She was a woman who never felt happiness in her heart, let alone showed gratitude.

When Sakina was named, there was no joy in the household because Umma had already set her hopes on having a baby boy. She had done a pregnancy scan, which confirmed she was carrying a male child, but instead, a beautiful baby girl arrived.

Just ten months after Sakina’s birth, Mama gave birth to Al’amin. Oh, what a storm this caused! Umma was thrown into a fire of jealousy and resentment. At that time, our mother experienced severe emotional distress, to the extent that she could barely step out of her own house. She and her children remained indoors at all times. Yet, despite Umma’s bitterness, she never openly showed hostility whenever her husband, Abba, was home. Since he frequently traveled, her resentment only grew stronger.

Her biggest frustration was that, regardless of his travels, Abba made no distinction between his children and those of his younger brother. Even when he decided that his daughters shouldn’t ride bicycles, he still bought each of Mama’s sons their own bicycles. Whenever he was around, he always took Abdallah along wherever he went—weddings, funerals, or simple outings. Even when he tailored new clothes, he made sure Abdallah had matching outfits. The children all attended the same school, and he paid their fees together.

This realization shattered Umma, making her feel like a failure for not having a son, even though her husband never once showed disappointment in her. He was always joyful at each birth, carefully selecting beautiful names for their daughters.

By God’s will, when Al’amin was ten months old, Umma gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He resembled Sakina, with fair skin and long hair that almost covered his eyes. However, he was a very slim and lightweight baby. To Umma’s surprise, Abba did not show any more excitement than he had for Sakina. Deep down, he did not feel that this new child was more important than Abdallah. After all, he had already become a father long ago.

This deepened Umma’s hatred toward our mother. She convinced herself that Mama was using spiritual powers to control their husband and make him favor her children.

Abubakar’s upbringing was completely different from all of Umma’s previous children. She pampered him excessively, as if she had never had children before. Everything about him was special. She never allowed him to be treated like the others. At first, Abba warned her against spoiling him, but later, he simply resigned himself to prayer and patience.

When Sadik, whom Umma called Gudale, was two years old, Umma arranged the marriage of her eldest daughter, Hafsatu, to a university lecturer in Zaria. Before the wedding, her fiancé had already secured her a place at Ahmadu Bello University to study Economics.

After Hafsatu’s wedding, Umma made a firm decision not to have any more children. She completely stopped trying, claiming she was leaving motherhood for the younger generation.

What troubled Umma the most was Sadik’s refusal to obey her when she tried to prevent him from visiting our home. No matter what distractions she provided—new toys, games, or entertainment—he would always find his way to Al’amin. Every morning, he would leave and not return until bedtime, when Abdallah would bring him back.

One day, when he was crying to leave, Umma forcefully held him back. Abba noticed his distress and, realizing the reason, scolded Umma harshly. He declared that as long as Sadik was his son, he must also love Ibrahim’s children. From that day on, Sadik split his time between both households, eventually spending more time with our mother.

After Al’amin’s birth, Mama suffered multiple miscarriages. Every pregnancy ended in a loss. Nine years passed since Al’amin’s birth, by which time Sadik was eight years old. The bond between them had grown incredibly strong, and Sadik had also developed a deep connection with our mother.

I was born at a time when my parents had almost lost hope of having another child. My mother endured an extremely difficult labor, which ultimately resulted in severe complications that permanently affected her womb.

If you have been following closely, you will realize that we are five children of Ibrahim Moriki. I am the only girl, born after four boys—just as Sadik was the only boy born after five girls.

I grew up receiving immense love and care—not just from my parents and brothers, but also from Abba and his entire household. The only person who resented me was Umma. She opposed anything her husband or children did for me. She did everything possible to turn Sakina and Sadik against me, but it never worked.

Despite his reserved nature, Sadik always looked out for me. That is why in most of our childhood pictures, I am either in his arms, sitting on his lap, or close to him. We have numerous photos together from different stages of our childhood.