When Hajiya went back home she called Usman and told him to come and meet her after work.
Usman who is at his office busy struggling with meaningless thoughts quickly finished everything after receiving the call and went directly to his mum.
At his mum’s place, he parked his car, and have a few words with the gateman before trudging to the main parlor where he’s expecting to meet his mum. She was sitting on a praying mat; it seems like she just finished praying. He had to wait for her to finish some azkar.
His kids were incredibly happy seeing him, especially Amira he played with them while waiting for Hajiya. After she finished, he asked Baraka to take the kids with her and pay more attention to his mom.
Hajiya, who hasn’t said anything since his arrival finally decided to speak by saying “Usman why do you divorce your wife?” Hajiya asked, her voice sounding seriously disturbing.
He has no words to reply he just put his head down while his heart keeps pounding, so Hajiya Finally gets to know the truth. “Ya Allah,” he said silently. Hajiya knows her son well. This his reaction means no answer so she continues to say ” I don’t know what get into you but am sure you will regret it, it’s not like am coursing you but Zainaba was too good for you since for day one may be the divorce will make her life better but not you, it’s good if you can ask her for forgiveness” Hajiya keeps quiet to take a deep breath before she continues saying.
“The first time when you introduce her to me as the woman you choose to live with forever I thought you love her because she is bright and beautiful but I later understand that it was because she is kind and simple, She is your world and you lose your world just because of some love passion you have for another woman” Hajiya lamented with sadness.
“You know how you live as a product of a broken home? You know the pain yet you want your own kids to experience the same pain as you, is that fair?” she said still boiling with rage.
“Hajiya it was a mistake,” he said as his voice trembled with fear and regret, his eyes still not directed to her.
“Whatever it’s” she shrugged before adding I already decided you are not marrying that girl Sa’ada and I mean my words.”
Usman gulped “Amma Hajiya”…. Kai keep quiet you have no words to convince me please, leave before I said something bad about you which will destroy your future.” She protested
Usman left quietly without knowing what to do…..
*******
Abu had always had a hard life living with her family. Her parents always ignore her and behave coldly toward her. Her siblings are always scornful towards her, they speak to her in a rude manner, and whenever she became mad with them her parents will slander her in front of them.
She always locked her door and wept, she always has a silent sob which is extremely bitter, her plight was made worse by the fact that she was very reluctant to confide in anyone. She bore her sorrows alone. She was her own comforter. The more Abu think about how her parents entreated her the more depressed she grew. Since her divorce she does the entire work at home, working isn’t bothering her rather her parent’s foul temper and her sibling’s rude behavior.
The only relief she has is when she goes to school she’s a final year student at Bayero University. She sometimes feels like not returning home whenever she left for school. In most cases, she will choose to go to school just to have some fresh air even though it’s lecture free day.
Like it was since her divorce after returning from school, she moves to her mum’s and said Umma am back to her surprise her kids she saw. The happiness on her face shows how delighted she is to see them. The two Amira and Ummi run to their Mum vivaciously. Umma who is looking cries out ” sake su maza aiki na jiran ki, da kina son su ki ka bar gidan uban su, (let them go, you have a lot to do if you love them why would you leave their father in the first place)” Abu did not say anything rather left for her room and the girls followed her, she only dropped her veil and bag before coming out to start doing the dishes.
“If you think you cannot do it you keep it, I can do it I am healthy and with full energy,” Umma said ebulliently, Abu Sighed without saying anything, she actually doesn’t know the reason Umma is being like this. What did she do?
Ummi come out from Ummah’s room carrying their bag. “A’a Ummina where are you going?” Ummi looks at umma coldly saying I will never sleep in your room again the girl said crying.
“Haba Ummi na why?” umma asked with her eyes wide open.
“Because you hate our mom and we hate you too you always shout at her in everything she does,” the girl lamented frighteningly.
Umma was shocked, she held the girl ” am sorry dear I will never do it again, so please don’t hate your grandma,” Since that day whenever the kids visited Umma will behave nicely towards Abu although she always stares at her coldly. Whenever Ummi and Amira visited they never speak to anyone whatever umma will say to them Ummi will tell Amira not to respond that she hate their mom.
*****
Zainaba was sitting while reading her handout today is their last exam as an undergraduate student, and from time to time she will stop reading and watch some students celebrating. As far back as she could remember she had always wanted to see this day when she will write her final paper but she feels bad today she feels like going back to level one their home isn’t a home anymore to her rather a prison the school is the only place she can rely on as a source of happiness and now she will graduate. After exams, all her friends were happy busy snapping pictures and enjoying their last day at university while Abu who is staring at them from far is busy shading tears of sadness.
As she was still sitting watching her mates, she heard his voice which will forever remain in her mind, she did not pay attention as she thought maybe her cognition mingle with her thoughts.
His voice again said “What are you watching why not you join them instead of crying secretly, you may have some relief when you join them.” she raised her head and look at him. It was Usman her ex-husband standing beside her not far and they made eye contact he smiled at her.
She finds herself smiling back at him.
“Congratulations dear wish you the best of luck in your results,” he said walking closer to her at a slower pace. “Thanks Abban Ummi.” “Let us go to my car Ummi and Amira are waiting we should at least have one picture together on this important day,” He said starching his hands towards her to collect her book.
As they are walking Usman turned his head to her side before saying “I’ am sorry for everything wallahi, I regret everything from day one.”
Zainaba smile “a’a Usman never regret we are destined to be a part, pls just remember the beautiful moment we shared together and move on, kaji.” She said begging him with her beautiful eyes.
“How zainaba, how will I do that?” he asked peering at her.
She raise her eyebrows “Well, I don’t know but one thing I want to tell you is that I will never regret two things about our relationship, I always ask myself will I regret knowing you but the answer is always no there are some beautiful moment we share together that will never be a regret to me we also have something precious and a special gift together which is our kids.”
Usman keeps listening without adding his words as she speaks.
“The second thing is I will never regret asking for a divorce pls Abban ummi just move on life is always about the next step. Let’s wish each other well life goes on.” She said in a soft voice trying to calm him down.
Usman just smile before he told her what umma Said about him marrying sa’ada. She keeps quiet for a while as they are still standing before saying, “Don’t worry I will speak to her and pls Usman never treat Sa’ada as you treated me, be a gentleman she thinks you are pls he does not say a word but continue moving.
They snapped pictures together before Usman left with the children.
After school, she went directly to Hajiya’s hause.
Hajiya was so much happy to see her. After a few words with Hajiya Zainaba mentioned the reason for her visit was that she wanted to ask her for a favor to let Usman marry Sa’ada as she thinks she is the best one who can raise the kids just like her own. Hajiya seems to oppose it, but in the end, zainaba ended up convincing her.
*****
Hajiya told Usman he can marry Sa’ada, but he wasn’t happy though he wanted to marry her not because he loved her, he wants her as a woman and he pity her.
Everything was done about their marriage. Sa’ada invites almost all the people in their area but not her best friend Zainaba. Back then they planned this day together how they will celebrate and how happy they will be.
Zainaba went to Sa’ada to congratulate her, that’s before the wedding day for that she wanted to beg her about her kids.
Sa’ada was sitting with her friends when Abu entered. She knows all of them, Sadiya Said raising up “let’s leave them together.”
“No, you don’t have to do that I just come to congratulate her as her old friend,” Zainaba mentioned with an unexplained gaze
“Pls guys let’s leave them together.” Salma mentioned.
“Am sure you are not here to congratulate me there must be another reason” sa’ada mentioned after her friends left.
Zainaba smirked “Well that’s the only reason but After hearing that from you I think I have another thing to say, Pls sa’ada my kids raised them as yours no matter what happens between us, after Hajiya, and my parents you are the only one I can trust with them.”
Sa’ada smiled before saying what a fortuitous, you said what is my mind, You having everything, you being loved by so many people, you having a perfect man make me shabby although I love you, on the other hand, I envy you I also despite you, so I wanted to put a blemish or at least scratch on you. I can’t do that without making everything that belongs to you mine. I will make sure that your kids belong to me, I will be nice to them to make sure they love me more or even forget having another mum other than me.” Sa’ada said pointing at her chest confidentiality looking at Abu.
Zainaba shrugged “Any way congratulations and welcome to the hell.” zainaba said plodding along the door.
“Am telling you I mean my words” sa’ada fired up Zainab do not turn no does she replied. Her friends come out saying “what did she said to make you shout like” this “she just rambles” sa’ada replied.