“Alhamdulillah,” Anni uttered as the cars stopped at the gate of Baba Labaran’s house, Ibrahim’s father. She stepped down and said:
> “Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul ‘Arshil ‘Azim.”
(Allah is sufficient for me, there is no deity except Him; in Him I place my trust, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.)
Then she said Bismillah and tried to move. Her legs felt stiff—old age combined with the long car ride.
“Salmanu, wait for me. After we finish greeting them, I’ll join you and we’ll go into town to look for accommodation,” the young woman said.
Anni stopped walking and turned back, frowning.
“Laila… what did I just hear you say? Didn’t you escort me for the sake of Allah and His Messenger?”
Laila suddenly remembered Anni was talking to her. Her face fell.
“What did I do, Anni? All this stress? I suggested we fly, you insisted on driving. I still followed you.”
“So you call this a useless escort? Since you won’t even sleep in Ramatu’s house.”
Laila clasped her hands together.
“Fine, I’ll sleep there—end of discussion.”
She knew Anni’s grumbling was never pleasant. Still muttering, she followed Anni into the house, sighing deeply. Her eyes fell on the children who had gathered to stare at them, then she looked at Salmanu.
“You can go now, but I need drinking water.”
“There will be water,” Yahaya replied, and she followed Anni inside.
---
At that very moment, Yuuma was about to perform ablution for Maghrib prayer, as she always did after finishing cooking. She had just poured water when she heard Anni’s voice and quickly turned around in surprise.
“Yafendo? So today you finally remembered me?” Yuuma said joyfully, unable to hide her happiness. She didn’t even wait for Anni to come closer—she hurried to meet her in the middle of the compound.
“It’s me, Rahama. Today Allah decreed that we meet—please forgive me,” Anni said as she held Yuuma’s hand.
Yuuma smiled broadly and welcomed her warmly. Just then, food supplies were brought in—something Anni treated like an act of worship whenever she visited. She always brought so much food it could last nearly a year. Two vehicles were involved: one carrying food supplies and the other for her transport.
Hajiya Maryama, known as Anni, was like a mother to Yuuma. She and Yuuma’s late mother were first cousins—daughters of brothers and sisters, sharing the same grandparents. Their bond dated back to their youth. Both women even shared the same name, Maryam.
Yuuma’s grandfather was originally a Fulani nomad. When he married off his daughter Maryam, she married within her tribe and lived in the settlement. Anni’s Maryam, however, married in town. Despite this, their relationship never broke; they visited each other frequently with their children until generations followed.
Yuuma’s mother did not live long—Allah took her early. Yuuma was barely fifteen at the time. Anni wanted to take Yuuma and marry her to her first son, but Yuuma’s father refused because she was his only daughter. Anni accepted it and continued caring for Yuuma, visiting her constantly until she married Baba Labaran. Anni treated Yuuma like her own daughter because Allah had not given her a female child—only four sons.
From then on, Anni visited regularly. Yuuma became a favored child. She never felt the pain of losing her mother because Anni filled that void completely—clothing, food, and everything else. Even when Anni couldn’t visit, she always sent something.
As the years passed and Yuuma didn’t conceive, Anni became worried. She spent heavily on medical examinations, but nothing abnormal was found. Eventually, Anni wanted to take Yuuma abroad, but Yuuma was content with Allah’s decree. She even advised Baba Labaran to marry another wife. He resisted at first, but later agreed and married Karimatu, Himu’s mother.
Karimatu had Ibrahim two years after marriage, then Safiya after nearly seven years, and finally Sadam.
Yuuma was a woman of great patience and wisdom. She herself knew this. She tried not to overstep boundaries, but her love for children was her weakness. She could never complain about them. From the day Baba Labaran suggested giving Ibrahim or Safiya to Yuuma, Karimatu reacted harshly, so Yuuma became even more cautious—showing kindness and care without crossing lines. She treated them like her own while avoiding anything that could cause conflict. This preserved peace in the household.
---
Yuuma’s happiness that day was indescribable. Anni had been away for two days, which was unusual. Yuuma rarely visited Anni because Baba Labaran was strict, and Anni understood that. Moreover, Anni herself was now free of responsibilities after her husband’s recent death, so she preferred to visit Yuuma herself.
That night, Yuuma cooked Anni’s favorite Fulani meal. They talked until midnight. Just before sleeping, Anni said:
“I came to Labaran’s place for a reason.”
“Is everything okay, Yafendo?”
“I need cattle to add to my farm. I planned to send Hamdan, but I decided to come myself.”
Yuuma smiled knowingly.
“Well, Baba Labaran has taken all his cattle south. He said he’d return in ten days. But Himu told me he might be back in two or three days. You can choose what you like from the herd.”
Anni sighed.
“I was hoping so. I’ll stay three days. On Monday I must return to Abuja for my leg treatment.”
“To Abuja?” Yuuma exclaimed.
Anni smacked her lips.
“That stubborn boy of mine keeps dragging me around. Every month I’m put on a plane for no reason. He says Abuja is number one in Nigeria—tell me, is he lying?”
Yuuma laughed and nodded.
---
Early the next morning, Yuuma carried four wrappers, ten yards of men’s fabric, and a pair of fine men’s shoes she knew would fit Ibrahim. She greeted Karimatu and Safiya, then handed over the items.
“Anni sent these.”
“She never gets tired. May Allah reward her,” Karimatu said happily.
Safiya quickly stood up.
“Let me pick mine before Zubaida arrives. Anni is truly generous.”
Yuuma smiled and turned to leave, then paused.
“Oh—has Ibrahim told you where he went? Anni has been asking about him. I haven’t seen him since yesterday, and I even warmed his food this morning.”
Karimatu replied calmly,
“Yes, I sent him to Sukaina’s house.”
“Sukaina?” Yuuma repeated inwardly, shocked.
Sukaina was Karimatu’s sister—known for cruelty. Sending a young boy to stay there for nearly a week disturbed Yuuma deeply.
---
That same morning, Maimunatu prepared early for grazing. She bathed quickly before Inna Laulo could stop her. She dressed neatly, braided her hair beautifully, and added extra beads to her jewelry. She felt it deep inside—this effort was for Ibrahim.
Three days had passed without seeing him, and her heart felt restless. She sat at their usual spot, scanning the distance, hoping he would come.
“Have I started loving Ibrahim?” she asked herself.
Before she could answer, a harsh voice cut through the air.
“Maimunatu!”
Her heart leapt—until she realized it was Buderi.
He stood too close, dirty as ever, grinning.
“You’re beautiful today… I hope no one else saw you.”
Fear filled her heart. She prayed Ibrahim wouldn’t appear now. Buderi handed her a plastic bag.
“Take this.”
She accepted it silently.
“When will I come again?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He slammed his staff on the ground.
“I’ll choose the day myself.”
Then he left—only to return suddenly.
“Will you marry me? Do you love me?”
Her heart raced. She was terrified of him.
He laughed.
“You’re shy. Tell me when I come at night.”
After he left, she leaned against a tree, trembling. When she opened the bag and saw roasted bush meat, she threw it into the forest in fear and disgust.
Her sandal broke. She removed the other, tied them together, and continued barefoot, carefully herding the cattle.
---
Not far away, Anni’s car slowed as cattle crossed the road.
“Subhanallah,” Salmanu murmured.
Laila stared in amazement.
“Can people really control cattle without beating them?”
“Very few can,” someone replied.
Anni’s eyes fixed on Maimunatu—filled with admiration.
“Alhamdulillah,” Anni uttered as the cars stopped at the gate of Baba Labaran’s house, Ibrahim’s father. She stepped down and said:
> “Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu wa Huwa Rabbul ‘Arshil ‘Azim.”
(Allah is sufficient for me, there is no deity except Him; in Him I place my trust, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.)
Then she said Bismillah and tried to move. Her legs felt stiff—old age combined with the long car ride.
“Salmanu, wait for me. After we finish greeting them, I’ll join you and we’ll go into town to look for accommodation,” the young woman said.
Anni stopped walking and turned back, frowning.
“Laila… what did I just hear you say? Didn’t you escort me for the sake of Allah and His Messenger?”
Laila suddenly remembered Anni was talking to her. Her face fell.
“What did I do, Anni? All this stress? I suggested we fly, you insisted on driving. I still followed you.”
“So you call this a useless escort? Since you won’t even sleep in Ramatu’s house.”
Laila clasped her hands together.
“Fine, I’ll sleep there—end of discussion.”
She knew Anni’s grumbling was never pleasant. Still muttering, she followed Anni into the house, sighing deeply. Her eyes fell on the children who had gathered to stare at them, then she looked at Salmanu.
“You can go now, but I need drinking water.”
“There will be water,” Yahaya replied, and she followed Anni inside.
---
At that very moment, Yuuma was about to perform ablution for Maghrib prayer, as she always did after finishing cooking. She had just poured water when she heard Anni’s voice and quickly turned around in surprise.
“Yafendo? So today you finally remembered me?” Yuuma said joyfully, unable to hide her happiness. She didn’t even wait for Anni to come closer—she hurried to meet her in the middle of the compound.
“It’s me, Rahama. Today Allah decreed that we meet—please forgive me,” Anni said as she held Yuuma’s hand.
Yuuma smiled broadly and welcomed her warmly. Just then, food supplies were brought in—something Anni treated like an act of worship whenever she visited. She always brought so much food it could last nearly a year. Two vehicles were involved: one carrying food supplies and the other for her transport.
Hajiya Maryama, known as Anni, was like a mother to Yuuma. She and Yuuma’s late mother were first cousins—daughters of brothers and sisters, sharing the same grandparents. Their bond dated back to their youth. Both women even shared the same name, Maryam.
Yuuma’s grandfather was originally a Fulani nomad. When he married off his daughter Maryam, she married within her tribe and lived in the settlement. Anni’s Maryam, however, married in town. Despite this, their relationship never broke; they visited each other frequently with their children until generations followed.
Yuuma’s mother did not live long—Allah took her early. Yuuma was barely fifteen at the time. Anni wanted to take Yuuma and marry her to her first son, but Yuuma’s father refused because she was his only daughter. Anni accepted it and continued caring for Yuuma, visiting her constantly until she married Baba Labaran. Anni treated Yuuma like her own daughter because Allah had not given her a female child—only four sons.
From then on, Anni visited regularly. Yuuma became a favored child. She never felt the pain of losing her mother because Anni filled that void completely—clothing, food, and everything else. Even when Anni couldn’t visit, she always sent something.
As the years passed and Yuuma didn’t conceive, Anni became worried. She spent heavily on medical examinations, but nothing abnormal was found. Eventually, Anni wanted to take Yuuma abroad, but Yuuma was content with Allah’s decree. She even advised Baba Labaran to marry another wife. He resisted at first, but later agreed and married Karimatu, Himu’s mother.
Karimatu had Ibrahim two years after marriage, then Safiya after nearly seven years, and finally Sadam.
Yuuma was a woman of great patience and wisdom. She herself knew this. She tried not to overstep boundaries, but her love for children was her weakness. She could never complain about them. From the day Baba Labaran suggested giving Ibrahim or Safiya to Yuuma, Karimatu reacted harshly, so Yuuma became even more cautious—showing kindness and care without crossing lines. She treated them like her own while avoiding anything that could cause conflict. This preserved peace in the household.
---
Yuuma’s happiness that day was indescribable. Anni had been away for two days, which was unusual. Yuuma rarely visited Anni because Baba Labaran was strict, and Anni understood that. Moreover, Anni herself was now free of responsibilities after her husband’s recent death, so she preferred to visit Yuuma herself.
That night, Yuuma cooked Anni’s favorite Fulani meal. They talked until midnight. Just before sleeping, Anni said:
“I came to Labaran’s place for a reason.”
“Is everything okay, Yafendo?”
“I need cattle to add to my farm. I planned to send Hamdan, but I decided to come myself.”
Yuuma smiled knowingly.
“Well, Baba Labaran has taken all his cattle south. He said he’d return in ten days. But Himu told me he might be back in two or three days. You can choose what you like from the herd.”
Anni sighed.
“I was hoping so. I’ll stay three days. On Monday I must return to Abuja for my leg treatment.”
“To Abuja?” Yuuma exclaimed.
Anni smacked her lips.
“That stubborn boy of mine keeps dragging me around. Every month I’m put on a plane for no reason. He says Abuja is number one in Nigeria—tell me, is he lying?”
Yuuma laughed and nodded.
---
Early the next morning, Yuuma carried four wrappers, ten yards of men’s fabric, and a pair of fine men’s shoes she knew would fit Ibrahim. She greeted Karimatu and Safiya, then handed over the items.
“Anni sent these.”
“She never gets tired. May Allah reward her,” Karimatu said happily.
Safiya quickly stood up.
“Let me pick mine before Zubaida arrives. Anni is truly generous.”
Yuuma smiled and turned to leave, then paused.
“Oh—has Ibrahim told you where he went? Anni has been asking about him. I haven’t seen him since yesterday, and I even warmed his food this morning.”
Karimatu replied calmly,
“Yes, I sent him to Sukaina’s house.”
“Sukaina?” Yuuma repeated inwardly, shocked.
Sukaina was Karimatu’s sister—known for cruelty. Sending a young boy to stay there for nearly a week disturbed Yuuma deeply.
---
That same morning, Maimunatu prepared early for grazing. She bathed quickly before Inna Laulo could stop her. She dressed neatly, braided her hair beautifully, and added extra beads to her jewelry. She felt it deep inside—this effort was for Ibrahim.
Three days had passed without seeing him, and her heart felt restless. She sat at their usual spot, scanning the distance, hoping he would come.
“Have I started loving Ibrahim?” she asked herself.
Before she could answer, a harsh voice cut through the air.
“Maimunatu!”
Her heart leapt—until she realized it was Buderi.
He stood too close, dirty as ever, grinning.
“You’re beautiful today… I hope no one else saw you.”
Fear filled her heart. She prayed Ibrahim wouldn’t appear now. Buderi handed her a plastic bag.
“Take this.”
She accepted it silently.
“When will I come again?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He slammed his staff on the ground.
“I’ll choose the day myself.”
Then he left—only to return suddenly.
“Will you marry me? Do you love me?”
Her heart raced. She was terrified of him.
He laughed.
“You’re shy. Tell me when I come at night.”
After he left, she leaned against a tree, trembling. When she opened the bag and saw roasted bush meat, she threw it into the forest in fear and disgust.
Her sandal broke. She removed the other, tied them together, and continued barefoot, carefully herding the cattle.
---
Not far away, Anni’s car slowed as cattle crossed the road.
“Subhanallah,” Salmanu murmured.
Laila stared in amazement.
“Can people really control cattle without beating them?”
“Very few can,” someone replied.
Anni’s eyes fixed on Maimunatu—filled with admiration.
This kind of patience and compassion is rare.