He stretched his legs, lifted one and placed it on the center table. He increased the volume of the music — it was an Arabic song. He moved his foot to the rhythm with his eyes closed, humming along quietly and lost in the moment.
While he was like that, Hajiya came out wearing slim glasses. Even though she was 47 years old, anyone would think she was not more than 30.
As soon as he smelled her perfume, he opened his eyes.
“Masha Allah, Hajiya. Honestly, a clean and beautiful woman like my Ummu is rare to find.”
He scratched his hair and adjusted it slightly.
Hajiya replied:
“Ammar, don’t become arrogant. Remember that many people will challenge you.”
He stood up and held her hand as they began walking inside.
“Hajiya, tomorrow I’m going back to Gidado to take a message to Sumayya.”
She laughed softly, hoping that what she wished for in her heart would happen. Out loud she said:
“May God allow it. Before Ramadan comes, I will also go and visit her.”
He nodded. Then they went outside to the compound.
They both sat in the back seat while the driver sat in front and drove.
---
Back at Malam’s house
After staying inside the room for a long time, Baba Zulai finally came out adjusting her headscarf while singing playfully.
Baba Zulai glared at her.
“Hauwa, why do I feel like you are hinting at something?”
She laughed bitterly.
“Who am I to accuse the king? But remember — no matter how long the night is, morning will surely come.”
Before she could finish speaking, Sumayyah came out of the room.
She walked slowly and silently while they watched her.
She spread a mat outside the room, went back inside, helped her mother sit down, and then took the trash bowl from the room and threw it outside.
Then she suddenly stopped when she saw something shocking.
The box of clothes Hajiya had given her had been opened, and everyone had already taken things:
Sadiya had taken three wrappers.
Lubna took two pieces of cloth.
Amina shared two lace fabrics with Baba Hauwa.
Baba Zulai had secretly taken three pieces as well.
Baba Zulai said mockingly:
“Hauwa, this girl is very cunning. Where does she think she will take these clothes?”
Baba Hauwa glared at Sumayyah.
“Evil girl. Daughter of madness and jinn.”
Sadiya begged her mother:
“Please let me keep this lace tomorrow so I can sell it in the market.”
Her mother refused.
“No. Malam likes staying in my room these days. I want to wear this lace so he might marry me.”
She pressed the lace against her chest proudly.
Tears fell from Sumayyah’s eyes.
Her heart broke again.
She saw her mother stretching out her hand, asking for something too.
Sumayyah quickly wiped her tears and went to her.
“Inna, don’t stretch your hand whenever you see someone holding something. Do you want me to cry? If I find milk cans to sell today, I’ll buy you new clothes for Eid.”
Her mother happily nodded and pretended to apply powder and makeup on herself.
Sumayyah forced herself to smile while tears still fell.
---
Later that evening
After the Maghrib prayer, food was prepared.
Everyone was given a portion of meat — except Sumayyah and her mother.
Baba Zulai called her loudly.
“Sumayyah! Come take yours.”
She walked slowly.
Baba Hauwa said harshly:
“You and your mad mother can share this. If you don’t want it, leave it.”
The plate had only a small piece.
As she picked it up, Baba Hauwa shouted:
“Don’t touch the plate! Take the meat in your hand.”
She obeyed.
Her mother immediately stretched her hand.
“Sumayyah, I want meat. Please give me.”
Sumayyah gave it to her.
Her mother finished it instantly.
Then she shook Sumayyah’s shoulder.
“I’m still hungry. Please give me more.”
Sumayyah burst into silent tears and hugged her.
“Inna, sometimes we have and sometimes we don’t. Why can’t you be patient with what we have?”
Her mother frowned like a child.
Sumayyah said softly:
“Tomorrow I will work harder and buy you meat.”
Her mother nodded happily.
---
Meanwhile – Alhaji Dan Dubai
He had not returned to Lagos yet. His illegal business of trafficking girls usually took him there.
He paced angrily inside his bedroom.
His wife Hajiya Fatiha asked:
“Alhaji, what’s wrong? You look unhappy.”
He sighed angrily.
“I have never lost such a profitable deal before. That cursed boy Ammar ruined everything.”
She asked:
“Which Ammar?”
“The son of my boss.”
He explained everything.
She sighed.
“So he is connected to that girl?”
He replied:
“I don’t know, but I will destroy his life. Nobody ruins my business and lives peacefully.”
Then he added coldly:
“I noticed the girl likes Ammar. I will use that love to destroy her happiness.”
His wife laughed.
“That’s easy. First we separate Ammar from her. Then we make the world turn against her so she has nowhere to go. Eventually she will come to us.”
Alhaji Dan Dubai laughed loudly.
“I don’t want her anymore. I just want revenge.”
---
At the airport
Ammar and Hajiya arrived at Malam Aminu Kano Airport.
Soon Ammar’s older brother (Abi) arrived from America.
They greeted each other warmly in Arabic.
“My brother, welcome. I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
After greetings, they went home.
---
The next morning
Hajiya woke early and was cooking.
Ammar came out dressed in a light blue traditional outfit, beautifully embroidered with a matching cap. He looked very elegant and smelled of perfume.
He hugged Hajiya from behind.
“Sorry for making you work so much.”
She smiled.
“Don’t worry. Eat breakfast.”
After eating, he prepared to leave.
He packed food in a flask and said goodbye.
On the road he felt strangely happy, remembering Sumayyah and their journey.
---
Meanwhile – Sumayyah
Early that morning she locked her mother inside the room so she wouldn’t wander away.
She went out searching through garbage dumps for empty milk cans to sell.
After hours she only found three cans.
She was weak, hungry, and dizzy.
Her shoes had been taken by Sadiya, so she walked barefoot.
Finally she found many cans in a pit.
She smiled happily.
“Thank God. If Kaltu buys them for twenty naira, I can buy meat for my mother.”
But schoolchildren passing by saw her.
They mocked her.
“Mad woman’s daughter! Are you becoming mad too?”
One boy threw a stone that hit her back.
They laughed and chased her away.
She left the cans and ran.
---
When she returned home
She was exhausted and almost fainting.
Outside, Ammar was standing near his car, with another truck carrying furniture and food he had sent ahead.
She didn’t notice him until she heard him call:
“Sumayyah!”
She slowly lifted her eyes.
Ammar was shocked.
Yesterday she looked fine — now she looked miserable and dirty.
He walked closer.
“What happened to you? Who did this? Where did you go so early?”
She began crying.
He couldn’t hold himself back and pulled her into his arms.
She cried heavily against his chest.
He didn’t care about the dirt on her clothes.
He simply held her gently, stroking her back to comfort her.
---
Later
After her crying calmed, he asked softly:
“Sumayyah… what happened? Who hurt you?”
She avoided his eyes.
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
Ammar narrowed his eyes.
“How long will you keep lying to me? Yesterday you were fine when I left you.”
She said nervously:
“Please let me go check on my mother. She must be hungry. If Yusuf or Baba see me with you, they will beat me.”
Just then Malam came outside pretending to act kindly.
Ammar told him the furniture and items he brought were for Sumayyah and her mother.
Malam became excited about the money.
Inside the house everyone was shocked and jealous.
---
Ammar’s promise
When Sumayyah went inside, Ammar whispered angrily:
“If anyone touches you again, I will destroy their life. I swear you are not alone anymore.”
Inside the room he knelt before her mother.
“Inna, I brought food for you.”
She smiled and asked innocently:
“Did you bring meat? Will you buy me powder so I can look beautiful?”
Ammar smiled gently.
He looked at Sumayyah and their eyes met.
Something unfamiliar stirred in both of their hearts.
He said softly:
“Bring a plate and serve her.”
When Sumayyah tried to stand, her mother held her hand in fear.
“Don’t leave. Yusuf will beat me.”
Ammar gently removed her hand.
“No one will hurt you again. From today you have a son to protect you.”
The people watching — Baba Hauwa, Baba Zulai, and Malam — were filled with jealousy and anger.
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