She could not utter a single word while in her prostration (sujood) because she felt there were no prayers left that she had not already asked Allah for. Even in her heart she could not clearly express anything, because she felt that if she asked Allah about her marriage with Abbas, it would be as if she were complaining in a way that displeased Him.

She cried for a long time before she finally lifted her head and continued her prayer. After finishing, she began her supplications and remembrance of Allah. Soon, a deep and peaceful sleep overtook her right there.

While she was still sleeping, Barirah went out into the courtyard and started sweeping, even entering Fauziyyah’s kitchen to clean.

Because the house belonged to Abbas and they were only tenants, Fauziyyah’s kitchen was the original structure built with bricks and cement. Barirah’s own kitchen, however, had been built by Shehu after he asked Abbas for permission. It was made with wood and corrugated sheets, but he had plastered and tiled the floor so that it looked almost like Fauziyyah’s.

The money Abbas had spent building the house was the reason he constantly watched over Fauziyyah, making sure she kept the house perfectly clean so that she would not damage the property he had struggled to build.

After Barirah finished sweeping, she gathered their dishes and washed them. Then she stepped outside and bought water from the water seller, paying him before he left.

Seeing that she had already reduced some of Fauziyyah’s chores, she went into her room to check her phone. It was already 11 a.m., and since it was Friday, Abbas usually returned home early.

Quickly, she went to Fauziyyah’s room intending to wake her so she could start cooking lunch. When she entered, she saw Fauziyyah still sleeping deeply, even snoring softly.

Feeling pity for her, Barirah bent down and gently touched her feet while softly calling her name.

Slowly, Fauziyyah opened her eyes until they rested on Barirah’s face. She wiped the drool at the corner of her mouth, evidence of how deeply she had slept. With a relaxed smile, she said softly:

“Did my snoring disturb you, Aunty? For the past two days my king has been scolding me about it. He says when I sleep I turn around like a ram.”

A painful feeling tightened in Barirah’s chest. Hearing how Fauziyyah spoke about her husband comparing her to a ram, and even laughing about it, made her uncomfortable.

With a serious expression Barirah replied:

“That’s not why I came. Get up and prepare food for your troublesome husband. If there’s nothing in the house, tell me early.”

Fauziyyah smiled again. After crying during her prayer and sleeping afterward, she felt lighter and calmer, as if the burden in her heart had eased.

With her soft and pleasant voice she said:

“There’s something I can cook for us, Aunty. Thank you. May Allah keep the bond between us.”

Barirah stood up, responded to the prayer, and returned to her own room. Her husband would not return until evening. He was a trader in Kwari market, selling women’s cosmetics and even preparing bridal packages.

He jumped up, grabbed his shoes, and stormed out of the house, still shouting angrily until his voice faded away. Fauziyyah could not even shed a tear because she strangely felt relieved inside. This was the result of the love she had received from the man she once believed loved her more than anyone else in the world.

She forced a smile and slowly struggled to stand up. She fetched some water, placed a chair in the bathroom, and bathed. After that, she performed the Asr prayer, which Abbas had earlier prevented them from praying, and then she prayed Maghrib. Later she also prayed Isha, followed by Shaf’i and Witr, before lying down while sighing deeply.

Barirah’s greeting woke her up. Fauziyyah smiled at her, but she noticed Barirah’s eyes were swollen and red. Barirah took the bowl from her hand, placed it aside, held her hands, and said:

“Please stop worrying about me. There is a Hausa saying: ‘Any bird that fetches water will drink from it.’ I brought this upon myself because of the love I showed Abbas. That love still hasn’t left my heart. I feel his love flowing in my blood and sitting inside my heart. Every heartbeat spreads his love through my body. So I must endure whatever suffering he gives me.”

Barirah replied angrily:

“Run to your brother! Abbas wants to kill you. How can he leave a pregnant woman hungry and insult her without mercy? I’m tired of seeing what you’re going through. If you don’t take action against Abbas, we will protect our own hearts from the pain you’re suffering under him.”

Fauziyyah only smiled. She knew Barirah was telling the truth, but she hated hearing her husband insulted. She forced herself to eat the food and drink water. Barirah then left with her bowl.

Later Abbas returned home. He brought food but sat down and ate the delicious meal alone—tea, fried potatoes, grilled fish, and fried eggs. The aroma filled the room while Fauziyyah watched silently.

He gave her a small bag. When she opened it, she found only millet drink (kunu) and pieces of bread from tea sellers. Tears filled her eyes, but she drank it anyway because she knew that even if she died in front of him, Abbas would never share his food with her.

When she looked at Abbas’ plate and saw he had left a little fish, potato, and egg, she felt a small moment of happiness, thinking he might leave it for her. But when she tried to take the plate, he angrily shouted at her:

“Witch! Did I say you should take my food?”

She apologized softly, but he insulted her again and told her to leave before he beat her.

She left and stored her bread for later, knowing it might help her when she got hungry.

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Later that Night

Because of exhaustion and suffering, Fauziyyah fell into deep sleep. Abbas, however, secretly took the bread she had stored for herself and made tea with it.

While he sat drinking tea and using his phone, Fauziyyah talked in her sleep:

“Please take me away… he will kill me… I miss you, mother… Allah help me… save me from Abbas’ ظلم (oppression)….”

Abbas suddenly hit her violently on the thigh. She woke up terrified. He accused her of reporting him to Allah in her sleep.

She cried and apologized, saying:

“My king, why would I complain about you to Allah? We married for love.”

But he angrily told her to leave his sight.

---

Labor Begins

Later in the night, hunger woke her up. She searched for the bread she had saved but discovered Abbas had eaten it.

She found only a little tea and a small piece of bread on the table. Quietly she ate it.

Soon she felt severe stomach pain and water running down her legs. She realized labor had started.

Terrified, she whispered:

“What should I do? If I wake him and it isn’t childbirth, I’m finished.”

She finally woke Abbas and begged:

“My king please help me, I’m dying.”

But he shouted angrily and refused to help, saying he wanted to sleep.

Crying, she went outside to the courtyard. Her crying woke Barirah and her husband Shehu.

They realized she was in labor and rushed to help her. Shehu went to borrow a car from a neighbor named Malam Idris.

They took Fauziyyah to the hospital while Abbas followed them angrily on his motorcycle.

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At the Hospital

They arrived at Aminu Kano Hospital. Shortly after arriving, Fauziyyah gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.

The nurse asked the family to bring baby items and medical supplies.

Abbas mocked them, saying he wouldn’t pay anything because nobody asked his permission before taking her to the hospital.

Even when people criticized him for being a cruel husband, he showed no shame.

After seeing the baby briefly, he left the hospital and went home to sleep.

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The Next Morning

The doctor examined Fauziyyah and the baby and confirmed they were healthy. They were discharged.

On the way home, Fauziyyah thanked Barirah and Shehu with tears.

Barirah advised her to inform her family about the situation. After thinking deeply, Fauziyyah finally gave Shehu her brother Abdullah’s phone number.

Shehu called him and explained everything. Abdullah became very angry and promised to come to Kano to end the suffering his sister was facing.

He also sent money to help with hospital bills and baby supplies.

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Returning Home

When they returned home, they found the gate locked from inside. Abbas had locked them out.

They waited outside for a long time until Shehu climbed over the wall to open the door.

Barirah angrily complained about Abbas’ behavior.

Just then Abbas came out wearing only trousers, showing his strong body like a model.

Barirah quickly looked away from him.