Part 1: The Neglected Orphans

This is a fictional story. It is not meant to disrespect anyone; any resemblance to a person's life or real situation is purely coincidental.
I saw two young girls in the courtyard, huddled in a distant, deserted corner all by themselves. The older girl looked to be about ten or eleven years old, while the younger one was just four. They stayed there as the sun grew hot. Seeing them huddled together, a woman emerged, glared at them, and scowled. She barked, "Hey, Fati! Are you sitting out here just out of hypocrisy to invite gossip upon us?"
Fati startled at the sound of the woman's voice. Fearfully, she replied, "No, Umma. Anty told us to clear out so she could tidy her room."
"Oh," the woman muttered, walking away.
Fati gently lifted the little girl's head from her lap and said, "Mimi, sit tight. Let me get you some medicine from Umma." She followed Umma and stood fearfully at the kitchen door. "Umma, Mimi is unwell. Her body and head are burning with fever. Please, if you have any medicine, give it to me."
Umma glared at her. "Listen to this deceitful child! Do I look like a chemist to you? Am I the one who made her sick? Just wait until your father returns and tell him." She scoffed, "Get out of my way."
Fati sadly replied, "Okay," and returned to her sister. She placed Mimi's head back onto her lap to comfort her. "Mimi, please bear with it, okay? Baffa will be home soon and he will take you to the chemist."
They spent the entire day moving from one patch of shade to another as the sun shifted, waiting until dusk. Only after the Maghrib prayer did their Baffa (father/uncle) return. He went straight to his room. Fati, who had been waiting for him all day, rushed after him, knelt respectfully, and greeted him: "Baffa, welcome back."
He replied, "Welcome, Fadimatu."
She said, "Baffa, Mimi is very sick. She has a high fever and a severe headache."
He looked up, confused. "Who is Mimi?" He paused for a moment before saying, "Oh, you mean MARYAMU? A girl with a perfectly good name and you people invent a useless, idol-like nickname for her. Go to your Umma; if she has medicine, she will give it to her."
Fati answered, "Baffa, I asked her earlier and she said she didn't have any."
He dismissed her, saying, "Then go to your Anty," before walking into his bedroom.
Fati went to the second wife, whom they called Anty, and relayed Baffa’s message. Anty broke into a barrage of severe insults, cursing her parents as if Fati were her equal. Anty had always fiercely hated the children and was quick to anger around them. The children feared her terribly, viewing her like the Angel of Death. Fati fled in tears and hugged Mimi, whose fever had grown worse. They couldn't even touch the tuwo (traditional food) that was handed to them. Fati was in total despair over Mimi's worsening state, and Mimi was too weak to even open her eyes.
Around 8:30 PM, seeing that Mimi’s condition was critical and no one in the house intended to help, Fati strapped Mimi onto her back and walked out into the neighborhood. Along the way, she ran into Ahmad, a neighbor boy around 15–16 years old. He stopped her and asked, "Fatima, why are you out at this hour?"
Wiping away her tears, she explained, "Mimi is very sick and I couldn’t get any medicine at home."
"Where are you taking her now?" he asked.
"To the chemist," she sobbed.
"Do you have money?"
"No," she cried.
"Don't worry," Ahmad comforted her. "Let's go. I have some school money I've been saving up. Let's take her." Ahmad took Mimi, placed her on his shoulders, and they walked to the pharmacy. The chemist examined her, gave her an injection, and prescribed medication. They paid and even received change, as life back then was simpler. Ahmad walked them all the way back inside the house with the medicine bag, handed it to Fati, and left after she thanked him. Fati administered the medicine exactly as prescribed and found a place for them to sleep. She woke up periodically to check on Mimi. Once she felt Mimi's body finally cooling down, she felt at peace and fell asleep, thanking God.

Part 2: The Mother's Decision

AL 'AMARIN MARYAM (Maryam's Plight) - Part 3
Fadima sat with her sister Khadija (later corrected to Halima), discussing Fadima’s impending marriage. Khadija told her, "I have urged Baba to emphasize the condition of your education to him, so you can find some relief by leaving the house regularly."
Fadima smiled faintly and looked at her sister. "Adda, please don't let this marriage be delayed. By Allah, I am desperate to return to my children. I see them in terrible nightmares every single night." Khadija reassured her, "Insha Allah, Fadima, it won't be more than a week."
Meanwhile, Jamila (Anty), sitting cross-legged on a plastic chair in the courtyard, was barking orders at Fati, who was washing a mountain of dishes. The young girl was trembling from the cold and absolute terror of her stepmother. Whenever she made a mistake or failed to please Anty, the woman would scream at her, hurling vicious insults at her deceased mother and family.
While this was happening, Baffa returned home (it being Friday, he left later for business after the mosque). He looked at Fati, then turned to Jamila. "What is this? Where are the other children? Is she doing all this work alone?"
"Yes, she will do it," Jamila replied arrogantly. "Or are you saying I don't have the authority to make her work?"
Before he could speak, Umma stormed out of her room, glaring at her husband with deep resentment. "You too, Jamila! It’s because their cursed mother agreed to marry him that he is acting like this. Aren't you ashamed? Marrying your younger brother's wife out of betrayal? She is an ungrateful traitor who slept with the younger brother and is now targeting the older brother's bed."
Jamila quickly interrupted her. "Stop, Hajara. She isn't entirely to blame. She only agreed to marry him for the sake of her children since he threatened to withhold them if she didn't. He has coveted Al-amin’s wife since his brother was alive. When his brother died, he used the excuse that he wouldn't let his brother's children be stepchildren in another house, telling her if she wanted to live with her kids, she must come to his house as his wife."
Baffa gaped in utter shock at Jamila's slanderous accusation that he had coveted his late brother's wife. Furious, he barked, "By Allah, if any woman speaks another word against this marriage, I will divorce her!" He turned around and stormed out of the house without entering his room. Once they were sure he was gone, Jamila scoffed, "How shameless." Hajara added, "Well, he sees a loose woman, which is why he is making all these empty threats." (They were just talking big behind his back).
Ever since Fadima agreed to marry Baffa, the treatment of her children had severely worsened. They faced food deprivation, physical beatings, and constant verbal abuse. Fati was forced to wash dishes day and night. One day, Mimi said, "Yaya Fati, I need to pee." Fati told her to go a short distance away from the washing area. Suddenly, Zainab (one of the older daughters in the house) violently shoved Mimi into the dirty dishwater. Mimi shrieked in pain and terror. Zainab stood over them, fuming. "You bastard child, are you letting her urinate near the dishes because you're a donkey?"
Fati cried out in shock, "No, Anty Zainab, by Allah, she went over there, not in the dishes!" Zainab slapped her hard. "So I am a liar now?"
The commotion brought the rest of the household outside. When asked what happened, Zainab explained. Anty praised her: "Good, she deserved to be punished." Umma ignored it and went back to her room, as did the other kids. Only Adawiyya stayed behind to reprimand Zainab for her cruelty. Zainab responded insolently, "Mind your business. Don't you care about your own parents? If their mother moves into this house, she will possess Baffa just like she possessed Uncle. If Umma hadn't kept you in check, God knows what you'd do for these wretched children."
Adawiyya opened her mouth to argue, but Umma called out from her room, "By Allah, Adawiyya, if you don't stay out of those children's business, I will disown you! Just stand by and watch like everyone else."
Fati finished the dishes and washed the dirty dishwater off Mimi, who was shivering violently from the cold water and chilly weather. Fati then took Mimi out of the house. Because they were away, they missed the arrival of their maternal relatives who came to set up Fadima's new bridal room. The relatives left without asking about the kids to avoid a fight with the hostile co-wives. Fati and Mimi spent their time with a kind, newlywed neighbor who fed them and let them watch TV, though she too feared the wrath of Zainab and the wives. When the girls returned home at dusk, no one cared or asked where they had been.

Part 3: The Nightmare and the Deal

AL 'AMARIN MARYAM - Part 2 (Note: The author posted sections out of chronological order)
Life continued harshly for the orphans, Fatima and Maryam. They received neither Islamic nor Western education. They had been pulled out of school because the stepmothers claimed it was too far away and no one had time to take them, even though their own children were driven back and forth daily. Baffa was rarely around, leaving early and returning late from his business.
Fati had to secretly bathe herself and Mimi because no one allowed them to use the household sponges, treating them like lepers. Their clothes were washed separately from the rest of the house. Their hair was twisted into large, neglected braids. When Fati unbraided their hair due to severe itching, Umma claimed they had lice and poured dangerous insecticide (fiya-fiya) onto their scalps, ordering Adawiyya to braid it back up. Adawiyya was the only one among the children who showed them any kindness, as the others simply mirrored their mothers' hatred. Food was the only thing they didn't lack; they were given leftovers, which Fati would also share with Ahmad when he visited. To manage Mimi’s frequent illnesses, Fati learned to save the daily allowance Baffa gave to all the children to buy paracetamol, dissolving it in water for Mimi. Within two months, the once well-groomed daughters of AL-AMIN and FADIMA had become emaciated, unrecognisable shadows of their former selves.
One night at 2:15 AM, Fadima woke up screaming from a recurring nightmare at her mother's (Hajia's) house. In the dream, Mimi fell into a well while Fati screamed for help, but everyone ignored them. This time, however, her late husband Al-amin appeared, pulled a lifeless Mimi out of the well, and vanished.
Hajia rushed to comfort her sobbing daughter. Fadima cried, "Hajia, Mimi is sick and neglected. Fati cannot raise her alone. They are going to kill my children at the hands of my enemies!"
Hajia embraced her. "Be patient, my child. It was your fault for refusing your late husband's brother in marriage. A mother sacrifices her life for her children."
Fadima replied, "Hajia, my love life ended with Al-amin. I refused Baffa because marrying my husband's own brother less than three months after his death felt like a betrayal. The world will mock me."
Hajia reasoned, "People will talk regardless. God does not forbid marrying your late husband's brother, especially to protect your children. Do it for them, since your newborn baby didn't survive."
Fadima wept and relented. "I accept, Hajia. I will go and protect my children from being mistreated as long as I draw breath." With that resolved, they went back to sleep.

Part 4: The Return of the Mother

AL 'AMARIN MARYAM - Pages 5 & 6
(Note: Author's correction: The sister's name is Halima, not Khadija).
It was Monday, marking Fadima’s (now called Mama) third day in her new matrimonial home. Up until this point, she hadn't even seen her new husband, nor had the co-wives acknowledged her or offered her food. She didn't care, as she had brought her own food supplies and money provided by her relatives.
At 7:00 AM, she dressed her children beautifully in their school uniforms, locked her room, and took them to school via taxi. She met with the headmistress, apologized for their long absence, and explained that their father had passed away. The headmistress offered her condolences and took pity on the children, who were naturally beautiful with thick hair. Since the school was integrated with an Islamic evening school running until 6:00 PM, Mama promised to return for them. She dropped Mimi off at Nursery 1 and Fati at her final year of primary school.
In the evening, she picked them up as promised, completely ignoring her husband's household rules or asking for permission. As the taxi dropped them off, Baffa arrived in his car from the market. He looked at her in complete astonishment and confusion before rushing inside. The whole household was gathered in the courtyard, but Mama ignored them, opened her door, and went inside with her kids.
After the Isha prayer, while she was helping her children with homework, Ahmad knocked and entered. He greeted her respectfully. Mama deeply cared for Ahmad, knowing he was suffering under a cruel stepmother. Ahmad's mother had died giving birth to his younger brother. His father, Alhaji Nasir, was a wealthy, educated man, but his new wife had completely dominated him, turning Ahmad into a servant and alienating him from his father.
Mama asked Ahmad why he was so late and if school had run over. Ahmad lowered his head. "No, Mama. Hajia (his stepmother) made me do laundry since morning, so I couldn't even go to school."
Mama said worriedly, "You must go to school, Ahmad. Do her chores when you return. Don't you want to marry Mimi anymore?" she joked. "If you don't study, I won't let you marry her."
Ahmad smiled bashfully. "Mama, it's Fati I like. Mimi is my younger sister."
They all laughed. Fati chimed in bluntly, "Mama, even if he doesn't study, I love him just the way he is!" They all burst into laughter. Mama served Ahmad food, and he stayed until 9:00 PM. Before he left, Mama told him to come over for breakfast in the morning before school.
Later that night, Baffa entered her room. Their eyes met, and he looked down awkwardly. "Come to my room, I want to see you now," he said before leaving. Mama wrapped herself in a hijab and went to his room. After a brief, awkward conversation where he insisted the children should be driven to school in the family car and that she must not leave the house without his permission, he initiated physical intimacy. Still grieving Al-amin, she did not cooperate, but he forced his desires upon her. She wept bitterly that night, fully realizing Al-amin was gone forever. Before dawn, she returned to her room, bathed, and lay down, unable to sleep for the rest of the night.
After Some Time...
By this time, Fadima (Mama) had fully settled into Baffa's house, ready to face whatever challenges came her way. Her children stayed by her side constantly, only leaving the house for school. She had officially taken Ahmad in as a member of her household, loving and pitying him deeply. She provided his meals, took over his educational expenses, bought his uniforms, and ensured he went to school. Ahmad proved to be an exceptionally respectful and obedient boy, treating her like his own mother. Despite the cruel gossip from the co-wives claiming she had adopted a "thug" to do her dirty work, Mama ignored them completely, content in the knowledge that she was doing it for God's sake.

Story Summary & Description

Background Description

Al 'Amarin Maryam (Maryam's Plight) is a poignant Hausa domestic drama centered around the themes of orphanhood, the vulnerabilities of widows, family betrayal, and systemic emotional abuse within a polygamous household. The narrative contrasts absolute cruelty with unexpected pockets of empathy from secondary characters (like the neighbor boy Ahmad and the stepsister Adawiyya). It addresses a sensitive cultural dynamic: Auren Zumunci (leavirate marriage), where a widow is expected to marry her late husband's brother to keep the children within the lineage—a practice that here brings immense emotional conflict.

Plot Summary

• The Suffering of the Orphans: Following the death of their father (Al-amin), young Fati (10) and Mimi (4) are left in the care of their uncle/stepfather (Baffa) and his deeply hostile, abusive wives (Umma and Anty). The children are severely neglected, starved, forced into child labor, denied an education, and denied medical care during life-threatening illnesses. A young teenage neighbor, Ahmad, steps in to save Mimi's life by using his own school savings to buy her medicine.
• The Mother's Sacrifice: Their biological mother, Fadima, is initially living with her own mother after losing a newborn baby. She initially refuses to marry her late husband's older brother (Baffa), viewing it as a betrayal of Al-amin's memory. However, haunted by prophetic nightmares of her children dying from abuse, she relents and enters the toxic household as Baffa's newest wife strictly to protect them.
• Reclaiming the Children: Upon moving in, Fadima completely bypasses the toxic dynamic of the co-wives. She independently enrolls her children back into school and sets strict boundaries. She also "adopts" Ahmad, the boy who saved Mimi, protecting him from his own abusive stepmother and funding his education. Despite enduring a cold, forced marital relationship with Baffa and malicious gossip from the other wives, Fadima stands firm as a fierce protector of her household.