Zainaba was diligently washing the dishes when her brother informed her that Malam Musa was waiting outside for her. Her heart skipped a beat, and a lump formed in her throat. Her father had indeed meant it when he mentioned Malam Musa. With no alternative, she had no choice but to face him to avoid her mother's slander.
As she approached the entrance, she caught sight of the old man standing there. A faint smile spread across his face upon seeing her. Zainab cast her eyes downward, avoiding direct eye contact. Malam Musa appeared frail, withered, and toothless. She couldn't fathom the thought of spending her life with him, but her parents would never understand her true feelings.
"Good afternoon," she managed to utter, her voice trembling slightly.
"Afternoon, my bride," he replied, his smile unwavering.
He continued, his voice trembling with emotion, "Your father requested me to come and discuss the preparations with you."
Summoning all her courage, she pushed back the tears that threatened to spill over. "No, I have nothing to prepare, and I am busy at the moment. Please come back later," she said, striding back inside.
As he watched her retreating figure, Malam Musa licked his lips and smiled, his heart brimming with happiness. He had loved Zainab since she was just fourteen, but fate had never granted him the chance until now.
"Why are you back so early?" her mother inquired, studying her closely.
"He said he's busy," Zainab lied.
"Okay," her mother replied, seemingly satisfied.
Zainab felt the tears welling up inside her, but she had to finish the dishes. To hold back the flood of emotions, she summoned all her strength, stretching her heart to its limits.
Once the dishes were done, she made her way to her room. For the first time since her divorce, her courage seemed to abandon her. She wept until her eyes turned red and swollen, deciding to spend the entire day indoors, shielding herself from the world.
Sa'ada and her friend Aisha found themselves in the ward during their free time, engrossed in a conversation about Sa'ada's troubled marriage.
Sa'ada poured out her heart to Aisha, expressing her deep sorrow and regret.
Shaking her head, Aisha responded, "I knew this day would come eventually. I warned you to think it over before marrying him. The reasons that could lead Abu to seek a divorce are not insignificant, but you chose to disregard my words and close your eyes."
Aisha sniffed, then continued, "While witnessing you together might be another reason, it wouldn't be the sole factor causing Abu to break the marriage. Yet, you chose to ignore my warnings and the unpredictable nature of his love for her," Aisha said, her voice filled with concern.
"I've already made a mistake, and I'm in pain. What I need right now is a solution. When Abu and Usman break up, I thought I would be the happiest woman. Little did I know that his love for her is beyond measure," Sa'ada said, her voice filled with despair.
Aisha pondered for a moment, then offered some advice. "Why don't you ask for a divorce if living with him is torturing you?" she suggested.
Sa'ada smirked, "How I wish I could do that. But leaving him would be unbearable; I love him with all my heart. I cannot imagine my life without him. The thought of it crushes me," she lamented.
Aisha contemplated for a while before suggesting, "Then why not report him to his mother? If I recall correctly, you once told me that he listens to her and does whatever she wants."
A flicker of hope appeared in Sa'ada's eyes as she smiled. "What a brilliant idea! That thought never crossed my mind. Even though she despises me, I will go and speak to her, insha Allah."
"Aisha!" Matron Salma called, interrupting their conversation.
"I think the break is over. See you later," Aisha said, rising from her seat.
Sa'ada called Usman and informed him that she wanted to visit Hajiya after work. He instructed her to wait for him at Hajiya's place, to which she agreed before ending the call.
Hajiya was disheartened to see Sa'ada, although she tried to hide her feelings. Her demeanor clearly showed her displeasure upon seeing her.
Sa'ada felt downtrodden and miserable, witnessing Hajiya's unwelcoming attitude. Hajiya had never approved of Sa'ada; if not for Zainab's influence, she would have never allowed her son to marry a woman like Sa'ada. Hajiya harbored a strong aversion towards betrayers.
Sa'ada contemplated whether to voice her complaints or keep her predicament buried within. However, she knew that concealing her situation would only exacerbate her suffering. She could not return without expressing what was weighing on her mind, even if her thoughts were in turmoil. The silence grew increasingly distressing.
"Hajiya," Sa'ada finally began, her voice quivering. She poured her heart out, articulating her deepest concerns and desires.
For a few moments, Hajiya remained silent, processing Sa'ada's words.
After a brief pause, Hajiya looked at Sa'ada, who sat before her, her eyes fixed on the ground. "Alright, I will speak to him. But you must be patient, my dear. Married life is not easy, and oftentimes, airing your grievances to elders or seeking advice from others only weakens your marriage."
She snapped her fingers and continued, "Please, be like Zainab. She never expresses her difficulties to anyone. I'm sure she never confided in you, her best friend, about her pain. Zainab always overcomes everything and deals with it herself."
"If you want your marriage to endure, you must learn to keep your secrets. How you navigate life with your spouse is a secret," Hajiya counseled.
Sa'ada felt exasperated. She despised the fact that people favored Zainab over her. How could Hajiya claim that Zainab was superior?
Sensing the sadness on Sa'ada's face, Hajiya spoke again, her voice filled with empathy. "My dear, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. You don't have to worry; I will talk to him. However, my advice to you is to be kind to him. Nothing softens human nature as much as kindness."
Later in the evening, Usman paid a visit. Sa'ada was in the kitchen, assisting Baraka in preparing dinner.
After greeting his mother, Usman settled at her feet and asked about Sa'ada's visit.
Hajiya's irritation grew evident. "What's wrong with you, Usman? So, it's true that you harbor doubts about her loyalty to you? Remember, doubting in a marriage is prohibited," Hajiya reproached him.
Lowering his gaze, Usman shamefully rubbed his head. "I'm sorry, Hajiya. It's not that I doubt her; I just wanted to know when she arrived," he explained.
Hajiya's stern expression softened as she spoke sternly, "Whatever the reason, I want you to fear Allah. Just because you are the head of the household does not give you the power to mistreat your wife. She is a human being, just like you. Marrying her does not make her your servant. Treat her the way you would want your future son-in-law to treat your daughters. You are already a father to two girls."
"Hajiya, did she complain to you about mistreatment? If she did, I'm telling you she's lying," Usman asked defensively, relying on himself.
Hajiya smirked. "She doesn't have to complain; I already know who you are and how poorly you treated your previous wives. I'm just cautioning you so that you don't make the same mistakes again."
Usman attempted to sound as humble as possible. "Hajiya, I have changed a lot and, insha Allah, I will never repeat those mistakes."
Hajiya directed him to the kitchen when he asked about Sa'ada's whereabouts. "She is in the kitchen," Hajiya replied.
Hajiya pondered for a moment before suggesting that it was time to take the children back. Usman attempted to object, but Hajiya raised her palm to silence him.
"Don't say a word; I have already decided. It's better that you raise them yourself. You will be leaving with them today. You know what it's like to grow up as a victim of a broken family. You need to be cautious and vigilant in raising them. Ensure that your wife treats them as she would treat her own children," she instructed firmly.
"I will speak to their mother. You two should never make the mistakes we made. Don't destroy your children's lives," she added with conviction.
Hajiya believed that living with the children would help Usman distance himself from his negative habits. If he saw them every day, he would refrain from mistreating Sa'ada, and constantly being reminded of his role as a father would prevent him from forgetting that he had two daughters.
The children were overjoyed to learn that they would be living with their father.
Amira exclaimed, "Yaya, Ummi, so Hajiya will no longer mistreat us? We are leaving with Dad!" Her face lit up with a radiant smile.
Sa'ada smiled back, her heart brimming with hope for a brighter future. "Yes, my dear. We are leaving with Dad, and things will be much better for us," she assured her daughter, her voice filled with love and optimism.