FWA Girls Secondary School Abuja SS 2A The attention of the Civic Education teacher and almost all the students was focused on the monitor, who was distributing the test scripts from last week. This allowed two young girls among the students, sitting in the middle of the front row, the opportunity to finalize the plan they had been scheming since morning. One of them suddenly clutched her stomach, let out a loud scream with all her might, slid to the floor, and lay down. Before the teacher and the others could realize what was happening, the second girl knelt before her, shaking her gently. In a tearful voice, she cried, "Rumana, what happened to you? Please wake up, oh dear!..." A smile almost escaped Rumana's lips, but she immediately felt a sharp pinch from her friend, Yusra. "For your father's sake, if you expose us, I swear I will say I had nothing to do with this!" Pure panic had driven Yusra to utter the curse. By then, the teacher had already rushed over, and the rest of the class surrounded them, asking what was wrong. Yusra, crying convincingly, said she just suddenly saw Rumana collapse. The health prefect was called from their class. With the help of Yusra and a female teacher, they carried Rumana to the school’s small clinic. Soon after, they looked for the contact number of her next of kin—who happened to be her uncle—and called him. After she was given an injection and put on an intravenous drip, everyone stepped out, leaving only the doctor and Yusra in the room. Sensing that it was quiet, Rumana opened her eyes, climbed down from the bed, and knelt before the doctor. "Doctor, please help me. When my uncle arrives, tell him that an ulcer is about to eat up my intestines!" Even though he found the request ridiculous, the doctor couldn't help but burst into laughter. He quickly stiffened his face again. "Do I look like your playmate or something?" Yusra knelt down as well. "If you don't help her, I swear hunger will kill her at their house. A real ulcer will actually develop!" He turned to leave. Rumana, knowing very well that if their plan failed today, she would face more than just hunger at home, impulsively ripped the IV needle from her arm, rushed over, and blocked the door. "If you don't help me, I swear I will go completely mad in this clinic! Tell him a severe illness has struck me and that I should be taken back to our hometown so I don't die here." The doctor stood completely bewildered, staring at her. Before he knew it, she marched toward the room's bed—and since it wasn't very heavy—she flipped it over. She then overturned the small table next to the bed, screaming and crying. Yusra, who had helped plan the fake illness, actually became terrified, seeing that Rumana genuinely looked like she was losing her mind. While the doctor was trying to restrain her, they heard her uncle's voice from the small reception area, asking where she was. With eyes full of tears, Rumana looked at the doctor again, her expression begging for mercy and help. He took pity on her. Meanwhile, Yusra was weeping openly. As Awaisu stepped into the room, he saw her looking completely disheveled, as if she had been rolling in the dust. Tears had washed over her face. He quickly rushed to her side and held her. "Rumana, what happened to you? Stop crying and tell me what you want." She couldn't speak; she just kept sobbing. She didn't want to resort to this, but if she didn't return to her parents' house, she didn't feel she could endure staying at his house any longer. Deeply distressed, Awaisu looked at the doctor. "What is wrong with her?" The doctor swallowed hard, looking at how the two girls were staring him down. "Uhmm, based on my examination, this girl is suffering from a severe ulcer, to the point that it is on the verge of damaging her intestines." He surprised himself by playing along and even borrowing their dramatic vocabulary. Awaisu shook his head in total disbelief. "An ulcer? An ulcer from hunger? Mtsew, certainly not in my house, I swear." "That is what the diagnosis shows, sir," the doctor replied. By now, the doctor was beginning to worry that the matter might escalate. Awaisu flared up. "Do you know who I am to tell me about an illness caused by hunger? Why, even the security guard at my house wouldn't complain of hunger, let alone my daughter!" The doctor’s heart sank. In his mind, he thought: His daughter? What kind of daughter would falsely defame her family like this? He glared at them, though they weren't looking at him. Awaisu interrupted his thoughts. "Look, discharge her. I am taking her to a major hospital." Without waiting for a response, he knelt down, picked up her shoes, put them on her feet, helped her up, and they walked out. A wave of pity washed over Rumana for him. However, by any means necessary, by God's grace, she was determined to return to her hometown. As soon as they got into the car, she heard him instruct the driver to take them to the private hospital his own family used. To prevent her lie from being exposed, she immediately went rigid, her body twitching dramatically. His panic worsened. "Uncle, I don't want to go anywhere! Take me back home so I can die in front of Mama. Don't let me die without seeing them again." Her words instantly broke his heart. They ended up going to the hospital anyway, but during the actual medical examination, it was confirmed that she was completely exhausted. She simply needed rest and nutritious food. This medical report left him thoroughly confused. No matter how much he pleaded to have her admitted, she flatly refused—stating that Mama was the only person she wanted to see. They returned home, and he spent the evening scolding everyone, asking how she could have stopped eating without anyone informing him. Maamu, his mother, nursed Rumana that day. Rumana feigned delirium, crying out for her mother continuously; they couldn't even sleep. Inevitably, the next morning, Awaisu made arrangements with the driver to take Rumana back to her hometown. However, he kept worrying about what he would tell his older brother as the reason for bringing her back. As they drove out of the house, Maamu peeked through her bedroom window, watching them leave. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought about how such a young girl had managed to secure her own escape. But as for her, how could she ever leave the house of the very son she gave birth to?
Chapter 2
Fika Local Government – Yobe State Children were jumping around happily in the courtyard because today was Thursday, and there was no Islamic school. The older children, especially the girls, had each taken up their respective household chores. The sound of a greeting at the entrance made them stop. Young and old alike, they all ran to welcome the visitor. They were overjoyed to see their uncle, but seeing him holding Rumana—who was unsteadily faking her weakness—made them stop in confusion. The most talkative child in the house ran inside to announce that Rumana was back. Her mother, who was the second wife in the household, instinctively grabbed her hijab and rushed out. She prayed silently that Rumana hadn't done something terrible to make her uncle refuse to live with her anymore. When she reached the courtyard, the other co-wives—the senior wife and the youngest wife—had also come out to welcome them. Seeing Rumana’s condition, they immediately knew she was unwell. Maman Antu, as the senior wife was called, quickly took Rumana by the hand, and they went into the main parlor of the house. Awaisu had already furnished it generously with a television set and nice sofas. Awaisu didn't follow them; instead, he went straight to Baaba Hure’s room. He found her sitting down, waiting for him ever since she heard his and Rumana’s names mentioned. After greeting her in their native Bolewa language of Fika, he explained the reason for their sudden return. "And are you certain she hasn't been possessed by spirits?" "Not at all, Baaba. She just really frightened me yesterday, which is why I decided to bring her home to rest for a couple of days. I will visit her school next week; even though they know she is unwell, I want to officially update them on the situation." "Well, may Allah grant her relief. How is my sister? It's been days, and whenever I ask your older brother to call her, we can't reach her." He smiled faintly. "She is doing well. You know her; she probably mislaid her phone and forgot where she put it. Has Alhaji not returned yet?" Before she could answer, they heard the voice of his older brother, Alhaji Harisu. He walked into the room, and they exchanged greetings, where Awaisu retold the story of why they came. This time, the other women of the house and Rumana were present in the room. "Nonsense!" Alhaji Harisu barked. "And you actually listened to her, left your work, and traveled all this way?" Rumana pouted. Her only hope was that Alhaji wouldn't ruin the plan she and Yusra had spent three weeks concocting and send her back to that "prison." Now, she didn't even want to hear the name "Abuja" ever again. Awaisu gently pleaded on her behalf, saying she should be accommodated and asked why she had refused to eat. The family members, upon seeing her, had already started complaining about how thin she had become. This was a girl who, even back when she was in boarding school before moving to Abuja, used to be quite chubby. This weight loss certainly wasn't from simple homesickness. Early the next morning, Awaisu and his driver hit the road. Only after Rumana heard the sound of their car driving away did she let out a massive sigh of relief. Now she could live completely on her own terms, relax, and enjoy her life. As for food, she had been eating like a glutton since the previous night. Two days after her return, she was in the bedroom with her eldest sister, who had come over from her own husband's house. They were chatting, and Rumana was describing the strict regimen they faced at their uncle's house. Eventually, she even stood up to reenact exactly what she had done at the school clinic. Unbeknownst to her, their father had walked in and stood there listening to her explanation. Her sister, Maryama, noticed him but froze, unable to tell her to stop, and simply lowered her head. In the middle of demonstrating how she had faked being rigid in the car, Rumana noticed Alhaji. Her body instantly began to tremble as he marched toward her, raining blows on her from every angle. "So you’ve grown clever enough to slander my own brother, Rumana?!" She screamed and cried out, "I swear, Baba, I'm not lying! We aren't given enough food in that house. Both Maamu and I never get full!" "Shut your mouth, you ungrateful fool! You even drag Maamu into your slander? I will call Awaisu myself so we can talk about this." Furious, he stormed out and went into his room. Before he could even sit down, he was informed that Baaba was calling for him. He stood up and went to her. "Is this how you discipline a child in this house? Despite all my calls, you still haven't stopped beating her." "I'm sorry, Baaba, I swear I didn't hear you." He repeated everything Rumana had said to her. She nodded slowly until he finished speaking. "When she made those claims, the right thing for you to do was investigate, not beat her." Astonished that she would even entertain the girl's words, he said, "An investigation, Baaba? We are talking about Awaisu here." "I know. I just hadn't told you before, but during the short time I spent staying there recently, I didn't feel comfortable. And you know how deeply Maamu keeps her secrets." He stared at his mother, thoroughly surprised by her words. He walked out and had Rumana called to him. Fixing her with a stern gaze, he commanded her to tell him everything, truthfully before God. It was as if a radio had been turned on; she narrated the entire story to him. She wept as she spoke, and Alhaji Harisu’s eyes turned red with anger and sorrow. He dismissed her with a stern warning that no one else must hear about this matter until he finished his investigation. He called his younger brother's phone. They exchanged pleasantries and jokes before he asked to be connected to Maamu. Fortunately, Awaisu was at home, so he took the phone to her himself. She was sitting in a room where the cold from the air conditioner was starting to make her physically uncomfortable, but she couldn't turn it off because her young son, Safwan, had taken the batteries out of the remote to use in his gaming controller. When Awaisu walked in, his mind didn't register the fact that she was shivering from the cold, let alone help her. He simply handed her the phone. As she placed it to her ear and heard Harisu's voice, tears welled up in her eyes, though she quickly blinked them back. It had been two months since they last spoke. He greeted her, and she answered, her voice trembling. Hearing her voice, he instantly confirmed that she was in trouble. Without asking too many probing questions over the phone, he went to Baaba and informed her that he would be traveling to Abuja tomorrow to bring Maamu back. Seeing how visibly upset he was, Baaba stopped him as he turned to leave. "Do not forget that Awaisu is her biological son. She hasn't asked for your help, so do not interfere. In your quest to do right by her, you might trespass into boundaries where your presence won't be welcome." He stopped dead in his tracks, weighing Baaba Hure's words. "So are we just supposed to fold our arms and watch if she really is in trouble in that house?" "We won't just fold our arms, but we won't rush either. Everything in this world must be approached patiently until you find the root of the problem. For instance, if it turns out Rumana lied to us, with what face will you look at your brother or Maamu if they find out?"
Chapter 3
Maamu's Story Flashback Looking visibly exhausted, he walked into the house, barely dragging his feet. Baaba was the first to spot him and quickly rushed over. "Big Brother Awaisu, any success?" He shook his head slowly, his heart heavy with disappointment. "Well, don't worry. A person's destined provision will always find them, no matter how long it takes. Go on to my room, your food is kept there." Feeling thoroughly demoralized, he walked past. She watched him go. Only after she saw him emerge with the food bowl did she turn her attention back to Maamu, who was sitting among Harisu’s two wives, helping them pluck sorrel (zogale) leaves. Feigning a stern face, Baaba joked, "You watched my son return, yet you didn't even say welcome, let alone ask how it went?" Maamu smiled. "Since you are right there, what business is it of mine? If you hadn't been around, I would have stepped in to show care." Baaba began to grumble playfully that Maamu wasn't treating her right, while Harisu's wives laughed at the playful bickering between the in-laws. When they finished, Maamu stood up, went into her room, and pulled the door slightly shut. Tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them with the edge of her wrapper. Ever since Awaisu returned and she saw his dejected state, her heart had broken. She was merely forcing herself to smile out of necessity. It had been two years since he started looking for a job, and still, there was nothing. God knows she had long passed the threshold of feeling embarrassed before Baaba Hure and Harisu. The man who had brought her into this household had passed away long ago, and now, their financial weight had fallen squarely on his brother's shoulders. When she married Malam Sa'adu Abali, she came with Awaisu, the child from her first marriage. He was only two years old when his biological father passed away. When Awaisu was four, she met Malam Sa'adu, and they got married. She had initially wanted to send Awaisu back to his paternal relatives, but Malam completely refused. He stated that he saw no point in marrying a woman only to reject her children from a previous home. She lived in perfect harmony with Baaba Hure. Baaba was originally from Katsina; seasonal migration had brought her parents to the town, which was why she grew up fluent in their local language. Despite that, she still spoke Hausa with her own relatives. Malam Sa'adu and Maamu—whose real name was Safara'u—were both natives of Fika and spoke the Bolewa language. Consequently, the entire household, including the children, grew up speaking Bolewa, though they also spoke a bit of Hausa due to interacting with the Hausa community in town. Baaba Hure had four children: Baraka, Harisu, Ummukulsum, and their youngest, Zakiyya. She was a woman of excellent character, wise, and deeply committed to raising children properly. In fact, the children feared her far more than they feared the gentle Maamu. Maamu was known for her constant smiles, even when she was upset. They lived together beautifully. Malam enrolled Awaisu in school, and Harisu used to accompany him, given that even their youngest sister was six years older than Awaisu. When Awaisu was in his second year of junior secondary school, Malam Sa'adu passed away. Maamu was thrown into a state of panic because she hadn't borne any children in that house, and she feared they might ask her to leave after the estate was divided. Knowing that she had nowhere to go if she returned to her own family's home—since her older brothers were all married and living with their wives in their parents' compound—Baaba Hure insisted that she continue living with them as if it were her own home. As for Awaisu's education, Harisu pooled funds from his small businesses along with Baaba Hure's trade capital to pay his school fees. Through these collective hardships, they supported him until he graduated with excellent grades from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, where he studied Banking and Finance. By the time he finished, the financial burden had multiplied heavily on Harisu, whose own family was expanding. Nevertheless, through various petty trades, they kept supporting him until he completed his studies with flying colors. The bond among the children of the house was so deep that an outsider would never guess Awaisu was not Malam’s biological son. Currently, he was searching desperately for a job, but nothing was working out. Maamu’s daily prayer was for him to secure a means of livelihood so they could finally reciprocate the immense generosity of Baaba Hure and her lineage—not as a transactional repayment, but simply to show that she had never forgotten the kindness shown to her. Harisu had taken a second wife, and his family kept growing. He felt duty-bound to feed his own family, as well as Maamu and her son. This reality made Maamu feel incredibly guilty. Two days later, Harisu traveled to Kano to purchase wholesale textile goods at the Kantin Kwari market, as was his routine at the end of every month. He suddenly heard his name being called and turned around to find the caller. A wide smile spread across his face as he hurried toward a shop owner, both of them laughing heartily and embracing each other. "Harisu Abali!" "Saminu of Kano!" They embraced again before Saminu took him by the hand into his textile shop. He ordered a cold drink for him and gave out money to buy them lunch. "Subhanallah, truly, living eyes will always meet again," Saminu remarked, staring warmly at his old friend. "Here is the proof right before us. It's been over five years, and only today has Allah ordained it," Harisu replied. They caught up extensively. Saminu had once lived in Fika, where he and Harisu became exceptionally close friends. Later, he returned to his hometown of Kano to expand his business. During their conversation, Saminu asked about Harisu's younger brother, and Harisu proudly told him that he had already graduated from the university. "What about a job?" "The same old story. In fact, he came to Kano with me on this trip just to start helping me out with business until a proper job comes along. Right now, he is over at Wambai market looking at plastic goods." Harisu and Saminu chatted for hours before parting ways with a promise to meet again the next day before Harisu returned to Fika. The next day before the Dhuhr prayer, they arrived at Saminu's shop to say goodbye. Saminu playfully teased Awaisu about how much he had grown, noting that he had stopped addressing him as "Big Brother" whenever they interacted. Saminu put together a modest package of gifts for them and then pulled Harisu aside. "My friend, I took a bit of an initiative on your behalf yesterday. After we parted, I visited the home of an old contractor to whom I sell high-quality Shadda fabric." "You and your endless connections, my friend," Harisu said with a smile. "Why stop? Let’s leave that aside for now. During our chat, I mentioned to him that I have a younger brother who finished school and is searching for a job. Unfortunately, I didn't know his specific course of study, so my explanation wasn't fully complete." Immense joy flooded Harisu's face. "Are you serious?" Saminu smiled, pleased to see his friend so happy. "Anyway, he mentioned that next week he is traveling to Abuja to see a high-ranking government official. He suggested that, if possible, Awaisu should meet him there next Thursday." He pulled out a business card containing the man's name and phone number and handed it to Harisu. "Here it is. May Allah make it successful. When he goes, he should tell him that he is Saminu Zawachiki's younger brother." Harisu held Saminu's hands, completely lost for words of gratitude. "When we return, we will figure it out. I must accompany him there myself. May Allah reward your kindness to family." He signaled Awaisu to come closer and explained the incredible favor Saminu had just done for them. Awaisu joined in expressing his gratitude, both of them speaking rapidly in profound appreciation.
Chapter 4
On Wednesday afternoon, Harisu and his younger brother arrived in Abuja. After making inquiries, they finally located the residence of Alhaji Mudi Maibuta—the contractor whose assistance Saminu had sought for Awaisu's job search. It was a massive mansion, typical of individuals with serious wealth. At the main gate, the security guard asked for their names and their purpose. Once they explained, his expression softened, and he informed them that Alhaji had already given strict instructions to usher them in the moment they arrived. He escorted them toward a massive tree in the yard where Alhaji was sitting, enjoying the breeze. Seated beside him were two young girls dressed in identical outfits. As they walked over, the older girl among them fixed her eyes on Awaisu, smiling. He, however, didn't pay any attention to her. With deep respect, they greeted Alhaji Mudi. He welcomed them warmly with a relaxed expression and instructed them to be seated in a guesthouse room near the security post. He ordered food to be brought to them, and they were hosted with genuine hospitality. Only after they had eaten to their satisfaction did he return to review Awaisu's credentials. The smile on his face widened. "Subhanallah, so you studied in Bauchi as well! Perhaps you've even crossed paths with Gimbi." Politely, Awaisu asked, "Who might that be?" Alhaji Mudi burst into laughter. "She's my daughter. She and her younger sister were the ones sitting with me when you walked in earlier. Because she bears my mother's name, I call her 'Gimbiya' (Princess). But you know how people are; over time, the name simply shortened to 'Gimbi'." Harisu and Awaisu nodded, smiling politely. Alhaji Mudi continued his explanation. "She completed her studies at ATBU this year too, but she studied Business Administration. I spoke with a contact, and they have accepted her at a bank to do her National Youth Service (NYSC). That's why I laughed when I saw that you are also in the same field. I will forward your documents to him tomorrow. You see, this makes everything much easier." They showered him with expressions of gratitude and prayers. He simply smiled. "Saminu is an exceptionally good man. I only buy fabrics from him, but I consider him a brother because of how wonderfully he interacts with people." Harisu agreed, adding that he could personally vouch for that character trait. Following this, Alhaji Mudi insisted that Awaisu must remain in Abuja. He explained that after submitting the documents the next day, there was a strong possibility the bank would request an interview by Monday. He then promised to provide him with accommodation until that time. Harisu was overwhelmed with gratitude. Truly, good people never cease to exist in this world; running into them is a profound blessing. Despite all of Alhaji Mudi Maibuta's immense wealth, he carried absolutely no arrogance or pride. The next morning, Harisu returned to Fika after sternly advising his younger brother to take care of himself and maintain his integrity. Ever since his older brother left, Awaisu rarely ventured outside. He spent his days in his room, leaving only for prayers, which were led either by Alhaji himself or by a young man whose exact status in the household Awaisu hadn't yet figured out. Morning, noon, and night, the security guard would hand him his meals, which he accepted with immense gratitude. Today was Sunday. After they concluded the Maghrib prayer, Alhaji Mudi asked him to step into his main living room so he could formally greet the family. He reasoned that if Awaisu secured the job and had to stay in Abuja, he would inevitably continue living with them until he found his own apartment. "And since I travel frequently, I believe it's vital that you get to know the members of this house and that they get to know you as well." Awaisu followed closely behind him as they entered a magnificent living room, lavishly furnished with every luxury imaginable. Before they could sit down, a woman entered wearing a hijab, indicating she had just finished her prayers. She was accompanied by the two girls he had seen on his first day, along with a young boy—who couldn't have been older than ten—with whom they had just prayed. Awaisu greeted her politely, and she responded with a warm, cheerful demeanor, before asking for his name. Before he... [Text cuts off]
Short Summary of "Kashe Fitila" (Excerpts 1–4)
The Plot Against Abuja: Rumana, a student at an elite school in Abuja, despises living there due to the hidden hardships and strict atmosphere at her Uncle Awaisu's house. To force her way back to her family home in Yobe State, she and her friend Yusra fake a life-threatening medical emergency (a severe ulcer attack) at school, going as far as destroying clinic furniture to simulate madness.
The Return to Yobe: Terrified by her condition, Uncle Awaisu takes her back to their hometown of Fika. However, her plan backfires slightly when her strict father, Alhaji Harisu, discovers she faked the illness and slandered his brother. Rumana reveals a shocking truth: her uncle's house is not the paradise it seems, and both she and Maamu (Awaisu’s mother) are secretly starving and suffering under hidden structural conditions.
The Backstory of Gratitude: The narrative shifts to a flashback exploring the deep bonds of the family. Maamu was a widow taken in by her late husband’s co-wife (Baaba Hure) and stepson (Harisu). Harisu went out of his way to fund his stepbrother Awaisu's university education. Through a networking connection in Kano, Harisu secures a major job opportunity for Awaisu in Abuja through a wealthy, humble contractor named Alhaji Mudi Maibuta.
Themes & Literary Analysis
The Facade of Wealth vs. Hidden Suffering: The central theme revolves around appearances versus reality. Awaisu’s family in Yobe assumes he is living in absolute luxury in Abuja, yet Rumana’s outburst reveals an underlying reality of neglect or hidden hardship ("both Maamu and I never get full").
Sacrifice and In-Law Solidarity: The relationship between Baaba Hure and Maamu breaks traditional stereotypes of co-wife rivalry. Baaba Hure protects and supports Maamu after their husband's death, showcasing a pure model of communal love and structural solidarity.
The Catalyst of Change: Rumana represents a desperate rebellion against an unbearable environment. While her methods are deceitful and extreme, they serve as the narrative catalyst that forces Alhaji Harisu to look beyond appearances and investigate the reality of his brother’s household.
Chapter 1
FWA Girls Secondary School Abuja
SS 2A
The attention of the Civic Education teacher and almost all the students was focused on the monitor, who was distributing the test scripts from last week. This allowed two young girls among the students, sitting in the middle of the front row, the opportunity to finalize the plan they had been scheming since morning.
One of them suddenly clutched her stomach, let out a loud scream with all her might, slid to the floor, and lay down. Before the teacher and the others could realize what was happening, the second girl knelt before her, shaking her gently. In a tearful voice, she cried, "Rumana, what happened to you? Please wake up, oh dear!..."
A smile almost escaped Rumana's lips, but she immediately felt a sharp pinch from her friend, Yusra. "For your father's sake, if you expose us, I swear I will say I had nothing to do with this!"
Pure panic had driven Yusra to utter the curse. By then, the teacher had already rushed over, and the rest of the class surrounded them, asking what was wrong. Yusra, crying convincingly, said she just suddenly saw Rumana collapse.
The health prefect was called from their class. With the help of Yusra and a female teacher, they carried Rumana to the school’s small clinic. Soon after, they looked for the contact number of her next of kin—who happened to be her uncle—and called him.
After she was given an injection and put on an intravenous drip, everyone stepped out, leaving only the doctor and Yusra in the room. Sensing that it was quiet, Rumana opened her eyes, climbed down from the bed, and knelt before the doctor. "Doctor, please help me. When my uncle arrives, tell him that an ulcer is about to eat up my intestines!"
Even though he found the request ridiculous, the doctor couldn't help but burst into laughter. He quickly stiffened his face again.
"Do I look like your playmate or something?"
Yusra knelt down as well. "If you don't help her, I swear hunger will kill her at their house. A real ulcer will actually develop!"
He turned to leave. Rumana, knowing very well that if their plan failed today, she would face more than just hunger at home, impulsively ripped the IV needle from her arm, rushed over, and blocked the door. "If you don't help me, I swear I will go completely mad in this clinic! Tell him a severe illness has struck me and that I should be taken back to our hometown so I don't die here."
The doctor stood completely bewildered, staring at her. Before he knew it, she marched toward the room's bed—and since it wasn't very heavy—she flipped it over. She then overturned the small table next to the bed, screaming and crying. Yusra, who had helped plan the fake illness, actually became terrified, seeing that Rumana genuinely looked like she was losing her mind.
While the doctor was trying to restrain her, they heard her uncle's voice from the small reception area, asking where she was. With eyes full of tears, Rumana looked at the doctor again, her expression begging for mercy and help.
He took pity on her. Meanwhile, Yusra was weeping openly.
As Awaisu stepped into the room, he saw her looking completely disheveled, as if she had been rolling in the dust. Tears had washed over her face. He quickly rushed to her side and held her. "Rumana, what happened to you? Stop crying and tell me what you want."
She couldn't speak; she just kept sobbing. She didn't want to resort to this, but if she didn't return to her parents' house, she didn't feel she could endure staying at his house any longer.
Deeply distressed, Awaisu looked at the doctor. "What is wrong with her?"
The doctor swallowed hard, looking at how the two girls were staring him down. "Uhmm, based on my examination, this girl is suffering from a severe ulcer, to the point that it is on the verge of damaging her intestines." He surprised himself by playing along and even borrowing their dramatic vocabulary.
Awaisu shook his head in total disbelief. "An ulcer? An ulcer from hunger? Mtsew, certainly not in my house, I swear."
"That is what the diagnosis shows, sir," the doctor replied. By now, the doctor was beginning to worry that the matter might escalate.
Awaisu flared up. "Do you know who I am to tell me about an illness caused by hunger? Why, even the security guard at my house wouldn't complain of hunger, let alone my daughter!"
The doctor’s heart sank. In his mind, he thought: His daughter? What kind of daughter would falsely defame her family like this? He glared at them, though they weren't looking at him.
Awaisu interrupted his thoughts. "Look, discharge her. I am taking her to a major hospital."
Without waiting for a response, he knelt down, picked up her shoes, put them on her feet, helped her up, and they walked out. A wave of pity washed over Rumana for him. However, by any means necessary, by God's grace, she was determined to return to her hometown.
As soon as they got into the car, she heard him instruct the driver to take them to the private hospital his own family used. To prevent her lie from being exposed, she immediately went rigid, her body twitching dramatically. His panic worsened. "Uncle, I don't want to go anywhere! Take me back home so I can die in front of Mama. Don't let me die without seeing them again."
Her words instantly broke his heart. They ended up going to the hospital anyway, but during the actual medical examination, it was confirmed that she was completely exhausted. She simply needed rest and nutritious food.
This medical report left him thoroughly confused. No matter how much he pleaded to have her admitted, she flatly refused—stating that Mama was the only person she wanted to see.
They returned home, and he spent the evening scolding everyone, asking how she could have stopped eating without anyone informing him. Maamu, his mother, nursed Rumana that day. Rumana feigned delirium, crying out for her mother continuously; they couldn't even sleep. Inevitably, the next morning, Awaisu made arrangements with the driver to take Rumana back to her hometown. However, he kept worrying about what he would tell his older brother as the reason for bringing her back.
As they drove out of the house, Maamu peeked through her bedroom window, watching them leave. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought about how such a young girl had managed to secure her own escape. But as for her, how could she ever leave the house of the very son she gave birth to?
Chapter 2
Fika Local Government – Yobe State
Children were jumping around happily in the courtyard because today was Thursday, and there was no Islamic school. The older children, especially the girls, had each taken up their respective household chores.
The sound of a greeting at the entrance made them stop. Young and old alike, they all ran to welcome the visitor. They were overjoyed to see their uncle, but seeing him holding Rumana—who was unsteadily faking her weakness—made them stop in confusion. The most talkative child in the house ran inside to announce that Rumana was back.
Her mother, who was the second wife in the household, instinctively grabbed her hijab and rushed out. She prayed silently that Rumana hadn't done something terrible to make her uncle refuse to live with her anymore.
When she reached the courtyard, the other co-wives—the senior wife and the youngest wife—had also come out to welcome them. Seeing Rumana’s condition, they immediately knew she was unwell. Maman Antu, as the senior wife was called, quickly took Rumana by the hand, and they went into the main parlor of the house. Awaisu had already furnished it generously with a television set and nice sofas.
Awaisu didn't follow them; instead, he went straight to Baaba Hure’s room. He found her sitting down, waiting for him ever since she heard his and Rumana’s names mentioned. After greeting her in their native Bolewa language of Fika, he explained the reason for their sudden return.
"And are you certain she hasn't been possessed by spirits?"
"Not at all, Baaba. She just really frightened me yesterday, which is why I decided to bring her home to rest for a couple of days. I will visit her school next week; even though they know she is unwell, I want to officially update them on the situation."
"Well, may Allah grant her relief. How is my sister? It's been days, and whenever I ask your older brother to call her, we can't reach her."
He smiled faintly. "She is doing well. You know her; she probably mislaid her phone and forgot where she put it. Has Alhaji not returned yet?"
Before she could answer, they heard the voice of his older brother, Alhaji Harisu. He walked into the room, and they exchanged greetings, where Awaisu retold the story of why they came. This time, the other women of the house and Rumana were present in the room.
"Nonsense!" Alhaji Harisu barked. "And you actually listened to her, left your work, and traveled all this way?"
Rumana pouted. Her only hope was that Alhaji wouldn't ruin the plan she and Yusra had spent three weeks concocting and send her back to that "prison." Now, she didn't even want to hear the name "Abuja" ever again.
Awaisu gently pleaded on her behalf, saying she should be accommodated and asked why she had refused to eat. The family members, upon seeing her, had already started complaining about how thin she had become. This was a girl who, even back when she was in boarding school before moving to Abuja, used to be quite chubby. This weight loss certainly wasn't from simple homesickness.
Early the next morning, Awaisu and his driver hit the road.
Only after Rumana heard the sound of their car driving away did she let out a massive sigh of relief. Now she could live completely on her own terms, relax, and enjoy her life. As for food, she had been eating like a glutton since the previous night.
Two days after her return, she was in the bedroom with her eldest sister, who had come over from her own husband's house. They were chatting, and Rumana was describing the strict regimen they faced at their uncle's house. Eventually, she even stood up to reenact exactly what she had done at the school clinic. Unbeknownst to her, their father had walked in and stood there listening to her explanation. Her sister, Maryama, noticed him but froze, unable to tell her to stop, and simply lowered her head. In the middle of demonstrating how she had faked being rigid in the car, Rumana noticed Alhaji. Her body instantly began to tremble as he marched toward her, raining blows on her from every angle.
"So you’ve grown clever enough to slander my own brother, Rumana?!"
She screamed and cried out, "I swear, Baba, I'm not lying! We aren't given enough food in that house. Both Maamu and I never get full!"
"Shut your mouth, you ungrateful fool! You even drag Maamu into your slander? I will call Awaisu myself so we can talk about this."
Furious, he stormed out and went into his room. Before he could even sit down, he was informed that Baaba was calling for him. He stood up and went to her.
"Is this how you discipline a child in this house? Despite all my calls, you still haven't stopped beating her."
"I'm sorry, Baaba, I swear I didn't hear you."
He repeated everything Rumana had said to her. She nodded slowly until he finished speaking.
"When she made those claims, the right thing for you to do was investigate, not beat her."
Astonished that she would even entertain the girl's words, he said, "An investigation, Baaba? We are talking about Awaisu here."
"I know. I just hadn't told you before, but during the short time I spent staying there recently, I didn't feel comfortable. And you know how deeply Maamu keeps her secrets."
He stared at his mother, thoroughly surprised by her words.
He walked out and had Rumana called to him. Fixing her with a stern gaze, he commanded her to tell him everything, truthfully before God. It was as if a radio had been turned on; she narrated the entire story to him. She wept as she spoke, and Alhaji Harisu’s eyes turned red with anger and sorrow. He dismissed her with a stern warning that no one else must hear about this matter until he finished his investigation.
He called his younger brother's phone. They exchanged pleasantries and jokes before he asked to be connected to Maamu. Fortunately, Awaisu was at home, so he took the phone to her himself.
She was sitting in a room where the cold from the air conditioner was starting to make her physically uncomfortable, but she couldn't turn it off because her young son, Safwan, had taken the batteries out of the remote to use in his gaming controller. When Awaisu walked in, his mind didn't register the fact that she was shivering from the cold, let alone help her. He simply handed her the phone.
As she placed it to her ear and heard Harisu's voice, tears welled up in her eyes, though she quickly blinked them back. It had been two months since they last spoke. He greeted her, and she answered, her voice trembling. Hearing her voice, he instantly confirmed that she was in trouble. Without asking too many probing questions over the phone, he went to Baaba and informed her that he would be traveling to Abuja tomorrow to bring Maamu back.
Seeing how visibly upset he was, Baaba stopped him as he turned to leave. "Do not forget that Awaisu is her biological son. She hasn't asked for your help, so do not interfere. In your quest to do right by her, you might trespass into boundaries where your presence won't be welcome."
He stopped dead in his tracks, weighing Baaba Hure's words.
"So are we just supposed to fold our arms and watch if she really is in trouble in that house?"
"We won't just fold our arms, but we won't rush either. Everything in this world must be approached patiently until you find the root of the problem. For instance, if it turns out Rumana lied to us, with what face will you look at your brother or Maamu if they find out?"
Chapter 3
Maamu's Story
Flashback
Looking visibly exhausted, he walked into the house, barely dragging his feet. Baaba was the first to spot him and quickly rushed over.
"Big Brother Awaisu, any success?"
He shook his head slowly, his heart heavy with disappointment.
"Well, don't worry. A person's destined provision will always find them, no matter how long it takes. Go on to my room, your food is kept there."
Feeling thoroughly demoralized, he walked past. She watched him go. Only after she saw him emerge with the food bowl did she turn her attention back to Maamu, who was sitting among Harisu’s two wives, helping them pluck sorrel (zogale) leaves.
Feigning a stern face, Baaba joked, "You watched my son return, yet you didn't even say welcome, let alone ask how it went?"
Maamu smiled. "Since you are right there, what business is it of mine? If you hadn't been around, I would have stepped in to show care."
Baaba began to grumble playfully that Maamu wasn't treating her right, while Harisu's wives laughed at the playful bickering between the in-laws.
When they finished, Maamu stood up, went into her room, and pulled the door slightly shut. Tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them with the edge of her wrapper. Ever since Awaisu returned and she saw his dejected state, her heart had broken. She was merely forcing herself to smile out of necessity. It had been two years since he started looking for a job, and still, there was nothing. God knows she had long passed the threshold of feeling embarrassed before Baaba Hure and Harisu. The man who had brought her into this household had passed away long ago, and now, their financial weight had fallen squarely on his brother's shoulders.
When she married Malam Sa'adu Abali, she came with Awaisu, the child from her first marriage. He was only two years old when his biological father passed away. When Awaisu was four, she met Malam Sa'adu, and they got married. She had initially wanted to send Awaisu back to his paternal relatives, but Malam completely refused. He stated that he saw no point in marrying a woman only to reject her children from a previous home.
She lived in perfect harmony with Baaba Hure. Baaba was originally from Katsina; seasonal migration had brought her parents to the town, which was why she grew up fluent in their local language. Despite that, she still spoke Hausa with her own relatives. Malam Sa'adu and Maamu—whose real name was Safara'u—were both natives of Fika and spoke the Bolewa language. Consequently, the entire household, including the children, grew up speaking Bolewa, though they also spoke a bit of Hausa due to interacting with the Hausa community in town.
Baaba Hure had four children: Baraka, Harisu, Ummukulsum, and their youngest, Zakiyya. She was a woman of excellent character, wise, and deeply committed to raising children properly. In fact, the children feared her far more than they feared the gentle Maamu. Maamu was known for her constant smiles, even when she was upset.
They lived together beautifully. Malam enrolled Awaisu in school, and Harisu used to accompany him, given that even their youngest sister was six years older than Awaisu.
When Awaisu was in his second year of junior secondary school, Malam Sa'adu passed away. Maamu was thrown into a state of panic because she hadn't borne any children in that house, and she feared they might ask her to leave after the estate was divided. Knowing that she had nowhere to go if she returned to her own family's home—since her older brothers were all married and living with their wives in their parents' compound—Baaba Hure insisted that she continue living with them as if it were her own home. As for Awaisu's education, Harisu pooled funds from his small businesses along with Baaba Hure's trade capital to pay his school fees.
Through these collective hardships, they supported him until he graduated with excellent grades from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, where he studied Banking and Finance. By the time he finished, the financial burden had multiplied heavily on Harisu, whose own family was expanding.
Nevertheless, through various petty trades, they kept supporting him until he completed his studies with flying colors. The bond among the children of the house was so deep that an outsider would never guess Awaisu was not Malam’s biological son.
Currently, he was searching desperately for a job, but nothing was working out. Maamu’s daily prayer was for him to secure a means of livelihood so they could finally reciprocate the immense generosity of Baaba Hure and her lineage—not as a transactional repayment, but simply to show that she had never forgotten the kindness shown to her.
Harisu had taken a second wife, and his family kept growing. He felt duty-bound to feed his own family, as well as Maamu and her son. This reality made Maamu feel incredibly guilty.
Two days later, Harisu traveled to Kano to purchase wholesale textile goods at the Kantin Kwari market, as was his routine at the end of every month. He suddenly heard his name being called and turned around to find the caller.
A wide smile spread across his face as he hurried toward a shop owner, both of them laughing heartily and embracing each other.
"Harisu Abali!"
"Saminu of Kano!"
They embraced again before Saminu took him by the hand into his textile shop. He ordered a cold drink for him and gave out money to buy them lunch.
"Subhanallah, truly, living eyes will always meet again," Saminu remarked, staring warmly at his old friend.
"Here is the proof right before us. It's been over five years, and only today has Allah ordained it," Harisu replied.
They caught up extensively. Saminu had once lived in Fika, where he and Harisu became exceptionally close friends. Later, he returned to his hometown of Kano to expand his business. During their conversation, Saminu asked about Harisu's younger brother, and Harisu proudly told him that he had already graduated from the university.
"What about a job?"
"The same old story. In fact, he came to Kano with me on this trip just to start helping me out with business until a proper job comes along. Right now, he is over at Wambai market looking at plastic goods."
Harisu and Saminu chatted for hours before parting ways with a promise to meet again the next day before Harisu returned to Fika.
The next day before the Dhuhr prayer, they arrived at Saminu's shop to say goodbye. Saminu playfully teased Awaisu about how much he had grown, noting that he had stopped addressing him as "Big Brother" whenever they interacted. Saminu put together a modest package of gifts for them and then pulled Harisu aside.
"My friend, I took a bit of an initiative on your behalf yesterday. After we parted, I visited the home of an old contractor to whom I sell high-quality Shadda fabric."
"You and your endless connections, my friend," Harisu said with a smile.
"Why stop? Let’s leave that aside for now. During our chat, I mentioned to him that I have a younger brother who finished school and is searching for a job. Unfortunately, I didn't know his specific course of study, so my explanation wasn't fully complete."
Immense joy flooded Harisu's face. "Are you serious?"
Saminu smiled, pleased to see his friend so happy. "Anyway, he mentioned that next week he is traveling to Abuja to see a high-ranking government official. He suggested that, if possible, Awaisu should meet him there next Thursday."
He pulled out a business card containing the man's name and phone number and handed it to Harisu.
"Here it is. May Allah make it successful. When he goes, he should tell him that he is Saminu Zawachiki's younger brother."
Harisu held Saminu's hands, completely lost for words of gratitude. "When we return, we will figure it out. I must accompany him there myself. May Allah reward your kindness to family."
He signaled Awaisu to come closer and explained the incredible favor Saminu had just done for them. Awaisu joined in expressing his gratitude, both of them speaking rapidly in profound appreciation.
Chapter 4
On Wednesday afternoon, Harisu and his younger brother arrived in Abuja. After making inquiries, they finally located the residence of Alhaji Mudi Maibuta—the contractor whose assistance Saminu had sought for Awaisu's job search.
It was a massive mansion, typical of individuals with serious wealth. At the main gate, the security guard asked for their names and their purpose. Once they explained, his expression softened, and he informed them that Alhaji had already given strict instructions to usher them in the moment they arrived.
He escorted them toward a massive tree in the yard where Alhaji was sitting, enjoying the breeze. Seated beside him were two young girls dressed in identical outfits.
As they walked over, the older girl among them fixed her eyes on Awaisu, smiling. He, however, didn't pay any attention to her. With deep respect, they greeted Alhaji Mudi. He welcomed them warmly with a relaxed expression and instructed them to be seated in a guesthouse room near the security post.
He ordered food to be brought to them, and they were hosted with genuine hospitality. Only after they had eaten to their satisfaction did he return to review Awaisu's credentials. The smile on his face widened.
"Subhanallah, so you studied in Bauchi as well! Perhaps you've even crossed paths with Gimbi."
Politely, Awaisu asked, "Who might that be?"
Alhaji Mudi burst into laughter. "She's my daughter. She and her younger sister were the ones sitting with me when you walked in earlier. Because she bears my mother's name, I call her 'Gimbiya' (Princess). But you know how people are; over time, the name simply shortened to 'Gimbi'."
Harisu and Awaisu nodded, smiling politely.
Alhaji Mudi continued his explanation. "She completed her studies at ATBU this year too, but she studied Business Administration. I spoke with a contact, and they have accepted her at a bank to do her National Youth Service (NYSC). That's why I laughed when I saw that you are also in the same field. I will forward your documents to him tomorrow. You see, this makes everything much easier."
They showered him with expressions of gratitude and prayers. He simply smiled.
"Saminu is an exceptionally good man. I only buy fabrics from him, but I consider him a brother because of how wonderfully he interacts with people."
Harisu agreed, adding that he could personally vouch for that character trait.
Following this, Alhaji Mudi insisted that Awaisu must remain in Abuja. He explained that after submitting the documents the next day, there was a strong possibility the bank would request an interview by Monday. He then promised to provide him with accommodation until that time. Harisu was overwhelmed with gratitude. Truly, good people never cease to exist in this world; running into them is a profound blessing. Despite all of Alhaji Mudi Maibuta's immense wealth, he carried absolutely no arrogance or pride.
The next morning, Harisu returned to Fika after sternly advising his younger brother to take care of himself and maintain his integrity.
Ever since his older brother left, Awaisu rarely ventured outside. He spent his days in his room, leaving only for prayers, which were led either by Alhaji himself or by a young man whose exact status in the household Awaisu hadn't yet figured out. Morning, noon, and night, the security guard would hand him his meals, which he accepted with immense gratitude.
Today was Sunday. After they concluded the Maghrib prayer, Alhaji Mudi asked him to step into his main living room so he could formally greet the family. He reasoned that if Awaisu secured the job and had to stay in Abuja, he would inevitably continue living with them until he found his own apartment.
"And since I travel frequently, I believe it's vital that you get to know the members of this house and that they get to know you as well."
Awaisu followed closely behind him as they entered a magnificent living room, lavishly furnished with every luxury imaginable. Before they could sit down, a woman entered wearing a hijab, indicating she had just finished her prayers. She was accompanied by the two girls he had seen on his first day, along with a young boy—who couldn't have been older than ten—with whom they had just prayed.
Awaisu greeted her politely, and she responded with a warm, cheerful demeanor, before asking for his name.
Before he... [Text cuts off]
Short Summary of "Kashe Fitila" (Excerpts 1–4)
The Backstory of Gratitude: The narrative shifts to a flashback exploring the deep bonds of the family. Maamu was a widow taken in by her late husband’s co-wife (Baaba Hure) and stepson (Harisu). Harisu went out of his way to fund his stepbrother Awaisu's university education. Through a networking connection in Kano, Harisu secures a major job opportunity for Awaisu in Abuja through a wealthy, humble contractor named Alhaji Mudi Maibuta.
Themes & Literary Analysis