The noise of the children returning from school brought her back to her thoughts. She said to herself, “Alright then, I’ve managed for Affan and the clever little rascal.” She simply directed them into the house to their grandparents’ place, knowing that if they went there they would surely find something to eat.
As the children came in, they rushed to her and clung to her, saying, “Mama, we’re back. I’m really hungry,” the younger one said. Her heart sank, because that was their usual habit. They would bring food back from school in their cooler and still complain of hunger—children are like that.
She said, “Alright, take off your uniforms and go inside to Grandma’s place to get food there. I don’t want too much noise today.”
Inside the house, the children’s return from school made Hajiya restless. She listened closely, waiting eagerly for the arrival of her grandchildren since morning. Before long, she began to hear their noise from the entrance. She thought to herself, “I knew it. Today my suspicion has been confirmed—this girl even went as far as that.”
The children entered the room happily, because it was the only place where they could relax and behave freely without disturbance. As soon as they entered, Affan removed his shirt, leaving only his singlet, and said, “Grandma, our mother told us to come and eat here. She said she doesn’t want stress today.”
Aisha’s daughter called out to bring them food. She soon came out wearing a long gown. When she saw the children she said, “Oh, is it Affan and the others? At this time of the day, you’re eating lunch here?”
Hajiya said, “Please serve them food.” She quickly went to the kitchen to carry out her mother’s instruction and soon returned with plates of food.
Hajiya sat aside, watching the children eat with pity. She thought to herself how helpless things would be today if she were not around, just as their maternal grandmother was no longer alive. “How will Fatima cope with this cruelty?” she wondered.
Hajiya Kubura, who had been holding in her anger since afternoon, entered with surprise written all over her face and said, “Sister, it looks like the prediction is about to come true concerning this girl.” Just then, Hajiya Karima, the senior wife, entered behind them and said, “Indeed, what we suspected has turned out to be true.”
It had become clear that she refused to allow the girl to cook what they would eat in the house. She even stopped the house help from cooking for them and went as far as denying them food entirely.
A greeting was heard from the entrance. One of the girls in the house peeked out as Hajiya Karima greeted, “Welcome, Brother Suraj.” He didn’t respond to her greeting. Instead, he asked, “Is no one at home? I greeted but the house is quiet.” She replied that they were all in Hajiya Mama’s room. He headed there, knowing that whenever such a gathering happened, something serious concerning one of them was going on, since the parents were closely connected.
Suraj entered wearing his military uniform. He greeted from the doorway, and they responded. His mother, Hajiya Karima, said, “It sounds like Suraj’s voice at the door.” He replied, “It’s me, Ummi.”
As soon as he entered and looked at his parents, he realized there was a serious problem involving Hajiya Mama in the house. He greeted them politely and sat down, despite being a soldier.
Turning to Hajiya Kubura, he asked, “Mommy, is there a problem with Affan and the others eating?” She pointed and said, “It’s their stepmother’s wickedness. She probably locked the kitchen today. In the morning they even took their food to school from here. Now their mother has sent them here.”
He asked, “What about Fati—what will she eat?” looking at their faces for answers.
Mommy said, “That’s exactly what we’re discussing.” He held his head in frustration and said, “I don’t understand what this woman wants. She’s trying to turn us into enemies in this house.”
Mama angrily said, “Don’t blame her alone—he is the one at fault.” Mommy added, “It’s not even him directly; it’s the influence of such evil women.”
Suraj stood up angrily, saying, “If this is true, I’ll confront her today. Even in a men’s house, you don’t punish someone with hunger, let alone in your brother’s house.”
Ummi asked him where he was going as he prepared to leave. He replied, “I’m going to the house. If it’s true, she will leave this house today.” Ummi quickly warned him, saying he was being rash and that his brother’s feelings could cause serious conflict. He replied, “Let it cause conflict—what kind of wickedness is this?”
Eventually, they all decided to go together. On arrival, they found the gate locked. The guard said he was instructed not to let anyone in because she had just returned with her daughter from school and wanted to rest. Suraj angrily ordered the gate opened.
Inside, Suraj confronted her harshly, accusing her of lying and cruelty. He threatened her, even mentioning military punishment, which terrified her. Overcome by fear of God and the soldier before her, she quickly retreated to her room.
Keys were returned, the store was opened, and food was shared fairly—two portions for Fati and her children, one portion for her. Fear gripped her heart deeply.
Later, Khadija prepared herself to travel, though she disliked the idea of going to Kaduna. She preferred to stay in Minna, her hometown. After finishing preparations, she left.
In Kaduna, she mostly stayed indoors, helping in the kitchen. One evening, she was sent on an errand. On the way, a car splashed dirty water on them. Angry, Khadija insulted the driver. The woman returned, confronted her aggressively, and a heated argument ensued. It later turned out that the woman was Nafisa, her brother-in-law’s wife.
Back home, the family discussed the incident. Many secretly felt satisfied that someone finally stood up to Nafisa.
Later, Khadija reflected deeply on dignity, injustice, and courage. Despite warnings, she believed no amount of wealth or power should silence one’s right to respect.
The day ended with heavy thoughts, prayers, and reflection—about family, oppression, patience, and standing firm in truth.
The noise of the children returning from school brought her back to her thoughts. She said to herself, “Alright then, I’ve managed for Affan and the clever little rascal.” She simply directed them into the house to their grandparents’ place, knowing that if they went there they would surely find something to eat.
As the children came in, they rushed to her and clung to her, saying, “Mama, we’re back. I’m really hungry,” the younger one said. Her heart sank, because that was their usual habit. They would bring food back from school in their cooler and still complain of hunger—children are like that.
She said, “Alright, take off your uniforms and go inside to Grandma’s place to get food there. I don’t want too much noise today.”
Inside the house, the children’s return from school made Hajiya restless. She listened closely, waiting eagerly for the arrival of her grandchildren since morning. Before long, she began to hear their noise from the entrance. She thought to herself, “I knew it. Today my suspicion has been confirmed—this girl even went as far as that.”
The children entered the room happily, because it was the only place where they could relax and behave freely without disturbance. As soon as they entered, Affan removed his shirt, leaving only his singlet, and said, “Grandma, our mother told us to come and eat here. She said she doesn’t want stress today.”
Aisha’s daughter called out to bring them food. She soon came out wearing a long gown. When she saw the children she said, “Oh, is it Affan and the others? At this time of the day, you’re eating lunch here?”
Hajiya said, “Please serve them food.” She quickly went to the kitchen to carry out her mother’s instruction and soon returned with plates of food.
Hajiya sat aside, watching the children eat with pity. She thought to herself how helpless things would be today if she were not around, just as their maternal grandmother was no longer alive. “How will Fatima cope with this cruelty?” she wondered.
Hajiya Kubura, who had been holding in her anger since afternoon, entered with surprise written all over her face and said, “Sister, it looks like the prediction is about to come true concerning this girl.” Just then, Hajiya Karima, the senior wife, entered behind them and said, “Indeed, what we suspected has turned out to be true.”
It had become clear that she refused to allow the girl to cook what they would eat in the house. She even stopped the house help from cooking for them and went as far as denying them food entirely.
A greeting was heard from the entrance. One of the girls in the house peeked out as Hajiya Karima greeted, “Welcome, Brother Suraj.” He didn’t respond to her greeting. Instead, he asked, “Is no one at home? I greeted but the house is quiet.” She replied that they were all in Hajiya Mama’s room. He headed there, knowing that whenever such a gathering happened, something serious concerning one of them was going on, since the parents were closely connected.
Suraj entered wearing his military uniform. He greeted from the doorway, and they responded. His mother, Hajiya Karima, said, “It sounds like Suraj’s voice at the door.” He replied, “It’s me, Ummi.”
As soon as he entered and looked at his parents, he realized there was a serious problem involving Hajiya Mama in the house. He greeted them politely and sat down, despite being a soldier.
Turning to Hajiya Kubura, he asked, “Mommy, is there a problem with Affan and the others eating?” She pointed and said, “It’s their stepmother’s wickedness. She probably locked the kitchen today. In the morning they even took their food to school from here. Now their mother has sent them here.”
He asked, “What about Fati—what will she eat?” looking at their faces for answers.
Mommy said, “That’s exactly what we’re discussing.” He held his head in frustration and said, “I don’t understand what this woman wants. She’s trying to turn us into enemies in this house.”
Mama angrily said, “Don’t blame her alone—he is the one at fault.” Mommy added, “It’s not even him directly; it’s the influence of such evil women.”
Suraj stood up angrily, saying, “If this is true, I’ll confront her today. Even in a men’s house, you don’t punish someone with hunger, let alone in your brother’s house.”
Ummi asked him where he was going as he prepared to leave. He replied, “I’m going to the house. If it’s true, she will leave this house today.” Ummi quickly warned him, saying he was being rash and that his brother’s feelings could cause serious conflict. He replied, “Let it cause conflict—what kind of wickedness is this?”
Eventually, they all decided to go together. On arrival, they found the gate locked. The guard said he was instructed not to let anyone in because she had just returned with her daughter from school and wanted to rest. Suraj angrily ordered the gate opened.
Inside, Suraj confronted her harshly, accusing her of lying and cruelty. He threatened her, even mentioning military punishment, which terrified her. Overcome by fear of God and the soldier before her, she quickly retreated to her room.
Keys were returned, the store was opened, and food was shared fairly—two portions for Fati and her children, one portion for her. Fear gripped her heart deeply.
Later, Khadija prepared herself to travel, though she disliked the idea of going to Kaduna. She preferred to stay in Minna, her hometown. After finishing preparations, she left.
In Kaduna, she mostly stayed indoors, helping in the kitchen. One evening, she was sent on an errand. On the way, a car splashed dirty water on them. Angry, Khadija insulted the driver. The woman returned, confronted her aggressively, and a heated argument ensued. It later turned out that the woman was Nafisa, her brother-in-law’s wife.
Back home, the family discussed the incident. Many secretly felt satisfied that someone finally stood up to Nafisa.
Later, Khadija reflected deeply on dignity, injustice, and courage. Despite warnings, she believed no amount of wealth or power should silence one’s right to respect.
The day ended with heavy thoughts, prayers, and reflection—about family, oppression, patience, and standing firm in truth.