Chapter 6 Well comes to the hell

Preparations for their marriage were underway. Sa'ada invited almost everyone in their area, but she deliberately excluded her best friend, Zainaba. They had planned this day together, discussing how they would celebrate and how happy they would be.

Zainaba went to congratulate Sa'ada a day before the wedding, as she wanted to discuss her kids with her.

Sa'ada was sitting with her friends when Abu entered. They all recognized her, and Sadiya suggested, "Let's leave them alone."

"No, there's no need for that. I came here just to congratulate her as her old friend," Zainaba stated, her gaze unfathomable.

"Please, guys, let's leave them alone," Salma added.

"I'm sure you're not here just to congratulate me. There must be another reason," Sa'ada said after her friends left.

Zainaba smirked and replied, "Well, that's the only reason. But now that you've mentioned it, I do have something else to say. Please, Sa'ada, raise my kids as your own, no matter what happens between us. After Hajiya and my parents, you are the only one I can trust with them."

Sa'ada smiled and said, "What a fortunate coincidence. You've said what's been on my mind. Seeing you have everything, being loved by so many people, having a perfect man, makes me feel inadequate. I love you, but at the same time, I envy you. I also despise you. So, to put a blemish, or at least a scratch, on you, I can't do that without making everything that belongs to you mine. I will make sure your kids become mine. I will be kind to them, ensuring they love me more or even forget about having another mother besides me." Sa'ada declared, pointing confidently at her own chest, her gaze fixed on Abu.

Zainaba laughed and replied, "If it will bring you peace, go ahead. But remember, you can never be me. The love my kids have for me is unbreakable."

Sa'ada's expression changed, and she became calm. "That's true. No matter what, the love between a mother and her child is sacred. But don't underestimate my power as a stepmother. I will make sure they remember me, too."

Zainaba left, feeling a mix of emotions. She knew that the journey ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to be strong for her children and to cherish the love they shared. She had no regrets, for she believed that everything happened for a reason, and she was ready to face whatever came her way.

Usman's wedding to Sa'ada had come to pass, a union that filled their hearts with joy and anticipation for the future. Yet, a subtle transformation seemed to take hold of Usman, as if a veil had descended upon his expressive nature. He spoke less, but his eyes betrayed a silent turmoil beneath his enigmatic smile. Sa'ada, keenly perceptive, sensed the pain veiled behind his facade, and she believed that with time, his heart would heal from the loss of Abu.

Although Usman and Sa'ada desired to have his children back with them, they both agreed that more time was needed for Usman to establish a stronger bond with his new wife. In the meantime, their absence had brought about profound changes in the children's lives. Ummi, wore a mask of constant cheerfulness, yet her eyes concealed a profound loneliness. Mistakes would often bring her to tears, as she believed that Hajiya, grandmother held disdain for them, convinced that her love was insufficient as she was not their biological mother.

But it wasn't just Ummi's struggles that posed a challenge. She was inadvertently sowing seeds of bitterness in her sister's heart as well. Whenever Amira erred and received a reprimand from Hajiya, Ummi would embrace her, and together they would weep, Ummi whispering words of assurance that Hajiya's scolding was a result of her not being their mother. Amira, innocent and impressionable, absorbed these words, unknowingly fostering resentment in her young heart.

As rain began to fall, casting a gray veil over the world, Hajiya and Ummi found themselves seated in the parlor, seeking solace from the melancholic weather. Ummi, engrossed in writing Quranic verses, felt a drop of rain land on her hand.

"Ummi, where is Amira? I haven't seen her for a while," Hajiya inquired, her attention focused on her granddaughter.

"She is outside playing with Bashir," Ummi replied, her pen gliding across the paper.

"Please, go and call her," Hajiya instructed, concern etched in her voice.

Ummi's countenance shifted slightly, and she pleaded, "Hajiya, can you ask Aunty Baraka to call her? I need to finish these Simuni before tomorrow. You know how slow I write."

"Very well, call Baraka for me," Hajiya acquiesced.

"Aunty Baraka!" Ummi called out.

A woman of average build, around forty years of age, appeared before them.

Hajiya, her gaze fixed on the television, turned her attention towards the maid and said, "Baraka, please call Amira. It's drizzling outside, and she might catch a cold."

"Okay, ma'am," Baraka replied before making her way to the door.

Outside, Amira was engrossed in play with her friends, heedless of the mud and dampness surrounding them.

"Amira, come inside. It's raining," Baraka called out, stepping out of the main parlor. Amira looked at her with a disappointed expression, her voice filled with sadness as she asked, "Why did you call me?"

Baraka smiled gently and said, "It's getting dark, and the rain is starting to fall. We don't want you to catch a cold, dear."

"But we can still see clearly. I want to finish building our house," Amira stubbornly replied, taking a step toward the door.

"Amira!" Hajiya, who had been observing the scene from the veranda, raised her voice, "If you step outside again, I will reprimand you. Look at yourself!"

Amira burst into tears, and Hajiya, paying no heed to her distress, took hold of her hand and led her inside.

Hajiya, unyielding in her determination to protect Amira, guided her to the bathroom and gently washed away the mud from her hands and feet. As they entered the parlor, Amira sought solace in her sister Ummi's embrace, saying, "Yaya Ummi, I thought Hajiya disliked us, but I'm not worried anymore because she's not our mom..."

Hajiya who happens to overheard their conversation badge in to the room, she widened her eyes and she interjected, "Amira, it's not what you think. A grandmother could never hate her grandchild.

Amira's face brightened with relief, and she ran towards Hajiya, taking hold of her hands and beaming with joy. "Hajiya, is it true that you don't hate us?" she asked, her eyes brimming with hope.

Hajiya returned her smile and replied, "Why would I ever hate my angels?"

"I knew it! Yaya Ummi was mistaken," Amira exclaimed, her happiness shining through.

As Ummi left the parlor, seething with frustration, she pondered Hajiya's words. If Hajiya didn't hate them, then why had she allowed their father to marry another woman, especially someone like Sa'ada who seemed to shatter their mother's happiness? Ummi's resentment grew, and she whispered to herself, "I despise those who betray."