When Hajiya returned home, she called Usman and asked him to meet her after work. Usman, caught up in meaningless thoughts at his office, quickly finished his work and headed straight to his mother's house.
He parked his car and exchanged a few words with the gatekeeper before making his way to the main parlor where he expected to meet his mother. Hajiya was sitting on a prayer mat, having just finished her prayers. Usman patiently waited for her to complete her azkar.
His children were thrilled to see him, especially Amira. He played with them while waiting for Hajiya. Once she finished her prayers, Usman asked Baraka to take the kids and give more attention to his mother.
Hajiya, who had remained silent since his arrival, finally spoke up, her voice filled with serious concern. "Usman, why did you divorce your wife?" she asked, her tone deeply unsettling.
Usman had no words to reply. He lowered his head, his heart pounding with fear and regret. Hajiya had finally discovered the truth, and silently, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Hajiya knew her son well, and his reaction indicated that he had no answer. She continued, "I don't know what got into you, but I'm sure you will regret it. It's not that I'm cursing you, but Zainaba was too good for you from the very beginning. Maybe the divorce will give her a better life, but not you. It would be good if you could ask her for forgiveness." Hajiya took a moment to catch her breath before continuing.
"When you introduced her to me as the woman you chose to spend your life with, I thought you loved her because she was bright and beautiful. But later, I understood that it was because she was kind and simple. She was your world, and you lost your world just because of some love passion you had for another woman," Hajiya lamented with sadness.
"Do you know how it feels to live as a product of a broken home? Do you know the pain? Yet, you want your own children to experience the same pain you did. Is that fair?" she asked, her anger still simmering.
"Hajiya, it was a mistake," Usman stammered, his voice trembling with fear and regret, his gaze still averted.
"Whatever it is," she shrugged, "I have already decided that you are not marrying that girl, Sa'ada, and I mean my words."
Usman swallowed hard, wanting to say something, but Hajiya cut him off. "Amma Hajiya...," he started, but she silenced him, "Kai, be quiet. You have no words to convince me. Please leave before I say something that could destroy your future."
Usman left quietly, unsure of what to do next.
Abu had always led a difficult life with her family. Her parents ignored her and treated her coldly. Her siblings were always scornful and rude towards her, never speaking to her kindly. Whenever she became upset, her parents would slander her in front of her siblings.
She would lock her door and weep, her silent sobs filled with bitterness. Abu carried her sorrows alone, reluctant to confide in anyone. She found solace in her own company, comforting herself through her struggles. The more she thought about her parents' mistreatment, the more her depression deepened. Since her divorce, she carried the burden of all the household work, which did not bother her as much as her parents' foul temper and her siblings' rude behavior.
Her only relief came when she went to school. She was in her final year at Bayero University. Sometimes she felt like not returning home after school. Going to school gave her a breath of fresh air, even on lecture-free days.
As was her routine since the divorce, after returning from school, she went to her mother's house and announced her arrival to surprise her kids. The happiness on her face reflected her delight in seeing them. Both Amira and Ummi ran excitedly to their mother. Umma, with tears in her eyes, exclaimed, "Sake su maza aiki na jiran ki, da kina son su kika bar gidan uban su (Let them go, you have a lot to do. If you love them, why did you leave their father in the first place)?" Abu did not respond, but silently retreated to her room, followed closely by her daughters. She only removed her veil and bag before emerging to start doing the dishes.
"If you think you can't do it, let me do it. I am healthy and full of energy," Umma said cheerfully. Abu sighed but said nothing. She didn't understand why Umma behaved this way; it was just her nature.
Ummi came out of Umma's room, carrying their bag. "Ummi, where are you going?" Umma asked, her eyes wide open.
"Because you hate our mom, and we hate you too. You always shout at her no matter what she does," the girl lamented, her voice trembling.
Umma was shocked. She held the girl and said, "I'm sorry, dear. I will never do it again. Please don't hate your grandma." Since that day, whenever the kids visited, Umma treated Abu better, although she still stared at her coldly. Whenever Ummi and Amira visited, they remained silent, not speaking to anyone. Whatever Umma said to them, Ummi would tell Amira not to respond, stating that she hated their mom.
Zainaba sat, reading her handout, knowing that today was her last exam as an undergraduate student. Occasionally, she would pause from her studies and watch other students celebrating. She had always longed for this day, the day when she would write her final paper. But today, she felt a heaviness in her heart. Her home was no longer a home to her; it felt like a prison. The only place where she found solace was in school, and now she was about to graduate. After the exams, all her friends were joyously snapping pictures and enjoying their last day at the university. Abu, standing at a distance, watched them, tears of sadness streaming down her face.
As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a voice that would forever echo in her mind. At first, she paid no attention, thinking that her thoughts were playing tricks on her.
The voice spoke again, saying, "What are you watching? Why not join them instead of crying in secret? You might find some relief by joining them." She looked up and saw Usman, her ex-husband, standing beside her. They made eye contact, and he smiled at her.
"Congratulations, dear. I wish you the best of luck with your results," he said, walking closer to her at a leisurely pace. "Thanks, Abban ummi," she replied. "Let's go to my car. Ummi and Amira are waiting. We should at least have one picture together on this important day," he suggested, extending his hand to collect her books.
As they walked together, Usman turned his head towards her and asked, "I'm sorry for everything, wallahi. I regret everything from day one."
Zainaba smiled and said, "No, Usman, never regret. We were destined to part ways. Please, just remember the beautiful moments we shared together and move on, my dear." She pleaded with him, her beautiful eyes filled with sincerity.
"How can I do that?" he asked, looking at her intently.
She raised her eyebrows and replied, "Well, I don't know. But one thing I can tell you is that I will never regret two things about our relationship. I always ask myself if I will regret knowing you, but the answer is always no. We shared some beautiful moments that will never be a regret for me. We also have something precious and special together, which is our kids."
Usman listened quietly, without interrupting her.
"The second thing is that I will never regret asking for a divorce. Please, Abban ummi, just move on. Life is always about the next step. Let's wish each other well, and remember that life goes on," she said softly, trying to calm him down.
Usman smiled and remained silent, as she spoke.
They took pictures together before Usman left with the children.
After school, Zainaba went directly to Hajiya's house.
Hajiya was overjoyed to see her. After exchanging a few words, Zainaba mentioned the reason for her visit: she wanted to ask Hajiya for a favor, to allow Usman to marry Sa'ada, as she believed Sa'ada would be the best person to raise the kids as her own. Hajiya seemed initially opposed to the idea, but in the end, Zainaba managed to convince her.
Hajiya informed Usman that he could marry Sa'ada. Although he wasn't happy about it, he wanted to marry her, not because he loved her, but out of pity.
Preparations for their marriage were underway. Sa'ada invited almost everyone in their area, but she deliberately excluded her best friend, Zainaba. They had planned this day together, discussing how they would celebrate and how happy they would be.
Zainaba went to congratulate Sa'ada a day before the wedding, as she wanted to discuss her kids with her.
Sa'ada was sitting with her friends when Abu entered. They all recognized her, and Sadiya suggested, "Let's leave them alone."
"No, there's no need for that. I came here just to congratulate her as her old friend," Zainaba stated, her gaze unfathomable.
"Please, guys, let's leave them alone," Salma added.
"I'm sure you're not here just to congratulate me. There must be another reason," Sa'ada said after her friends left.
Zainaba smirked and replied, "Well, that's the only reason. But now that you've mentioned it, I do have something else to say. Please, Sa'ada, raise my kids as your own, no matter what happens between us. After Hajiya and my parents, you are the only one I can trust with them."
Sa'ada smiled and said, "What a fortunate coincidence. You've said what's been on my mind. Seeing you have everything, being loved by so many people, having a perfect man, makes me feel inadequate. I love you, but at the same time, I envy you. I also despise you. So, to put a blemish, or at least a scratch, on you, I can't do that without making everything that belongs to you mine. I will make sure your kids become mine. I will be kind to them, ensuring they love me more or even forget about having another mother besides me." Sa'ada declared, pointing confidently at her own chest, her gaze fixed on Abu.
Zainaba laughed and replied, "If it will bring you peace, go ahead. But remember, you can never be me. The love my kids have for me is unbreakable."
Sa'ada's expression changed, and she became calm. "That's true. No matter what, the love between a mother and her child is sacred. But don't underestimate my power as a stepmother. I will make sure they remember me, too."
Zainaba left, feeling a mix of emotions. She knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to be strong for her children and to cherish the love they shared. She had no regrets, for she believed that everything happened for a reason, and she was ready to face whatever came her way.