Aisha said, "Well, Umma, that’s exactly what he said—that I couldn’t do it, and that we should wait until later." Umma fell silent because she knew Aisha was young, but she also found her excessively naive. After all, girls even younger than Aisha knew the dynamics of marriage, so why shouldn't she? Umma noticed that Aisha did not even understand what was meant by “preparing the matrimonial bed.”
Aisha added, “Well, when I return, I will make sure to start doing those preparations.”
Before her departure date, Umma sat her down and taught her how to consume fruits and natural herbs that enhance a woman’s fluid secretion and intimacy (*ni'ima*). Umma explained to her how watermelon, sugarcane, tiger nuts, tigernut milk made with dates, chicken broth, and the like help a woman stay naturally lubricated and receptive. Aisha, however, did not understand the true nature of the *ni'ima* Umma was referring to; she simply assumed it would make her skin look fresh, help her gain healthy weight, or brighten her complexion. Did Umma mean she would grow bigger? She had no idea. Regardless, while there, she began using them along with other harmless, traditional women's herbal drinks (*tsumi*).
On her end, Hajiya Jummai had fully executed her plans, meaning she had brought back her dark charms from her trip to Niger; thus, she was simply waiting for the results.
With one week left of Aisha's school vacation, Uncle called to inform her that he was on his way, so she should prepare to head back with him. Aisha felt a reluctance to leave; furthermore, since the previous day, she had been plagued by an unsettling premonition and a pounding heart, which she confided to Umma. Umma advised her to keep praying and promised to pray for her as well.
They stopped in Kano to shop. Uncle kept teasing her about an "Amrif Cory" perfume. She just laughed at him, while he remarked, "I truly admire its fragrance and essence." Aisha brought all the souvenirs she had gathered to Jummai’s quarters and told her that she brought them to share, leaving no one out.
Hajiya Jummai replied coldly, “No, I don't have anyone to give souvenirs to. Just send them to Hajiyarmu. As for me, let me just have some of the sesame seeds.”
Aisha agreed, and she personally asked Uncle to drive her to Hajiyarmu's place to deliver their gifts. They expressed immense gratitude, and it was during this visit that Aisha overheard news of Nafisa’s upcoming wedding while Uncle was speaking with Hajiyarmu. It turned out Nafisa was marrying one of Uncle's friends, a man named Alhaji Bello, who already had one wife and three children. Aisha secretly hoped that the wedding would coincide with her next school break, and she even raised this concern with Uncle. Uncle told her not to worry, noting that if she was destined to be there, the wedding would surely fall within her vacation. When Sunday arrived, Uncle packed all of Aisha’s school belongings and escorted her back to school. The students then focused entirely on their studies as required.
Meanwhile, Jummai kept waiting expectantly to see where and how her charms would begin taking effect. But there was only absolute silence. This heightened her anxiety, and she began babbling to herself, wondering what mistake she could have made. Since everything she attempted seemed to fail, and because people usually assume others act just like them, she concluded that they must be neutralizing her efforts with counter-spells. This assumption drove her to rush to her close friend's house to seek an alternative solution.
"Aisha has become a plague, a total catastrophe to me!" Jummai lamented. Her close friend suggested, "We will have to look for another source where things actually work. Personally, I think we should head to India. That is the absolute peak of sorcery—haven't you seen it even in their movies?" Jummai asked, "For God's sake, is that really true? Does it work?" Karima replied, “Sit right there! If you are ready to stand up, stand up, my dear friend. For a task like this, it’s either India or China. Before we even return, while we are still over there, that useless life will be snuffed out, and we will finally have peace.”
Jummai replied, “The journey itself isn't the issue, and I'm not worried about the money because I am willing to put all my properties on the market just to get the cash. My main problem is the man in my house. Do you know that up until today, things haven't gone back to normal between us? Ever since our trip to Niger, I haven't been able to understand his mood. He just keeps ignoring me and acting completely aloof.”
Karima said, "Look, my friend, go gather the money. Even if he refuses to let you travel, I will go on your behalf. What else is friendship for? If it requires going to the very brink of the afterlife, as the saying goes, I will go just to find you a solution regarding this co-wife. Stop worrying. Who are they to challenge a sorcerer?" Jummai let out a deep sigh of relief, overwhelmed with joy. In her eyes, no one in the world compared to Karima. She said, “My dear friend, may Allah prolong our lives. I know for a fact that I have no lover or supporter greater than you in this entire world.”
> *What a total blindness of intellect.*
>
Whenever the girls were on school vacation, Aisha would go into Uncle’s bedroom on every one of her designated cooking days to make his bed and tidy up the space, after which she would burn fragrant incense for him. However, she never spent the night there, and the thought of sleeping over never even crossed her mind. Once her vacation days were over, he took care of her needs, and she returned to school.
Aisha focused fully on her studies without playing around, though spending time with her roommates, like Samira, significantly broadened her awareness of the world. They would sit around and chat about their boyfriends, as young girls often do. Amina’s mouth was always full of stories about Kabir, while Samira spoke of nothing but Adam.
Whenever each girl described how she felt about her sweetheart, Aisha would simply open her mouth and stare at them in bewilderment. Samira remarked, "Aisha, it’s as if you are completely sheltered. Are you seriously telling us you don't have a boyfriend?" Aisha shook her head and replied, “No, I don't have any boyfriend.”
Amina chimed in, "By Allah, if I didn't already have my Adam, I would have begged you to set me up with your Uncle!" Samira added, "Oh, that guy is absolutely top-tier." Aisha offered a small smile and noted, "But Uncle is not a young boy." Samira countered, “Listen to her! You don't look at youthfulness in men; you look at quality. Your Uncle possesses every single quality a woman could ever desire in a man.”
Aisha said, "I don't know anything about these 'qualities' you keep talking about." They burst into laughter at her innocence. Aisha added, “Listen, prayer time is approaching. We should start preparing to head to the mosque.”
Whenever they had these kinds of conversations, Aisha would secretly ask herself: *What is this thing that Samira and the others are so obsessed with?* All she knew was that she found it admirable when Uncle dressed up elegantly—it charmed her deeply. Beyond that, she knew absolutely nothing.
Time flew, and Aisha and her peers entered their final year (SS3). Although she hadn't gained much weight, she had grown noticeably taller.
Her bust had also filled out significantly, altering her posture slightly. This change caused her to walk with a subtle lean forward, which some girls at school misinterpreted as snobbish vanity (*yanga*). By now, she had finally come to understand what marriage entailed and what went on within it, but she remained deeply terrified of it.
As for Uncle, he still hadn't thought of touching her. He had become entirely convinced that his intimacy was what caused his previous wives to die, even though he was constantly battling his own desires. Meanwhile, Hajiya Jummai’s anxieties had worsened significantly because she believed her failed charms were a result of someone placing a counter-spell on her. She was currently frantic, trying to raise the funds needed to travel to India or China.
Aisha was now seventeen years old, marking her second year living under her Uncle's roof.
Seeing how things had stabilized, people in the community began whispering that Alhaji Saddiq's wives had finally stopped dying in his house, though there was still no child. Consequently, the very people who used to slander him in the past began approaching him, trying to market their own daughters to him for marriage.
He made it clear to them that he had no desire to take another wife and asked them to drop the matter.
One day, after leaving the office, he headed straight to Hajiyarmu's house. There, he encountered Alhaji Sunusi, his father's elder brother, who had only sons. Alhajinmu held Alhaji Sunusi in high regard, as he was practically the only surviving elder brother left in the male lineage of the family. Alhaji Saddiq sat down and greeted them, then turned to greet Hajiyarmu. Alhaji Sunusi said, "This visit is actually meant for you, Abubakar." Uncle looked at him, adjusted his posture, and replied, "I am listening, Baba." Alhaji Sunusi cleared his throat and said, "It is the matter of Hadiza that brings me here." Uncle looked at him, puzzled. "Which Hadiza?" Alhaji Sunusi replied, “Don't act like you don't know her! Hadiza from my household. For a long time now, I have known, and you have known too, that she stood her ground, insisting you are the only one she wants. Back then, everyone refused because your situation wasn't favorable. As a result, she has rejected every single suitor up until now, insisting it’s either you or no one else. Now that her younger sisters, Hussaina and the rest, are getting married, we have decided to simply marry her off to you.”
Uncle glanced toward where Hajiyarmu was sitting. She was completely absorbed in studying a book of Islamic jurisprudence (*Qawa'idi*). He knew she could hear them, but she would never interrupt. Furthermore, no matter how hard you stared, you could never read her facial expressions to tell whether this news pleased her or not. He turned his gaze back to Alhaji Sunusi, knowing that the older men would explode in anger if he gave the blunt answer on his mind. He stated, “Alhaji, even in the past, I know the family refused to let me marry Hadiza because of the curse surrounding me—the death of my wives. Now, everyone is agreeing simply because they see my current wife hasn't died. Therefore, please ask Hadiza to be patient and look for another husband.”
Alhaji Sunusi snapped, “Who told you it was because of that problem? Our only desire now is to see your offspring.”
Alhaji Saddiq responded firmly, “To be honest, I have no desire to keep more than two wives. Please forgive me.”
Alhaji Sunusi's temper flared. Infuriated, he yelled, “Abubakar, I did not come here to seek your permission! I came to give you a directive, because even your own father does not disobey my commands. Even if your mother intends to instigate you against this, know that this marriage will happen without fail, for both you and her!”
Uncle quickly said, "May Allah calm your anger. Hajiyarmu has absolutely nothing to do with this matter." Hajiyarmu, who had been listening to them silently, closed her book. She looked at her husband’s elder brother and said, "Brother, may Allah make it a blessing, and may He spare our lives to witness it." Hearing this, Alhaji Saddiq’s heart sank. He knew the matter was finalized now that Hajiyarmu had given her consent. Alhaji Sunusi stood up, declaring, "Whatever final arrangements we make, you will hear them from the patriarch of this house." With that, he left.
Alhaji Saddiq fell into a quiet slump, staring at the floor. He had been thinking that the time was finally approaching for him to bridge the gap between himself and Aisha to build a complete, normal marriage—and now they were dumping another marriage on him? He knew he had desperately wanted to marry Hadiza in the past when he was desperate for children, but now, Hadiza was completely absent from his heart. Besides, it wasn't Hadiza who had rejected him back then; it was his paternal relatives, specifically her parents, Hajiya Lanti and Alhaji Sunusi. He knew that seeing Aisha survive so long in his house was the sole reason they had finally relented.
Hajiyarmu interrupted his thoughts, saying, "Keep praying, we will join you in prayers. Remain obedient and start preparing for the wedding." "Alright" was the only word that managed to escape his lips. He stood up, adding, "I will head home now." For the next few days, he was completely enveloped in distress.
While Aisha was away at school, Hajiya Jummai’s anxieties had completely overwhelmed her, to the point where she didn't even notice her husband's foul mood. Seeing her state, he walked directly into her room today. She was on the phone with Hajiya Kari, bargaining over the sale of her last remaining house—the only property she had left. Because she was so frantic, she didn't even realize he had walked in. It wasn't until she hung up that she spotted him and jumped slightly, terrified that he had overheard their conversation.
He sat down close to her, focusing his full attention on her. In a soft, gentle voice, he asked, "Jummai, what exactly is your problem? What is troubling your mind?" She looked at him with bloodshot eyes—a sight he had grown accustomed to over the past few days. She replied defensively, "It's nothing. What did you see?" He countered, "Oh come on, Jummai. Every single person in this house knows you are going through a crisis." She snapped, "Well, I am not in any crisis." He said, "Alright, fine. Then what is your reason for selling your house?" She said, "I have an emergency, and I know that if I ask you for the money, you won't give it to me. So it's better I liquidate my own property." He pressed, "What kind of emergency is it?" She fell silent, frantically trying to concoct a believable lie.
He asked her again. She lied, “I want to go see a specialist doctor in India regarding my infertility. I saw another woman who had the exact same medical issue as me and she successfully gave birth. I knew that if I told you, you wouldn't agree; you would just say we've already been everywhere and doctors said I can't conceive.”
He stared at her with deep suspicion and said, "Drop the sale. I will make arrangements so we can travel together." Her eyes widened in panic. "No, just leave it alone. Let me go by myself, since you don't have any medical problem." He stood up, his voice hardening. “Jummai, I will absolutely not tolerate these new behaviors you've picked up. You left this house for two whole days without staying at your relatives' place or mine. My heart is seriously beginning to suspect that you are going down a dangerous path...”
"...as a result of roaming around with bad friends. Therefore, you are not traveling anywhere, and I never want to hear that you sold that house!" She snapped back, "It's not your house anyway!" He replied, “Fine, so be it. But know that your attitude completely exhausts me. You never stay at home, yet you aren't a civil servant; it's just endless, pointless roaming. Even me, when was the last time you willingly stepped into my bedroom? Even when you do come, you offer absolutely nothing; you just sit like a log, lost in deep thought. I am not a piece of iron; I am a human being who needs care and affection. Aisha is away at school, and you have absolutely no time for me.”
She glared at him furiously. "Then do whatever you have to do!" He walked out, muttering, “Fine, I will.”
He drove straight to Hadiza’s family house today, resolved to obey his family's mandate, especially since Hajiya Jummai had irritated him thoroughly. He pulled up outside and sent someone to call her out. Hajiya Lanti ordered, "Quickly, open the living room door and let him come inside." Hadiza was overjoyed because she was madly in love with him. They didn't share much small talk. After exchanging pleasantries, he bluntly told her that he had only come to ask her to be strong and look for another husband. She immediately burst into tears and began pleading with him. Softening, he told her, "Alright, fine, but you must realize I already have two wives and we live in perfect harmony, so you must never do anything to disrupt the peace of my home." She promised, "By God's grace, nothing like that will happen." With that, they said their goodbyes and he left.
From that day on, he didn't visit her house again, though he would occasionally call her on the phone. Before long, news of the impending marriage spread throughout the extended family. Nafisa was entirely against it because she felt Aisha would be deeply disadvantaged, given that she was the youngest girl among them. Anty Fatima and the others shared the exact same sentiment.
Meanwhile, Uncle became deeply anxious when he realized he hadn't formally breaking the news to his wives, especially Hajiya Jummai, remembering how hysterically she had reacted during his marriage to Aisha. As for Aisha, he was confident she wouldn't mind; he viewed her as a child who didn't fully comprehend the complexities of marriage, so he wasn't worried about her reaction. His real dilemma was how to face her parents with the news of his third marriage. *What would my friend think of me when he hears about this marriage?* He continuously asked himself this question.
Hajiya Kari was the one who caught wind of the wedding news in town. The moment she heard the rumor at their women's association meeting, she didn't even stop by her own house; she rushed straight to Hajiya Jummai’s place, finding her busy trimming her fingernails. Hajiya Kari blurted out, "My dear friend, so a major event is brewing and you didn't even bother to inform me?" Hajiya Jummai looked up. "Come, sit down. I was actually looking for you." Kari said, "So we are still nursing a dislocated joint, and now a complete bone fracture has hit us?" Hajiya Jummai, completely unbothered because she assumed Kari was referring to her travel ban to India, replied, "That's exactly why I was looking for you. I was trying to figure out a clever way to bypass him, but then I got trapped. He blocked the trip. What do you think we should do now?" Hajiya Kari yelled, "Oh, forget about that! I am not talking about that journey; I am talking about his new wedding! Is he seriously taking another wife?" Hajiya Jummai froze instantly, looking like a corpse. For nearly five minutes, she was completely catatonic until Hajiya Kari shook her firmly. "My friend, what on earth are you thinking about?" Jummai was entirely speechless, with cold sweat breaking out all over her body despite the air conditioning blaring in the room.
Eventually, she gasped, "Are you sure you didn't mishear the rumors, Karima?" Hajiya Kari replied, "You had better investigate it yourself." She grabbed her handbag, adding, "I'll wait for your call once you find out the truth." She walked out, leaving her friend behind with skyrocketing blood pressure.
Hajiya Jummai remained frozen in the exact spot Karima had left her until 9:00 PM. Her mind was a chaotic blank. Suddenly, her phone began to ring; it was her husband. Summoning every ounce of emotional strength, she stood up and went to his quarters. She found him working on his laptop. She walked in and sat down, her body completely drained of energy. He looked up at her.
“Jummai, are you not feeling well?”
She snapped bitterly, “Is that the only reason you called me—just to ask if I am feeling well or not?”
He replied, "No." She demanded, "Then say whatever it is you have to say." He hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Well, it is regardin
Aisha said, "Well, Umma, that’s exactly what he said—that I couldn’t do it, and that we should wait until later." Umma fell silent because she knew Aisha was young, but she also found her excessively naive. After all, girls even younger than Aisha knew the dynamics of marriage, so why shouldn't she? Umma noticed that Aisha did not even understand what was meant by “preparing the matrimonial bed.”
Aisha added, “Well, when I return, I will make sure to start doing those preparations.”
Before her departure date, Umma sat her down and taught her how to consume fruits and natural herbs that enhance a woman’s fluid secretion and intimacy (*ni'ima*). Umma explained to her how watermelon, sugarcane, tiger nuts, tigernut milk made with dates, chicken broth, and the like help a woman stay naturally lubricated and receptive. Aisha, however, did not understand the true nature of the *ni'ima* Umma was referring to; she simply assumed it would make her skin look fresh, help her gain healthy weight, or brighten her complexion. Did Umma mean she would grow bigger? She had no idea. Regardless, while there, she began using them along with other harmless, traditional women's herbal drinks (*tsumi*).
On her end, Hajiya Jummai had fully executed her plans, meaning she had brought back her dark charms from her trip to Niger; thus, she was simply waiting for the results.
With one week left of Aisha's school vacation, Uncle called to inform her that he was on his way, so she should prepare to head back with him. Aisha felt a reluctance to leave; furthermore, since the previous day, she had been plagued by an unsettling premonition and a pounding heart, which she confided to Umma. Umma advised her to keep praying and promised to pray for her as well.
They stopped in Kano to shop. Uncle kept teasing her about an "Amrif Cory" perfume. She just laughed at him, while he remarked, "I truly admire its fragrance and essence." Aisha brought all the souvenirs she had gathered to Jummai’s quarters and told her that she brought them to share, leaving no one out.
Hajiya Jummai replied coldly, “No, I don't have anyone to give souvenirs to. Just send them to Hajiyarmu. As for me, let me just have some of the sesame seeds.”
Aisha agreed, and she personally asked Uncle to drive her to Hajiyarmu's place to deliver their gifts. They expressed immense gratitude, and it was during this visit that Aisha overheard news of Nafisa’s upcoming wedding while Uncle was speaking with Hajiyarmu. It turned out Nafisa was marrying one of Uncle's friends, a man named Alhaji Bello, who already had one wife and three children. Aisha secretly hoped that the wedding would coincide with her next school break, and she even raised this concern with Uncle. Uncle told her not to worry, noting that if she was destined to be there, the wedding would surely fall within her vacation. When Sunday arrived, Uncle packed all of Aisha’s school belongings and escorted her back to school. The students then focused entirely on their studies as required.
Meanwhile, Jummai kept waiting expectantly to see where and how her charms would begin taking effect. But there was only absolute silence. This heightened her anxiety, and she began babbling to herself, wondering what mistake she could have made. Since everything she attempted seemed to fail, and because people usually assume others act just like them, she concluded that they must be neutralizing her efforts with counter-spells. This assumption drove her to rush to her close friend's house to seek an alternative solution.
"Aisha has become a plague, a total catastrophe to me!" Jummai lamented. Her close friend suggested, "We will have to look for another source where things actually work. Personally, I think we should head to India. That is the absolute peak of sorcery—haven't you seen it even in their movies?" Jummai asked, "For God's sake, is that really true? Does it work?" Karima replied, “Sit right there! If you are ready to stand up, stand up, my dear friend. For a task like this, it’s either India or China. Before we even return, while we are still over there, that useless life will be snuffed out, and we will finally have peace.”
Jummai replied, “The journey itself isn't the issue, and I'm not worried about the money because I am willing to put all my properties on the market just to get the cash. My main problem is the man in my house. Do you know that up until today, things haven't gone back to normal between us? Ever since our trip to Niger, I haven't been able to understand his mood. He just keeps ignoring me and acting completely aloof.”
Karima said, "Look, my friend, go gather the money. Even if he refuses to let you travel, I will go on your behalf. What else is friendship for? If it requires going to the very brink of the afterlife, as the saying goes, I will go just to find you a solution regarding this co-wife. Stop worrying. Who are they to challenge a sorcerer?" Jummai let out a deep sigh of relief, overwhelmed with joy. In her eyes, no one in the world compared to Karima. She said, “My dear friend, may Allah prolong our lives. I know for a fact that I have no lover or supporter greater than you in this entire world.”
> *What a total blindness of intellect.*
>
Whenever the girls were on school vacation, Aisha would go into Uncle’s bedroom on every one of her designated cooking days to make his bed and tidy up the space, after which she would burn fragrant incense for him. However, she never spent the night there, and the thought of sleeping over never even crossed her mind. Once her vacation days were over, he took care of her needs, and she returned to school.
Aisha focused fully on her studies without playing around, though spending time with her roommates, like Samira, significantly broadened her awareness of the world. They would sit around and chat about their boyfriends, as young girls often do. Amina’s mouth was always full of stories about Kabir, while Samira spoke of nothing but Adam.
Whenever each girl described how she felt about her sweetheart, Aisha would simply open her mouth and stare at them in bewilderment. Samira remarked, "Aisha, it’s as if you are completely sheltered. Are you seriously telling us you don't have a boyfriend?" Aisha shook her head and replied, “No, I don't have any boyfriend.”
Amina chimed in, "By Allah, if I didn't already have my Adam, I would have begged you to set me up with your Uncle!" Samira added, "Oh, that guy is absolutely top-tier." Aisha offered a small smile and noted, "But Uncle is not a young boy." Samira countered, “Listen to her! You don't look at youthfulness in men; you look at quality. Your Uncle possesses every single quality a woman could ever desire in a man.”
Aisha said, "I don't know anything about these 'qualities' you keep talking about." They burst into laughter at her innocence. Aisha added, “Listen, prayer time is approaching. We should start preparing to head to the mosque.”
Whenever they had these kinds of conversations, Aisha would secretly ask herself: *What is this thing that Samira and the others are so obsessed with?* All she knew was that she found it admirable when Uncle dressed up elegantly—it charmed her deeply. Beyond that, she knew absolutely nothing.
Time flew, and Aisha and her peers entered their final year (SS3). Although she hadn't gained much weight, she had grown noticeably taller.
Her bust had also filled out significantly, altering her posture slightly. This change caused her to walk with a subtle lean forward, which some girls at school misinterpreted as snobbish vanity (*yanga*). By now, she had finally come to understand what marriage entailed and what went on within it, but she remained deeply terrified of it.
As for Uncle, he still hadn't thought of touching her. He had become entirely convinced that his intimacy was what caused his previous wives to die, even though he was constantly battling his own desires. Meanwhile, Hajiya Jummai’s anxieties had worsened significantly because she believed her failed charms were a result of someone placing a counter-spell on her. She was currently frantic, trying to raise the funds needed to travel to India or China.
Aisha was now seventeen years old, marking her second year living under her Uncle's roof.
Seeing how things had stabilized, people in the community began whispering that Alhaji Saddiq's wives had finally stopped dying in his house, though there was still no child. Consequently, the very people who used to slander him in the past began approaching him, trying to market their own daughters to him for marriage.
He made it clear to them that he had no desire to take another wife and asked them to drop the matter.
One day, after leaving the office, he headed straight to Hajiyarmu's house. There, he encountered Alhaji Sunusi, his father's elder brother, who had only sons. Alhajinmu held Alhaji Sunusi in high regard, as he was practically the only surviving elder brother left in the male lineage of the family. Alhaji Saddiq sat down and greeted them, then turned to greet Hajiyarmu. Alhaji Sunusi said, "This visit is actually meant for you, Abubakar." Uncle looked at him, adjusted his posture, and replied, "I am listening, Baba." Alhaji Sunusi cleared his throat and said, "It is the matter of Hadiza that brings me here." Uncle looked at him, puzzled. "Which Hadiza?" Alhaji Sunusi replied, “Don't act like you don't know her! Hadiza from my household. For a long time now, I have known, and you have known too, that she stood her ground, insisting you are the only one she wants. Back then, everyone refused because your situation wasn't favorable. As a result, she has rejected every single suitor up until now, insisting it’s either you or no one else. Now that her younger sisters, Hussaina and the rest, are getting married, we have decided to simply marry her off to you.”
Uncle glanced toward where Hajiyarmu was sitting. She was completely absorbed in studying a book of Islamic jurisprudence (*Qawa'idi*). He knew she could hear them, but she would never interrupt. Furthermore, no matter how hard you stared, you could never read her facial expressions to tell whether this news pleased her or not. He turned his gaze back to Alhaji Sunusi, knowing that the older men would explode in anger if he gave the blunt answer on his mind. He stated, “Alhaji, even in the past, I know the family refused to let me marry Hadiza because of the curse surrounding me—the death of my wives. Now, everyone is agreeing simply because they see my current wife hasn't died. Therefore, please ask Hadiza to be patient and look for another husband.”
Alhaji Sunusi snapped, “Who told you it was because of that problem? Our only desire now is to see your offspring.”
Alhaji Saddiq responded firmly, “To be honest, I have no desire to keep more than two wives. Please forgive me.”
Alhaji Sunusi's temper flared. Infuriated, he yelled, “Abubakar, I did not come here to seek your permission! I came to give you a directive, because even your own father does not disobey my commands. Even if your mother intends to instigate you against this, know that this marriage will happen without fail, for both you and her!”
Uncle quickly said, "May Allah calm your anger. Hajiyarmu has absolutely nothing to do with this matter." Hajiyarmu, who had been listening to them silently, closed her book. She looked at her husband’s elder brother and said, "Brother, may Allah make it a blessing, and may He spare our lives to witness it." Hearing this, Alhaji Saddiq’s heart sank. He knew the matter was finalized now that Hajiyarmu had given her consent. Alhaji Sunusi stood up, declaring, "Whatever final arrangements we make, you will hear them from the patriarch of this house." With that, he left.
Alhaji Saddiq fell into a quiet slump, staring at the floor. He had been thinking that the time was finally approaching for him to bridge the gap between himself and Aisha to build a complete, normal marriage—and now they were dumping another marriage on him? He knew he had desperately wanted to marry Hadiza in the past when he was desperate for children, but now, Hadiza was completely absent from his heart. Besides, it wasn't Hadiza who had rejected him back then; it was his paternal relatives, specifically her parents, Hajiya Lanti and Alhaji Sunusi. He knew that seeing Aisha survive so long in his house was the sole reason they had finally relented.
Hajiyarmu interrupted his thoughts, saying, "Keep praying, we will join you in prayers. Remain obedient and start preparing for the wedding." "Alright" was the only word that managed to escape his lips. He stood up, adding, "I will head home now." For the next few days, he was completely enveloped in distress.
While Aisha was away at school, Hajiya Jummai’s anxieties had completely overwhelmed her, to the point where she didn't even notice her husband's foul mood. Seeing her state, he walked directly into her room today. She was on the phone with Hajiya Kari, bargaining over the sale of her last remaining house—the only property she had left. Because she was so frantic, she didn't even realize he had walked in. It wasn't until she hung up that she spotted him and jumped slightly, terrified that he had overheard their conversation.
He sat down close to her, focusing his full attention on her. In a soft, gentle voice, he asked, "Jummai, what exactly is your problem? What is troubling your mind?" She looked at him with bloodshot eyes—a sight he had grown accustomed to over the past few days. She replied defensively, "It's nothing. What did you see?" He countered, "Oh come on, Jummai. Every single person in this house knows you are going through a crisis." She snapped, "Well, I am not in any crisis." He said, "Alright, fine. Then what is your reason for selling your house?" She said, "I have an emergency, and I know that if I ask you for the money, you won't give it to me. So it's better I liquidate my own property." He pressed, "What kind of emergency is it?" She fell silent, frantically trying to concoct a believable lie.
He asked her again. She lied, “I want to go see a specialist doctor in India regarding my infertility. I saw another woman who had the exact same medical issue as me and she successfully gave birth. I knew that if I told you, you wouldn't agree; you would just say we've already been everywhere and doctors said I can't conceive.”
He stared at her with deep suspicion and said, "Drop the sale. I will make arrangements so we can travel together." Her eyes widened in panic. "No, just leave it alone. Let me go by myself, since you don't have any medical problem." He stood up, his voice hardening. “Jummai, I will absolutely not tolerate these new behaviors you've picked up. You left this house for two whole days without staying at your relatives' place or mine. My heart is seriously beginning to suspect that you are going down a dangerous path...”
"...as a result of roaming around with bad friends. Therefore, you are not traveling anywhere, and I never want to hear that you sold that house!" She snapped back, "It's not your house anyway!" He replied, “Fine, so be it. But know that your attitude completely exhausts me. You never stay at home, yet you aren't a civil servant; it's just endless, pointless roaming. Even me, when was the last time you willingly stepped into my bedroom? Even when you do come, you offer absolutely nothing; you just sit like a log, lost in deep thought. I am not a piece of iron; I am a human being who needs care and affection. Aisha is away at school, and you have absolutely no time for me.”
She glared at him furiously. "Then do whatever you have to do!" He walked out, muttering, “Fine, I will.”
He drove straight to Hadiza’s family house today, resolved to obey his family's mandate, especially since Hajiya Jummai had irritated him thoroughly. He pulled up outside and sent someone to call her out. Hajiya Lanti ordered, "Quickly, open the living room door and let him come inside." Hadiza was overjoyed because she was madly in love with him. They didn't share much small talk. After exchanging pleasantries, he bluntly told her that he had only come to ask her to be strong and look for another husband. She immediately burst into tears and began pleading with him. Softening, he told her, "Alright, fine, but you must realize I already have two wives and we live in perfect harmony, so you must never do anything to disrupt the peace of my home." She promised, "By God's grace, nothing like that will happen." With that, they said their goodbyes and he left.
From that day on, he didn't visit her house again, though he would occasionally call her on the phone. Before long, news of the impending marriage spread throughout the extended family. Nafisa was entirely against it because she felt Aisha would be deeply disadvantaged, given that she was the youngest girl among them. Anty Fatima and the others shared the exact same sentiment.
Meanwhile, Uncle became deeply anxious when he realized he hadn't formally breaking the news to his wives, especially Hajiya Jummai, remembering how hysterically she had reacted during his marriage to Aisha. As for Aisha, he was confident she wouldn't mind; he viewed her as a child who didn't fully comprehend the complexities of marriage, so he wasn't worried about her reaction. His real dilemma was how to face her parents with the news of his third marriage. *What would my friend think of me when he hears about this marriage?* He continuously asked himself this question.
Hajiya Kari was the one who caught wind of the wedding news in town. The moment she heard the rumor at their women's association meeting, she didn't even stop by her own house; she rushed straight to Hajiya Jummai’s place, finding her busy trimming her fingernails. Hajiya Kari blurted out, "My dear friend, so a major event is brewing and you didn't even bother to inform me?" Hajiya Jummai looked up. "Come, sit down. I was actually looking for you." Kari said, "So we are still nursing a dislocated joint, and now a complete bone fracture has hit us?" Hajiya Jummai, completely unbothered because she assumed Kari was referring to her travel ban to India, replied, "That's exactly why I was looking for you. I was trying to figure out a clever way to bypass him, but then I got trapped. He blocked the trip. What do you think we should do now?" Hajiya Kari yelled, "Oh, forget about that! I am not talking about that journey; I am talking about his new wedding! Is he seriously taking another wife?" Hajiya Jummai froze instantly, looking like a corpse. For nearly five minutes, she was completely catatonic until Hajiya Kari shook her firmly. "My friend, what on earth are you thinking about?" Jummai was entirely speechless, with cold sweat breaking out all over her body despite the air conditioning blaring in the room.
Eventually, she gasped, "Are you sure you didn't mishear the rumors, Karima?" Hajiya Kari replied, "You had better investigate it yourself." She grabbed her handbag, adding, "I'll wait for your call once you find out the truth." She walked out, leaving her friend behind with skyrocketing blood pressure.
Hajiya Jummai remained frozen in the exact spot Karima had left her until 9:00 PM. Her mind was a chaotic blank. Suddenly, her phone began to ring; it was her husband. Summoning every ounce of emotional strength, she stood up and went to his quarters. She found him working on his laptop. She walked in and sat down, her body completely drained of energy. He looked up at her.
“Jummai, are you not feeling well?”
She snapped bitterly, “Is that the only reason you called me—just to ask if I am feeling well or not?”
He replied, "No." She demanded, "Then say whatever it is you have to say." He hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Well, it is regardin