Zainaba sat peacefully in her study, engrossed in her books as she prepared for her upcoming exams. The weight of her responsibilities pressed upon her, but she remained determined to succeed. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, causing her to set the book aside and gaze at Usman, her husband. They had fought the previous day when he returned home late and intoxicated, and Zainaba’s patience was wearing thin. She was growing tired of his reckless behavior.

“Abban Ummi,” she called out, trying to get his attention. Usman’s eyes remained fixed on his phone, engrossed in whatever he was doing. Zainaba’s frustration grew, and she held her gaze on him, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence.

Still absorbed in his phone, Usman responded carelessly, “What is it?”

Suppressing her anger, Zainaba pressed her lips together and counted to ten. She wanted to unleash her fury upon him, but she restrained herself. Taking a deep breath, she spoke with a calm yet firm tone, “Could you please put the phone away? We need to talk.”

Usman sighed and finally tore his eyes away from the screen. “Well, if you can speak, why can’t you just say it? Isn’t that what ears are for? I fail to understand why I should stop everything I’m doing just to listen to you,” he retorted thoughtlessly.

Zainaba’s anger intensified, but she chose not to let it consume her. She realized that speaking her mind was more important than succumbing to her frustrations. “It’s about your recent behavior,” she lamented, her voice tinged with disappointment. “You’re a father now, and not just any father, but a father to a daughter. If you want our daughter to be respected by other men, you need to start respecting other women.”

Usman grinned dismissively and replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll change.”

“It’s not enough to say it; you need to show it through your actions,” Zainaba insisted, hoping he would understand the gravity of the situation.

In an attempt to end the conversation, Usman stood up abruptly and declared, “Don’t worry, mark my words, I will change.” With those words, he turned to leave the room, leaving Zainaba at a loss for what to say.

Sa’ada emerged from the kitchen, interrupting the tense atmosphere. “Oh, you’re still here, our beloved friend,” Usman said, attempting to lighten the mood. Sa’ada smiled warmly and replied, “I’m almost done. It would be great if you could wait a little longer so we can leave together. I need you to drop me off somewhere.”

Usman hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. However, seeing Sa’ada’s pleading eyes, he relented. “Okay, I’ll wait for 20 minutes, but that’s it.”

Without uttering a word, Sa’ada hurried back to the kitchen, while Usman settled down in front of the television. The room was filled with a sense of unease as they waited for Sa’ada to finish her tasks.

Sa’ada finally completed the cooking and served Usman his meal. She then went to freshen up before returning to deliver Zainaba’s food. As she handed it to her, Sa’ada informed her that Usman would be dropping her off.

Zainaba couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she observed Usman’s interactions with Sa’ada. She sensed a change in Sa’ada’s behavior, as if she had transformed into someone she didn’t quite recognize. It bothered Zainaba that Sa’ada would come to their house only to spend time with Usman and Ummi and leave without acknowledging her presence.

Ever since the beginning, Sa’ada had no intention of pursuing Usman romantically, despite her feelings for him. She understood that he belonged to Zainaba, and she respected their relationship. However, the perception of others fueled her desire to prove them wrong. Sa’ada had seen how people admired Zainaba’s fortune in marrying Usman, and she yearned to experience the same happiness, if only for a fleeting moment.

Sa’ada despised the constant pressure from her family and acquaintances to get married. They couldn’t understand that she was content with her studies and her career, which she had already begun. She found solace in her independence and saw no rush to conform to societal expectations.

One day, when they had visitors, Umma assigned Sa’ada the task of serving refreshments. On her way back to the living room, she overheard Umma telling their guests about Sa’ada’s past, how she had been abandoned by her parents. Umma even hinted at suspicions of adultery due to Sa’ada’s night shifts, considering it improper for a lady to be out during those hours.

One of the guests tried to offer an alternative perspective, suggesting that perhaps Sa’ada hadn’t found the right partner yet. Umma dismissed the idea, saying, “No, it’s not like that. Nobody likes her.”

Sa’ada wiped away her tears, feeling the weight of the words spoken about her past. She hated being labeled as abandoned, even though it was true. The pain of abandonment gnawed at her, and on that fateful day, she left the house and sought solace at her only friend’s place—Abu.

That day marked the beginning of Sa’ada’s regrets, haunting her to this day.

Usman had been longing for intimacy for days, but Zainaba consistently declined his advances due to her pregnancy. Frustrated and desperate, Usman made a decision to pursue Zainaba relentlessly, even considering using force if necessary.

He visited Yahuza’s suya stall, buying meat and fresh milk, Zainaba’s favorites. Knowing she was still at school, he returned home before her to prepare a romantic meal. His desperation drove him to orchestrate the perfect setting, hoping it would soften Zainaba’s resolve and make her more receptive to his desires.

Unbeknownst to Usman, Sa’ada had a spare key to their home and was unaware of his return. She had already cooked Abu’s favorite meal and was in the process of showering.
As Sa’ada stepped out of the shower, drying her hair with a small towel, Usman, unknowing of her presence, entered the house. To his surprise, he found Sa’ada in a vulnerable state, causing his mind to wander. Confusion and temptation clouded his thoughts as he hesitated on the edge of his desires.
Without a second thought, he dialed Abu’s number to inquire about her expected return time, but her phone was unreachable.

His mind reached its breaking point, and he felt an overwhelming urge to succumb to temptation. Pushing aside his inner voice of reason, he made his way to the room Sa’ada usually stayed in when she visited.

Sa’ada lay on the bed, resting on her stomach with her legs slightly raised. She wore a simple tank top and shorts. His mind keep pushing him and he followed his desire and started touching Sa’ada, his inner voice warned him of the consequences, reminding him of his commitment to Zainaba. With a sudden rush of clarity, he withdrew his hand and stood up abruptly, apologizing for his behavior. Usman turned away immediately, shocked by the sight and the inappropriate thoughts that had crossed his mind. He reprimanded himself for even considering such actions.

Sa’ada, sensing an opportunity, Sa’ada stood up, taking a step closer to Usman. Her heart pounded with anticipation, and the opportunity seemed too perfect to let slip away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “You don’t have to say sorry.” Her embrace was tight, fueled by her desire to have him.

Usman turned around, unable to resist the temptation any longer. He kissed her forehead, gradually moving his lips to meet hers. Lost in the moment, they forgot everything around them and ended up on the bed. Their desires grew, only to be interrupted by Abu’s whimper.

Startled and filled with fear, Usman stood frozen as he witnessed Abu standing before them. The weight of their actions crashed down upon them, and the beautiful chapter of their lives turned into a heartbreaking moment of betrayal and regret.