The Murtala Mohammed Way traffic was backed up heading south; there were endless rows of vehicles, as everyone knows the typical congestion in Kano.
In the line of traffic sat an ash-colored Highlander. Inside, I could see a young woman who, at a glance, radiated wealth and comfort. She checked the Rolex watch on her fair wrist and let out a small, annoyed huff, knowing her "baby" was waiting for her. When the light turned green, she sped off. Her Samsung Galaxy S8 started ringing, but she didn’t even glance at it.
At the school gate, students were busy with their own affairs—some walking, others waiting to be picked up. She quickly parked and stepped out. She was incredibly beautiful—tall, with a healthy, well-proportioned figure. She had large grey eyes (hidden behind sunglasses), a sharp nose, and white teeth framed by pink lips. She tossed her bag over her shoulder with swagger. She was dressed in a long, light-yellow dress with a brown veil covering her head.
Walking with poise and immense grace, she reached the school front. She took the hand of a fair-skinned boy, no older than seven. Her cheeks dimpled as she smiled and said, "Hey baby, didn't you see me? Come and hug me!" He turned away. She pulled him closer, saying, "Come, let me show you something," but he yanked his hand away, pouting, "Please, leave me alone." Her cat-like eyes widened, and she teased, "Oh, baby, so you're feeling mischievous today?"
He took his bag from another boy who looked like him and got into the car. She followed him silently. Seeing him jump into the back seat, she frowned and commanded, "Move to the front." He ignored her. She barked, "I’m talking to you! Move to the front!" He was trembling as he complied.
They drove in silence until she parked in front of Shoprite. She looked at him and said, "Baby, I'm sorry. I left, but the traffic held me up." He pouted, "But I kept waiting and you didn't come." She held his hand, "Just wait for me; I’m going into Shoprite and will be right back." He nodded, "Safe return," and she smiled before exiting the car.
Inside the store, she pulled her sunglasses down to cover her face and grabbed a basket. Every man she passed followed her with his eyes, but she seemed indifferent, as if used to it. She shopped calmly. As she was leaving, a man followed her and quickly said, "Assalamu alaikum, madam, can I have your number? My boss wants it."
She shot him a piercing look, and he immediately looked down. With a side-smile, she replied, "Go tell your boss that I don't take messages. If he wants my number, he should come himself." With that, she entered her car and sped off, leaving him standing there.
The man rushed back into the store to his boss—an older, dignified man surrounded by bodyguards. After hearing the message, the boss grew furious and hissed, "Whose daughter does she think she is to insult me? Skype, go find out who her father is in this city!" The person called "Skype" replied, "Consider it done, sir," and left immediately.
She drove calmly until she reached Zoo Road. She stopped at the gate of a massive house and honked. The gateman opened it respectfully. She parked, and she and the boy stepped out together. She took his bag and held his hand as they walked inside. It was a grand house that lived up to the name. Inside was a luxurious, beautifully decorated living room.
"Ameena! Ameena!! Ameena!!!" she called out. A 17-year-old girl ran out. She looked at her and said, "Baby is back, take food to him." The girl responded shakily, "Yes, ma'am." Ameena asked, "Aunty, aren't you going to eat?" She replied curtly, "No, I'm full," and turned away.
She opened a door to a smaller, milk-and-brown-colored living room. She placed her keys and phone on the center table and opened another door to an exquisite white-and-pink bedroom. She removed her clothes and went into the bathroom. After bathing, she applied simple makeup, put on a peach-colored sleeveless gown, and covered her head with a white veil. She smelled of Laylatus-Sahara perfume.
She walked toward the main parlor while on the phone. In a voice like the reed of a flute, she exchanged greetings. On the other end, someone answered. She asked, "Beelert, what happened? I saw your call when I was driving." Beelert said, "Cat-eyes, Feenert, let's meet at 021 Saffah at 20:00." She smiled, "Okay, I'll be there. Is there a new story?" "Yes, I think so, honestly," Beelert replied. She replied softly, "Okay."
She hung up and sat down. She called Ameena, who rushed over. She asked, "Where is Baby?" Ameena replied, "He is in his room." She got up and said, "Go back to what you were doing."
She pushed open the door to his room. She found him playing games on his tablet. She sat beside him and asked, "Baby, have you eaten?" He just nodded and kept playing. The room went silent before she asked, "Baby, what is happening? Why aren't you happy anymore?" He glanced at her, turned his head away, and said in a soft, sad voice, "Baby, you don't care about me like you used to." Surprised, she asked, "What do you mean? What did I do before that I don't do now?"
He wiped away tears, "Before, you wouldn't leave me; now you go out. Before, you’d stay to hear my worries; now you don't even ask how I slept or what I ate. It's like you don't love me anymore." She quickly grabbed his hand, "Baby, I still love you! Who do I have besides you?" He shook his head, "Baby, you have Mum Feenert, Mum Beelert, and the other men you roam around with." She shouted, "Are you crazy? You're accusing me, Baby?" He stood up, "See? Before you wouldn't yell at me, but now you do. Just go. The only thing I know to tell you is to fear God." After saying this, he went into the bathroom.
She stood there bewildered, thinking about his words. "Fear God?" He was just a child, yet he spoke like an adult. She shook her head and walked out.
She went to a small frame in the living room. It held a photo of two beautiful girls with checkmarks on them—a boarding school photo. One girl had a grumpy expression, and the other, who was more beautiful, was laughing and pointing at her. She touched the face of the one who was grumpy and smiled, tears rolling down her face.
"Here is my son, Ikhlas. Take care of him as you would take care of yourself. Do not let him feel the orphanhood of a mother. Replace the position of mother, father, and siblings for him."
"Promise me you won't let him cry, Ikhlas. Promise me, Ikhlas..."
These were the words echoing in her brain. She nodded and said, "Sister, I failed to keep the promise I made to you. Today, Baby cried, and I am the cause." She broke down in tears. "I truly didn't keep the promise! I betrayed the trust my sister gave me!" She sobbed as if her life were ending.
She sat on the floor, remembering her past.
15 Years Ago:
Two girls, no older than ten, were running. They were beautiful, though one was lighter-skinned than the other. They entered a house that looked like they were not well-off. An old woman performing ablutions quickly stood up to follow them. They all ducked into a room, scrambling under the bed. The old woman pushed the door shut, panting.
She looked at them as they gasped for breath, their eyes wide like those who had lied before a king. She asked, "What happened, Imanu? Why are you running? Did a hyena escape, or has a leopard entered the town?" They burst into laughter from under the bed.
The darker-skinned one pouted, "Gwaggo, you’re so good at giving people names, calling me 'Imanu'." Gwaggo tapped her, "Shame on you, girl. Tell me what is chasing you, or else..." Before they could speak, they heard a voice giving greetings.
They looked at each other and scrambled further under the bed. He knocked, saying, "Gwaggo, open this door today; I’m going to whip these girls." Gwaggo, hearing what he said, quickly opened it, "Who are you going to beat?" He asked in surprise, "Gwaggo, where are Iman and Ikhlas?" She glared at him, "Did I leave them with you for safekeeping? Why are you asking me when I am asking you?" He lowered his head, "Forgive me, Gwaggo. Wallahi, these girls have been throwing stones at Maman Hafeeza’s house because she didn't let them fetch water this morning."
Gwaggo started invoking prayers, "I am in trouble! Binta, what am I seeing?" Hearing this, Ikhlas came out, pouting, "Gwaggo, why the prayers? It’s like we committed a robbery, haba." Gwaggo threw a sandal at her, which made her go quiet.
She glared at Sadik. He widened his eyes, "Are you crazy? You’re glaring at me?" She wanted to speak, but seeing him approach the room made her jump onto Gwaggo's bed. Before he could grab her, she slipped away. She pulled Iman, who was standing there with wide eyes, and they ran outside.
As they ran, they entered the house next door. The woman was busy pounding grain as they entered. She just shook her head. Only when they hid well did they burst into laughter.
Iman said, "Wallahi, we are in trouble if Yaya Sadik catches us." Ikhlas pouted, "He doesn't have to catch us to see us."
Until they felt hunger, they didn't open the door. Then, like hypocrites, they headed to the kitchen. Umma barked at them, "Whose house are you coming to? What did you leave for me in the kitchen?" Iman lowered her head, "Umma, for God's sake, forgive us; we are hungry, wallahi." Umma glared, "What did you do for me that you are asking for forgiveness? Was I not the one who cooked food for you?" Before they could answer, Sadik greeted and entered. They raced into the room.
He laughed and went to greet Umma. She replied happily, then said, "Maybe they did something wrong; I saw them racing into the room." Sadik smiled and told her what happened. She went silent, unable to say anything.
Sadik said, "That's why they were running." Umma sighed, "May the Almighty guide these children." Sadik said, "It is well, may God make the future better." "Ameen," Mama answered, then asked, "How is it, Sadik? Any luck?" He shook his head, and worriedly said, "Umma, wallahi, still nothing." Umma shook her head, "May God bring a way." He replied "Ameen," stood up, and left.
Ikhlas peeked out, "Wallahi Iman, you are too scared, get up let's go." Iman eyes welled up, "Wallahi Ikhlas, I'm scared Yaya Sadik will catch us." Ikhlas yanked her hand, "Wallahi, hunger won't kill me for nothing!"
Sneaking out, they returned to Gwaggo's house. Luckily, Gwaggo was asleep. Ikhlas slowly opened the pot, saw the food Gwaggo hadn't eaten, and quickly took the pot outside. They sat in the courtyard, Ikhlas started eating, and Iman stared at her. Seeing that if she didn't eat, there wouldn't be much left, and that they would get whipped anyway, she joined in.
Once they finished, they drank water from the pot and slipped away, returning home. Umma watched them. They grabbed their jugs, performed ablutions, prayed, and went about their business.
At Asr prayer time, they prayed and left for school. Because it wasn't far, they walked. They teased everyone they saw. They reached the school early. Ikhlas said, "Didn't I tell you we arrived too early?" Iman replied, "It's better we arrive before Gwaggo wakes up and discovers what we did to her." Ikhlas said, "Get up, let's go roam the town before the assembly." Iman shook her head, "Honestly, I'm not going anywhere, I'll just get whipped for being late."
Ikhlas yanked her hand, "Wallahi, you must go!" She pulled her until they left.
Once they left the school, they started running. They stopped in front of a house. Ikhlas said, "Let's scare them." Ikhlas went in sneakily while Iman stood at the door. Because Iman had a small voice, she muffled it and greeted. The woman washing dishes got scared, jumped up, and ran into the room.
Ikhlas suppressed her laughter and pressed against the wall. She raised her voice and greeted again. Hearing the voice inside the room made them rush out. Seeing a person against the wall with cat-like eyes made them run back into the room.
Iman entered, laughing. Khairat opened the bathroom door, glaring at them, "Wallahi I will grind your disrespect; you are scaring our family members." Iman laughed, "Wallahi, they are the ones who are easily scared." Khairat said, "Good, let me see if you really are fearless, especially you." Ikhlas said, "That's enough, please let's go get ready for school." Khairat quickly went into the room, and they followed.
At the end of the room, they found them still clinging to each other. Khairat said, "Umma, it's Ikhlas and them." Umma said, "You naughty children, so you were the ones who scared me?" They burst into laughter.
When she finished getting ready, Umma warned them again before they left.
As they left, they went to the rented swings. Iman asked, "Do you have money? I know Ikhlas, you don't." Khairat pouted, "I have some." They sat down happily, one by one. The owner, seeing they had occupied the area without paying a kobo, spoke to them.
Khairat said, "Let us finish before we come down." The owner said, "No, that's not possible; just give me my money." Seeing he wouldn't budge, they climbed down.
Ikhlas said, "Give him his money, let's go." Khairat laughed, "Wallahi, I don't even have five kobo." Iman widened her eyes, "I’m in trouble, now what will we do?" Khairat said, "Let's just run, because wallahi if they catch us, we are doomed."
They knelt, picked up their shoes in their hands, and ran. The owner held his head, "I am doomed, wallahi I will be beaten." One of the people there said, "Don't worry, I know their house." They marched toward Ikhlas's house.
Umma was preparing dinner when she heard a greeting. Her heart dropped. They entered with the neighborhood boy and the owner. She looked at them, "Is everything alright?" The owner said, "Ikhlas and her friend used my swing, refused to pay, and ran away."
Umma was silent; indeed, they were capable of doing worse. She took a hundred naira note and gave it to him, "Give me the change." He gave her forty naira change. She added, "Forgive them, please."
Gwaggo entered. Umma greeted her and asked, "How are you, Asiya? I heard kids in this house." Umma sighed, "Hmm, Gwaggo, it's the usual suspects doing their thing." Gwaggo said, "May God make the future better. By the way, was I forgotten today for food?" Umma asked, "How so?" Gwaggo said, "Since I woke from my nap, I've been waiting for food, but heard nothing, so I came." Umma burst into laughter, "Wallahi, I thought as much." Gwaggo said, "How?" Umma said, "Ikhlas and her friend ate your food."
Before she could say anything, Sadik greeted and entered, "Gwaggo, I went and found the house empty." Gwaggo said, "I came for food and met the mischief of those children." He asked quickly, "What happened again?" Umma told him the story. He was silent before saying, "Let me buy you something else to eat." Saying this, he turned and left.
When he returned, he brought the food to Umma.
On Ikhlas's side, they only reached school around six. They went through the back. Ikhlas and Khairat lifted Iman and helped her over. Ikhlas knelt, Khairat climbed on her, grabbed the wall, and jumped over. Ikhlas, like a monkey, grabbed and jumped too.
God helped them; no one was there. They crawled past the classrooms until they reached their own. Khairat peeked and saw Malam Anas inside. She ducked, "I'm doomed, Malam Anas is inside!" Iman, who was the most fearful, started crying. They stayed there until school was over, then joined the crowd of students to grab their bags.
As they emerged, they met Malam Anas and Malam Khalid standing. They lowered their heads to pass. They followed them with their eyes before Malam Anas shook his head, "May God guide them." Malam Khalid replied, "Ameen."
When they reached home, they found Yaya Sadik sitting there. With a stern face, he said, "Come here." Iman quickly approached him. Ikhlas started pulling back. Knowing she might run, he stood up quickly and grabbed her. He glared at Iman, "Follow me." He held Ikhlas's hand, dragging her.
He opened his room, threw her inside, and barked at Iman, "Get in before I use you as a soccer ball!" She quickly entered, trembling.
With a stern face, he said, "Hold your ears for me." She widened her eyes, "Tab, wallahi my back hurts." He hit her lips hard. She screamed, clutching her lips, crying, and waving her hands. Iman burst into tears, asking for forgiveness.
One look from him made her quickly close her mouth and kneel to hold her ears. He let go of her lips, "Are you going to kneel or not?" She quickly knelt and held her ears. He slammed the door behind him and left to pray.
As soon as he left, they found a spot to sit, panting. Ikhlas said, "Wallahi, God will judge, and wallahi I will take my revenge."
As they sat talking, Ikhlas stood up, "Wallahi, when he returns, we will run." Iman asked, "How?" Ikhlas smiled and whispered into her ear.
They sat there until they heard the door handle turn. Ikhlas got up and stood by the door, while Iman stood on the other side. As the door opened, Iman bolted, and before he realized, Ikhlas ducked and slipped underneath him. He just stood there, bewildered, wondering if the children were possessed by the devil.
Ikhlas and Iman reached the door, rested for a moment, then entered the house and hid in a corner. Iman, who couldn't handle hunger, whimpered, "Umma, for God's sake, forgive..." She couldn't finish because of the look Umma gave her.
After Isha prayer, they performed ablutions, prayed, and when they finished, Ikhlas asked, "Iman, are you hungry?" Iman gave her a playful glare, "I'm hungrier than you, wallahi!" Ikhlas smiled, "Whatever I do, just support me, you hear?" She just nodded.