Aisha remained on his mind the entire day until night fell. After stepping out of the shower, he dressed in casual clothes—putting on a pair of white shirts, blue jeans, and applying his signature cologne.
Hadiza walked into the room wearing a milk-colored soft lace top and skirt. She looked at him and teased, “Darling, look at you! One would think you are a twenty-five-year-old youth.”
He glanced at her and said, “Don't hold me back now.”
"By Allah, it's true," she replied.
As he gathered his phones and car keys, she checked the clock. “Where are you going now? It is almost nine o'clock, and your food is ready.”
He replied, “I'm going to eat at Hajiyarmu’s house. I have a strong craving for *tuwo* today, and you know they never lack it because of Alhajinmu.”
She frowned in disappointment, but he paid no attention and walked out. She followed him, adding, “The news is about to start.”
He called back, "I'll watch it there." She stood there with tears almost welling up in her eyes out of sheer frustration. She knew very well that he was going for Aisha, not his parents. Hissing in annoyance, she turned back inside.
Hajiyarmu was taking excellent care of Aisha. Since witnessing her husband’s brighter mood, Aisha had finally found peace of mind. At that moment, the elders were in the living room watching the news, but Aisha had retired to her bedroom to lie down, even though no one loved keeping up with the news more than she did. She simply wanted to be alone to reflect: *Has Uncle truly forgiven me? Or is he just acting this way because of Hajiyarmu? No, it can't be that, because even back at our house, he used to mistreat me whenever he pleased.* She believed that Allah had accepted her prayers and turned his thoughts back to her in fondness. She whispered to herself, “May Allah make it so.”
While she was deep in thought, he arrived in the living room and had Baraka serve him the *tuwo*. After exchanging greetings with his parents, he found himself unable to eat properly because the person he had truly come to see was not in sight. Eventually, he stood up, glanced at Alhajinmu's side, and said, "Let me go check on Abulkhairi." They didn't say a word to him, and he headed inside.
The scent of his cologne prompted her to open her closed eyes. He was staring intently at her face, under the impression that she was asleep. Seeing her eyes open, he smiled. “Baby, so you are wide awake?”
She sat up, her facial expression completely neutral, and greeted him. He answered her and moved toward his son. He reached out, lifted the boy, and gazed into his face before kissing his hair and pressing him tightly against his chest. A profound wave of joy always washed over him whenever he held his son, and he silently prayed that Allah would grant children to all those who were longing for one.
Aisha watched him, her heart admiring how exceptionally well-dressed and striking he looked. If she didn't already know him and someone asked her to guess his age, she would have easily said twenty-five. He turned his gaze back to her, and as their eyes locked, she quickly looked away.
He stepped closer to her. “Baby, why do I feel like you are still so reserved around me?”
She replied, "It's nothing." Deep down, he knew his past actions toward her were entirely unjustified, though he couldn't bring himself to explain the reasons behind his behavior.
He noted, “Baby, earlier today I asked when you would be returning home, and you didn't give me an answer.”
She asked, “Uncle, have you forgotten? I told you that you would have to ask Hajiyarmu.”
He countered, “You know very well that if it is left up to them, you will stay here forever; they won't willingly return you to me.”
She offered a small, internal smile, thinking, *Listen to Uncle talking, as if he isn't the very man who was fleeing from me.* Aloud, she said, “They only act that way because they noticed you didn't seem to want me back.”
"Oh, Baby," he chuckled. “You have a way of handling a person with effortless composure. Just come back home.”
She sat up straighter. “Uncle, I am returning to school the day after tomorrow, so what would be the point of moving back since I won't even be around to stay?”
He fell silent for a moment before replying, “Honestly, if it weren't for Hajiyarmu, by Allah, I wouldn't let you return to school just yet until my boy grows a bit older. I don't want you going back without him being properly cared for.”
She remained silent. He asked, “When you go to class, who will you leave him with?”
She looked at him. “Uwani is coming along with us, and we are hiring another young girl to handle the housework.”
He puckered his lips slightly. “If I weren't out of town on business, I would have returned to find you gone anyway.”
She replied, "Uncle, it seemed like that was exactly what you wanted, considering how completely you detached yourself from my life." She lowered her head, adding, “By Allah, if someone had told me last year that my heart would be thrown into such turmoil, I would never have believed them. I always knew my guardian was a trustworthy gentleman of high integrity, someone who would endure any mistake brought about by my youth, as long as it wasn't an act of immorality. Yet, you ended up accusing me of the very immorality that destroys a marriage.”
He raised his hand to stop her. “My heart never truly doubted you, my Baby. Even when my mouth uttered those words, my heart refused to accept them. Baby, that is all in the past now, and I don't want you turning back the clock. Like I always say, you have done absolutely nothing wrong to me...”
"...But it is deeply shocking," she interrupted, "that for the sake of your own pride, you turned your back on me." Before he could respond, they heard Hajiyarmu's voice echoing from the living room: “If you plan on spending the night in that room, let us know so we can lock the main door.”
He checked his wristwatch and saw it was almost midnight. Time had flown by so quickly—perhaps because he was in the company of his two absolute favorites.
After he stepped out, Hajiyarmu looked at her and remarked, “You are far too soft-hearted, Aisha. Why do you give him your full attention after how harshly he showed he didn't care for you?”
With her head lowered, Aisha replied, “Hajiyarmu, even if I wanted to harbor anger, I must let it go, because it is through him that I will attain my Paradise. How can I play with my ultimate reward?”
Hajiyarmu marveled at Aisha's maturity. If only more women adopted her demeanor, they would live in absolute harmony with their husbands and truly reap the blessings of marriage. She noted, “That is true, but with the men of today, you sometimes have to show them their faults. If you don't stay completely agreeable with him right now, he will think twice before ever treating you like this again in the future.”
Aisha answered, “That may be true, but it is only right that I give him the benefit of the doubt, since he has never done anything remotely like this to me before this incident. Moreover, he holds such a high status in my life that I could never bring myself to retaliate for what he did.”
Hajiyarmu felt her affection for Aisha grow even deeper. She smiled, saying, “May Allah maintain the peace between you two; that is all we pray for. And if he ever goes astray again, we will firmly correct him. Just make sure you take excellent care of your son, do you hear?”
"Yes, ma'am," Aisha replied. Hajiyarmu deeply adored her grandson and highly respected Aisha's unyielding modesty.
An urgent business trip came up on the very day Aisha was scheduled to return to school. He was deeply disappointed by the timing, as he had desperately wanted to be part of the convoy sending her off, hoping to further patch things up with his beloved Baby. He bade them farewell, promising to visit them the moment he returned from Egypt.
Nafisa arrived in the morning to say goodbye, and Aisha told her, “I need you to come over so I can give you the full breakdown, because this story cannot be told over the phone.”
Nafisa pressed, “Tell me everything!”
Aisha narrated her entire conversation with Uncle. Nafisa was thrilled, though she couldn't resist teasing her. “You love your husband way too much! The moment he smiles at you, you completely split your face grinning.”
Aisha defended herself, “What else am I supposed to do? Anty Nafisa, you know Uncle means everything to me. He has to grant his blessing before I can enter Paradise, so how can I take that lightly?”
Nafisa laughed. "You truly inspire me, Aisha. By Allah, I should try adopting your level of patience." Aisha burst into laughter along with her.
Meanwhile, Uncle lay in bed back home, deeply analyzing the young woman. He knew very well that Aisha had subtly delivered a powerful truth to him with absolute calmness. *What kind of person is she that she never harbors a grudge?* He knew he would never stop thanking Allah for her.
Suddenly, Hadiza's voice shattered his thoughts. “Honestly, I am completely fed up! Every single day you go over to Aisha's place and stay past midnight, or you are running off to the hospital. Do you think I don't know my own rights just because I've been patient with you? If Aisha is going to return, shouldn't she just move back instead of you constantly encroaching on my time, both on her designated days and mine?”
He sat up straight. “Since you are so fed up, tell me exactly what you want me to do for you right now.”
She pouted. “Let's return to a fair rotation of nights.”
He replied, “I refuse. What else do you want?”
She glared at him. “Of course, I don't possess the influence to dictate what should be done; only Aisha has that privilege.”
He snapped, "Exactly, because she doesn't have a selfish bone in her body. If this petty jealousy is all that brought you here, get out. I don't have time for a bad mood right now." He turned his back on her.
She muttered bitterly, “Of course, now that she has given you a son, she is completely irreplaceable to you.”
He smiled to himself, but aloud he simply muttered, "Crazy woman," as she stormed out grumbling.
Time marched on, and Aisha settled beautifully into her university routine, dedicating herself completely to her studies while Uwani took excellent care of Abulkhairi. She answered her Uncle's phone calls at least four or five times every single day. With her mind completely at ease, she blossomed and radiated a stunning glow.
One day, while chatting on the phone with Nafisa, she confided, “Anty Nafisa, Uncle keeps insisting on coming to visit me, but I keep putting him off, telling him our academic workload is too intense and that I won't be able to give him proper attention. Instead, I told him to let me use those body-enhancement and traditional beauty products you promised before he arrives. But on the other hand, I am terrified of getting pregnant again so soon while nursing Abulkhairi and handling my studies.”
Nafisa reassured her, “I will send the package to the motor park tomorrow morning. It includes a traditional drink called *Hurul-in*, cleansing inserts, scented body oils, incense, skin-glowing creams, herbal soaps, leaves for therapeutic baths, and a special bridal mixture I had prepared. They will all be clearly labeled. If you have any trouble understanding how to use them, just call me or Hajiya Aliya; I'll send you her number. As for the pregnancy issue, let my brother enjoy his marriage! We want more children, and you know it.”
Aisha laughed, “Oh, Anty Nafisa, don't you feel any pity for your brother? Abulkhairi isn't even strong enough yet.”
Nafisa laughed back, "He will be fine!" They shared a warm laugh and said their goodbyes.
As for Hajiya Jummai, her mysterious illness would subside one day only to flare up violently the next, leaving her completely restless. Even her doctor had grown exhausted with her case, and seeing a slight stabilization, he officially discharged her from the clinic, promising to conduct regular checkups at her home.
Her sister, Indo, was thrilled because she was desperate to leave; she had grown entirely sick of her sister's toxic household. She had barely managed to endure a single week before packing her bags and taking her departure. The house was now filled only with domestic staff and a constant stream of dramatic friends who filled the rooms daily. Annoyingly, even to this day, they hadn't stopped spinning wild fabrications. Their grand delusion was that Aisha had cast a powerful spell on Jummai to cause this illness, and they even claimed Hadiza was throwing counter-spells into the mix.
One afternoon, Aisha was walking to a lecture hall with some of her coursemates, chatting warmly about Abulkhairi. Hafsa Sulaiman remarked, “That boy is far more beautiful than you; he doesn't look like you at all.”
Aisha smiled, “He takes completely after his father; they look exactly alike.”
Hauwa'u Hamza chimed in, “In that case, his father must be exceptionally handsome, because I never tire of looking at that baby.”
Before Aisha could respond, her phone began to ring with Uncle's custom ringtone. She quickly retrieved the device from her bag and answered with an affectionate, playful tone, “Hello, my Uncle.”
He adjusted his posture on the other end. "My Baby." They exchanged warm greetings, and he asked about his boy. She replied, “He is at home with Uwani; I am currently on my way to a lecture.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I can't get any work done, Baby. I am completely consumed by your absence, yet I notice you seem determined to keep me from coming down there.”
She teased, “Who am I, Uncle, to ever stop you from coming to see us?”
He pressed, “If that's true, can I drive down today?”
She replied, “Uncle, just wait until the weekend so we can actually have proper quality time together.”
He smiled, “Alright, but I expect a very special reception, understood? My throat is incredibly parched, and I am deeply thirsty.”
She laughed softly, “Just say whatever it is you desire, and I will prepare it for you.”
He murmured, “You alone are more than enough for me.”
She answered, “Uncle, you know I have always been yours completely; it was you who pushed me away.”
He chuckled, “My Baby, you have a way of completely disarming me. My head is entirely at your service; I will be there.”
"Alright then," she replied. “We'll be expecting you.”
Hafsat looked at her and teased, “Aisha, who on earth were you speaking to with all that charm and style? One would think he was standing right in front of you.”
Aisha laughed, “Did I really put on a performance? I was just speaking to my Uncle.”
Hauwa'u countered, “Oh come on, with that kind of tone, I am certain you were speaking to Abulkhairi's father.”
Aisha asked, “So you don't believe he is my Uncle?”
Hafsat noted, “This 'Uncle' you keep calling clearly dotes on you completely, and you feel the exact same way.”
Aisha smiled proudly, “That is absolutely true; you haven't told a single lie. Uncle treasures me like life itself.”
Hauwa'u asked, “Does he have other wives?”
Aisha replied, “He has three wives and one son.”
Hafsat joked, “Well, if you aren't exceptionally careful, his other wives are going to absolutely detest you.”
Amused by how deeply they had bought into the conversation, Aisha laughed and said, “Oh, they absolutely adore me too!”
They laughed, "Wow, you are incredibly fortunate." With that, they walked into the classroom for their lecture.
Aisha had been diligently using the traditional beauty regimen Nafisa sent her, and within just three days, she had transformed completely, radiating the exquisite glow of a fresh bride. Her coursemates couldn't stop showering her with compliments, saying, "While the rest of us are looking exhausted from studying, you are getting more stunning by the day! For the love of God, what is your secret?" She would simply laugh it off, claiming they were just teasing her. Even Anty Maimuna, Nafisa's close friend, became completely obsessed with finding out what body cream she was using. Aisha told her, “It's called Zahra Global. If you want some, I can speak to Anty Nafisa for you.”
Ever since he called to say he was on his way, she had been completely restless, desperately waiting for her lab practical to end. The moment she arrived home, she skipped checking on Abulkhairi and plunged straight into chores alongside her maid, Tani. They whipped up a massive feast, cooking dish after dish. She prepared his absolute favorite drink, *zoɓo* (hibiscus tea), and then hurried into the shower.
She sat before the mirror, applying full makeup and spraying herself with rich, alluring fragrances. She dressed in a vibrant red Dutch wax (*atamfa*) skirt and top that fit her perfectly, hugging her curves as if it had been stitched directly onto her body.
Even Uwani couldn't help but admire her. “You look absolutely stunning, my child. This outfit suits you beautifully.”
As she was dressing Abulkhairi, she heard a knock at the gate. Before she could speak, she overheard Uwani telling Tani to go check it. She continued dressing the baby until a familiar scent filled the room, signaling his arrival. She turned around quickly, cooing, “Abulkhairi, look how handsome you look, my baby!”
As she turned, her eyes met her Uncle’s. He was standing there, watching them both with absolute adoration and desire.
Aisha gasped, “Oh, Uncle, you're inside already?”
He stepped forward. "I just walked in, Baby." He scooped up Abulkhairi, tossing him gently in the air to play with him. Meanwhile, Aisha hurried to arrange the dining area for him. She reached out to take the baby. “Uncle, let me take him so you can eat. I'll pass him to Uwani.”
He countered, “No, leave him right here. Have my food served here as well.”
She immediately spread out a carpet and neatly arranged the food warmers before him. Once he sat down to eat, she greeted him formally and asked about Hajiya Jummai's health, Hajiyarmu, and the rest of the family. He assured her everyone was doing well, noting that Jummai's health was stable but recovering slowly.
He started with the *zoɓo* before diving into the feast. He was completely overwhelmed by the variety, realizing it had been ages since he had enjoyed a meal of this caliber. He smiled, “Baby, look at this. You've made me overeat to the point where I can barely stand up.”
She smiled warmly, “Oh, Uncle, that is exactly how I like it.”
At exactly 8:30 PM, upon returning from the mosque after the Isha prayer, he announced, “Baby, I won't be spending the night here. The moment I arrived in town, I had Jabiru secure a hotel room for me.”
She asked, “Why?”
He explained, “Uwani and the maid are here, and besides, you know I don't like staying inside the school quarters.”
She frowned, “Then what are we supposed to do now?”
"You are packing your things and coming with me," he stated.
"With Abulkhairi?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," he replied.
“So I am spending the night at the hotel?”
He looked at her, “What else did you think? Do you expect me to go and sleep there all by myself?”
She puckered her lips slightly in a playful pout. “Oh come on, Uncle. Uwani and the maid are in this house; if I pack up and follow you out into the night, how am I supposed to look them in the eye tomorrow morning when I return?”
He hardened his expression playfully. “Even if I spent the night here, whatever you think they would assume is exactly what they will assume if you come with me, don't you get it? Baby, every woman who is with her husband is expected to be intimate, especially since it has been quite a while since I've enjoyed your company.”
She blushed, “By Allah, Uncle, I am serious; I am going to feel so embarrassed.”
He picked up Abulkhairi and headed for the door. “We will be waiting for you in the car. Pack whatever you and the baby will need until tomorrow.”
She watched them walk out, a soft smile spreading across her lips. She began packing their nightwear and essentials. She lit some traditional sc
Aisha remained on his mind the entire day until night fell. After stepping out of the shower, he dressed in casual clothes—putting on a pair of white shirts, blue jeans, and applying his signature cologne.
Hadiza walked into the room wearing a milk-colored soft lace top and skirt. She looked at him and teased, “Darling, look at you! One would think you are a twenty-five-year-old youth.”
He glanced at her and said, “Don't hold me back now.”
"By Allah, it's true," she replied.
As he gathered his phones and car keys, she checked the clock. “Where are you going now? It is almost nine o'clock, and your food is ready.”
He replied, “I'm going to eat at Hajiyarmu’s house. I have a strong craving for *tuwo* today, and you know they never lack it because of Alhajinmu.”
She frowned in disappointment, but he paid no attention and walked out. She followed him, adding, “The news is about to start.”
He called back, "I'll watch it there." She stood there with tears almost welling up in her eyes out of sheer frustration. She knew very well that he was going for Aisha, not his parents. Hissing in annoyance, she turned back inside.
Hajiyarmu was taking excellent care of Aisha. Since witnessing her husband’s brighter mood, Aisha had finally found peace of mind. At that moment, the elders were in the living room watching the news, but Aisha had retired to her bedroom to lie down, even though no one loved keeping up with the news more than she did. She simply wanted to be alone to reflect: *Has Uncle truly forgiven me? Or is he just acting this way because of Hajiyarmu? No, it can't be that, because even back at our house, he used to mistreat me whenever he pleased.* She believed that Allah had accepted her prayers and turned his thoughts back to her in fondness. She whispered to herself, “May Allah make it so.”
While she was deep in thought, he arrived in the living room and had Baraka serve him the *tuwo*. After exchanging greetings with his parents, he found himself unable to eat properly because the person he had truly come to see was not in sight. Eventually, he stood up, glanced at Alhajinmu's side, and said, "Let me go check on Abulkhairi." They didn't say a word to him, and he headed inside.
The scent of his cologne prompted her to open her closed eyes. He was staring intently at her face, under the impression that she was asleep. Seeing her eyes open, he smiled. “Baby, so you are wide awake?”
She sat up, her facial expression completely neutral, and greeted him. He answered her and moved toward his son. He reached out, lifted the boy, and gazed into his face before kissing his hair and pressing him tightly against his chest. A profound wave of joy always washed over him whenever he held his son, and he silently prayed that Allah would grant children to all those who were longing for one.
Aisha watched him, her heart admiring how exceptionally well-dressed and striking he looked. If she didn't already know him and someone asked her to guess his age, she would have easily said twenty-five. He turned his gaze back to her, and as their eyes locked, she quickly looked away.
He stepped closer to her. “Baby, why do I feel like you are still so reserved around me?”
She replied, "It's nothing." Deep down, he knew his past actions toward her were entirely unjustified, though he couldn't bring himself to explain the reasons behind his behavior.
He noted, “Baby, earlier today I asked when you would be returning home, and you didn't give me an answer.”
She asked, “Uncle, have you forgotten? I told you that you would have to ask Hajiyarmu.”
He countered, “You know very well that if it is left up to them, you will stay here forever; they won't willingly return you to me.”
She offered a small, internal smile, thinking, *Listen to Uncle talking, as if he isn't the very man who was fleeing from me.* Aloud, she said, “They only act that way because they noticed you didn't seem to want me back.”
"Oh, Baby," he chuckled. “You have a way of handling a person with effortless composure. Just come back home.”
She sat up straighter. “Uncle, I am returning to school the day after tomorrow, so what would be the point of moving back since I won't even be around to stay?”
He fell silent for a moment before replying, “Honestly, if it weren't for Hajiyarmu, by Allah, I wouldn't let you return to school just yet until my boy grows a bit older. I don't want you going back without him being properly cared for.”
She remained silent. He asked, “When you go to class, who will you leave him with?”
She looked at him. “Uwani is coming along with us, and we are hiring another young girl to handle the housework.”
He puckered his lips slightly. “If I weren't out of town on business, I would have returned to find you gone anyway.”
She replied, "Uncle, it seemed like that was exactly what you wanted, considering how completely you detached yourself from my life." She lowered her head, adding, “By Allah, if someone had told me last year that my heart would be thrown into such turmoil, I would never have believed them. I always knew my guardian was a trustworthy gentleman of high integrity, someone who would endure any mistake brought about by my youth, as long as it wasn't an act of immorality. Yet, you ended up accusing me of the very immorality that destroys a marriage.”
He raised his hand to stop her. “My heart never truly doubted you, my Baby. Even when my mouth uttered those words, my heart refused to accept them. Baby, that is all in the past now, and I don't want you turning back the clock. Like I always say, you have done absolutely nothing wrong to me...”
"...But it is deeply shocking," she interrupted, "that for the sake of your own pride, you turned your back on me." Before he could respond, they heard Hajiyarmu's voice echoing from the living room: “If you plan on spending the night in that room, let us know so we can lock the main door.”
He checked his wristwatch and saw it was almost midnight. Time had flown by so quickly—perhaps because he was in the company of his two absolute favorites.
After he stepped out, Hajiyarmu looked at her and remarked, “You are far too soft-hearted, Aisha. Why do you give him your full attention after how harshly he showed he didn't care for you?”
With her head lowered, Aisha replied, “Hajiyarmu, even if I wanted to harbor anger, I must let it go, because it is through him that I will attain my Paradise. How can I play with my ultimate reward?”
Hajiyarmu marveled at Aisha's maturity. If only more women adopted her demeanor, they would live in absolute harmony with their husbands and truly reap the blessings of marriage. She noted, “That is true, but with the men of today, you sometimes have to show them their faults. If you don't stay completely agreeable with him right now, he will think twice before ever treating you like this again in the future.”
Aisha answered, “That may be true, but it is only right that I give him the benefit of the doubt, since he has never done anything remotely like this to me before this incident. Moreover, he holds such a high status in my life that I could never bring myself to retaliate for what he did.”
Hajiyarmu felt her affection for Aisha grow even deeper. She smiled, saying, “May Allah maintain the peace between you two; that is all we pray for. And if he ever goes astray again, we will firmly correct him. Just make sure you take excellent care of your son, do you hear?”
"Yes, ma'am," Aisha replied. Hajiyarmu deeply adored her grandson and highly respected Aisha's unyielding modesty.
An urgent business trip came up on the very day Aisha was scheduled to return to school. He was deeply disappointed by the timing, as he had desperately wanted to be part of the convoy sending her off, hoping to further patch things up with his beloved Baby. He bade them farewell, promising to visit them the moment he returned from Egypt.
Nafisa arrived in the morning to say goodbye, and Aisha told her, “I need you to come over so I can give you the full breakdown, because this story cannot be told over the phone.”
Nafisa pressed, “Tell me everything!”
Aisha narrated her entire conversation with Uncle. Nafisa was thrilled, though she couldn't resist teasing her. “You love your husband way too much! The moment he smiles at you, you completely split your face grinning.”
Aisha defended herself, “What else am I supposed to do? Anty Nafisa, you know Uncle means everything to me. He has to grant his blessing before I can enter Paradise, so how can I take that lightly?”
Nafisa laughed. "You truly inspire me, Aisha. By Allah, I should try adopting your level of patience." Aisha burst into laughter along with her.
Meanwhile, Uncle lay in bed back home, deeply analyzing the young woman. He knew very well that Aisha had subtly delivered a powerful truth to him with absolute calmness. *What kind of person is she that she never harbors a grudge?* He knew he would never stop thanking Allah for her.
Suddenly, Hadiza's voice shattered his thoughts. “Honestly, I am completely fed up! Every single day you go over to Aisha's place and stay past midnight, or you are running off to the hospital. Do you think I don't know my own rights just because I've been patient with you? If Aisha is going to return, shouldn't she just move back instead of you constantly encroaching on my time, both on her designated days and mine?”
He sat up straight. “Since you are so fed up, tell me exactly what you want me to do for you right now.”
She pouted. “Let's return to a fair rotation of nights.”
He replied, “I refuse. What else do you want?”
She glared at him. “Of course, I don't possess the influence to dictate what should be done; only Aisha has that privilege.”
He snapped, "Exactly, because she doesn't have a selfish bone in her body. If this petty jealousy is all that brought you here, get out. I don't have time for a bad mood right now." He turned his back on her.
She muttered bitterly, “Of course, now that she has given you a son, she is completely irreplaceable to you.”
He smiled to himself, but aloud he simply muttered, "Crazy woman," as she stormed out grumbling.
Time marched on, and Aisha settled beautifully into her university routine, dedicating herself completely to her studies while Uwani took excellent care of Abulkhairi. She answered her Uncle's phone calls at least four or five times every single day. With her mind completely at ease, she blossomed and radiated a stunning glow.
One day, while chatting on the phone with Nafisa, she confided, “Anty Nafisa, Uncle keeps insisting on coming to visit me, but I keep putting him off, telling him our academic workload is too intense and that I won't be able to give him proper attention. Instead, I told him to let me use those body-enhancement and traditional beauty products you promised before he arrives. But on the other hand, I am terrified of getting pregnant again so soon while nursing Abulkhairi and handling my studies.”
Nafisa reassured her, “I will send the package to the motor park tomorrow morning. It includes a traditional drink called *Hurul-in*, cleansing inserts, scented body oils, incense, skin-glowing creams, herbal soaps, leaves for therapeutic baths, and a special bridal mixture I had prepared. They will all be clearly labeled. If you have any trouble understanding how to use them, just call me or Hajiya Aliya; I'll send you her number. As for the pregnancy issue, let my brother enjoy his marriage! We want more children, and you know it.”
Aisha laughed, “Oh, Anty Nafisa, don't you feel any pity for your brother? Abulkhairi isn't even strong enough yet.”
Nafisa laughed back, "He will be fine!" They shared a warm laugh and said their goodbyes.
As for Hajiya Jummai, her mysterious illness would subside one day only to flare up violently the next, leaving her completely restless. Even her doctor had grown exhausted with her case, and seeing a slight stabilization, he officially discharged her from the clinic, promising to conduct regular checkups at her home.
Her sister, Indo, was thrilled because she was desperate to leave; she had grown entirely sick of her sister's toxic household. She had barely managed to endure a single week before packing her bags and taking her departure. The house was now filled only with domestic staff and a constant stream of dramatic friends who filled the rooms daily. Annoyingly, even to this day, they hadn't stopped spinning wild fabrications. Their grand delusion was that Aisha had cast a powerful spell on Jummai to cause this illness, and they even claimed Hadiza was throwing counter-spells into the mix.
One afternoon, Aisha was walking to a lecture hall with some of her coursemates, chatting warmly about Abulkhairi. Hafsa Sulaiman remarked, “That boy is far more beautiful than you; he doesn't look like you at all.”
Aisha smiled, “He takes completely after his father; they look exactly alike.”
Hauwa'u Hamza chimed in, “In that case, his father must be exceptionally handsome, because I never tire of looking at that baby.”
Before Aisha could respond, her phone began to ring with Uncle's custom ringtone. She quickly retrieved the device from her bag and answered with an affectionate, playful tone, “Hello, my Uncle.”
He adjusted his posture on the other end. "My Baby." They exchanged warm greetings, and he asked about his boy. She replied, “He is at home with Uwani; I am currently on my way to a lecture.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I can't get any work done, Baby. I am completely consumed by your absence, yet I notice you seem determined to keep me from coming down there.”
She teased, “Who am I, Uncle, to ever stop you from coming to see us?”
He pressed, “If that's true, can I drive down today?”
She replied, “Uncle, just wait until the weekend so we can actually have proper quality time together.”
He smiled, “Alright, but I expect a very special reception, understood? My throat is incredibly parched, and I am deeply thirsty.”
She laughed softly, “Just say whatever it is you desire, and I will prepare it for you.”
He murmured, “You alone are more than enough for me.”
She answered, “Uncle, you know I have always been yours completely; it was you who pushed me away.”
He chuckled, “My Baby, you have a way of completely disarming me. My head is entirely at your service; I will be there.”
"Alright then," she replied. “We'll be expecting you.”
Hafsat looked at her and teased, “Aisha, who on earth were you speaking to with all that charm and style? One would think he was standing right in front of you.”
Aisha laughed, “Did I really put on a performance? I was just speaking to my Uncle.”
Hauwa'u countered, “Oh come on, with that kind of tone, I am certain you were speaking to Abulkhairi's father.”
Aisha asked, “So you don't believe he is my Uncle?”
Hafsat noted, “This 'Uncle' you keep calling clearly dotes on you completely, and you feel the exact same way.”
Aisha smiled proudly, “That is absolutely true; you haven't told a single lie. Uncle treasures me like life itself.”
Hauwa'u asked, “Does he have other wives?”
Aisha replied, “He has three wives and one son.”
Hafsat joked, “Well, if you aren't exceptionally careful, his other wives are going to absolutely detest you.”
Amused by how deeply they had bought into the conversation, Aisha laughed and said, “Oh, they absolutely adore me too!”
They laughed, "Wow, you are incredibly fortunate." With that, they walked into the classroom for their lecture.
Aisha had been diligently using the traditional beauty regimen Nafisa sent her, and within just three days, she had transformed completely, radiating the exquisite glow of a fresh bride. Her coursemates couldn't stop showering her with compliments, saying, "While the rest of us are looking exhausted from studying, you are getting more stunning by the day! For the love of God, what is your secret?" She would simply laugh it off, claiming they were just teasing her. Even Anty Maimuna, Nafisa's close friend, became completely obsessed with finding out what body cream she was using. Aisha told her, “It's called Zahra Global. If you want some, I can speak to Anty Nafisa for you.”
Ever since he called to say he was on his way, she had been completely restless, desperately waiting for her lab practical to end. The moment she arrived home, she skipped checking on Abulkhairi and plunged straight into chores alongside her maid, Tani. They whipped up a massive feast, cooking dish after dish. She prepared his absolute favorite drink, *zoɓo* (hibiscus tea), and then hurried into the shower.
She sat before the mirror, applying full makeup and spraying herself with rich, alluring fragrances. She dressed in a vibrant red Dutch wax (*atamfa*) skirt and top that fit her perfectly, hugging her curves as if it had been stitched directly onto her body.
Even Uwani couldn't help but admire her. “You look absolutely stunning, my child. This outfit suits you beautifully.”
As she was dressing Abulkhairi, she heard a knock at the gate. Before she could speak, she overheard Uwani telling Tani to go check it. She continued dressing the baby until a familiar scent filled the room, signaling his arrival. She turned around quickly, cooing, “Abulkhairi, look how handsome you look, my baby!”
As she turned, her eyes met her Uncle’s. He was standing there, watching them both with absolute adoration and desire.
Aisha gasped, “Oh, Uncle, you're inside already?”
He stepped forward. "I just walked in, Baby." He scooped up Abulkhairi, tossing him gently in the air to play with him. Meanwhile, Aisha hurried to arrange the dining area for him. She reached out to take the baby. “Uncle, let me take him so you can eat. I'll pass him to Uwani.”
He countered, “No, leave him right here. Have my food served here as well.”
She immediately spread out a carpet and neatly arranged the food warmers before him. Once he sat down to eat, she greeted him formally and asked about Hajiya Jummai's health, Hajiyarmu, and the rest of the family. He assured her everyone was doing well, noting that Jummai's health was stable but recovering slowly.
He started with the *zoɓo* before diving into the feast. He was completely overwhelmed by the variety, realizing it had been ages since he had enjoyed a meal of this caliber. He smiled, “Baby, look at this. You've made me overeat to the point where I can barely stand up.”
She smiled warmly, “Oh, Uncle, that is exactly how I like it.”
At exactly 8:30 PM, upon returning from the mosque after the Isha prayer, he announced, “Baby, I won't be spending the night here. The moment I arrived in town, I had Jabiru secure a hotel room for me.”
She asked, “Why?”
He explained, “Uwani and the maid are here, and besides, you know I don't like staying inside the school quarters.”
She frowned, “Then what are we supposed to do now?”
"You are packing your things and coming with me," he stated.
"With Abulkhairi?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," he replied.
“So I am spending the night at the hotel?”
He looked at her, “What else did you think? Do you expect me to go and sleep there all by myself?”
She puckered her lips slightly in a playful pout. “Oh come on, Uncle. Uwani and the maid are in this house; if I pack up and follow you out into the night, how am I supposed to look them in the eye tomorrow morning when I return?”
He hardened his expression playfully. “Even if I spent the night here, whatever you think they would assume is exactly what they will assume if you come with me, don't you get it? Baby, every woman who is with her husband is expected to be intimate, especially since it has been quite a while since I've enjoyed your company.”
She blushed, “By Allah, Uncle, I am serious; I am going to feel so embarrassed.”
He picked up Abulkhairi and headed for the door. “We will be waiting for you in the car. Pack whatever you and the baby will need until tomorrow.”
She watched them walk out, a soft smile spreading across her lips. She began packing their nightwear and essentials. She lit some traditional sc