so much pity for him. I wish I could help him regain his sanity. Honestly, I think I'm falling in love with him."
Fiyah looked up, staring at her friend in absolute shock and bewilderment. "Are you out of your mind, Feea? Out of all the people to fall in love with, you pick that guy? You better watch yourself unless you want to lose your hearing or sight. Confronting that leopard of a man is worse than hugging a live electrical transformer!"
Rafeea burst out laughing, bending over from how funny she found it.
Fiyah laughed too and added, "Seriously, save yourself the trouble and stick to your guy, Salim." They continued chatting as they headed home together.
When Fiyah arrived home, she found a massive load of gifts brought by their older brother, Jalal. There was half a sack of local potatoes, Irish potatoes, plenty of vegetables, bananas, and exceptionally beautiful shoes for her and Yasmeen. He also brought three sets of traditional outfits for their father, including a grand robe (babban riga).
These were all gifts for the upcoming Eid, as Ramadan was barely a month away. For their mother, he brought an expensive, high-quality fabric (atamfa) and a beautiful abaya shawl. Brother Jalal was incredibly hardworking; even when away, he engaged in dry-season farming, sold SIM cards to make a decent living, and saved from his salary.
They spent the day in pure joy because Brother Jalal brought so much happiness to the house, even though he could sometimes be strict like Anty. When their father returned and saw the items, he showered him with prayers and blessings. They didn't sleep until midnight.
At dawn, Fiyah secretly called Malik while Yasmeen was in the restroom.
"Brother Malik, I hope I didn't wake you up too early?"
Malik adjusted himself in bed, having gone back to sleep after dawn prayers. In a groggy voice, he replied, "You have earned the right to wake me up. How was your night?"
"Very fine, Brother Malik. I was wondering where we could meet today. I'll be out by 12:00 PM."
He smiled. "You can meet me at the house."
Her eyes widened in fear, as if he could see her. "At the house, Brother Malik? No way! Please come out so we can meet somewhere else. Honestly, I am terrified of that man."
He laughed, trying to rid her of her fear. "He isn't around today. I managed to send him to the company."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright then. But honestly, Brother Malik, I am scared he might hurt me because I know for a fact he remembers my face."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you as long as I am here."
"Alright, see you later."
She hung up, her heart pounding with a mixture of pity and terror. Yet, her determination to help him fix his life burned bright. She wanted to see Abdoul-Nasser return to the true, kind Abdoul everyone used to know.
Yasmeen tapped her, breaking her train of thought. "Sister, what are you thinking about? I've been talking to you and you didn't even hear me."
Fiyah snapped out of it. "It's nothing, Yasmeen. I was just pondering over my test from yesterday, wondering if I wrote it well, since the results are coming out today."
"Oh come on, Sister! Whatever you write, you know you're going to pass with flying colors. You're a genius!"
Fiyah laughed. "Don't flatter me! You and Brother Jalal are the real geniuses here." They bantered as they began their daily chores.
After breakfast, as Yasmeen prepared for school, she said to their mother, "Mom, I haven't seen Dad since I woke up, and I need to head to school before I'm late."
Their mother, sipping her porridge, replied, "He was called out right after dawn prayers and hasn't returned for breakfast yet. Go meet your older brother to give you taxi fare so you don't miss your classes."
Yasmeen said her goodbyes and left. Fiyah completed her chores, took a bath, and dressed up exquisitely, looking breathtakingly beautiful. Brother Jalal gave her taxi fare, since their father was still not back.
The moment she arrived at the gate of Alfah's house, her heart hammered against her ribs. She quickly paid the taxi driver and ran toward Malik, whispering frantically, "Please, hurry up and bring me inside! I am terrified!"
Malik turned off what he was doing and stepped out, looking incredibly sharp and well-dressed. He laughed at her anxiety and said, "You must drop this fear completely if we are going to succeed. If he senses that you are afraid of him, it's over; you've ruined our chances. You need to harden your face and stay firm. Whatever harsh words he throws at you, give it back to him even harder than he expects. Doing that will act as an antidote to his fiery temper. By the way, your very first encounter with him here... it turns out he actually saw you, but he didn't mention it to me until yesterday."
Her heart skipped a beat, but she tried to keep her composure. "What did he say, Brother Malik?"
Malik chuckled. "He told me to warn you that if he ever catches your face in this house again, he will ki—"
Before Malik could even finish the word, Fiyah bolted, sprinting back toward the exit gate!
Malik burst into a fit of laughter and chased after her all the way outside, shouting through his laughter, "Hey! Come back!"
Story Summary