They stopped right in front of Karima's family house. Everyone got out of the car and entered the house together without giving her any prior notice of their arrival. This was because Karima did not have a phone in her possession at the moment. As a result, even her mother had to go through a roundabout way just to get a message across to the "princess," claiming that she was sick. Her mother knew this was the only way she could get her daughter to visit so they could have the specific conversation she wanted; she wasn't actually sick at all and was completely fine. She had tried every other avenue to see Karima to no avail, so she resorted to this trick hoping it would work out.
They found them in the open courtyard of the house, enjoying the shade of a large neem tree. Karima’s grandmother was busy mixing *tafasa* (local herbs) with a paste, while her mother was sipping *koko* (local porridge) from a metal bowl using a plastic ladle.
They all greeted her and asked about her health.
Karima’s grandmother, thoroughly surprised to see all of Alhaji Ya'u’s children arriving together, looked at her daughter with a hint of apprehension, thinking that this gathering must be the real reason Alhaji's children had come to the house all at once.
After they had settled down and Karima's mother politely offered them some of the porridge, Lubna replied gently, “Alhamdulillah, Mama. We actually ate breakfast before heading out.”
Karima’s mother pouted and said, “I already knew you wouldn't drink it anyway, Lubna. I only extended the invitation out of mere courtesy. Where are you all headed like this?”
Lubna felt a bit discouraged because she hadn't meant any offense. She replied softly, “We are on our way to Anmy’s house.”
Karima’s mother looked at her with a look of disdain and asked, “Do you mean Khadija's house?”
Lubna raised her head and looked at her, then glanced over at Karima, and then at Ummi and Sadiq.
Karima’s mother shook her head, smiled, and said, “Uhum. Though, of course, that is exactly how it goes. When a girl marries a wealthy man, even her mother has to visit, let alone her siblings. However, Alhaji really surprises me—to think he would actually send you to the house where your younger sister is married. Then again, it’s no surprise; even in the presence of your younger sister's husband, your father is nobody but a man scrambling for wealth and looking to build a reputation.”
Abubakar stared at her, completely astonished by the woman's terrible attitude. Without another word, he stood up and said, “From all indications, your health has returned. May you have a peaceful day. Whenever you all are ready, I will be waiting in the car.”
With that, he walked straight out. He refused to sit there and listen to this woman insult his parents for no justifiable reason. This was exactly why he completely avoided dealing with her; she was far too dramatic and always looking for trouble. How on earth could someone insult a father right in front of his own son? He was so close to setting his mother's advice aside and unleashing a massive public scene to defend their dignity, wallahi!
The moment he walked out, Lubna smiled. After watching him leave, she turned to the woman and said, “May Allah grant you full recovery, Mama of the family house. We shall be on our way.”
Following that, she stood up, took Ummi by the hand, and they made their way toward the exit. They didn't even wait to hear whatever else she might say, refusing to let her ruin their mood any further.
Once they left, Karima said in a subdued tone, “Mama, is it our father that you are insulting like that? You know very well that they won't just tolerate it, right, Mama? Haba, Mama.”
Her mother glared at her fiercely and snapped, “Oh, for goodness' sake, spare me! Keep me away from those foolish siblings of yours; they are just full of malice. You know very well that I am not afraid of them, nor will I ever fail to speak the truth. Right now, the conversation I want us to have is regarding this marriage that was snatched away from you and handed over to that daughter from the household of red-skinned lunatics. Have you thought of a plan yet, or do I have to orchestrate that for you as well?”
Karima looked at her mother in utter shock, then glanced at her grandmother. She said slowly, “Mama, I don't understand what you mean.”
Her grandmother pouted, let out a deep sigh, and intervened, “Go ahead and tell her. Your mother's antics are no small matter. One can only pray that Allah minimizes the trouble.”
Furious, Karima's mother lashed out, “Look here, Iya, I am not speaking to you! Karima, look at me. You surely aren't going to sit back and watch Khadija live comfortably in that house, married to Alhaji Al-Walid, while you get paired off with someone who amounts to absolutely nothing, are you? Out of sheer spite, your father is capable of marrying you off to one of his shop boys just to humiliate me and show me my place.”
Karima stood frozen for a moment before replying, “But Mama, whomever Aba chooses for me now, we just have to obey him. You've already seen the consequences of defying him. Besides, Mama, this was how Allah ordained it—Anmy was destined to be Alhaji Al-Walid's wife. As for me, I am just praying that Allah grants me a blessed choice, Mama. Though I think they might give me Mudassir, because just yesterday, Mama was asking me several questions about him.”
Infuriated, Karima’s mother barked, “For God's sake, shut up and stop talking with such a total lack of self-worth! Unless you are deliberately looking for misery, why on earth would you even mention that boy who is widely known to be a scoundrel? Who is his father anyway compared to Alhaji Al-Walid’s house help, let alone Alhaji Al-Walid himself? Listen to me very carefully: you will absolutely never marry that boy, I am telling you. You are going to marry Alhaji Al-Walid!”
Karima gasped, looking at her mother in sheer shock. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Mama... are you saying I am not my father's daughter?”
Iya turned her head away, wiping tears from her eyes, and said, “Go ahead and answer her! Give her an answer. Is she not of his blood? Your words sound like those of a madwoman, or someone who has never stepped into an Islamic school. Even if you never attended Islamic school, don't you know that in Islam, biological sisters cannot be married to the same husband at the same time, unless one passes away and the other takes her sister's place?”
Thoroughly enraged, Karima’s mother stood up, grabbed Karima by the hand, and pulled her inside the room. Standing over her, she looked her dead in the eye and said, “Karima, look at me very carefully and listen to me. I am certain that Alhaji Al-Walid will not even look at that girl right now. She is far too small for him to consider sharing a marriage bed with her at this stage. If you do exactly what I want you to do, your sister will be completely thrown out of the picture, and you will step in to take her place. Karima, wallahi, you must enter that household, whether she is alive or dead! You are his rightful wife; your name was mentioned first, not hers. It was her mother's witchcraft, sorcery, and deadly charms that pushed her daughter forward, pushing you to the sidelines and trying to pair you up with a good-for-nothing boy just to spite me. You are all I have in this world, wallahi, and you must marry a wealthy man. Take this phone that I bought and kept for you; it's a small phone, and I've already put a SIM card in it. Hide it on your person and don't let anyone find out about it. Karima, I am certain Alhaji Al-Walid is exactly the kind of man you desire—he is tall, handsome, deeply charismatic, and incredibly wealthy. You are the one who truly deserves to run that household, not that little girl. Do you understand?”
Karima stared at her mother in a state of absolute, paralyzing shock, completely drained of her wits. Just then, Abubakar's voice echoed through the house, calling out, “Karima, we are leaving! If you are done, come along.”
Her mother let out a vile curse, shouting back, “You worthless, ill-mannered boy! Can't you let us finish speaking? She is on her way out!”
Abubakar simply stood outside, staring toward the room. Her mother shook Karima firmly and demanded, “Are you listening to me?”
Karima felt completely dizzy, as if she were about to collapse. She gripped the doorframe tightly to steady herself and nodded her head.
Her mother smiled and said, “Good, my darling daughter. Hurry along and go with them. I will call you later to give you the rest of the necessary details. Make sure you start taking the right steps today to get rid of that persistent little girl. This very day, I am heading out to the villages to seek spiritual assistance. Now go, quickly, before they leave you behind or force you into a marriage with that unjust man who picks and chooses for his children.”
With great difficulty, Karima dragged her feet out of the room and walked toward where Abubakar was standing, observing her strange demeanor.
She walked past him and reached the car but stood there, unable to bring herself to get in. Abubakar had to open the door for her. Looking closely at her, he said, “Get in.”
She shook her head slightly, lifted her feet with immense effort, and climbed inside. He closed the door, got into the driver's seat, and drove off. As they drove, he kept watching her through the rearview mirror, deeply unsettled and turning things over in his mind. Her siblings, who were initially very annoyed by how long she had kept them waiting, quickly noticed her distressed state. They asked her all the necessary questions, but she refused to answer a single one, prompting them to fall silent and stare out at the road.
They arrived safely, and he drove the car right into the compound. They all disembarked, and Abubakar immediately headed toward his father's shop, as he had no intention of going inside the house himself.
They found the family gathered in Baba's living room. Mama Fateema hadn't left yet because the hair braider and henna artist she brought along were currently working on her daughter. Despite the sheer physical exhaustion and frailty she was experiencing—a result of transitioning into this unfamiliar new life and her lack of experience with marital intimacy—it didn't stop them from having her sit down to get her hair braided and henna applied. After Mama Fateema made her a thick, rich cup of tea and gave her some medication, they immediately began preparing her in the proper manner of a modern bride.
Anmy was incredibly overjoyed to see her siblings. They all shed tears as they embraced tightly, refusing to let go of one another. One sibling would touch her cheeks, while another would hold her hands. When one remarked that she had lost weight, another countered, saying she hadn't lost weight at all but had actually become exceptionally radiant, glowing like an albino. Mama Fateema eventually made them sit down so the hair braiding could continue. The braider stood up to work while the sisters helped hold and tie off the ends of the braids to speed up the process, all while gently comforting Anmy whenever she whimpered that the braiding was painful.
Karima sat right there with them, but her mind was completely elsewhere.
The girl looked as if she were entirely out of her senses. Amidst all their lively chatter and laughter, she would only offer a forced, hollow smile. This caught Mama Fateema's attention, prompting her to ask if Karima was feeling unwell. Lubna and the others chimed in, stating that she was perfectly fine when they left, but since they had just come from her mother’s place, it was possible her mother's health condition was weighing on her mind. With that explanation, they expressed their sympathy and tried to comfort her. However, Karima’s mind was in such a state of chaotic turmoil that she couldn't comprehend a single thing happening around her.
Since the hair braider was highly skilled and fast, by two o'clock, she had completely finished the intricate, neat micro-braids, looking as sharp as if they had been done with a needle. The henna artist had also finished long ago, as she was equally swift, and with Mama Fateema by her side assisting, the work was completed smoothly. They placed a pillow for Anmy to lean back on while she chatted away lightly with her sisters. As soon as everything was done, Mama Fateema prepared to take the hair braider and henna artist back, using the generous compensation and tips that Al-Walid had left behind before he went out. She informed Khadija that she would quickly check on Hajia Inna and Baba Hamza's health before heading home.
The sisters continued their conversation. Khadija, who had been quietly observing her sister Karima's unusual behavior, said in a gentle tone, “Mimi, what happened? You've been far too quiet. And they mentioned you guys found Mama of the family house up and about. Are you sick?”
It took Ummi nudging her for Karima to snap out of it. She startled, looked at them, and asked, “Na'am (Yes)?”
They all exchanged bewildered glances, and Khadija asked again, “Are you not feeling well?”
She slowly shook her head, but then suddenly stood up, saying, “Lubna, let's go. My head is throbbing with a terrible headache.”
Surprised, Lubna asked, “In the middle of the afternoon? A headache out of nowhere?”
Khadija looked up at her intently and said, “Look, are you really okay? Can't you see how your body is trembling?”
Karima abruptly sat back down, buried her face in her knees, and burst into a violent fit of tears, her entire body shaking uncontrollably.
They all rushed toward her to comfort her, but Lubna quickly reminded Khadija about her fresh henna, causing Khadija to stop in her tracks, her own body trembling with anxiety.
Lubna asked in a heartbroken voice, “What is it? For God's sake, tell us what's wrong.”
Karima simply pulled her body tighter into a ball, completely unable to speak through her intense sobbing. Seeing her like this, the sisters couldn't hold back either, and they all joined in, weeping genuine, sorrowful tears.
No matter how hard Mama's maid (the baby's mother) tried to comfort them, it proved futile. Unable to bear the sight of them weeping like that, she quietly walked out and headed toward Hajia Inna’s wing of the house.
Upon arriving at Hajia Inna’s wing, she found Aba, Al-Walid, and Baba Hamza seated together, deeply engrossed in a discussion. Hajia Inna, however, kept her eyes tightly shut. Ever since they walked into the room, she hadn't opened her eyes once, let alone acknowledged their presence.
The maid hesitated and took a step back, seeing the important men in the room. However, Baba Hamza quickly noticed her and said warmly, “Is that the baby's mother? Come on in.”
Hearing this, Hajia Inna slowly opened her eyes and turned her head slightly toward the side where the maid had entered and knelt down to greet the elders of the household.
Baba Hamza asked kindly, “How is the work going, and how is your mistress doing? May Allah grant you all the patience to live harmoniously with one another. I hope she has managed to eat some food today?”
The maid smiled and replied, “Yes, Baba. She actually ate a bit today because we have guests over, Masha Allah. Her sisters were the ones feeding her.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “Actually, Hajia... it's about the young bride and her sisters. They are all inside crying bitterly, and I have no idea what caused it. I tried everything to comfort them but failed, so I thought it best to inform Alhaji Karami's mother (Aunty Shareefat).”
Hajia Inna looked at her intently and asked, “Crying? Did they say they want to leave?”
Aba looked at Baba Hamza repeatedly, desperately wanting to know exactly who was crying, but he couldn't make sense of it. Finally, Al-Walid could no longer tolerate the suspense. He stood up and said, “Let me go and check. If they are crying because they don't want to leave, then the grandfather of the deaf will just have to accept it, because frankly, they aren't going anywhere.”
As he said this, he walked straight out of the room. This caused Aba to widen his eyes in shock and exclaim, “Look at this insolence! What on earth does their crying have to do with me? Oh, these children, if I don't deal with them, aren't they all in the same pot? I'm coming right now.”
With that, he stood up and rushed out at lightning speed, not even waiting to hear a word from Baba Hamza, let alone Hajia Inna, whose frail voice could only be understood if one listened with absolute calm.
Slowly, Hajia Inna pouted and muttered, “You see? Go and stop your son before he terrifies my grandchildren. I am telling you, if he dares lay a hand on my grandchildren, he will have to answer to me. He acts as if nobody ever grows up in his household. Masha Allah, Khadija is perfectly fine, so why is he looking to beat someone if not out of pure malice?”
Baba Hamza, trying to maintain the peace, stood up and said, “Alright, alright. Let me go pull him outside. Please have patience, and please take your medication for God's sake. We will discuss this matter later, I promise you, and I will ensure absolute justice is served.”
Hajia Inna pouted disdainfully, while he offered a gentle smile and walked out, praying to God for a swift resolution to this mounting family drama. Furthermore, reflecting on how fondly everyone regarded the "grandfather of the deaf," Baba Hamza felt it was his absolute duty to look into the matter. It was imperative to exercise patience and afford Al-Walid the opportunity to confront his mother directly. As for the rest, he would leave it to Allah to judge, because even now, his heart harbored deep resentment toward her for deliberately and selfishly separating him from his own flesh and blood.
Outside, Aba turned and glared at Sadiq repeatedly. Ever since he had dragged Sadiq into the house, he had ordered him to move fast and count to three, and if those girls didn't realize that staying in this house wasn't mandatory, he should drag them out—whether they were conscious or not. Yet, here was Sadiq, walking along casually and at a snail's pace, as if his father owned a court of law!
Aba stormed back furiously, shoved Sadiq roughly from behind, and barked, “You useless boy! Are you going to pick up the pace, or do I have to deal with your princess of a mother in this house? You foolish boy, if they ruin Anmy's marriage, do you realize the absolute catastrophe they are plotting to bring upon me? Why on earth are they crying and encouraging her not to come out? What kind of hypocrisy is this? Go tell them to get out here right now, or I swear to God, if I have to come in there myself, they will all learn a very bitter lesson far away from the Princess!”
Yaya Sadiq immediately dashed through the first gate, panting heavily. Just then, Baba Hamza caught up, shouting, “Beating them? Today, both you and I would end up locked up, because wallahi, their grandmother explicitly instructed me to tell you that if you touch her grandchildren, she will not let it slide. And you can clearly see how furious she is.”
Aba looked at him skeptically and countered, “You look like you are completely terrified of that old woman, aren't you? Let's go in there, give them a good beating, and let whatever happens, happen.”
Baba Hamza shook his head firmly and said, “No, we are going in there to comfort them, and you will do the same.”
In utter astonishment, Aba cupped his chin and said, “Do that? It would be incredibly embarrassing for me to enter Anmy's house and face the Princess like that.”
Baba Hamza shook his head in sheer frustration and walked straight inside, saying, “Fine, then do as you please.”
Aba looked around hesitantly for a moment, but then quietly followed behind Baba Hamza, reassuring himself: *"Well, she is
They stopped right in front of Karima's family house. Everyone got out of the car and entered the house together without giving her any prior notice of their arrival. This was because Karima did not have a phone in her possession at the moment. As a result, even her mother had to go through a roundabout way just to get a message across to the "princess," claiming that she was sick. Her mother knew this was the only way she could get her daughter to visit so they could have the specific conversation she wanted; she wasn't actually sick at all and was completely fine. She had tried every other avenue to see Karima to no avail, so she resorted to this trick hoping it would work out.
They found them in the open courtyard of the house, enjoying the shade of a large neem tree. Karima’s grandmother was busy mixing *tafasa* (local herbs) with a paste, while her mother was sipping *koko* (local porridge) from a metal bowl using a plastic ladle.
They all greeted her and asked about her health.
Karima’s grandmother, thoroughly surprised to see all of Alhaji Ya'u’s children arriving together, looked at her daughter with a hint of apprehension, thinking that this gathering must be the real reason Alhaji's children had come to the house all at once.
After they had settled down and Karima's mother politely offered them some of the porridge, Lubna replied gently, “Alhamdulillah, Mama. We actually ate breakfast before heading out.”
Karima’s mother pouted and said, “I already knew you wouldn't drink it anyway, Lubna. I only extended the invitation out of mere courtesy. Where are you all headed like this?”
Lubna felt a bit discouraged because she hadn't meant any offense. She replied softly, “We are on our way to Anmy’s house.”
Karima’s mother looked at her with a look of disdain and asked, “Do you mean Khadija's house?”
Lubna raised her head and looked at her, then glanced over at Karima, and then at Ummi and Sadiq.
Karima’s mother shook her head, smiled, and said, “Uhum. Though, of course, that is exactly how it goes. When a girl marries a wealthy man, even her mother has to visit, let alone her siblings. However, Alhaji really surprises me—to think he would actually send you to the house where your younger sister is married. Then again, it’s no surprise; even in the presence of your younger sister's husband, your father is nobody but a man scrambling for wealth and looking to build a reputation.”
Abubakar stared at her, completely astonished by the woman's terrible attitude. Without another word, he stood up and said, “From all indications, your health has returned. May you have a peaceful day. Whenever you all are ready, I will be waiting in the car.”
With that, he walked straight out. He refused to sit there and listen to this woman insult his parents for no justifiable reason. This was exactly why he completely avoided dealing with her; she was far too dramatic and always looking for trouble. How on earth could someone insult a father right in front of his own son? He was so close to setting his mother's advice aside and unleashing a massive public scene to defend their dignity, wallahi!
The moment he walked out, Lubna smiled. After watching him leave, she turned to the woman and said, “May Allah grant you full recovery, Mama of the family house. We shall be on our way.”
Following that, she stood up, took Ummi by the hand, and they made their way toward the exit. They didn't even wait to hear whatever else she might say, refusing to let her ruin their mood any further.
Once they left, Karima said in a subdued tone, “Mama, is it our father that you are insulting like that? You know very well that they won't just tolerate it, right, Mama? Haba, Mama.”
Her mother glared at her fiercely and snapped, “Oh, for goodness' sake, spare me! Keep me away from those foolish siblings of yours; they are just full of malice. You know very well that I am not afraid of them, nor will I ever fail to speak the truth. Right now, the conversation I want us to have is regarding this marriage that was snatched away from you and handed over to that daughter from the household of red-skinned lunatics. Have you thought of a plan yet, or do I have to orchestrate that for you as well?”
Karima looked at her mother in utter shock, then glanced at her grandmother. She said slowly, “Mama, I don't understand what you mean.”
Her grandmother pouted, let out a deep sigh, and intervened, “Go ahead and tell her. Your mother's antics are no small matter. One can only pray that Allah minimizes the trouble.”
Furious, Karima's mother lashed out, “Look here, Iya, I am not speaking to you! Karima, look at me. You surely aren't going to sit back and watch Khadija live comfortably in that house, married to Alhaji Al-Walid, while you get paired off with someone who amounts to absolutely nothing, are you? Out of sheer spite, your father is capable of marrying you off to one of his shop boys just to humiliate me and show me my place.”
Karima stood frozen for a moment before replying, “But Mama, whomever Aba chooses for me now, we just have to obey him. You've already seen the consequences of defying him. Besides, Mama, this was how Allah ordained it—Anmy was destined to be Alhaji Al-Walid's wife. As for me, I am just praying that Allah grants me a blessed choice, Mama. Though I think they might give me Mudassir, because just yesterday, Mama was asking me several questions about him.”
Infuriated, Karima’s mother barked, “For God's sake, shut up and stop talking with such a total lack of self-worth! Unless you are deliberately looking for misery, why on earth would you even mention that boy who is widely known to be a scoundrel? Who is his father anyway compared to Alhaji Al-Walid’s house help, let alone Alhaji Al-Walid himself? Listen to me very carefully: you will absolutely never marry that boy, I am telling you. You are going to marry Alhaji Al-Walid!”
Karima gasped, looking at her mother in sheer shock. With a trembling voice, she asked, “Mama... are you saying I am not my father's daughter?”
Iya turned her head away, wiping tears from her eyes, and said, “Go ahead and answer her! Give her an answer. Is she not of his blood? Your words sound like those of a madwoman, or someone who has never stepped into an Islamic school. Even if you never attended Islamic school, don't you know that in Islam, biological sisters cannot be married to the same husband at the same time, unless one passes away and the other takes her sister's place?”
Thoroughly enraged, Karima’s mother stood up, grabbed Karima by the hand, and pulled her inside the room. Standing over her, she looked her dead in the eye and said, “Karima, look at me very carefully and listen to me. I am certain that Alhaji Al-Walid will not even look at that girl right now. She is far too small for him to consider sharing a marriage bed with her at this stage. If you do exactly what I want you to do, your sister will be completely thrown out of the picture, and you will step in to take her place. Karima, wallahi, you must enter that household, whether she is alive or dead! You are his rightful wife; your name was mentioned first, not hers. It was her mother's witchcraft, sorcery, and deadly charms that pushed her daughter forward, pushing you to the sidelines and trying to pair you up with a good-for-nothing boy just to spite me. You are all I have in this world, wallahi, and you must marry a wealthy man. Take this phone that I bought and kept for you; it's a small phone, and I've already put a SIM card in it. Hide it on your person and don't let anyone find out about it. Karima, I am certain Alhaji Al-Walid is exactly the kind of man you desire—he is tall, handsome, deeply charismatic, and incredibly wealthy. You are the one who truly deserves to run that household, not that little girl. Do you understand?”
Karima stared at her mother in a state of absolute, paralyzing shock, completely drained of her wits. Just then, Abubakar's voice echoed through the house, calling out, “Karima, we are leaving! If you are done, come along.”
Her mother let out a vile curse, shouting back, “You worthless, ill-mannered boy! Can't you let us finish speaking? She is on her way out!”
Abubakar simply stood outside, staring toward the room. Her mother shook Karima firmly and demanded, “Are you listening to me?”
Karima felt completely dizzy, as if she were about to collapse. She gripped the doorframe tightly to steady herself and nodded her head.
Her mother smiled and said, “Good, my darling daughter. Hurry along and go with them. I will call you later to give you the rest of the necessary details. Make sure you start taking the right steps today to get rid of that persistent little girl. This very day, I am heading out to the villages to seek spiritual assistance. Now go, quickly, before they leave you behind or force you into a marriage with that unjust man who picks and chooses for his children.”
With great difficulty, Karima dragged her feet out of the room and walked toward where Abubakar was standing, observing her strange demeanor.
She walked past him and reached the car but stood there, unable to bring herself to get in. Abubakar had to open the door for her. Looking closely at her, he said, “Get in.”
She shook her head slightly, lifted her feet with immense effort, and climbed inside. He closed the door, got into the driver's seat, and drove off. As they drove, he kept watching her through the rearview mirror, deeply unsettled and turning things over in his mind. Her siblings, who were initially very annoyed by how long she had kept them waiting, quickly noticed her distressed state. They asked her all the necessary questions, but she refused to answer a single one, prompting them to fall silent and stare out at the road.
They arrived safely, and he drove the car right into the compound. They all disembarked, and Abubakar immediately headed toward his father's shop, as he had no intention of going inside the house himself.
They found the family gathered in Baba's living room. Mama Fateema hadn't left yet because the hair braider and henna artist she brought along were currently working on her daughter. Despite the sheer physical exhaustion and frailty she was experiencing—a result of transitioning into this unfamiliar new life and her lack of experience with marital intimacy—it didn't stop them from having her sit down to get her hair braided and henna applied. After Mama Fateema made her a thick, rich cup of tea and gave her some medication, they immediately began preparing her in the proper manner of a modern bride.
Anmy was incredibly overjoyed to see her siblings. They all shed tears as they embraced tightly, refusing to let go of one another. One sibling would touch her cheeks, while another would hold her hands. When one remarked that she had lost weight, another countered, saying she hadn't lost weight at all but had actually become exceptionally radiant, glowing like an albino. Mama Fateema eventually made them sit down so the hair braiding could continue. The braider stood up to work while the sisters helped hold and tie off the ends of the braids to speed up the process, all while gently comforting Anmy whenever she whimpered that the braiding was painful.
Karima sat right there with them, but her mind was completely elsewhere.
The girl looked as if she were entirely out of her senses. Amidst all their lively chatter and laughter, she would only offer a forced, hollow smile. This caught Mama Fateema's attention, prompting her to ask if Karima was feeling unwell. Lubna and the others chimed in, stating that she was perfectly fine when they left, but since they had just come from her mother’s place, it was possible her mother's health condition was weighing on her mind. With that explanation, they expressed their sympathy and tried to comfort her. However, Karima’s mind was in such a state of chaotic turmoil that she couldn't comprehend a single thing happening around her.
Since the hair braider was highly skilled and fast, by two o'clock, she had completely finished the intricate, neat micro-braids, looking as sharp as if they had been done with a needle. The henna artist had also finished long ago, as she was equally swift, and with Mama Fateema by her side assisting, the work was completed smoothly. They placed a pillow for Anmy to lean back on while she chatted away lightly with her sisters. As soon as everything was done, Mama Fateema prepared to take the hair braider and henna artist back, using the generous compensation and tips that Al-Walid had left behind before he went out. She informed Khadija that she would quickly check on Hajia Inna and Baba Hamza's health before heading home.
The sisters continued their conversation. Khadija, who had been quietly observing her sister Karima's unusual behavior, said in a gentle tone, “Mimi, what happened? You've been far too quiet. And they mentioned you guys found Mama of the family house up and about. Are you sick?”
It took Ummi nudging her for Karima to snap out of it. She startled, looked at them, and asked, “Na'am (Yes)?”
They all exchanged bewildered glances, and Khadija asked again, “Are you not feeling well?”
She slowly shook her head, but then suddenly stood up, saying, “Lubna, let's go. My head is throbbing with a terrible headache.”
Surprised, Lubna asked, “In the middle of the afternoon? A headache out of nowhere?”
Khadija looked up at her intently and said, “Look, are you really okay? Can't you see how your body is trembling?”
Karima abruptly sat back down, buried her face in her knees, and burst into a violent fit of tears, her entire body shaking uncontrollably.
They all rushed toward her to comfort her, but Lubna quickly reminded Khadija about her fresh henna, causing Khadija to stop in her tracks, her own body trembling with anxiety.
Lubna asked in a heartbroken voice, “What is it? For God's sake, tell us what's wrong.”
Karima simply pulled her body tighter into a ball, completely unable to speak through her intense sobbing. Seeing her like this, the sisters couldn't hold back either, and they all joined in, weeping genuine, sorrowful tears.
No matter how hard Mama's maid (the baby's mother) tried to comfort them, it proved futile. Unable to bear the sight of them weeping like that, she quietly walked out and headed toward Hajia Inna’s wing of the house.
Upon arriving at Hajia Inna’s wing, she found Aba, Al-Walid, and Baba Hamza seated together, deeply engrossed in a discussion. Hajia Inna, however, kept her eyes tightly shut. Ever since they walked into the room, she hadn't opened her eyes once, let alone acknowledged their presence.
The maid hesitated and took a step back, seeing the important men in the room. However, Baba Hamza quickly noticed her and said warmly, “Is that the baby's mother? Come on in.”
Hearing this, Hajia Inna slowly opened her eyes and turned her head slightly toward the side where the maid had entered and knelt down to greet the elders of the household.
Baba Hamza asked kindly, “How is the work going, and how is your mistress doing? May Allah grant you all the patience to live harmoniously with one another. I hope she has managed to eat some food today?”
The maid smiled and replied, “Yes, Baba. She actually ate a bit today because we have guests over, Masha Allah. Her sisters were the ones feeding her.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “Actually, Hajia... it's about the young bride and her sisters. They are all inside crying bitterly, and I have no idea what caused it. I tried everything to comfort them but failed, so I thought it best to inform Alhaji Karami's mother (Aunty Shareefat).”
Hajia Inna looked at her intently and asked, “Crying? Did they say they want to leave?”
Aba looked at Baba Hamza repeatedly, desperately wanting to know exactly who was crying, but he couldn't make sense of it. Finally, Al-Walid could no longer tolerate the suspense. He stood up and said, “Let me go and check. If they are crying because they don't want to leave, then the grandfather of the deaf will just have to accept it, because frankly, they aren't going anywhere.”
As he said this, he walked straight out of the room. This caused Aba to widen his eyes in shock and exclaim, “Look at this insolence! What on earth does their crying have to do with me? Oh, these children, if I don't deal with them, aren't they all in the same pot? I'm coming right now.”
With that, he stood up and rushed out at lightning speed, not even waiting to hear a word from Baba Hamza, let alone Hajia Inna, whose frail voice could only be understood if one listened with absolute calm.
Slowly, Hajia Inna pouted and muttered, “You see? Go and stop your son before he terrifies my grandchildren. I am telling you, if he dares lay a hand on my grandchildren, he will have to answer to me. He acts as if nobody ever grows up in his household. Masha Allah, Khadija is perfectly fine, so why is he looking to beat someone if not out of pure malice?”
Baba Hamza, trying to maintain the peace, stood up and said, “Alright, alright. Let me go pull him outside. Please have patience, and please take your medication for God's sake. We will discuss this matter later, I promise you, and I will ensure absolute justice is served.”
Hajia Inna pouted disdainfully, while he offered a gentle smile and walked out, praying to God for a swift resolution to this mounting family drama. Furthermore, reflecting on how fondly everyone regarded the "grandfather of the deaf," Baba Hamza felt it was his absolute duty to look into the matter. It was imperative to exercise patience and afford Al-Walid the opportunity to confront his mother directly. As for the rest, he would leave it to Allah to judge, because even now, his heart harbored deep resentment toward her for deliberately and selfishly separating him from his own flesh and blood.
Outside, Aba turned and glared at Sadiq repeatedly. Ever since he had dragged Sadiq into the house, he had ordered him to move fast and count to three, and if those girls didn't realize that staying in this house wasn't mandatory, he should drag them out—whether they were conscious or not. Yet, here was Sadiq, walking along casually and at a snail's pace, as if his father owned a court of law!
Aba stormed back furiously, shoved Sadiq roughly from behind, and barked, “You useless boy! Are you going to pick up the pace, or do I have to deal with your princess of a mother in this house? You foolish boy, if they ruin Anmy's marriage, do you realize the absolute catastrophe they are plotting to bring upon me? Why on earth are they crying and encouraging her not to come out? What kind of hypocrisy is this? Go tell them to get out here right now, or I swear to God, if I have to come in there myself, they will all learn a very bitter lesson far away from the Princess!”
Yaya Sadiq immediately dashed through the first gate, panting heavily. Just then, Baba Hamza caught up, shouting, “Beating them? Today, both you and I would end up locked up, because wallahi, their grandmother explicitly instructed me to tell you that if you touch her grandchildren, she will not let it slide. And you can clearly see how furious she is.”
Aba looked at him skeptically and countered, “You look like you are completely terrified of that old woman, aren't you? Let's go in there, give them a good beating, and let whatever happens, happen.”
Baba Hamza shook his head firmly and said, “No, we are going in there to comfort them, and you will do the same.”
In utter astonishment, Aba cupped his chin and said, “Do that? It would be incredibly embarrassing for me to enter Anmy's house and face the Princess like that.”
Baba Hamza shook his head in sheer frustration and walked straight inside, saying, “Fine, then do as you please.”
Aba looked around hesitantly for a moment, but then quietly followed behind Baba Hamza, reassuring himself: *"Well, she is