---

**A New Arrival**

The next day, just as Bature had planned, Zahra’s name was given to his daughter.

Ma'u came out of Ammi’s apartment and headed towards Mami’s place, holding her daughter. A porter saw her and rushed to greet her.

"Welcome to the new bride at Alhaji Bature’s house, Hajiya Asma’u, mother of Zahra, the shining light of the women."

Ma'u glared at the porter as if she would scold him.

"Please, sir, move out of the way. I’m not Maman Zahra, I’m the mother of Zahra."

Batool, standing behind the porter, said,

"Go to where you’re supposed to be; don’t let yourself be caught up in matters that don’t concern you. If you want to find Zahra, follow the directions to her room."

She pointed to Ummi’s apartment.

The porter hesitated and said, "But I was told this is the mother of the girl?"

"No, that’s not her; she’s just holding the girl," Batool said with a smirk.

The porter left, still looking at Ma'u with disdain.

Batool took the baby from Ma'u and said, "Give me our Zahra."

Ma'u hugged her daughter and said, "Take her to your Zahra outside, not into my hands. And don’t you dare say you’ll trouble my daughter."

Batool laughed, "I’m not here to cause trouble or to take anything from you; we just wanted to clarify our daughter’s name, Zahra."

Ma'u ignored her and went into the room, placing the baby on Mami’s lap.

"Mami, here’s your rival and also your equal."

Jidda glared at Ma'u and said, "Zahra’s equal is not the same as Mami."

Ma'u retorted, "My daughter is Mami’s equal, not Zahra’s."

Mami smiled and said, "Despite your objections, Zahra is indeed an equal, and it’s clear who her father is. Even her father says she is his wife’s equal."

Ma'u began to cry.

"I won’t agree; she is not Zahra’s equal. She is Mami’s equal. If pressured, the child will have to be given to Zahra to nurse, not to me."

Mami was taken aback.

Jidda, now angry, said, "The child’s name is Zahra, and you must nurse her as her father commanded."

In anger, Ma’u left the room, leaving baby Zahra crying on Mami’s lap because Jidda’s command frightened her.

"Ma’u, come back and take the child," Jidda called out.

From the doorway, Ma’u said, "Take her to Zahra and persuade her; what’s the use of this equal business?"

With that, she left.

Jidda picked up her phone.

Mami asked, "What will you do?"

"I’m calling Bature to inform him," Jidda said as she dialed Bature’s number.