Hmm… this must be called the first stage. Because this is where everything began — the beginning that felt like the opening of the first conscious page of my life. After all, I was only seventeen years old at the time. I can say I entered the university by luck and grace, especially since I was admitted into the exact course I loved and dreamed of studying.
In my first year, I began to understand the kind of life Baby was living at school. She had already abandoned her studies and joined the group of wayward students. They spent their time visiting lecturers’ offices unnecessarily, sometimes even their homes, or going out with them in cars. Studying meant nothing to them. They had their own clique.
Surprisingly, however, their names always appeared among the top students on the results board, as if they had mastered everything.
Her brother Abbas was no different. He was more focused on campus politics and following wealthy friends with cars than on his studies.
Aside from my brother Musaddiq, I told no one at home about what I observed. Even with him, after he warned me once, I stopped bringing it up and focused on my own studies.
Five months after I resumed, I encountered Mansoor.
Mansoor Khalil Musa was a young, elegant, and exceptionally handsome man. He was highly intelligent and in his third year at Bayero University Kano. His luxurious dressing and expensive car clearly showed he came from a wealthy family. His intelligence and appearance attracted many girls on campus.
Yet, he never looked at any of them, nor allowed himself to get close.
Because of this, people called him proud and arrogant.
He only interacted freely with his two close friends.
But one day, Allah brought us together in the cafeteria.
My only friend Joy and I were eating and chatting happily when he entered with his friends. Despite the whispers his presence caused, I didn’t even look in his direction.
Then suddenly, one of his friends arrogantly told us to stand up so they could sit there.
Joy was about to stand out of fear, but I stopped her with a look.
She whispered, pleading:
“Please, Sam Gee, let’s go. I don’t want trouble. You know how these guys are.”
I replied firmly:
“If you see me stand up, it means I’m done eating.”
Joy stood up anyway.
But to everyone’s surprise, Mansoor told her to sit down.
He calmly pulled a chair and sat beside me.
The entire cafeteria was shocked.
I finished my meal without looking at him.
I always dressed in full hijab and face covering, so most students didn’t even know what I looked like. People even nicknamed me “Hijab Girl.”
Only Joy called me Sam Gee.
As we left, Mansoor kept looking at me like someone watching television.
From that day forward, he began appearing in the cafeteria whenever I was there.
Eventually, he started paying for my meals.
I confronted him angrily, but he only smiled and left.
This continued for a month.
Gradually, we became close.
Eventually, he confessed his love for me.
I reacted harshly and insulted him.
But he remained calm.
Instead, he said:
“For now, let education come first. Love can wait.”
Over time, I accepted him.
Everyone on campus knew about us.
He helped me greatly in my studies.
His presence protected me from harassment.
Our relationship was respectful and clean.
---
Years Later
Mansoor graduated.
We continued communicating by phone.
Meanwhile, I discovered a shocking truth:
There had never been any scholarship.
My brother Musaddiq had been secretly paying my school fees all along.
He sacrificed his life and future for us.
I cried uncontrollably when I found out.
He told me:
“I could never allow you to miss education. Your future is more important.”
Eventually, I graduated successfully.
Soon after, Mansoor helped me secure a job at a television and radio station.
My brother was overjoyed.
But my uncle and his wife were not happy.
They wanted me to get married immediately.
I refused.
I wanted to work first.
Within months, I became successful at my job.
My first salaries, combined with Mansoor’s help, allowed me to buy land for my brother.
He cried when I gave him the documents.
He had sacrificed everything for us.
He deserved it.
---
My New Life
Six months into my job, I had already gained popularity.
My youth program became successful on radio and television.
People loved me.
Allah gave me acceptance.
---
One Morning
I woke up early, as usual, to prepare breakfast before work.
I dressed in my black abaya and veil.
I looked elegant, but I remained humble.
My brother dropped me off at work on his motorcycle.
On the way, I told him I wanted to build a house for him.
But he said:
“No. We should prepare for your marriage first.”
I refused.
I wanted him to build his life first.
He deserved happiness too.
He smiled.
And dropped me at the gate.
---
And that moment became another turning point in my life…
CHAPTER ONE
Hmm… this must be called the first stage. Because this is where everything began — the beginning that felt like the opening of the first conscious page of my life. After all, I was only seventeen years old at the time. I can say I entered the university by luck and grace, especially since I was admitted into the exact course I loved and dreamed of studying.
In my first year, I began to understand the kind of life Baby was living at school. She had already abandoned her studies and joined the group of wayward students. They spent their time visiting lecturers’ offices unnecessarily, sometimes even their homes, or going out with them in cars. Studying meant nothing to them. They had their own clique.
Surprisingly, however, their names always appeared among the top students on the results board, as if they had mastered everything.
Her brother Abbas was no different. He was more focused on campus politics and following wealthy friends with cars than on his studies.
Aside from my brother Musaddiq, I told no one at home about what I observed. Even with him, after he warned me once, I stopped bringing it up and focused on my own studies.
Five months after I resumed, I encountered Mansoor.
Mansoor Khalil Musa was a young, elegant, and exceptionally handsome man. He was highly intelligent and in his third year at Bayero University Kano. His luxurious dressing and expensive car clearly showed he came from a wealthy family. His intelligence and appearance attracted many girls on campus.
Yet, he never looked at any of them, nor allowed himself to get close.
Because of this, people called him proud and arrogant.
He only interacted freely with his two close friends.
But one day, Allah brought us together in the cafeteria.
My only friend Joy and I were eating and chatting happily when he entered with his friends. Despite the whispers his presence caused, I didn’t even look in his direction.
Then suddenly, one of his friends arrogantly told us to stand up so they could sit there.
Joy was about to stand out of fear, but I stopped her with a look.
She whispered, pleading:
“Please, Sam Gee, let’s go. I don’t want trouble. You know how these guys are.”
I replied firmly:
“If you see me stand up, it means I’m done eating.”
Joy stood up anyway.
But to everyone’s surprise, Mansoor told her to sit down.
He calmly pulled a chair and sat beside me.
The entire cafeteria was shocked.
I finished my meal without looking at him.
I always dressed in full hijab and face covering, so most students didn’t even know what I looked like. People even nicknamed me “Hijab Girl.”
Only Joy called me Sam Gee.
As we left, Mansoor kept looking at me like someone watching television.
From that day forward, he began appearing in the cafeteria whenever I was there.
Eventually, he started paying for my meals.
I confronted him angrily, but he only smiled and left.
This continued for a month.
Gradually, we became close.
Eventually, he confessed his love for me.
I reacted harshly and insulted him.
But he remained calm.
Instead, he said:
“For now, let education come first. Love can wait.”
Over time, I accepted him.
Everyone on campus knew about us.
He helped me greatly in my studies.
His presence protected me from harassment.
Our relationship was respectful and clean.
---
Years Later
Mansoor graduated.
We continued communicating by phone.
Meanwhile, I discovered a shocking truth:
There had never been any scholarship.
My brother Musaddiq had been secretly paying my school fees all along.
He sacrificed his life and future for us.
I cried uncontrollably when I found out.
He told me:
“I could never allow you to miss education. Your future is more important.”
Eventually, I graduated successfully.
Soon after, Mansoor helped me secure a job at a television and radio station.
My brother was overjoyed.
But my uncle and his wife were not happy.
They wanted me to get married immediately.
I refused.
I wanted to work first.
Within months, I became successful at my job.
My first salaries, combined with Mansoor’s help, allowed me to buy land for my brother.
He cried when I gave him the documents.
He had sacrificed everything for us.
He deserved it.
---
My New Life
Six months into my job, I had already gained popularity.
My youth program became successful on radio and television.
People loved me.
Allah gave me acceptance.
---
One Morning
I woke up early, as usual, to prepare breakfast before work.
I dressed in my black abaya and veil.
I looked elegant, but I remained humble.
My brother dropped me off at work on his motorcycle.
On the way, I told him I wanted to build a house for him.
But he said:
“No. We should prepare for your marriage first.”
I refused.
I wanted him to build his life first.
He deserved happiness too.
He smiled.
And dropped me at the gate.
---
And that moment became another turning point in my life…