Fever had overtaken Ummee, and at times, if worry overwhelmed her, she would feel as if she were running through the village without waiting for her uncle’s instructions. At other times, thoughts of her childhood, her mother, and her homeland would fill her eyes with tears, only for them to return to her. She knew she was an orphan and, because of this, she remained calm, understanding her situation thoroughly. She didn’t resent her life over anything, accepted her fate, and believed in God’s decree over her. The severity of her suffering barely disturbed her sleep, and she avoided Hudayya, knowing that confronting her would only stir more anger and add to her fever.
---
Innar Zara’u opened the door, visibly frustrated and confused by what was being discussed, though she had overheard their quiet conversation. Her annoyance grew when she saw Sulaiman seated on the prayer mat beside Zainab. Quickly twisting the handle, she hurried inside, confirming her suspicion that a private discussion had taken place. With the cunning she prided herself on, she said:
“Hajiya Zainab, yesterday we wanted to thank you for the help you gave Sulaiman, but you didn’t get the chance. After you left, Zara’u Auta mentioned that you are Safiyya’s (Safeera’s) mother—your friend told me your brother loved her. I swear I didn’t know you, but seeing how Safiyya was raised, I felt at ease with your family. But after that, we heard nothing from you. May God keep you from any harm, Zara’u. You know children nowadays are delicate.”
She fixed her dry, incredulous eyes on Zainab. Zainab, shocked and fearful at this claim, realizing she might be implicated in something, struggled to respond.
“Am I really Zainab? My brother only came to this country once after leaving years ago, and my family had already married him off,” Zainab said cautiously, avoiding Innar Zara’u’s sharp gaze. Soothing her upset heart, she continued, “God willing, everything will work out. Marriage is God’s will; if the time comes, Sulaiman will inform me so we can celebrate.”
With a gentle smile, Zainab said, “In sha Allah.” Trying to hide her worry about Sulaiman, she added, “And you? Why don’t you sit down? Are you so engrossed in your discussion that you forget your own health?”
Sulaiman wasn’t upset by her tone. Though her words carried subtle sharpness, he understood she hadn’t heard their discussion and knew that Zahra wouldn’t have interfered, which only compounded her feelings.
---
Safeera preferred to chat with Zahra instead of Siyaa. During this conversation, Zahra and Safeera bonded, and Safeera liked Zahra for many reasons, including how she influenced Zahran. Safeera wanted her mother to approve Uncle Ibrahim marrying her, knowing she would obey him because of her affection. Unlike Siyaa, Zahra was not particularly beautiful, but she had a way of winning Abu Zaid’s attention and love, surpassing others in influence. Safeera also speculated about the women he might marry, preferring someone from a less wealthy lineage, which aligned with their family’s aspirations.
Zainab hung her bag and handed Sulaiman her phone.
“I need to contact your ex-wife (Maryam); I want to go to Dabo (Kano) and then to their town, Sirikata.” Sulaiman smiled and took the phone eagerly.
Innar Zara’u, frustrated, couldn’t handle the English conversation that ensued; Zainab cleverly mixed Hausa with English, making sure the secret remained intact. Zainab reassured her, “Take it slow, Innar. I’m leaving. May God make it easy, Mr. Sulaiman.” Innar Zara’u could only sob in frustration.
Zainab separated from Siyaa and Al-Hussain, who chatted lightly, while Safeera and Zahra whispered lies and exaggerated stories to each other, half-fabricated, to influence the conversation.
---
That evening, after discussions with Maryam, Zainab arranged everything perfectly. Maryam gave her full support and celebrated Ummee’s happiness. After breakfast, Safeera took her to the airport, letting her believe she was only going to Kano.
Ummee’s family treated Maryam and Zainab with great respect, even though they were traveling. Zainab purchased gifts to distribute along the way, a present from Maryam. After resting, they began their journey: Zainab headed to Chika (the origin of Abu Zaid’s mother) and then to Lere (his father’s origin). Zainab and Maryam separated from their younger relatives, trusting that the youth would better understand life than the older generation. They shared addresses for future checks if needed and ensured that Ummee’s dowry would be handled by her parents.
After their departure, reconciliation among Zainab’s older relatives took place, balancing differences and agreeing to wish Ummee well and pray for Sulaiman’s protection from Innar Zara’u’s interference. They decided that by the weekend, some would go to Lere and some to Chika to verify Zainab’s lineage before bringing the marriage funds.
Zainab had to persuade her family not to prevent her from traveling, promising that she would soon bring Ibrahim and Safiyya for marriage discussions. With joy, she parted ways and exchanged phone numbers. In Lere, the scenario repeated; the relatives were welcoming. She recognized the hardship of orphanhood and how her advocacy for Ibrahim’s marriage brought both joy and regret.
That night, Zainab traveled to Kaduna after settling matters in Zaria. Memories of her father’s home brought tears despite the empty house. She felt the absence of authority figures—her father, Abu Zaid’s mother, and Siyaa—all married or gone. Abu Zaid had grown, yet the passage of time and circumstances changed nothing in her heart.
---
Sulaiman was released after two days. Hudayya avoided meeting Zainab. That evening, Sulaiman dragged Hudayya, feigning illness, to Innar Zara’u’s living room. He explained that he had contacted Fa’iz regarding Ummee’s dowry, but signs suggested he opposed the marriage. Zainab had requested the house owner’s approval for Sulaiman to marry Ummee, and he would provide a substantial dowry if consented. Hudayya was shaken, but Ummee, overhearing the conversation in the kitchen, prayed silently, “May God guide us rightly,” and wept.
Innar Zara’u laughed cruelly, pinching and hitting Hudayya, who endured in silence.
---
Abu Zaid, tired, managed with his prosthetic leg visible under a basketball jersey, raised his hand to Sajjad, signaling him as he entered the room. He recognized Sulaiman as Zainab’s colleague. Sulaiman tried calling Abu Zaid, but the first attempt failed; the second, a video call, revealed each of their faces. Abu Zaid recognized nothing familiar but engaged politely. Their conversation was brief, and Sulaiman left with a chill in his body, reflecting on Ummee’s situation and the challenges of managing such a relationship.
---
Ummee’s mother had completed the cooking and offered it to Innar Zara’u, who initially resisted but eventually took it. Zainab’s clear understanding of her family, as well as Abu Zaid’s lineage, guided the interactions, and they ensured all discussions respected cultural and religious customs.
The passage ends with Zainab navigating complex family dynamics, the secrecy of marriage arrangements, and the delicate handling of youth, elders, and potential misunderstandings, all while ensuring Ummee’s well-being and Sulaiman’s intentions are protected.
Fever had overtaken Ummee, and at times, if worry overwhelmed her, she would feel as if she were running through the village without waiting for her uncle’s instructions. At other times, thoughts of her childhood, her mother, and her homeland would fill her eyes with tears, only for them to return to her. She knew she was an orphan and, because of this, she remained calm, understanding her situation thoroughly. She didn’t resent her life over anything, accepted her fate, and believed in God’s decree over her. The severity of her suffering barely disturbed her sleep, and she avoided Hudayya, knowing that confronting her would only stir more anger and add to her fever.
---
Innar Zara’u opened the door, visibly frustrated and confused by what was being discussed, though she had overheard their quiet conversation. Her annoyance grew when she saw Sulaiman seated on the prayer mat beside Zainab. Quickly twisting the handle, she hurried inside, confirming her suspicion that a private discussion had taken place. With the cunning she prided herself on, she said:
“Hajiya Zainab, yesterday we wanted to thank you for the help you gave Sulaiman, but you didn’t get the chance. After you left, Zara’u Auta mentioned that you are Safiyya’s (Safeera’s) mother—your friend told me your brother loved her. I swear I didn’t know you, but seeing how Safiyya was raised, I felt at ease with your family. But after that, we heard nothing from you. May God keep you from any harm, Zara’u. You know children nowadays are delicate.”
She fixed her dry, incredulous eyes on Zainab. Zainab, shocked and fearful at this claim, realizing she might be implicated in something, struggled to respond.
“Am I really Zainab? My brother only came to this country once after leaving years ago, and my family had already married him off,” Zainab said cautiously, avoiding Innar Zara’u’s sharp gaze. Soothing her upset heart, she continued, “God willing, everything will work out. Marriage is God’s will; if the time comes, Sulaiman will inform me so we can celebrate.”
With a gentle smile, Zainab said, “In sha Allah.” Trying to hide her worry about Sulaiman, she added, “And you? Why don’t you sit down? Are you so engrossed in your discussion that you forget your own health?”
Sulaiman wasn’t upset by her tone. Though her words carried subtle sharpness, he understood she hadn’t heard their discussion and knew that Zahra wouldn’t have interfered, which only compounded her feelings.
---
Safeera preferred to chat with Zahra instead of Siyaa. During this conversation, Zahra and Safeera bonded, and Safeera liked Zahra for many reasons, including how she influenced Zahran. Safeera wanted her mother to approve Uncle Ibrahim marrying her, knowing she would obey him because of her affection. Unlike Siyaa, Zahra was not particularly beautiful, but she had a way of winning Abu Zaid’s attention and love, surpassing others in influence. Safeera also speculated about the women he might marry, preferring someone from a less wealthy lineage, which aligned with their family’s aspirations.
Zainab hung her bag and handed Sulaiman her phone.
“I need to contact your ex-wife (Maryam); I want to go to Dabo (Kano) and then to their town, Sirikata.” Sulaiman smiled and took the phone eagerly.
Innar Zara’u, frustrated, couldn’t handle the English conversation that ensued; Zainab cleverly mixed Hausa with English, making sure the secret remained intact. Zainab reassured her, “Take it slow, Innar. I’m leaving. May God make it easy, Mr. Sulaiman.” Innar Zara’u could only sob in frustration.
Zainab separated from Siyaa and Al-Hussain, who chatted lightly, while Safeera and Zahra whispered lies and exaggerated stories to each other, half-fabricated, to influence the conversation.
---
That evening, after discussions with Maryam, Zainab arranged everything perfectly. Maryam gave her full support and celebrated Ummee’s happiness. After breakfast, Safeera took her to the airport, letting her believe she was only going to Kano.
Ummee’s family treated Maryam and Zainab with great respect, even though they were traveling. Zainab purchased gifts to distribute along the way, a present from Maryam. After resting, they began their journey: Zainab headed to Chika (the origin of Abu Zaid’s mother) and then to Lere (his father’s origin). Zainab and Maryam separated from their younger relatives, trusting that the youth would better understand life than the older generation. They shared addresses for future checks if needed and ensured that Ummee’s dowry would be handled by her parents.
After their departure, reconciliation among Zainab’s older relatives took place, balancing differences and agreeing to wish Ummee well and pray for Sulaiman’s protection from Innar Zara’u’s interference. They decided that by the weekend, some would go to Lere and some to Chika to verify Zainab’s lineage before bringing the marriage funds.
Zainab had to persuade her family not to prevent her from traveling, promising that she would soon bring Ibrahim and Safiyya for marriage discussions. With joy, she parted ways and exchanged phone numbers. In Lere, the scenario repeated; the relatives were welcoming. She recognized the hardship of orphanhood and how her advocacy for Ibrahim’s marriage brought both joy and regret.
That night, Zainab traveled to Kaduna after settling matters in Zaria. Memories of her father’s home brought tears despite the empty house. She felt the absence of authority figures—her father, Abu Zaid’s mother, and Siyaa—all married or gone. Abu Zaid had grown, yet the passage of time and circumstances changed nothing in her heart.
---
Sulaiman was released after two days. Hudayya avoided meeting Zainab. That evening, Sulaiman dragged Hudayya, feigning illness, to Innar Zara’u’s living room. He explained that he had contacted Fa’iz regarding Ummee’s dowry, but signs suggested he opposed the marriage. Zainab had requested the house owner’s approval for Sulaiman to marry Ummee, and he would provide a substantial dowry if consented. Hudayya was shaken, but Ummee, overhearing the conversation in the kitchen, prayed silently, “May God guide us rightly,” and wept.
Innar Zara’u laughed cruelly, pinching and hitting Hudayya, who endured in silence.
---
Abu Zaid, tired, managed with his prosthetic leg visible under a basketball jersey, raised his hand to Sajjad, signaling him as he entered the room. He recognized Sulaiman as Zainab’s colleague. Sulaiman tried calling Abu Zaid, but the first attempt failed; the second, a video call, revealed each of their faces. Abu Zaid recognized nothing familiar but engaged politely. Their conversation was brief, and Sulaiman left with a chill in his body, reflecting on Ummee’s situation and the challenges of managing such a relationship.
---
Ummee’s mother had completed the cooking and offered it to Innar Zara’u, who initially resisted but eventually took it. Zainab’s clear understanding of her family, as well as Abu Zaid’s lineage, guided the interactions, and they ensured all discussions respected cultural and religious customs.
The passage ends with Zainab navigating complex family dynamics, the secrecy of marriage arrangements, and the delicate handling of youth, elders, and potential misunderstandings, all while ensuring Ummee’s well-being and Sulaiman’s intentions are protected.