When Rashida confirmed that Nuraddeen had left the country, she felt as if the whole world had stopped for her. Nothing in life made her happy anymore, and nothing interested her. With just one look at her, anyone could clearly see the deep sorrow she was living with. She had become completely withdrawn. She did nothing except cry.
Her crying had different times:
crying in the morning,
crying in the afternoon,
and crying at night.
She had grown very thin and pale. The loss of her parents troubled her deeply, especially now that she was going through a situation that was beyond description.
Although Yaya Maryam and Baffa tried to show her that they had softened their earlier harsh stance after seeing that she was almost losing her sanity, deep in their hearts they still felt differently.
Meanwhile Baffa Usman and the others did not fully understand everything that was happening. Their main focus was searching for treatment for Yaya Hawwa until the day finally came when the time arrived for her to be taken away.
Around 12 noon, a hospital vehicle arrived at Baffa’s house. It seemed they had been waiting for it for quite a while. Five health workers came with a man wearing a suit, who appeared to be their leader.
After greetings, Baffa Usman led them inside the house to the room where Yaya Hawwa was staying.
The moment they entered, Yaya Hawwa began screaming loudly and violently at them.
It was extremely difficult for them to restrain her. She struggled, screamed, and fought fiercely before they were finally able to hold her down and place her inside the vehicle.
Outside the vehicle, Baffa watched through the glass window as the medical staff tried to inject her with a sedative so she would sleep before reaching the hospital.
Tears rolled down his eyes as he wiped them away while praying to Allah to grant her healing.
After thanking the medical team, the vehicle left the house. Gradually, the crowd that had gathered outside began to disperse, filled with pity for Yaya Hawwa because of how thin and dark she had become. Anyone who did not know her well would not recognize her anymore.
---
At that same time, Baffa Ali returned from the farm carrying his hoe on his shoulder and singing softly.
When he saw Baffa Usman and the others, he frowned and was about to walk past them when he noticed a group of children standing nearby.
He asked them:
“Hey, what are you all doing here gathered like little goats?”
One of the boys replied:
“Yaya Hawwa was just taken away to a psychiatric hospital. It’s really sad.”
Instead of showing sympathy, Baffa Ali clicked his tongue and said:
“Good for her. Now we will finally have peace. Every day she disturbed our sleep and frightened our families.”
Angrily, Baffa replied:
“Don’t worry Aliyu. Slowly, slowly… what goes around comes around. Just as Hawwa is harvesting what she sowed, you too will harvest yours — whether good or bad.”
Ali ignored him and went inside the house still singing.
---
After about three weeks, Dr. Nura returned to Kano with Rashida. They had stayed longer than planned because Fatima insisted that they remain until the end of the month before returning, since Dr. Nura’s annual leave was approaching.
However, they could not stay longer because Little Nuraddeen’s medicine needed to be collected, and Dr. Nura did not want to return again later before his leave ended.
So within that week he traveled to Borno to collect the final dose of the child’s medicine.
When he arrived, he went straight to his parents’ house because his mother had asked him to collect some herbal medicine for Fatima.
He met his father eating at the dining table. After greeting him respectfully, his father welcomed him warmly and asked about his journey and business.
Soon his mother Hajiya Fareeda came out. She was a dignified and cheerful woman who loved people. She hugged her son warmly and joked about how Kano people had made him gain weight.
They talked about Fatima and her health. His mother reminded him about the herbal medicine she had given them and advised them to continue using it properly.
She said:
“Fatima is a patient and strong woman. Not many modern girls would endure what she is enduring. Continue to be patient. Allah will answer your prayers one day.”
Dr. Nura thanked them deeply for their prayers and support.
---
Later that day, their housemaid Umma came in and was surprised to see Dr. Nura. They realized they already knew each other. Dr. Nura explained how he met her before, and everyone laughed at the coincidence.
Umma then served him his favorite food: Semolina swallow with kubewa soup.
After eating, Dr. Nura went to collect Little Nuraddeen’s medicine from a traditional healer before returning home to Kano.
---
Meanwhile in the village, Yusuf had been sick with fever for three days. When he finally felt better, he secretly told Baffa Usman something shocking:
He had seen Rashida.
But he begged him not to tell his father because he was afraid.
This surprised Baffa Usman greatly. After confirming Yusuf’s story with another witness, they realized the story might be true.
However, when they confronted Baba Balarabe, he completely denied knowing anything about Rashida’s return.
This caused even more confusion and worry for everyone.
---
Eventually, Yaya Maryam, Aunty Marwiyya, and others decided that the safest thing was for Rashida to return to Borno with Dr. Nura and Fatima, where she would be protected and cared for.
Rashida accepted because she felt she no longer had control over her life after losing her parents.
She cried deeply for them and prayed that whatever destiny awaited her would bring goodness.
---
Dr. Nura and Fatima treated Rashida and her son with great kindness. They never allowed her to ask for anything before providing it.
They made her feel that she was part of their family.
Little Nuraddeen grew happily under their care and by the time he was ten months old, he had already started walking and talking.
Interestingly:
He called Fatima “Mama.”
He called Dr. Nura “Abba.”
And he called Rashida “Gwaggo” (aunt) because that was what he heard the housemaid being called.
The child became extremely attached to them.
---
One evening around 5 PM, Fatima dressed the little boy in beautiful traditional Hausa clothes and took him out. He looked very handsome and everyone admired him.
They decided to visit Dr. Nura’s parents so Rashida could finally meet them.
As they drove there, they joked and laughed together happily.
---
Meanwhile back in the village, Baffa, who had been deeply worried about everything, finally agreed to remarry after many years.
The wedding was simple and held with a dowry of ₦20,000.
Some people mocked him for marrying a young girl, but others supported him.
After the wedding ceremony and a small celebration, the new bride Nusaiba was taken to his house.
That night, Baffa sat quietly in the mosque after Maghrib prayer, overwhelmed by the thought that he had remarried after almost thirty years.
His younger brother encouraged him:
“Why are you sitting here thinking? Go to your wife. She is waiting.”
Finally Baffa stood up and went home.
He stood for a moment at the door of the room, gathering the little strength left in his body before finally pushing the door open and entering while greeting with salaam.
In the middle of the bed he saw the young girl lying down, covered, as if sleep had begun to take her. He walked closer and greeted again, though softly so as not to startle her.
Half-asleep, she quickly sat up rubbing her eyes and returned his greeting. Because the room light was on, Baffa looked closely at her, admiring the beauty that Allah had created in her. With just one glance anyone could notice the Fulani beauty she possessed.
She was very fair with a long nose and big bright eyes slightly sunken, with long eyelashes above them and thick eyebrows resting gracefully over her eyes. Her mouth was small with attractive red lips, and she had dimples at the sides of her mouth—especially when she smiled—which made her beauty even more striking.
In short, masha Allah, Baffa’s bride was truly beautiful. She was not tall nor big in body due to her young age, which made Baffa even more surprised at how young she seemed compared to him.
Seeing him standing there unable to approach, she got down from the bed and walked toward him, kneeling respectfully as she said:
“Good afternoon, Baffa.”
A smile spread across Baffa’s face showing all his teeth. He lifted her up gently from kneeling and made her sit on the edge of the bed while he sat beside her.
“I’m fine, Nusaiba. Weren’t you sleeping?” he asked.
“I was. Your greeting woke me up,” she replied while rubbing one of her eyes.
They stayed silent for a few minutes before he turned to face her fully.
“Nusaiba, do you know who I am to you?” he asked.
She paused for a moment before replying:
“Yakumbo told me you are like a father to me and that I should respect you. Grandma and Baffa also said you are my leader and I must obey you.”
Baffa laughed softly because he understood what they had taught her—that she must respect him because he was older and also obey him because he was her husband. It was a wise teaching parents give their daughters to prepare them for marriage.
In his heart Baffa felt grateful that he had married into a family that raised their daughter with good manners.
He then asked her:
“What does ‘leader’ mean in marriage, Nusaiba?”
“It means the husband,” she answered calmly.
Her childish way of answering his questions convinced him even more of how young she was. So he began asking her about religious knowledge—purification, ablution, prayers, bathing rules, lawful and unlawful matters in marriage.
Out of everything he asked, she only knew a few small things.
Baffa realized he had a lot of responsibility ahead. She had to learn these things before their marriage life truly began.
---
Just then someone knocked on the door outside.
Baffa went out and found Baffa Usman holding some plastic bags.
“Brother, I remembered the bride’s meat and barbecue only after lying down. I knew you didn’t bring anything inside, so I went to buy some meat from a butcher nearby,” he said.
Baffa smiled and thanked him warmly.
---
Later that night Baffa and Nusaiba prayed two units of prayer together. Afterwards he gave her some roasted chicken and a bottle of Coca-Cola to eat.
She was so sleepy that she kept closing her eyes while eating. Eventually Baffa began feeding her himself until she was full.
After she drank some Coke, the cold gas made her open her eyes suddenly.
“I don’t drink this… I’m full,” she said sleepily.
He washed her hands, helped her lie down on the bed, covered her with a blanket, then finished the remaining food himself.
But as he sat alone afterwards, three things troubled his mind deeply:
1. Not knowing what had happened to Nuraddeen
2. Hearing that Rashida had returned
3. Not knowing where Rashida’s father had gone
With no solution in sight, he stood up and began praying and making supplications to Allah to ease the trials in their lives.
---
Meanwhile Rashida arrived at Dr. Nura’s family house. As she stepped out of the car she suddenly felt uneasy and began reciting protective prayers.
Fatima noticed her staring around in amazement at the luxurious house.
Rashida laughed and said:
“I’ve never been inside such a beautiful house in my life—not even in dreams. I only see houses like this on TV.”
Fatima pulled her hand and teased her for acting like a village girl.
---
Inside the house, Dr. Nura’s mother (Ammie) welcomed them warmly. She carried little Nuraddeen happily and admired how handsome he looked.
“Masha Allah! My grandson looks so handsome today. I feel like marrying him myself,” she joked.
Everyone laughed.
---
Later they went to greet Daddy (Dr. Nura’s father). But when his second wife Hajiya Nafeesa saw Rashida and the child, she made a hurtful remark:
“I thought they adopted him from an orphanage. I hope he’s not an illegitimate child.”
The room fell silent.
Dr. Nura and his father were shocked. Daddy immediately scolded her and demanded she apologize.
She reluctantly apologized while hiding her hatred toward Rashida.
---
After leaving the house, Dr. Nura apologized to Rashida for what happened.
Rashida responded calmly:
“I’m not hurt by her words. What hurts me is seeing all of you upset because of me.”
Fatima smiled proudly at her kindness.
---
Months passed and Little Nuraddeen grew quickly. Rashida decided it was time to wean him from breastfeeding.
Fatima protested:
“He’s only one year and one month!”
But Rashida complained that the boy kept biting her with his teeth.
Eventually they weaned him.
The first night was very difficult. The child cried endlessly, refusing to sleep.
Rashida covered her ears with a pillow but she still heard his cries and eventually began crying herself.
She raised her hands and prayed:
“O Allah, just as he leaves my milk today, protect him from every hardship in life.”
Eventually the child fell asleep.
---
Later Fatima fell sick with fever. Because of this Dr. Nura took the child to stay with his mother Ammie for a while.
Even though the child also became sick twice, Rashida refused to visit him. She feared her emotions would overwhelm her.
---
One day something shocking happened.
While watching a medical program on TV showing patients with mental illness, Rashida suddenly screamed.
On the screen she recognized the woman being shown.
It was Yaya Hawwa — Nuraddeen’s mother.
Everyone turned in shock as Rashida cried:
“That is my mother-in-law… what happened to her?!”
When Rashida confirmed that Nuraddeen had left the country, she felt as if the whole world had stopped for her. Nothing in life made her happy anymore, and nothing interested her. With just one look at her, anyone could clearly see the deep sorrow she was living with. She had become completely withdrawn. She did nothing except cry.
Her crying had different times:
crying in the morning,
crying in the afternoon,
and crying at night.
She had grown very thin and pale. The loss of her parents troubled her deeply, especially now that she was going through a situation that was beyond description.
Although Yaya Maryam and Baffa tried to show her that they had softened their earlier harsh stance after seeing that she was almost losing her sanity, deep in their hearts they still felt differently.
Meanwhile Baffa Usman and the others did not fully understand everything that was happening. Their main focus was searching for treatment for Yaya Hawwa until the day finally came when the time arrived for her to be taken away.
Around 12 noon, a hospital vehicle arrived at Baffa’s house. It seemed they had been waiting for it for quite a while. Five health workers came with a man wearing a suit, who appeared to be their leader.
After greetings, Baffa Usman led them inside the house to the room where Yaya Hawwa was staying.
The moment they entered, Yaya Hawwa began screaming loudly and violently at them.
It was extremely difficult for them to restrain her. She struggled, screamed, and fought fiercely before they were finally able to hold her down and place her inside the vehicle.
Outside the vehicle, Baffa watched through the glass window as the medical staff tried to inject her with a sedative so she would sleep before reaching the hospital.
Tears rolled down his eyes as he wiped them away while praying to Allah to grant her healing.
After thanking the medical team, the vehicle left the house. Gradually, the crowd that had gathered outside began to disperse, filled with pity for Yaya Hawwa because of how thin and dark she had become. Anyone who did not know her well would not recognize her anymore.
---
At that same time, Baffa Ali returned from the farm carrying his hoe on his shoulder and singing softly.
When he saw Baffa Usman and the others, he frowned and was about to walk past them when he noticed a group of children standing nearby.
He asked them:
“Hey, what are you all doing here gathered like little goats?”
One of the boys replied:
“Yaya Hawwa was just taken away to a psychiatric hospital. It’s really sad.”
Instead of showing sympathy, Baffa Ali clicked his tongue and said:
“Good for her. Now we will finally have peace. Every day she disturbed our sleep and frightened our families.”
Angrily, Baffa replied:
“Don’t worry Aliyu. Slowly, slowly… what goes around comes around. Just as Hawwa is harvesting what she sowed, you too will harvest yours — whether good or bad.”
Ali ignored him and went inside the house still singing.
---
After about three weeks, Dr. Nura returned to Kano with Rashida. They had stayed longer than planned because Fatima insisted that they remain until the end of the month before returning, since Dr. Nura’s annual leave was approaching.
However, they could not stay longer because Little Nuraddeen’s medicine needed to be collected, and Dr. Nura did not want to return again later before his leave ended.
So within that week he traveled to Borno to collect the final dose of the child’s medicine.
When he arrived, he went straight to his parents’ house because his mother had asked him to collect some herbal medicine for Fatima.
He met his father eating at the dining table. After greeting him respectfully, his father welcomed him warmly and asked about his journey and business.
Soon his mother Hajiya Fareeda came out. She was a dignified and cheerful woman who loved people. She hugged her son warmly and joked about how Kano people had made him gain weight.
They talked about Fatima and her health. His mother reminded him about the herbal medicine she had given them and advised them to continue using it properly.
She said:
“Fatima is a patient and strong woman. Not many modern girls would endure what she is enduring. Continue to be patient. Allah will answer your prayers one day.”
Dr. Nura thanked them deeply for their prayers and support.
---
Later that day, their housemaid Umma came in and was surprised to see Dr. Nura. They realized they already knew each other. Dr. Nura explained how he met her before, and everyone laughed at the coincidence.
Umma then served him his favorite food: Semolina swallow with kubewa soup.
After eating, Dr. Nura went to collect Little Nuraddeen’s medicine from a traditional healer before returning home to Kano.
---
Meanwhile in the village, Yusuf had been sick with fever for three days. When he finally felt better, he secretly told Baffa Usman something shocking:
He had seen Rashida.
But he begged him not to tell his father because he was afraid.
This surprised Baffa Usman greatly. After confirming Yusuf’s story with another witness, they realized the story might be true.
However, when they confronted Baba Balarabe, he completely denied knowing anything about Rashida’s return.
This caused even more confusion and worry for everyone.
---
Eventually, Yaya Maryam, Aunty Marwiyya, and others decided that the safest thing was for Rashida to return to Borno with Dr. Nura and Fatima, where she would be protected and cared for.
Rashida accepted because she felt she no longer had control over her life after losing her parents.
She cried deeply for them and prayed that whatever destiny awaited her would bring goodness.
---
Dr. Nura and Fatima treated Rashida and her son with great kindness. They never allowed her to ask for anything before providing it.
They made her feel that she was part of their family.
Little Nuraddeen grew happily under their care and by the time he was ten months old, he had already started walking and talking.
Interestingly:
He called Fatima “Mama.”
He called Dr. Nura “Abba.”
And he called Rashida “Gwaggo” (aunt) because that was what he heard the housemaid being called.
The child became extremely attached to them.
---
One evening around 5 PM, Fatima dressed the little boy in beautiful traditional Hausa clothes and took him out. He looked very handsome and everyone admired him.
They decided to visit Dr. Nura’s parents so Rashida could finally meet them.
As they drove there, they joked and laughed together happily.
---
Meanwhile back in the village, Baffa, who had been deeply worried about everything, finally agreed to remarry after many years.
The wedding was simple and held with a dowry of ₦20,000.
Some people mocked him for marrying a young girl, but others supported him.
After the wedding ceremony and a small celebration, the new bride Nusaiba was taken to his house.
That night, Baffa sat quietly in the mosque after Maghrib prayer, overwhelmed by the thought that he had remarried after almost thirty years.
His younger brother encouraged him:
“Why are you sitting here thinking? Go to your wife. She is waiting.”
Finally Baffa stood up and went home.
He stood for a moment at the door of the room, gathering the little strength left in his body before finally pushing the door open and entering while greeting with salaam.
In the middle of the bed he saw the young girl lying down, covered, as if sleep had begun to take her. He walked closer and greeted again, though softly so as not to startle her.
Half-asleep, she quickly sat up rubbing her eyes and returned his greeting. Because the room light was on, Baffa looked closely at her, admiring the beauty that Allah had created in her. With just one glance anyone could notice the Fulani beauty she possessed.
She was very fair with a long nose and big bright eyes slightly sunken, with long eyelashes above them and thick eyebrows resting gracefully over her eyes. Her mouth was small with attractive red lips, and she had dimples at the sides of her mouth—especially when she smiled—which made her beauty even more striking.
In short, masha Allah, Baffa’s bride was truly beautiful. She was not tall nor big in body due to her young age, which made Baffa even more surprised at how young she seemed compared to him.
Seeing him standing there unable to approach, she got down from the bed and walked toward him, kneeling respectfully as she said:
“Good afternoon, Baffa.”
A smile spread across Baffa’s face showing all his teeth. He lifted her up gently from kneeling and made her sit on the edge of the bed while he sat beside her.
“I’m fine, Nusaiba. Weren’t you sleeping?” he asked.
“I was. Your greeting woke me up,” she replied while rubbing one of her eyes.
They stayed silent for a few minutes before he turned to face her fully.
“Nusaiba, do you know who I am to you?” he asked.
She paused for a moment before replying:
“Yakumbo told me you are like a father to me and that I should respect you. Grandma and Baffa also said you are my leader and I must obey you.”
Baffa laughed softly because he understood what they had taught her—that she must respect him because he was older and also obey him because he was her husband. It was a wise teaching parents give their daughters to prepare them for marriage.
In his heart Baffa felt grateful that he had married into a family that raised their daughter with good manners.
He then asked her:
“What does ‘leader’ mean in marriage, Nusaiba?”
“It means the husband,” she answered calmly.
Her childish way of answering his questions convinced him even more of how young she was. So he began asking her about religious knowledge—purification, ablution, prayers, bathing rules, lawful and unlawful matters in marriage.
Out of everything he asked, she only knew a few small things.
Baffa realized he had a lot of responsibility ahead. She had to learn these things before their marriage life truly began.
---
Just then someone knocked on the door outside.
Baffa went out and found Baffa Usman holding some plastic bags.
“Brother, I remembered the bride’s meat and barbecue only after lying down. I knew you didn’t bring anything inside, so I went to buy some meat from a butcher nearby,” he said.
Baffa smiled and thanked him warmly.
---
Later that night Baffa and Nusaiba prayed two units of prayer together. Afterwards he gave her some roasted chicken and a bottle of Coca-Cola to eat.
She was so sleepy that she kept closing her eyes while eating. Eventually Baffa began feeding her himself until she was full.
After she drank some Coke, the cold gas made her open her eyes suddenly.
“I don’t drink this… I’m full,” she said sleepily.
He washed her hands, helped her lie down on the bed, covered her with a blanket, then finished the remaining food himself.
But as he sat alone afterwards, three things troubled his mind deeply:
1. Not knowing what had happened to Nuraddeen
2. Hearing that Rashida had returned
3. Not knowing where Rashida’s father had gone
With no solution in sight, he stood up and began praying and making supplications to Allah to ease the trials in their lives.
---
Meanwhile Rashida arrived at Dr. Nura’s family house. As she stepped out of the car she suddenly felt uneasy and began reciting protective prayers.
Fatima noticed her staring around in amazement at the luxurious house.
Rashida laughed and said:
“I’ve never been inside such a beautiful house in my life—not even in dreams. I only see houses like this on TV.”
Fatima pulled her hand and teased her for acting like a village girl.
---
Inside the house, Dr. Nura’s mother (Ammie) welcomed them warmly. She carried little Nuraddeen happily and admired how handsome he looked.
“Masha Allah! My grandson looks so handsome today. I feel like marrying him myself,” she joked.
Everyone laughed.
---
Later they went to greet Daddy (Dr. Nura’s father). But when his second wife Hajiya Nafeesa saw Rashida and the child, she made a hurtful remark:
“I thought they adopted him from an orphanage. I hope he’s not an illegitimate child.”
The room fell silent.
Dr. Nura and his father were shocked. Daddy immediately scolded her and demanded she apologize.
She reluctantly apologized while hiding her hatred toward Rashida.
---
After leaving the house, Dr. Nura apologized to Rashida for what happened.
Rashida responded calmly:
“I’m not hurt by her words. What hurts me is seeing all of you upset because of me.”
Fatima smiled proudly at her kindness.
---
Months passed and Little Nuraddeen grew quickly. Rashida decided it was time to wean him from breastfeeding.
Fatima protested:
“He’s only one year and one month!”
But Rashida complained that the boy kept biting her with his teeth.
Eventually they weaned him.
The first night was very difficult. The child cried endlessly, refusing to sleep.
Rashida covered her ears with a pillow but she still heard his cries and eventually began crying herself.
She raised her hands and prayed:
“O Allah, just as he leaves my milk today, protect him from every hardship in life.”
Eventually the child fell asleep.
---
Later Fatima fell sick with fever. Because of this Dr. Nura took the child to stay with his mother Ammie for a while.
Even though the child also became sick twice, Rashida refused to visit him. She feared her emotions would overwhelm her.
---
One day something shocking happened.
While watching a medical program on TV showing patients with mental illness, Rashida suddenly screamed.
On the screen she recognized the woman being shown.
It was Yaya Hawwa — Nuraddeen’s mother.
Everyone turned in shock as Rashida cried:
“That is my mother-in-law… what happened to her?!”
The room filled with shock and confusion.