The following morning, after they had completed the dawn prayers, Mus’ab was in the kitchen trying to prepare breakfast for them. Abu peered in, caught sight of him, and murmured softly to him:
"I don’t quite know how it happened, but I saw that poor girl completely give in to exhaustion, lay down, and fall fast asleep."
He replied gently, "She has been through a great deal of hardship."
She puckered her lips and said, "Well, as for me, I am going to leave. Even though my heart completely refuses to find peace with leaving the girl behind, I lack the sheer courage to take her and depart without your consent—unless, of course, the accusation she leveled against me is about to be proven true, that I favor you over her. Only God knows!"
"You didn't favor me, Abu; you simply showed respect for the institution of marriage," he said. "If it weren't for the respect due to your upbringing, they wouldn't have handed her over to you to bring to me. By the grace of God, you will not regret leaving her with me, because I will never let her witness anything from me except goodness."
She said, "Well, may the Almighty guide you both."
He replied, "Amen."
Saddiqa was still sleeping deeply when Mus’ab finished making all the arrangements for Abu’s journey back home. He prepared an abundance of traveling gifts for her, gave her a substantial amount of money, and included letters addressed to Kawu Gide and his father.
At exactly seven-forty in the morning, the driver from their company's transport pool arrived at the front of the house just as Mus’ab had instructed. Abida and Idris arrived to bid Abu farewell, and while they were all gathered, the car started up and departed.
Mus’ab went back inside the house to tidy up. He took a shower and dressed in corporate casual wear. He walked into Saddiqa’s room just as she opened her eyes.
"Are you awake, Aisha?"
She didn't say a word to him. He sat on the edge of the bed looking at her. Her head remained bowed, refusing to look up at him, though she inhaled the pleasant scent of his cologne.
"You have lost a lot of weight, Aisha. Compounded by the grueling long-distance journey, you arrived only to witness what you shouldn't have seen, and on top of that, you've been starving yourself. I beg of you to have patience, to let bygones be bygones so we can face what is ahead of us—a sweet marital life. It is just the two of us in this house now. Aside from the unpleasant things that occurred, this should have been the most cherished and eagerly anticipated moment for me: seeing myself alone with you, with you as my wife."
She lifted her eyes and stared at him because of his constant repetition of the phrase "just the two of us." Their eyes locked at the exact moment he uttered the words: "Abu has left."
She let out a piercing shriek. Instantly, her limbs stiffened, and she began to gasp rapidly, her body going rigid as if she were about to lose consciousness.
Dr. Usman arrived at the house in response to an urgent call from Mus’ab. He stood over her bed, having completed all the necessary medical interventions.
"She will sleep for a long time," the doctor explained. "I expect the intravenous drip to run out before she wakes up. She will regain some stamina because we've mixed in all the essential nutrients her body needs."
"Alright, Doctor, thank you."
It wasn't until late into the night that she woke up. He was lying right beside her. Seeing her sit up, he also sat up and looked at her, while she bowed her head as fresh tears began to flow.
He quickly said to her, "Look, Aisha, this is not the kind of life we are going to lead, because we weren't forced into a marriage of hatred. I love you, and you loved me before Inna filled your head with stories about my character. We used to have a beautiful relationship. The fact that you arrived and found another woman in my house does not mean you caught me committing a foul act. The life we build from this moment onward is what matters; if you catch me slipping in the future, then you have a right to judge me. But whatever you were told about my character, or whatever you saw me do, were things that affected me alone. It is only now that you have legal and moral rights over me, just as I have over you. So please, have patience; let the past remain in the past, and let us face what lies ahead."
She didn't utter a word, and he didn't press her further. He stood up, went to the bathroom, drew a hot bath, and mixed it with heavily scented perfume. He emerged and told her, "You have rights over me, and I agree to protect them regardless of what they are. I promise you I will honor them. But I will also stand firm to ensure you honor my rights, even if not perfectly. I have drawn a hot bath for you over there; go and wash up."
She remained silent, offering no response and showing no intention of doing what he ordered. Seeing this, he rolled up his sleeves, and before she knew what was happening, he swept her off her feet and plunged her directly into the bathwater, clothes and all. As he moved to strip her clothes off to wash her, she curled herself tightly into a ball. Realizing he was dead serious, she quickly screamed at him:
"I'll do it!"
He released her, remarking that it was much easier that way, and walked out, leaving her alone.
She finished dressing in the clothes he had laid out for her without bothering to apply any body cream. He walked back in, looked at her, and said, "I have brought your food to the living room. It will be much easier if you patiently eat it on your own, because it's impossible for me to just sit back and watch you spend your days and nights starving. You heard the doctor explain that nothing is wrong with you except pure starvation, and you know a good husband will never tolerate seeing his wife go hungry. Let's go to the dining area."
He walked out and returned to find she hadn't budged. He said, "You clearly don't understand the kind of relationship I want us to have. If you refuse to speak to me, I can endure it. After all, I once lived with a mute person in Italy, and we had a wonderful time together; he minded his business, and I minded mine. We only communicated when we felt like it. So, just eat your food, and I will leave you to your own devices while I attend to mine."
He walked out and headed to the neighborhood mosque because the call for dawn prayer had just sounded.
By the time he returned from the prayers, she still hadn't touched the food; instead, she had retreated to bed after performing her own prayers.
"So our relationship is going to turn into that of the Tabbatara bird, then?" he mused. "You know, the male Tabbatara bird constantly regurgitates food directly into his mate's beak. I believe among all birds, none serves his mate as devotedly as he does, singing to her, performing displays of courtship and vanity so she feels as though there is no creature like her on earth. If that is the lifestyle you've chosen, I am more than happy to play the part, because you deserve to have everything done for you."
He reached out, scooped her up, and placed her firmly on his lap. He said, "As you see me here, there is nothing I don't know about nursing and feeding. When I was a young boy, I used to force-feed my younger siblings and even the children of my Islamic teacher back where I was sent for Almajiri schooling. Leave me to my vices, but I absolutely cannot stand to see a human being go hungry."
He laid her back across his lap. Despite her frantic, squirming resistance, he pinned her left hand under his right leg. The painful pressure of the hold, combined with the raw humiliation of the violation, made her burst into heavy tears. He immediately weaponized her open mouth to pour the peanut-paste gruel (Kunun Gyada) down her throat. She quickly swallowed to avoid choking, though some spilled over her clothes. He scooped her up again and headed straight back to the bathroom with her, saying, "This bath was poorly done anyway, since no body cream or makeup was applied."
Saddiqa was forced to submit to his commands regarding bathing and eating; whenever he told her to do something, she did it, regardless of her intense reluctance. It became a strict rule: whenever she bathed, she had to apply cream, do her makeup, and wear the exact clothes he selected for her.
One day, she went to take a bath under his strict orders. He sat in the living room pondering how to bring an end to this cold war, as it was beginning to drain him. He decided to expand their interaction by introducing new dynamics he felt might help break the ice. He stood up, holding a set of brand-new wrappers he had just retrieved from the tailor. She emerged from the bathroom, drying her hair with a small towel.
He stared at her and said, "Today, let me be the one to rub this body cream on you, Aisha."
She snapped her head up to look at him. He locked his eyes onto hers and repeated, "Let me rub the cream on you."
The sharp ring of the telephone interrupted him. He quickly picked up the receiver in the bedroom.
"Hello!"
Instantly, his expression changed, and he turned the receiver away, walking rapidly toward his own side. Seeing his tense reaction, she slowly crept closer to the telephone extension, picked it up, and pressed it to her ear. She had no doubt it was the woman she had encountered in the house. This is what she overheard her saying:
"I called to find out how things are going between you and your new bride."
"What business is it of yours to care about how things are between us?" Mus'ab barked back.
"Because you humiliated me because of her! You violated my dignity on her account!"
"You have no dignity left to violate, Jennifer," he sneered.
"You had better watch your step, Mus’ab! Stop abusing people over this mere child who can't offer you anything of real value. I know for a fact that it won't be long before you come crawling back to me, dragging your tail between your legs, repenting and begging for my forgiveness."
Saddiqa closed her eyes tightly at the venomous words. Gently, she replaced the receiver exactly as she had found it. She returned to her vanity mirror, completed her skincare routine, and picked one of the high-grade Atamfa wax prints he had laid out. She put it on and applied her makeup beautifully. The fabric complemented her features stunningly. She sprayed her perfume, feeling a brief sense of inner peace, before sitting on the edge of the bed, remembering her aunt (Gwaggo) and her unwavering habit of speaking the absolute truth regardless of who was involved.
Mus’ab walked back into the room with a warm smile. "Do you see how beautiful you look? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?"
She didn't answer him, merely staring at him. In her heart, she marvelled at his dual nature, wondering how on earth a human being could turn out this way. It was as if he weren't even born of her aunt. This was the man she used to view as the epitome of kindness, excellent morals, impeccable cleanliness, and prestige—the kind of man any woman would be lucky to have as a husband to secure a blissful life. Yet here he was today, completely unmasked before her. She realized that being his wife meant experiencing nothing in life but profound sorrow and intense heartbreak.
She thought about her aunt again and her strong principles, and it became clear to her that a child does not automatically inherit the righteous character of their parents. Gwaggo’s character was distinct from her son’s, just as Abu’s was different. If it had been Gwaggo who witnessed what Abu saw the other night, there was absolutely no way she would have quietly slipped away, abandoned her, and run away.
"Aisha, if I want to kiss your lips right now, how are we going to go about it?" he asked, his tone making it clear he fully intended to do it.
She lifted her eyes to look at him, a wave of intense frustration washing over her, and she burst into tears.
He quickly turned around, went to the kitchen, and arranged a meal on a tray. He walked back in, saying, "Honestly, you have every right to cry at me. I haven't even given you proper food to eat until you are full, and here I am talking about kissing your lips. How can you handle both?"
He set the tray before her and asked, "Are you going to eat by yourself, or should I feed you?"
He pulled out a handkerchief and held it up, gesturing that he was fully prepared to force-feed her again. Terrified that he would repeat his violent routine, she quickly reached out, picked up the spoon, and began eating on her own while he watched her.
"There you go! See, Aisha? What could be better than this? Let me just sit here and keep you company while you eat."

Abu Arrives in the Town of Misau

At around eight o’clock in the evening, the car carrying Abu pulled up outside Malam Abdullahi’s residence in the town of Misau.
Malam Abdullahi came out personally to give Abu a joyous welcome, greeting her warmly. She acknowledged his greetings while limping slightly from the long journey, walking past him into the house. Inside, Inna Habiba received her with open arms and immense joy.
She immediately began presenting her with food and drinks, sitting close to her to offer comfort after the grueling journey and exchange pleasantries.
Outside, the driver received exceptional hospitality from Malam Abdullahi. Seeing that the driver was unloading the traveling gifts alone due to a lack of young boys nearby, Malam Abdullahi lent a hand to assist him out of pure respect. Once they finished, he provided the driver with a hearty meal and drinks. The driver ate to his fill before bidding them farewell and departing.
Inna Habiba sat before Abu after Malam Abdullahi had greeted her and stepped out.
"You haven't eaten a single thing, Inna, except for that light, watery gruel you keep guzzling."
Abu hissed softly and complained, "It's pure exhaustion. That town is incredibly far away."
Habiba replied, "That is true, Inna. Our country is very vast. So, how did you leave them?"
Abu said, "They are perfectly fine. They all sent their warmest regards."
As they spoke, Inna Habiba studied Abu's eyes with deep scrutiny and observation.
"Well, you certainly aren't going to your own house tonight, Inna, since you are exhausted and it's already late. It has been four days since your room was opened anyway; it needs to be properly dusted before you move back in, so you must sleep here tonight. There is the bed over there; go up and get some rest."
Abu stared at her and barked, "What on earth is the meaning of this? Sleeping in a son-in-law's house when my own home is just around the corner?"
Inna Habiba smiled and teased, "But I have heard you say countless times that you don't observe son-in-law protocols with Malam, because he is just like your own biological son."
Abu nodded and conceded, "That is very true."
While they were talking, Malam Abdullahi walked back in holding a package of Tsire (suya meat) wrapped in a bag. He handed it to Inna Habiba and said, "Give this to Gwaggo."
She replied, "Thank you. May the Almighty reward you with goodness."
He turned and went out, and she quickly retrieved a plate, transferred the meat onto it, and set it down before Abu.
Abu looked at the meat, but despite its appetizing aroma and the steam rising from it, she refused to lay a finger on it.
"I highly doubt I can bring myself to eat meat."
Inna Habiba asked, "Haba Inna, why on earth not?"
She muttered, "I just came from Mus’abu’s house. I have absolutely no appetite for anything."
Inna Habiba looked at her calmly and noted, "Even so, you don't look happy at all. In fact, you've returned looking emaciated."
Abu snapped her eyes toward her and scolded, "There you go again! Are you about to start your interrogations?"
Habiba smiled, "Alright, I'm sorry. Let me draw some hot water so you can take a bath."
She replied, "Alright."
The following morning, Malam Abdullahi came back to Abu’s room to exchange morning greetings. During their chat about the journey, she began explaining the massive pile of traveling gifts she had brought back.
She handed him the money Mus’ab had sent with her, explaining it was meant for his father and Kawu Gide, along with their respective letters. He accepted the money, showered blessings upon them, and prayed for the Almighty to grant them a peaceful marriage. Abu quickly chimed in, "Amen."
He looked at her calmly and said, "Well, this timing is absolutely perfect. I happen to be traveling to Bauchi today anyway, so I will personally deliver his message and give them the good news of your safe return home."
She said, "Excellent." He stood up and left them to continue their chat.
Inna Habiba left the room and returned carrying a basin filled with warm water. She placed it before Abu and said, "Dip your feet in here, Inna, so I can massage them to make you feel better."
Abu complied, knowing how soothing it would feel, and said, "Alright, I've dipped them."
As Inna Habiba sat massaging her feet, a wave of comfort washed over Abu, causing her to sink deep into thought.
Inna Habiba lifted her head, looked at her, and asked, "What is wrong? I just heard you let out a deep sigh."
Abu quickly deflected, "It's nothing."
She immediately brought up Mus’ab to steer Inna Habiba away from any suspicions.
"I was just thinking about that boy, Mus’abu. He possesses an extraordinary amount of resilience. You know how incredibly far that place is, yet since he began courting her, he never let two weeks pass without traveling down to this town."
Inna Habiba countered, "Well, he brought that upon himself, Inna. Haven't you heard the Hausa proverb that says, 'The person who drives himself into a task suffers the most bondage'? Now that his desire has been fulfilled, haven't you noticed how he has completely stopped visiting? It was all a grand deception just to get what he wanted. Now he has succeeded, and it became the sole reason Saddiqa was packed up and sent to a far-off town where she has absolutely no one but her Creator.
Furthermore, as for this return of yours, I know for a fact that there is something heavy weighing on your mind that you refuse to reveal. And I strongly suspect it stems from the fact that you abandoned Saddiqa all alone in that distant town."
Abu swiftly cut her off, snapping, "You are nothing but a broken record of complaints! Your husband is incredibly patient to put up with you; once you lock onto a subject, you repeat it endlessly. Is your daughter the first girl to be married off and taken to a distant town? How many young brides are separated from their parents and hometowns by marriage and taken to places where they know absolutely no one? Shouldn't the sacred status of marriage warrant far greater sacrifices than this?"
Habiba retorted, "Uhm! It should, or rather, it does. But my observation, Inna, is that your happiness and vitality when you left were far greater than what you've returned with. Even this mountain of traveling gifts hasn't restored the cheer to your face. I know you were happier than anyone to hand her over to him two nights ago, yet despite your exhaustion, I've been listening to your movements—you haven't slept a wink."
Abu interrupted, "Well, how on earth am I supposed to sleep when you know you made me swallow pills I know nothing about?"
Habiba looked at her and corrected, "I gave you Panadol, Inna; it's just medicine for body fatigue."
She turned her head away and pressed on, "I know you inside out, Inna. I believe no one alive knows you better than I do. Throughout my life, I have been by your side; I don't let seven days pass without coming to check on you. There is no way a hidden crisis exists that you can conceal from me. Just tell me the exact condition you left her in so we can find a solution!
I have already strongly warned her that the moment her life with him becomes filled with heartbreak and misery, she should swiftly pack her bags and run back home. I even gave her money to keep on her person so she never makes the mistake of trying to endure suffering with him, because he is completely beneath her class and far too volatile for her. The moment she arrives back here, Yaya and I will know exactly how to handle the situation, because he was the one who orchestrated this match, and he will never allow a vulnerable orphan girl to be cheated. I will not be the reason she is thrown into the deep sorrow and bitter regret typical of women who end up with terrible husbands."
Abu stared at her intently for a long time before finally uttering, "Go right ahead then. After all, you have never wished him well; your mind only conceives worst-case scenarios."
She stood up and began walking away, adding, "Have the children pack my belongings and bring them to my house."
Inna Habiba followed behind her, saying, "Alright, Inna. Rest well and recover from your fatigue; I will come over to check on you later." Abu replied, "Alright."

Ajaokuta

Saddiqa had now spent two weeks in the town of Ajaokuta. She was lying on a long sofa in her living room, staring at the television. However, her eyes were merely fixed on the screen; her mind was completely elsewhere, filled with the vivid memories of her aunt's stark warnings:
"Steer completely clear of his affairs, Saddiqa! If you allow yourself to be deceived by him, you will experience nothing but pure suffering, and you will never taste a single drop of marital bliss. True marital happiness does not reside in a mountain of material wealth; it thrives on peace, harmony, and mental stability. Find a husband who will cherish you, nurse you, pamper you, treat you with immense kindness, and reassure you that he belongs to you alone—then the matter is settled.
But you will never find that with this boy. He will never belong to you alone; you will never taste peace with him—he is an unrepentant womanizer. I shudder to think of the day you catch him with another woman, given the intense, burning jealousy you harbor inside you."
She recalled the naive smile she had displayed back then when her aunt was emphasizing her jealous nature, asking, "Am I really a jealous person, Gwaggo?" Her aunt had instantly shot back, "Most certainly! We gave birth to you, and that intense jealousy runs deep in our blood." A fresh cascade of heavy tears poured from her eyes at the memory.
Abida called out a greeting of peace from the doorway, holding her son tightly against her chest. Saddiqa quickly wiped her tears, stood up to answer the greeting, and reached out with both hands to take the baby.
"My goodness! Our houses are so close to each other, yet you waited two whole weeks before coming to check on us?"
Abida smiled and explained, "Even today, I had to fiercely pester Umar's father before he finally gave me permission to come."
Saddiqa puckered her lips and studied little Umar closely. "Wow! Look at how much weight this little guy has gained in just the two weeks I haven't seen him!"
Abida smiled and said, "My husband and I told the master of the house that someone is outside greeting him."
The warmth vanished from Saddiqa’s face. She quickly shrugged her shoulders in a defensive, dismissive gesture before muttering, "No, I am not on speaking terms with him."
Abida stared at her in shock. "You aren't on speaking terms with him? What kind of life are you two living? Did he do something to you?"
Saddiqa fell silent, and fresh tears began to stream down her cheeks. She whimpered, "I just want him to take me back home."
Abida looked at her gently, smiled slightly, and tried to shift the mood. "Well, bring me some water to drink, unless you don't have anything at all in this house?"
Saddiqa quickly jumped to her feet, realizing she hadn't served her guest anything. Instead of setting the baby down, she strapped him onto her back, securing him tightly with her wrapper, which pulled up and exposed her calves.
Abida watched her walk into the kitchen, then scanned the living room. She instantly noticed the massive changes the space had undergone in the two weeks since she last stepped inside.
Saddiqa emerged holding a tray loaded with an assortment of fresh fruits—grapes, apples, bananas, guavas, and even local pears—and set it down before her. She then retreated to sit at a distance.
Abida chided her gently, "Why would you serve me and then sit all the way over there? If you want me to eat, come closer so we can eat together and chat."
Saddiqa complied out of deep respect for Abida's exceptional hospitality during her arrival. She viewed her almost like a biological older sister, and a pleasant conversation flowed between them, though Abida did most of the talking.
Just then, Mus’ab walked into the room with a warm smile. "So today is the day Umar and his mother decide to check on the bride?"
Abida smiled and replied, "Exactly! My husband insisted that people shouldn't constantly visit newlyweds—especially since he noticed you haven't been going out at all. He said you haven't even been going to the office."
Mus’ab smiled as he walked over to Saddiqa, gently unstrapped little Umar from her back, and teased, "You just grabbed the boy, strapped him to your back, and sat down?"
He played with the baby for a brief moment before turning his gaze to Abida and saying softly, "The house is completely empty. If I step out, she is left entirely alone, and besides, she doesn't even..."

2. Structural & Character Analysis

Character Dynamics & Plot Progression

• Mus’ab's Transformation & Control: Mus'ab undergoes a radical behavioral shift from a raging drunkard to an intensely controlling, sober husband. He uses the Hausa cultural concept of tabbatara (force-feeding/over-pampering) to dominate Saddiqa. His action of tossing her into a bath fully clothed highlights his aggressive dominance masked as marital care.
• The Tabbatara Metaphor: Mus'ab compares himself to the tabbatara bird (often associated with the red-billed firefinch or similar weaver birds known for intense courtship/regurgitation feeding). This is a powerful literary device showing how he intends to choke her with material care to strip away her will to rebel.

• The Parallel Matriarchal Discourse (Abu vs. Inna Habiba): Back in Misau, a psychological chess match occurs. Inna Habiba represents the hyper-protective maternal instinct, accurately reading Abu's micro-expressions (the deep sigh, the loss of weight) to deduce that Saddiqa was abandoned in a toxic environment. Abu, conversely, fiercely guards the secret to preserve the family honor.

  Key Vocabulary & Cultural Terms

  Hausa Term	Literary/Contextual Meaning
  Kunun Gyada	A rich, traditional northern Nigerian gruel made from groundnuts (peanuts) and rice or millet, used here as a heavy food for force-feeding.
  Almajiranci	The traditional system of Islamic education where young boys are sent away to live and study under a scholar, explaining Mus'ab's background in rigid discipline.
  Atamfa	High-quality African wax print fabric, symbolic of marital provision and changing status.
  Tsire	Skewered Nigerian suya meat, brought by the husband as a sign of respect and hospitality for an elder guest (Gwaggo).
  Panadol	Paracetamol; used idiomatically in rural/semi-urban settings as a generic cure-all for physical fatigue or stress.

  3. Thematic Breakdown

  Domestic Coercion Wrapped in Provision

  A central theme developed here is how marital authority can turn abusive even when stripped of explicit physical violence. Mus'ab stops drinking, buys premium clothes (atamfa), and hires doctors, yet he uses physical intimidation (pinning Saddiqa's hand under his leg) to force compliance. He explicitly leverages his wealth and domestic confinement to neutralize her voice.

  The Conflict of Inherited Character

  Saddiqa’s internal monologue introduces a profound existential critique of lineage: “Gwaggo halinta daban na xanta daban...” (Gwaggo’s character is distinct from her son’s). This directly challenges the traditional northern absolute belief that a child from a righteous woman (mace ta gari) automatically inherits structural moral perfection, highlighting the tragedy of Mus'ab's hidden double life.