"Even after their marriage, none of us gathered to consider the situation Tahir would fall into... This is entirely our fault, we can only pray that Allah forgives us completely..." Baba Hakimi replied with an "Ameen."
Ishaq was standing beside Tahir, trying to help him up, but Tahir refused to raise his head because his tears would not stop flowing. Baba Hakimi looked at Inna Fulera, saying, "Fulera, stop cursing Mufeeda. You heard with your own ears that it wasn’t entirely their fault. Bless her, look at her, and tell her you forgive her. It is not right for a servant to show ingratitude to Allah when He tests you with a trial; you should give thanks to Allah instead. Let me not hear you slander your daughter again," he said in a soft voice.
Inna Fulera nodded while weeping. All at once, her body softened. She looked at Mufeeda, who was kneeling and crying, and said, "I... forgive you, Mufeeda... May Allah grant us the grace to pass His test. Truly, I bear witness that you are a well-mannered child. And Alhaji, I believe that this was a predestined decree that He caused to happen to you, because his maturity and nobility are what still hold us together... But I beg you, for God's sake, do not throw away your pregnancy. Leave it for Mufeeda; perhaps one day it will bring her comfort, or perhaps it is the only one destined for her in this world."
Farida, who was leaning against Umma, lifted her head and shouted, "By God, it will go through a sieve! Whose bastard child is she going to give birth to? Not in this house, by God, it must be aborted..."
She screamed while crying. Abba rebuked her sharply, saying, "Damn your father, Farida! If I hear your voice here again, by God, I will strip you of your dignity, you good-for-nothing, useless person!" he said, glaring at her. Umma was wiping away her tears, her entire body subdued. Goggo Abu had fallen into deep remorse.
Baba Hakimi said, "By the way, who told you it would be aborted? Goodness, acting like people without sense—meaning we don’t believe in destiny? How can we commit another sin on top of another sin? Mufeeda will continue to nurture her pregnancy and give birth to it, by the grace of Allah, right inside this house for monitoring. Dunbatta is a village; if we take her there, the gossip will leave a permanent mark. It is better to leave her right here until she gives birth and we see what Allah will do."
Farida flared up, saying, "In which house?! By God, not in this house! She is not going to give birth to a bastard child for me in my home!"
Tahir, who was crouching, raised his reddened eyes and said, "Well, then you are the one who will leave the house. But without fail, just as Hakimi said, Mufeeda will give birth in this house, Insha Allahu," he said, giving her a look of utter disgust. Baba Hakimi released a frustrated smile, though deep down inside, he was pleased with the response Tahir gave Farida.
She burst into louder tears before saying, "Is that what you said? Then, by God, I am leaving this house! I won't stay! I will not live in the same house as your whore who is carrying a pregnancy."
Umma slapped her mouth, saying, "Shut your mouth, you shameless person! You are talking to him like that right in front of his parents. Is that the kind of upbringing we gave you?" she said, looking at her in anger. Farida knelt down, continuing to sob deeply.
Abba said, "Listen to me very well, Farida. Look, as long as I hear that you have left your husband's house, by God, I will discipline you, you foolish and senseless creature whose education and age have profited you nothing! By God, if you don't snap out of it and I hear that you have done anything to Tahir or that girl, I will come right here to your home and leave you lying flat in front of your children, you brazen hussy!" he said in anger.
Quickly, Farida stood up and went upstairs, sobbing heavily. Everyone watched her go before Baba Hakimi shook his head, saying, "Alas, Ibrahim, look at someone whose age and maturity have profited her nothing, and you too, Zainabu. At the very least, did she bear Farida with a sound mind?" he said with deep frustration.
Goggo Abu, who was crying, opened her mouth to speak, but Baba Hakimi raised his hand, saying, "Don't even waste your breath. Right now, your words will only anger me further; it is better you close your mouth—it will be better for all of us." Goggo Abu lowered her head, tears falling, and said, "Attahiru, forgive me... Mufeeda, you forgive me too." With that, she stood up and walked out into the courtyard, weeping.
Baba Hakimi said, "Fulera, hold your daughter and go inside. Go comfort her further, you hear? It isn't her fault either." With a weary body, Inna stood up and with difficulty helped Mufeeda, who was crying, toward her room. Iya, who stood by, only then stood up, wiping away tears of pity for that family. Innaro stood up, following her, and said, "Come, let me go to your room, Iya, so I can wash up and pray." Iya agreed, and they headed to her room, everyone with a heavy heart.
Umma also stood up, saying, "Let me go check on Farida." Abba nodded to her before she went upstairs, leaving Baba Hakimi, Abba, Tahir, and Ishaq behind to further commiserate over the situation.
Umma found Farida lying face down, crying. She sat beside her, saying, "Farida... You shouldn't be crying. What you ought to do is sit down, reflect soberly, correct your mistake, turn to Allah, ask your husband for forgiveness, and embrace your children. Do you see what has happened? It is a lesson for you and for women of your character. Finally, I am warning you to calm down; otherwise, by God, both I and your father will take severe action against you."
With that, she stood up and left the room. As she came out, Baba Hakimi and the others stood up, announcing that everyone should come out so they could leave. Inna Fulera, having taken Mufeeda to the room, used the edge of her hijab to wipe away Mufeeda's tears. Mufeeda looked at Inna Fulera and said, "Inna, forgive me... It wasn't my fault."
Inna Fulera smiled at her before saying, "I have forgiven you, my daughter... May Allah bless you and deliver you safely." Hearing this, Mufeeda hugged Inna Fulera, and they broke down in tears together. Iya, peeking in to call Inna Fulera, felt tears come to her eyes as well. Iya's voice prompted them to let go of each other, and she announced that it was time to leave.
She stroked Mufeeda's cheek and said, "Take care of yourself, you hear, Mufeeda? Allah is with you..." With that, she released her hand and left the room, wiping away tears. Mufeeda slid down onto the bed, crying a bitter cry, feeling as though she might never see her mother again.
Outside, they found Goggo Abu after everyone had come out. Innaro was the only one who had prayed; Baba Hakimi said everyone could pray when they got home. As for the food Iya had laid out, no one even looked at it.
Abba and Umma's car was the first to leave the compound, followed by Baba Hakimi's car, which Garzali was driving back. Baba Hakimi pulled Tahir aside to give him deep advice once more, reminding him to leave everything to Allah. With that, they parted ways after the car drove out of the courtyard.
Ishaq didn't return to the house either; from there, they exchanged farewells, and Tahir got into his car and drove out after Ishaq had also offered him comforting words. Tahir stood for a long time, letting out twin sighs, wiping away a thin tear that trickled down, then turned and walked back into the living room of the house.
(Poetic Signatures / Dedication)
Chapter 14
Entering the living room with a heavy body and heroic strides, he found no one. He paused, standing still, gazing at Mufeeda's room with a heart asking him what state she might be in. Seeing no answer, he shook his head and began trying to climb the stairs when he heard Basma's voice saying, "Daddy..."
He turned quickly to look at them—she, Bassam, Laila, and Madu were staring at him, their faces filled with worry, and it looked like Basma had been crying. His heart skipped a beat, and shame gripped him. He had completely forgotten about the children. With what eyes could he look at them after they heard what he had done? With forced strength, he uttered, "Basma, what happened...?" he said with forced strength.
Crying broke from her, and she ran directly to him, throwing herself onto his body and bursting into tears like someone who had been beaten. Bassam also ran forward, throwing himself behind Basma, crying as well. Tahir closed his eyes tightly before placing both hands on his children's backs, patting them in a comforting gesture. He opened his red, bloodshot eyes and lowered them to Madu and Laila, who stood nearby, also wiping away tears.
He stretched out his hand as a sign for them to come, and they rushed forward, throwing themselves onto his body. He gathered them into a hug while crying, and Basma said, "We really are sorry, Daddy. Momy wronged you, Daddy. We agree, we love Mufeeda's pregnancy, she should give birth to a sibling for us." As she spoke like an adult, Tahir felt a heavy lump in his throat. With forced strength, he released them, looking into Basma's eyes, and patted her head, saying, "Nothing to be worrying about, my daughter. Stop crying, and let me never hear you mention Momy's name from your mouth, let alone say she wronged me. Whatever it is, she is my wife, you all's too, and she is your mother. So stop all this, you hear?"
She nodded, wiping away her tears before he released her head and looked at them all, saying with forced strength, "And all this... don't let anyone know about it, you hear? Especially you, don't talk about it with anyone else, and Laila, even when you go back home, don't tell your mom, you hear?"
They nodded, then spoke in unison, saying, "Insha Allahu, Daddy, we are going to hide this secret."
He swallowed a smile that hurt worse than crying before saying, "Ok... Madu and Bassam, go make ablution, I hear the Maghrib call to prayer. And you guys, go back to your room, do yours until we return." They answered with a nod before each of them turned away. Basma and Laila headed to Basma's room, while Bassam and Madu headed to Bassam's room. At least their hearts were relieved, unlike earlier.
He waited until they disappeared from sight before shaking his head and beginning to climb the steps with a heavy body. He stood for a long time outside Farida's bedroom door, pondering something before biting his lip and walking into his own bedroom. He rushed into the toilet, took a quick bath, came out wearing a black jallabiya and a cap, picked up his prayer beads, and came out. In the living room, he ran into Madu and the boys who had also come out, and right away he took their hands and they went out to the mosque.
As for Mufeeda, after Inna Fulera left, she threw herself onto her bed, crying deeply. A deep sense of pity for herself and Tahir overwhelmed her, her heart pounding. Whenever she closed her eyes and remembered the moment he was talking while shedding tears, she couldn't bear the sight of Tahir's tears; she felt it deep inside her chest. She had no other choice left.
While she was in this state, Iya came to find her. She sat at the edge of the bed before lifting her up, saying, "Mufeeda... Mufeeda..." she said, lifting her face, which was covered and stained with tears. With a weak and sympathetic heart, Iya began to say, "Mufeeda, stop this crying, you hear? It has no use since what was bound to happen has happened..." she said, wiping away her tears with both hands.
The crying pained Mufeeda even more, and she slid onto Iya's lap, crying and saying, "What will I do, Iya? I angered everyone, it wasn't my fault. I didn't know this would happen, and Daddy is not at fault either, Iya. Momy is going to kill me, I am afraid." Iya's eyes filled with tears, and she comforted her, saying, "Alas, stop saying that, Mufeeda. Hajiya will not do anything to you, Alhaji will not allow it. Stop crying, nothing will happen, you hear?"
She said this while lifting Mufeeda's head, at the same time wiping away her tears. A bittersweet smile appeared on Mufeeda's face before she said, "Thank you, Iya. Always, I look at you just like an Inna. Thank you very much." Iya stroked her cheeks and said, "Don't worry, Mufeeda. Whatever is troubling you, don't hide it from me; let me know. Look, now you are not alone, you have your baby inside you, so you ought to take care of yourself, you hear?" She nodded with a smile before saying, "Insha Allahu."
Iya stood up, saying, "Go ahead and get up to pray, let me also go make ablution. By the time I finish praying, the food will be ready." Mufeeda stood up, saying, "Alright, Iya." Just as Iya turned to leave, Mufeeda said, "Um... Iya." Iya turned back, saying, "Yes, are you talking to me, Mufeeda?" She nodded before saying, "Yes, I asked, where is Naila? I don't see her."
Iya smiled and said, "She fell asleep, but she also threw a tantrum missing you; she is in my room. When you finish praying, go get your daughter," she said, laughing before walking out. Mufeeda, standing there, smiled, let out a sigh of relief, and stepped into the toilet in her room to make ablution.
Farida was lying face down, throwing a tantrum of crying. She felt as though her heart was going to burst from grief and jealousy that had gathered and overwhelmed her. She felt like getting up, going to strangle Mufeeda until she died—both her and what was inside her.
Whenever she remembered that Tahir had shared a bed with Mufeeda, she lost her mind. The main thing tearing her heart apart was that Mufeeda had been told not to leave the house, and shamelessly, Tahir had opened his mouth to say she wasn't leaving! Meaning, in this house, she would nurture the pregnancy and give birth to it right before her eyes? No, that could never happen! By God, she could not live with Mufeeda in this house. Whatever happens, let it happen!
She wiped away her tears, stepped down from the bed, and pulled her phone from nearby. She looked at it and saw a message from one of their friends about Bilkisu's younger brother's wedding. She hissed, slammed the phone down, and said in her heart that she had no time for that; the calamity facing her was enough. She plunged into the toilet to make ablution, crying like a small child while doing so.
That entire day, there was no peace in the house. Only Basma and the children had dinner; Tahir only drank coffee and went back to his room. Mufeeda couldn't even come out to the living room; Iya brought her food, and with difficulty, she coaxed her into eating a little before lying down and sighing. As for Farida, her door remained locked, and no one bothered with her. All their hearts slept uneasily. Even Umma and and Abba slept in anxiety, not to mention Goggo Abu, whom Baba Hakimi hadn't spoken to since they returned, because he felt she was the root cause of everything that happened.
As for Inna Fulera, she spent the night crying in distress, one part of her heart pitying her young daughter who had entered into life's severe trial. She woke up, made ablution, and poured out her cries to Allah, just as Tahir spent the night in prayer seeking Allah's forgiveness. Before morning, his heart felt lightened; despite the lingering weight of the event, after it happened, he felt at least 74% relieved of his distress.
The next day, as early as 8:00 AM, Tahir went out without even waiting for breakfast, because guests were waiting for them. Ishaq had arrived as early as 7:00 AM to wake him up from the sleep that overcame him after they returned from Subhi prayer with Bassam and Madu.
As soon as Farida heard Tahir leave, she sprang up from where she was lying. From the top of the stairs, she watched him greeting Iya before he rushed out. Seeing this, she started running down the stairs two steps at a time. She was wearing the same print blouse and skirt from the previous night and a red hijab she had used for Subhi prayer. Iya was in the kitchen trying to fry eggs for breakfast when she saw Farida rushing past as if she might crash into Mufeeda's room. Iya started forward as if to follow her, but a part of her mind told her not to disobey her parents' warning.
Mufeeda was lying on the bed asleep, with Naila beside her, also sleeping tightly, holding onto Mufeeda like a mother and child. Farida stood there staring at them. A wave of frustration mixed with bitterness and jealousy gathered and incited her further. Out of her mind, she rushed to Mufeeda, stood over her, and struck her hard on the back, saying in a rage, "Get up! Get up, damn you! Today you are leaving this house since it's not your father's," she said, striking her back again.
As if in a dream, Mufeeda felt the blows land. She woke up with a start, adjusting her long nightgown with fright and a pounding heart, widening her eyes to see Farida standing over her, breathing heavily like a wild beast. Quickly, Mufeeda scrambled off the bed, every part of her body trembling, and said, "Good... good... morning, Momy."
Farida delivered a sharp knock to her head before saying, "Don't ever call me Momy again because I am not your mother! If you had taken me as a mother, you wouldn't have shared a bed with my husband! Mufeeda, you wronged me! You let my husband know you, and he even got you pregnant, and then because I am a fool, I should let you stay and live in my house?" she said, pointing to herself while tears streamed down her face.
With one hand on her head and the other over her mouth to suppress her sobbing, Mufeeda said in a terrified and panicked state, "Please, Momy, ki..." Before she could finish, Farida hit her with a resounding slap that sent her reeling onto the bed, bursting into tears. This woke Naila up, and seeing Mufeeda crying, she also started wailing.
Iya, in the kitchen trying to put breakfast together, heard the crying from Mufeeda's room and Naila's screams. Hurriedly, she dropped what she was doing and rushed out to Mufeeda's room. Just at that moment, Farida was throwing Mufeeda's clothes out of the wardrobe, shouting, "Get up! Quickly pack your clothes in your bag, right now you are leaving my house! You are not going to give birth to a bastard child in my house! Go, the harm you did to me, God will avenge me!" she shouted, hurling clothes, some of which landed on Mufeeda's body. Mufeeda could only cry as if her life were being torn out of her, unable to even speak. Naila crawled over to Mufeeda, burying herself against her body. Mufeeda picked her up, hugged her, and tried to comfort her while crying.
Iya stood watching, tears of pity for Mufeeda filling her eyes, because Farida was beyond pity. She bore the greatest responsibility for everything that transpired between Alhaji and Mufeeda. Hurriedly, Iya stepped into the room, saying, "Haba... Hajiya, what is so urgent?" she said, trying to pull her away from tossing Mufeeda's clothes out of the wardrobe.
With a jerk, Farida yanked her body away from Iya's grasp, saying, "Mind your business! By God, I swear Mufeeda must leave this house right now!" she said, rolling her red eyes at her. Seeing this, Iya stepped back, marveling at the wonders of God. As Farida turned back, she reached out and snatched Naila from Mufeeda's arms, saying, "You get me right, right? So get up, get up, or I will throw you and your belongings outside!" she said, holding Naila, who was crying and kicking, trying to break free and return to Mufeeda.
Mufeeda, crying, gathered her clothes and stuffed them into the large suitcase Farida had bought her. While Mufeeda zipped the suitcase, Farida handed Naila to Iya, saying, "Hold her for me, Iya," and lunged toward Mufeeda, who was standing trying to put on her hijab. Farida grabbed her hand along with her suitcase and started dragging her toward the living room, shouting, "Come out, let's go, you traitor! God's judgment is between me and you, Mufeeda, by God I will never forgive you!" she cried, dragging Mufeeda all the way to the middle of the living room. There, she bumped into Basma, Laila, Bassam, and Madu, who were standing watching in shock because Farida's noise had woken them up.
In astonishment, Basma looked at Bassam, who looked back at her before they turned their gaze to Farida, who was dragging Mufeeda by the hand, crying, with her suitcase. In a thin voice, Basma asked, "Mommy, where are you taking Mufeeda?"
With a harsh shout, Farida replied, "She is going back to her father's house, Basma! This is not their house."
She pulled Mufeeda further. Iya followed behind, holding Naila, who was crying. In her heart, Iya prayed, "Oh Allah, send Tahir back right now, or any elder who can stop Farida from her wicked plan." Outraged, Basma stepped in front of Farida and said, "No, Mommy! Did you forget what Baba Hakimi and the others said? Mufeeda is going to continue living with us, right, Bassam?" she asked, looking at him. Quickly, he nodded in agreement.
Farida stared at them in shock and anger, saying, "Oh! Is that really what they said?" she asked mockingly. Basma replied, "Yes, Mommy, even Daddy said so." Before Basma could move again, Farida retorted, "I don't care about Daddy, get out of my way or I'll curse you right now!" Basma stared at Farida, her eyes filling with tears, not realizing when her mouth uttered, "Haba, Mommy, why would you do this? Whatever happened with Daddy, YOU ARE THE CAUSE, because if you hadn't neglected him, and if you hadn't neglected us, we would be in our joy right now. Therefore, I will not move! By God, you will not drive Mufeeda away!"
Farida's anger boiled over. She let go of Mufeeda's hand and struck Basma with a flurry of slaps, saying, "You are the one telling me this, Basma?!"
Before she could even catch her breath, she herself was struck with two resounding slaps, staggering and nearly falling before regaining her footing. In astonishment, she turned her gaze to the person who had slapped her—it was Tahir, standing over her, breathing heavily, casting a fierce look at her. From the moment Basma spoke her first words, he had been standing by the entrance of the living room. He had returned to pick up some files he forgot and didn't take out with him. Upon stepping into the living room, he walked right into what Farida was doing, reigniting his fury. Indeed, even a patient person has their breaking point.

2. Summary

In Chapter 14, tensions remain high following the family meeting. Baba Hakimi and the elders strongly decree that Mufeeda must stay in Tahir’s house to carry her pregnancy safely away from village gossip, much to Farida’s absolute fury. While Tahir’s older children (led by Basma) maturely accept the reality and show empathy toward Mufeeda and the unborn child, Farida remains consumed by intense jealousy and malice.
The next morning, while Tahir is out, Farida physically assaults Mufeeda, destroys her things, and attempts to throw her and her baby out of the house. When Basma bravely stands up to Farida and calls out her hypocrisy and neglect as the root cause of the crisis, Farida slaps her daughter. At that exact moment, Tahir returns unexpectedly, witnesses the abuse, and slaps Farida in a fit of righteous fury.

3. Description

• Setting: Tahir's multi-story modern family home, transitioning from the quiet tension of the morning bedrooms down to the main living room and foyer where the family conflicts erupt.
• Atmosphere: Highly volatile, emotionally charged, oppressive, and dramatic. The chapter contrasts the quiet remorse of some characters (like Inna Fulera, Iya, and Goggo Abu) with the explosive, toxic hostility and cruelty exhibited by Farida.

• Themes: Jealousy, matrimonial crisis, accountability, the psychological impact of domestic conflict on children, forgiveness, and the clash between traditional family wisdom and individual spite.

  4. Analytics

• Character Development:
  • Farida is fully exposed as self-centered and unyielding, letting bitterness override her maternal instincts to the point of physically striking her own children.
  • Basma emerges as a voice of reason and emotional maturity among the children, openly confronting her mother's failures.
  • Tahir shifts from a position of guilt and remorse to active protection of Mufeeda and his children, finally drawing a hard line against Farida's tyranny.
• Plot Progression: This chapter serves as a major climax point within the household dynamic. It shatters any lingering illusion that Farida will quietly accept the new family arrangement, setting up an inevitable permanent rupture or power shift in the marriage.
• Narrative Style: Emotion-driven Hausa popular fiction style (Littattafan Soyayya tradition), utilizing intense dramatic dialogue, sensory details of grief (tears, shaking bodies, physical slaps), and distinct moral framing regarding destiny and familial hierarchy.