Chapter 1

The house was silent, save for the weeping of the people inside; you could hear nothing else. An elderly woman, who looked to be around 64 years old, stepped out of a room holding a baby girl who could not have been more than 4 months old.
She sat down in the middle of the children who were wailing uncontrollably, with some gasping for air. The elderly woman herself burst into loud tears.
Two men entered. One was a young man of around 22 years old, very fair and handsome; his demeanor showed he was also in deep anguish. The man walking in with him had his hand on the young man's shoulders, and without anyone telling you, you would know he was his father because their resemblance was striking, except that the young man possessed a more youthful appearance. The man was around 48 years old. As they stepped into the parlor, all the children stood up and rushed to hug them, crying.
"Daddy, is it true? Mummy has gone..." a young teenage girl of about 12 years old said amidst intense weeping and distress. The man she called Daddy hugged her tightly before saying, "Nadiya, all of us are human beings; sooner or later, we will all leave this world. What we should do for your mummy is to pray. May Allah grant her rest and reward her with good deeds."
They cried bitterly. Two little boys who looked like twins, around five years old, hugged the young man, weeping. The young man pulled them close and cried heavily as well. They stayed like that for a long time, each weeping, before Daddy walked over and took the baby girl from the elderly woman's arms, saying, "Amma, bring her." Amma handed her over while wiping her tears.
Engr. Nazif Mumtaz gazed at the baby without stopping, pity and love for her piercing his very bones and flesh at the same time. He hugged her tightly while wiping away his tears.
That was how the household of Engr. Mumtaz spent the day in deep anguish and sorrow over the death of his wife and the mother of his children.
He sat in his room, staring fixedly at a picture of his mother. Up until then, he had not eaten a thing. He had loved his mother deeply, only for death to strike them a devastating blow (yankankarna). Allahu Akbar, every living soul must taste death. May Allah grant us a good ending, Amen.
Amma knocked on the bedroom door. He quickly put the picture aside and adjusted his posture. Amma forced a brave smile before finishing walking into the room. She took the young man's hands in hers and said, "Irfaan, you need to be very strong. Let us thank Allah that Khadija has obtained a good testimony. We pray that her good deeds follow her. Also, remember that you are the eldest among these children. If you do not show resilience and pull them close to you, this will affect them in ways you cannot imagine. Prayers are the greatest gift to the deceased, not excessive weeping and sorrow..."
Irfaan wiped the tears from his eyes, hugged his grandmother, and said, "Amma, I still couldn't believe that mummy passed away..." He couldn't finish his sentence because he was crying so hard. Amma hugged him, comforting him and strengthening his resolve.
When Irfaan came out to the parlor, his younger twin brothers were sitting down, and you could tell they had been crying heavily. He walked over, sat between them, and took their hands. Amir and Aiman hugged their older brother, and Irfaan began stroking their hair without uttering a word.
As for Engr. Nazif, he spent the night sleeping with his youngest daughter, whom they called Nilam. When Amma checked his room to take Nilam back, she found him holding her tightly against his body. She turned away, filled with pity for her son and grandchildren.
Today marks one week since Mummy's passing. The crying has started to subside in their bodies, though the pain is still very much with Irfaan.
They were all seated on some chairs with a table in the middle—obviously meant for relaxation, located in the courtyard of the house. Daddy was holding his precious Nilam, while Amir and Aiman were playing nearby. In front of them was a bowl of freshly diced fruits like a fruit salad in small, tapered cups, each with a little stick used for eating the fruits.
Irfaan came out from the house wearing a red sleeveless shirt and white three-quarter shorts. He walked over, his expression neither warm nor cold, greeted Amma and Daddy, and sat on one of the chairs. Nadiya handed him a cup and said, "Ya Irfaan, have some."
He pouted and said, "No thanks."
They all looked at him before Nadiya said, "It will help with your appetite."
He shook his head a second time, walked over, took Nilam from Daddy's arms, and said, "Come here, Angel." He started playing with Nilam, and she laughed. He himself began to laugh heartily. Daddy, Amma, and even Nadiya were glad to see Irfaan lighten up.
After he sat down, Daddy said, "Irfaan, we were actually waiting for you to come out."
Irfaan raised his eyes to look at Daddy before Daddy continued, "We have decided to move back to Nigeria in the next few days. What do you think?"
Irfaan was silent, as if he had nothing to say, then asked, "Is that really necessary?"
Daddy held his hand and said, "Son, that is the only way to help us forget the great loss we suffered here in the States. And your siblings need to know their country and their culture. I think it is time for us to return."
Irfaan paused for a moment before looking up at his father and saying, "But Daddy, what about my school? I have already started university here..."
Daddy paused for a few moments before saying, "Yeah, son, that's true..."
Amma cut in, saying, "Yes, we must leave the States in a couple of days. I am tired of living here, and besides, your father should go back and get married..."
Before she could even finish her sentence, Nadiya jumped up, glaring fiercely at them, and said, "Amma, did you say marriage? Daddy is going to get married, for heaven's sake? This is ridiculous! Wallhi, Daddy will not marry. You've already forgotten our mummy's death and you're talking to him about..."
"Enough, Nadiya!" Irfaan shouted at her. "Are you raising your voice at Amma or Daddy?!"
Amma and Daddy were astonished by Nadiya's jealousy. Young as she was, she was already acting jealous on behalf of her late mother!
Nadiya burst into tears and ran inside the house. Irfaan called out to her, but she didn't even look back and rushed inside. Aiman and Amir, who were playing nearby, saw Nadiya run in crying and started crying too, thinking someone else was about to die. They followed closely after her.
Engr. Nazif hated nothing more than seeing his children upset, especially now that their mother was gone. He had promised never to make them cry; he would be both mother and father to them and be by their side through any situation.
Quickly, Irfaan got up and followed his siblings. Daddy watched them go, then turned to Amma and said, "Please, Amma, you need to be more understanding of what they are going through. You shouldn't have talked that way. Remember, they just lost their mother; it is not the time to talk to me about marriage, especially in their presence."
Amma looked at him in surprise before replying, "We must return to Nigeria. I cannot stand by and watch Western culture take root in the hearts of my grandchildren..." With that, Amma stood up and walked into the house.
Daddy knocked on Nadiya's door, but she stubbornly refused to open it. "Please, sweetheart, let us talk."
She replied tearfully, "No, just go away! I don't want to see you. You're going to marry another woman, aren't you?"
Daddy let out a sigh and said, "Sweetheart, let me in first. Let's talk about this..." As Daddy turned to leave, he saw Amir and Aiman weeping. He quickly walked over to them, squatted, hugged them, and asked, "What's wrong, boys?"
Weeping, they said, "Adda Nadiya told us you're going to abandon us and have a new family in Nigeria..."
Daddy clapped a hand to his head and softly muttered, "Lord of mercy." He hugged them and said, "That will never happen, boys. I love you ultimately; I will never abandon you. Oya, come here." He kissed their hair, stood up holding them, and began walking down the stairs.

Chapter 2

Nadiya refused to open the door until nightfall, causing great anxiety for everyone. With much difficulty and pleading, she finally opened it for her father. He began coaxing her like a little child, but she kept giving her dad the cold shoulder. This terrible Western trait had deeply infiltrated the household of Engr. Nazif Mumtaz.
"Daddy, promise me you won't remarry," Nadiya said coquettishly.
Daddy hugged her and said, "My dear, stop thinking silly, okay? For now, taking care of your lives is my priority, not marriage. Your grandma was just joking; we aren't moving back to Nigeria because of marriage. You see, sweetheart, my late dad's company in Nigeria, M&M Builders, has been run by his close friend ever since your grandpa passed away. I think it's time for me to go back, take over my dad's company, and continue running it. What do you think?"
Nadiya paused for a moment before asking, "What about your job here in the States?"
Daddy held her hands and said, "I'll resign, darling."
"Pero Daddy, are you sure we're going to have a better life there? I mean, our school and so on..."
Tired of Nadiya's endless questions despite her young age, Daddy cleared his throat and said, "Of course, honey, that will be even much better. I promise you that."
"But Daddy, what about our friends here in the States? I'm sure we're going to miss them..." she finished, pouting.
Daddy said, "Sweedy, please stop making this so difficult, okay? You'll have a chance to say goodbye to them, okay? Now let's go and have dinner, okay."
They walked downstairs together, Daddy holding her hand. He was very friendly with his kids. Amma just watched them, amazed at how deeply Western lifestyle had affected her son's household.
With a smile, Daddy said, "Kids, tomorrow you'll visit all your friends and say goodbye to them, okay?"
Amir and Aiman cheered, shouting, "Yeeeey, we're leaving for Nigeria!" Nadiya pouted without saying a word.
Irfaan walked in without a greeting, simply saying, "Hi, everyone."
Daddy said, "Son, let's have dinner."
Irfaan twisted his face slightly and said, "Daddy, I don't feel like eating, just go ahead."
Amma looked at him and said, "Irfaan, come sit down and eat at least a little bit."
Irfaan rolled his big eyes at her and said, "Okay, granny, just because you insist..." He sat down on one of the chairs and looked at Nadiya, picking up her spoon. "Hey, are you still mad?"
Nadiya pouted and looked away.
Daddy chimed in, "Son, eat up, it's your favorite."
Irfaan smiled and began poking at the food as if he lacked all appetite.
"So when are you guys leaving?" Irfaan asked.
Daddy replied, "In a couple of days. Son, be careful while you're here alone, okay?"
Irfaan nodded and said, "You really don't have to worry about that, Daddy. I'm not a spoiled child; you and Mummy raised me well. May she rest in peace." Everyone chorused, "Amen."
Daddy said, "Even so, Son, you really need to be very careful. Look, you just started your education, only level 2, and you said you want to go all the way to a Master's degree before coming back to Nigeria. So naturally, I am worried."
Irfaan turned to Amma and said, "Amma, you see? Daddy is treating me like a kid again. Should I just stay with you here in the States?"
Amma grimaced and said, "May Allah protect me from continuing to live here! You children know nothing of your traditions; you've adopted the ways of others and copy them. You too, as soon as you finish school, will return to Nigeria."
Irfaan just smiled internally, thinking: What on earth would take me to Nigeria? I'd rather stay here all alone than move back to Nigeria...
They continued chatting until dinner was over.
Nadiya looked at Amma and asked, "Amma, are we taking Nilam's nanny with us to Nigeria?"
Amma shot her a glare and said, "Why? So she can continue teaching her the ways of others? I'll find her another nanny in Nigeria."
Nadiya frowned and said, "Please, Amma, look, we agreed to move to Nigeria, please do this for us. Let's take Patricia so she can continue taking care of Nilam. She knows Nilam, knows what she likes and what she dislikes. Please, Amma, don't say no, I beg of you." She rushed over and climbed onto Amma's lap, pleading.
Reluctantly, Amma said, "All right, fine. I've heard you; we will go with Patricia, but as soon as Nilam grows a bit older, we will get her a Muslim nanny in Nigeria who will teach her good values."
Nadiya panted slightly in a pout without saying anything further. Daddy was also pleased with Nadiya's request, because Nilam refused to accept anyone else except Patricia, and if there was anything he hated most, it was the crying of his precious child.
They spent five more days in Los Angeles before flying back home to Nigeria.

Nigeria

Abuja (LifeCamp)
LifeCamp neighborhood in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is an area where the houses alone are enough to prove that the residents are wealthy. Every house is neatly and beautifully arranged, and most of the buildings are duplexes/multi-story homes.
The house of Engr. Nazif Mumtaz was one of the finest in that row. Trying to describe its beauty would be a waste of time, because everything about the house was exquisite, admirable, and breathtaking. The beauty of the house made Nadiya happy about returning to Nigeria, as she was a young girl who loved luxury.

M&M (Mumtaz and Ma'aruf) Builders Company

Alhaji Ma'aruf looked at Daddy and said, "It's a good thing you returned, because I was already tired of holding this position. I'm getting older and I need to rest."
Daddy smiled, looked at Alhaji Ma'aruf (his father's close friend), and said, "Baba, thank you for taking care of me and my wealth; only Allah can reward you."
Alhaji Ma'aruf shook his head and said, "Nazif, if anyone deserves to give thanks, it is me, because your father, Mumtaz, did everything for me in life." He opened a file, pulled out some documents, handed them to him, and said, "Later today, we will call a meeting for all staff to gather. The new President of M&M Builders is here."
Daddy shook his head and said, "No, Baba, you will remain the President; I will take the position of Chairman."
Alhaji Ma'aruf shook his head and insisted, "Nazif, you will be the President. Besides, you hold the highest shares in M&M Builders. I am retiring as of today, and you will continue running my wealth..."
A meeting was called in the large conference hall with shareholders and staff, and the new President of Mumtaz Builders was introduced. Daddy introduced himself and greeted all the personnel present.
Hajiya Karima was furious upon hearing what her husband had come home to tell her. She was only staying married to him so she could eventually take over M&M Builders; otherwise, why would she continue living with an old man who she knew would soon be a corpse?
She stood up and paced back and forth in her room, whispering to herself: No, absolutely not! I will never let this happen. I must figure out how to claim this company for my only daughter...

Chapter 3

Laila kept knocking at the door, but Hajiya Karima didn't hear her at all, her mind completely consumed by her thoughts. Laila stared at her mother in utter astonishment as she finished walking into the room.
"Hajiya!"
Silence. Hajiya Karima didn't answer. Laila let out a short hiss, walked up, and hit the chair Hajiya was sitting on, saying, "Hajiyaaa!"
This time with more force. Only then did Hajiya Karima look up at Laila and say, "You, when did you arrive?"
Laila tossed her handbag onto the sofa, unwrapped her veil from her head, and said, "I've been here for over five minutes calling you, and you didn't hear me. Hajiya, what on earth are you thinking about?"
Hajiya Karima let out a sigh and asked, "And you, where are you coming from?"
Laila replied, "I dropped Aziza off at her friend's house and drove straight here. Hajiya, what is wrong with you? You know the doctor warned you against excessive worrying."
Staring blankly, Hajiya Karima said, "I am thinking about that foolish old man."
With sheer shock, Laila looked at her and asked, "Who is that foolish old man?"
Hajiya clicked her tongue dismissively and said, "Alhaji Ma'aruf..."
"Goodness gracious!" Laila exclaimed aloud. Looking her mother straight in the eye, she asked, "Wait, is Alhaji that foolish old man? My father?"
Hajiya clicked her tongue a second time and said, "Well, why wouldn't he be a fool? Here he is, looking me straight in the face and saying he is stepping down from M&M Builders, claiming that the late Alhaji Mumtaz's son has returned from the States, so he must hand over his father's company to him!"
Laila adjusted her seat and said, "Hajiya, I don't understand your story. Are you saying Alhaji just handed over M&M to someone else? On what grounds?"
"On the grounds of his father, who did everything for him, including buying his shares..."
"Wait, Hajiya, let me ask you—whose company is M&M in the first place?"
Hajiya Karima hissed again and said, "As far as I know, it belongs to Alhaji Mumtaz. Because of their close friendship, Alhaji gave him major shares in the company. At first, the company was named Mumtaz Builders, but later the name was changed to M&M Builders, meaning Mumtaz & Ma'aruf Builders."
Laila let out a sigh and said, "Unbelievable! So what did this son of his come back to Nigeria to do now?"
Hajiya replied, "His wife died, so he and his mother dragged themselves back here. As for his mother, ever since her husband—his father—died, she had moved over to America to be with her son. Only now does he remember his father's company, after Alhaji did all the heavy lifting, built the company up, and made it famous across the entire African continent! West Africa has no construction material importing company quite like M&M Builders. And now he returns to claim the company!"
Laila shook her head and declared, "That will not happen, Hajiya. M&M belongs to us!"
Hajiya Karima laughed and said, "Of course! Whoever eats cornmeal with Karima must drink its gruel. I have long plotted for this company to become ours—belonging to me, you, and your daughter Aziza. That is why I orchestrated the downfall of Hindatu, Ma'aruf's first wife, and why I orchestrated the downfall of his only daughter and grandchild..."
Staring at her in utter disbelief, Laila said, "His only daughter?! What is Hajiya talking about?"
Realizing that Hajiya wasn't in her right mind when she blurted out those secrets, Laila stood up, saying, "Hajiya, what are you saying about Alhaji's only daughter? Are you trying to say I am not his daughter, or what? Are you saying only Yaya Faty is his daughter?"
Only then did Hajiya Karima realize what she had said. She quickly grabbed Laila's hands, trying to make her sit down.
Laila shook her head vigorously and said, "Wallhi, you must tell me everything! Who is my father?"
With wide, unblinking eyes, Hajiya Karima said, "I didn't want you to know this hidden secret yet, but God has destined that you find out now. Laila, Alhaji Ma'aruf and Alhaji Mumtaz were close friends. Alhaji Mumtaz was a wealthy merchant whose business God had blessed since his youth. Because of his friendship with Alhaji Ma'aruf, he brought him into the business. After opening his company, Mumtaz Builders, he later renamed it M&M Builders (Mumtaz & Ma'aruf).
As for me, I used to work as a housemaid in Alhaji Ma'aruf's house. I was a young, blooming maiden back then. Hajiya Hindatu was much older than me—no comparison at all. She and her husband had been married for a long time, but God had not blessed them with children. They constantly yearned for kids, especially whenever they saw Alhaji Mumtaz's son, Nazif, and his wife, Salma. They always prayed for children, but in vain.
One day, Hindatu told her friend Salma that she genuinely wanted her husband to remarry, hoping God might bless him with children. Salma told her, 'Be patient, Hindatu, children are a matter of time; when the time comes, you will see.'
When I eavesdropped on that conversation, despite my young age at the time, I schemed and plotted until Alhaji Ma'aruf married me. Salma, the wife of Alhaji Mumtaz, was the one who comforted Hindatu when they discovered that I was the new bride brought in over Hindatu.
We lived like that for years. Hindatu treated me like a younger sister and never showed me any ill will, but I still remained childless, which started bothering me. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Hindatu became pregnant! Oh, you should have seen the joy of Hindatu, Ma'aruf, and their two friends celebrating with them.
My heart was deeply troubled. I schemed and plotted, but God decreed that Hindatu carry her pregnancy to full term and give birth to a beautiful daughter. Then, the care..."

Summary

The story follows Engr. Nazif Mumtaz, a successful Nigerian man living in the United States with his family. Tragedy strikes when his beloved wife, Khadija (Mummy), passes away, leaving the entire family—including their children Irfaan, Nadiya, twins Amir and Aiman, and baby Nilam—devastated.
Following the funeral, Nazif decides to move his family back to Abuja, Nigeria, to take over his late father's legacy as Chairman of M&M (Mumtaz & Ma'aruf) Builders, while his mother (Amma) strongly supports the move to shield her grandchildren from Western cultural influences.
Meanwhile, back in Nigeria, Hajiya Karima—the scheming second wife of Alhaji Ma'aruf—is outraged that Nazif has returned to claim the company, which she desperately wants for her own daughter/family. During a heated confrontation with her daughter Laila, a shocking family secret slips out: Hajiya Karima confesses to past wicked plots against Alhaji Ma'aruf's first wife, Hindatu, and drops a massive bombshell regarding Laila's true paternity and family history.

Description

• Genre: Contemporary Nigerian Family Drama / Fiction
• Primary Themes: Grief, cultural identity (Western influence vs. traditional values), family loyalty, corporate power struggles, and dark hidden secrets.
• Key Locations: Los Angeles, California (USA) and Abuja, LifeCamp (Nigeria).

• Tone: Emotional, tense, dramatic, and suspenseful.

  Analytics

• Character Breakdown:
  • Engr. Nazif Mumtaz: A devoted father and widower trying to balance his career, his children's emotional healing, and his family heritage.
  • Irfaan: The eldest son (approx. 22 years old), deeply affected by his mother's death and initially resistant to leaving his university and life in America.
  • Nadiya: A protective, strong-willed teenage daughter (approx. 12 years old) prone to intense attachment and jealousy regarding her father.
  • Amir & Aiman: Young twins whose vulnerability highlights the innocence and trauma of the children.
  • Nilam: The infant baby girl who anchors the family's emotional soft spot.
  • Amma: The matriarch grandmother who values traditional values and pushes for a return to Nigeria.
  • Hajiya Karima: A manipulative, ambitious secondary antagonist married to Alhaji Ma'aruf, willing to ruin lives for wealth and corporate control.
  • Laila: Karima's daughter, caught completely off guard by her mother's dark confessions.
• Plot Progression:
  • Phase 1 (The Loss): Establishes the grief of losing the mother and the emotional dynamics of the Mumtaz household in America.
  • Phase 2 (The Relocation): Conflict arises over the decision to move back to Nigeria, clashing with the children's Americanized upbringing and teenage resistance.
  • Phase 3 (The Corporate Conflict & Secret): Transitions to Abuja, introducing business rivalries at M&M Builders and uncovering dark, historical manipulations by Hajiya Karima.