As Usman approaches outside his legs begin to quark, he almost falls down. Strange thought keeps crossing his mind, “What do I do, what gets into me to make me pronounced divorce? Ya Ilahi see me through this.” He speaks to himself, “This is not like you, divorce and 3 times Usman why?” His inner voice said this sudden thought makes him slapped his forehead a little, shouting “Kai!!!” He plodded to his car steadily where he stayed for about 20 min not knowing what to do plus, he doesn’t have the energy to drive the car away.
He was still in his car when Malam Badaru (his father-in-law) comes back, “A’a Usmanu, don’t tell me that you are still waiting for her?”
He cracked a fake grin before saying, “No Baba am leaving now but I will be back later to pick her up.” Baba smiled “Ok make sure you are back early,” he said before getting into his house.
Usman clearly knows that he is the one to contrite everything because he is already regretting if only he can turn time he wouldn’t have let today be part of his life.
From his in-law’s place he drove directly to his office. He wanted to keep himself busy so he first set up some documents which he wanted to check before signing but he eventually lost himself thinking not very many meaningless things, his brood wasn’t only about himself but his mum, not knowing what to tell her was his another problem. He keeps thinking of what to tell her, he really doesn’t know what her reaction will be albeit he surely knows that she will be shocked knowing very well that she admires Zainab.
*****
When Baba entered the house, he looks at Abu who is still on the sitting mound not sure of what to do, “Zainab you better be ready on time don’t let him wait, kin ji ko?”
Umma sighed, “Uhum wait for where? He is not coming back for that he ended everything between them Umma lamented with a long-depressed face towards Zainab.”
Baba stopped, “What ended everything like how?” Baba asked with curiosity.
Umma takes a deep air before lamenting “When you are out to accompany kawu, Abu picked on her husband calling him so many bad names, and she succeeded in making him divorce her and the worse part of it is the divorce is 3 times.” Umma mentioned languidly.
Baba was so angry to hear about the divorce, he looked at Abu with grief. ” Being a divorcee is what attracts you ko? if that is the life you choose for yourself you are welcome.” He said nodding his head vigorously before entering his room.
Umma turned on her with an icy stare and hissed saying, “Useless trash before leaving for her room.”
Zainab already knows she is in trouble, her parents’ faces clouded dangerously.
******
Sa’ada was sitting beside her father down his chair, Malam Imranu who was sitting in his 3-legged chair he was an old man not less than 50 years. He Clears his throat before calling her name.
“Sa’ada,” his voice sounded serious showing that he wanted to discuss something serious with her.
She answered, “Na’am baba” paying more attention to him.
“Why do you make Usman divorce Zainaba?”
She actually does not expect this question, so her voice trembled as she answered “Wallahi Baba I don’t even know he will.” She replied.
He looked at her for seconds as if he wanted to figure out something before adding “Then why do you keep going to their house especially when she is not in the house?”
This time the questions are too much, but keeping quiet won’t do any help “Wallahi baba she is lying, she’s jealous of me, I can only admit seducing him to marry me but not committing Zina. She said with confidence.
He blows out a heavy air “Ok, then why will you do that Zainaba loves you Fisabilillah why her man of all men?” Her father asked in anger.
“I also love him Fisabilillah with all my heart, after all, they now broke up, pls Baba let bygone be bygone we are getting married just wish us well.” Sa’ada said while leaving the room without listening to what her father had to say.
He just nod his head and groaned if that is what you choose for your life.
Since the divorce incident Usman never picks Sa’adas call nor does he reply her messages, even though that bothered her a lot but she keeps everything aside and continues with wedding preparations. She finishes all the marriage preparations though she is somewhat not happy with the way Usman entreats her and she has no one to complain to, Zainaba was her only friend she share secret with.
She was sitting in her room, her chin on her palm busy thinking about what to do. Maryama entered the room shouting where is the bride. Sa’ada only smiled at her. “A’a our bride what are you thinking,” Maryam asked. Sa’ada hum and “Say nothing.”
Maryam tapped her shoulder “Common girl say it or else your plight will get worse and you may become depressed, boring sorrows alone doesn’t solve problem rather makes everything difficult.”
Sa’ada was somehow motivated by Maryam’s words “Bari kawai maryam… Usman changed. He never picks up my call nor does he reply to my message since his issues with Abu.” She uttered in a sorrowful mannered.
Maryam sat beside her, “Ayya you know better than anyone that he loves her very much, if not because he has a passion for women, his love for her won’t let him have an affair. For now, you have to give him more time to get over her.” Maryam replied.
“Which time Maryam? After all, it’s 2 weeks now.” Sa’ada said almost in tears.
Maryam smiled, “Well two weeks isn’t enough for a person who loves someone with all their heart to be over with them after break up, he needs more time may be years.” Maryam said.
Maryam rolled her eyes before adding, ” But I think it will be good if we can go to his office to discuss with him, he may listen.” Maryam mentioned.
Sa’ada was convinced so she said “It’s a good advice, can we go now?” sa’ada asked.
When Sa’ada and Maryam arrived at the office, Usman wasn’t there. They have to wait for some minutes. When he comes back he seems not in a good mood he just smiles saying “What brings you here?”
Sa’ada looks at him with surprise, “A’a don’t tell me you forget about us getting married. Hope you are still aware of the promised you made to me back then that we are getting married this month?” she said looking directly to his face.
“I do not forget, but don’t you see what happens? I need more time to prepare and think of what to tell my mum. If not because of this divorce nothing will change, everything will be as planned.” He said languidly.
“Mts” Sa’ada hissed, “What preparation? she asked, my problem with you Usman you are so clumsy.” She said angrily.
He looked at her with open eyes almost open-mouthed, “What Sa’ada, are you calling me clumsy?” he asked in anger “please leave my office before I do something that we will all regret.” He shouted in a guttural sound showing her the way to the door.
They left the office while Sa’ada was in tears and Maryam is comforting her to not worry herself. After they left, he sit back to his chair and said stupid girl kawai he uttered in frustration.
*****
Usman who seems like reading newspapers while sitting in his office but his mind is somewhere else, his phone which is plugged on charge keeps ringing. His secretary entered “Sir your phone is ringing.” she has to speak louder for him to come back to his senses, ” Pls bring the phone.” he said.
He missed 7 calls, he just hissed, he knows it was Sa’ada. Before he could check to see who called, the phone rang again. He just picked up without checking the screen saying, “Haba malama kin damen.”
“Usman what’s wrong with you, are you shouting at me?” His mum voice is what he heard.
“Sorry Mama, I didn’t check I just pick the call.” He apologize.
“Whatever, am in front of your house to drop Ummi and Amira but the gate man said Zainaba wasn’t there for almost 2 weeks. Where is she? Her kids want to see her?” she asked.
“Eh to, daman she went to Katsina for the ceremony,” he mentioned.
“Usman which kind of ceremony is that? Anyway, may she return safely.”
“Amin Mama” he answered before ending the call.
Mama smells something else especially when she remembered what Amira told her on the day driver brings them, the girl said “Hajiya Babba do you know something?”
Hajiya said “no”
“Wallahi Ummanmu and Abbanmu are fighting since yesterday.”
Ummi interfered saying “Wallahi she’s lying.” Since Ummi was the elder she had to pay no attention to what Amira said. “Amira must be telling the truth” She said to herself.
“Malam Manu we are headed to my in-law’s house,” Hajiya Babba said to her driver, he just say ok before he starts driving.
“It was unfortunate for Hajiya to hear about the divorce. She sincerely loves Zainab although her in-laws put the blame on their daughter, she knows that her son was the one to be blamed. She stayed in her in-law’s home for almost 2 hours all she does was comfort Abu.
The kids were very happy to see their mum. Before Hajiya Babba leave, she gave Abu some cash and told her not to worry about the kids that they will be visiting her regularly. That’s the only thing that makes Abu feel some relief.
