Shattered Bonds:Treacherous Path of Betrayal

"I am exhausted from this marriage. I can no longer endure being with you," Zainaba expressed, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and sadness. The weight of his infidelity had taken its toll on her, leaving deep wounds in her heart. She couldn't believe he had brought another woman into their home, their sacred sanctuary. The anger within her rose, and for a brief moment, she entertained the thought of striking him.

Usman, however, seemed unfazed by her outburst, barely acknowledging her words. He appeared distant, as if her exhaustion held no significance to him. This only fueled Zainaba's rage. She couldn't bear to live with an unfaithful spouse any longer, and she whispered her accusation, careful not to let her words escape beyond the walls of their home. The secret she carried had the power to destroy everything she had built.

"Did you just call me an adulterer?" Usman's voice thundered through the room, his anger mirroring hers.

Zainaba pressed her lips together, determined not to back down. "If you do not wish to be labeled as such, then why do you engage in extramarital relations?" Her words rang out, a challenge she knew would provoke him further.

Usman let out a dry, bitter laugh before taking a step back, creating distance between them. "Ah, but do you have any proof? I bet you only witnessed us holding hands, not engaging in adultery," he taunted, his eyes daring her to prove him wrong. He was a master of manipulation, his cunning nature revealing itself.

Defeated, Zainaba refused to give up so easily. With a smile that masked her trembling legs, she replied, "Then what should I call witnessing the two of you together, naked? Isn't that adultery?" She gracefully settled onto a cushion in the living room, though her every fiber quivered with anticipation.

For a few moments, Usman stared at her in silence, the weight of her words sinking in. It was the second time he found himself speechless, his façade slipping. "Whatever, I do not have time for this," he declared, his voice laced with annoyance, as he turned to leave.

"You may not have time for this, but you certainly have time for adultery," Zainaba retorted, unwilling to let him go so easily.

Her once-husband's patience had worn thin, and Zainaba feared that her own patience had run dry as well. "What?" Usman spun around, his anger pulsating through him. He had not expected such a strong response from her. "Let me remind you of something: just because I remain silent does not mean I cannot take action!" His voice reverberated in the room, the tension between them palpable.

As Zainaba rose from her seat, her heart fluttered with a glimmer of hope. His words held a promise, a potential answer to her deepest longing-a divorce. Summoning all her courage, she decided to try her luck.

"Alright, please, let us do it. Let's bring an end to everything once and for all. I need a divorce."

A mischievous grin played on Usman's lips as he echoed her words. "Did you just say divorce?"

"Yes, that is what I want. I am exhausted, I swear," she pleaded, her eyes brimming with earnestness.

"If that is your wish, then let us visit your parents tomorrow and discuss everything in their presence," he replied, before turning and exiting the room.

Zainaba sank back onto the cushion, her shoulders burdened and heavy. She eagerly awaited the darkness of night, yearning for sleep to claim her so that she could awaken to a new day. A day that held the promise of her long-desired divorce.

As dawn broke, Zainaba rose early, wasting no time in preparing herself for the day ahead. The thought of food made her stomach turn, the weight of anticipation overriding her appetite. All she desired was to face her parents alongside him. It seemed he understood her yearning, for he too rose promptly, completing his preparations in sync with her. She was in the living room when he emerged, his watch adorning his wrist, and a cologne that had once intoxicated her now held no sway. She greeted him with a simple "good morning," and he responded cheerfully, as though the events of the previous night had been erased from existence.

His smile was painted on his face, a facade that crumbled with her next words. "I am going to work," he announced, making his way towards the door.

"What do you mean you're going to work? Have you forgotten our agreement?" The joy on Zainaba's face dissipated, vanishing into thin air.

"What agreement are you talking about?" he feigned ignorance, a mask of innocence on his face. "The matter of divorce," she replied, her tone curt.

"Oh!" He grinned, his expression transforming. "Please, my dear, let us forgive and forget.

Let's put an end to this marriage. I am already in pain. My heart bleeds," she pleaded, her tears held back with great effort. As it became clear he had no intention of responding to her desires, Zainaba rose to her feet and stumbled towards him.

"When I said I want a divorce, I meant it. You know better than anyone that I always mean what I say," she declared, her voice unwavering.

He tilted his head back, considering her words. "Very well, if that is what you want, let us go to your parents' house." Zainaba was taken aback, a surge of hope filling her weary heart. Without another thought, she covered her head with a veil and followed him to where he had parked his car

Zainab and Usman arrived at the house, greeted by her parents and her uncle. Formal pleasantries were exchanged, and Usman was offered a seat while Abu sat close to her mother on a seating mound, opposite her uncle. The room filled with a tense atmosphere as Alhaji Badaru cleared his throat before speaking.

"I was afraid something had gone wrong when you called," Baba said, concern evident in his eyes as he glanced at Usman, who seemed preoccupied with his phone. Usman raised his head, meeting their gaze before he began speaking, his voice devoid of emotion. "Well, this visit is unusual, but I believe it's the way to solve the little problem we had between us (him and Abu). As I told you previously on the phone, we'll be coming for some issues. The thing is, Zainab asked for a divorce, and I tried to appease her, but things are out of my control," Usman stated, glancing back at his phone.

Shock reverberated through the room, freezing the air around them. "What divorce, Zainab? Are you out of your mind? Didn't you know that Allah dislikes women asking for a divorce? You better get back to your senses. Divorce isn't a solution," Abu's uncle erupted with indignation.

Her father snapped, his voice laced with frustration. "You better follow your husband back to your home. Enough of this." His stern gaze fell upon Abu, who sat there with her chin resting on her palm, clearly troubled.

Usman looked at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he hummed. "Hajiya, I am leaving. Do you want me to drop you off or pick you up after work?" His smiling face used to be one of the things she liked about him, but not anymore.

Sometimes, she felt violated whenever he gave her such a look. She glared at him and said, "As I said earlier, I need a divorce, and I am not going anywhere. Kawu, Baba, please help me end this marriage. I am tired. Wallahi, living with him is crushing me. I am already in hell. Although he has enough, he never cared about what I and his children eat, nor does he care about what we wear. If not for his mother, who is helping me, our marriage wouldn't last long. I don't know what he thinks of marriage, but to me, food isn't the only thing we need. We also need someone to provide for us. He sometimes leaves the house early in the morning when it's still dark and doesn't come back until midnight. In most cases, he comes back after three days, and if I ask, he will only hum," she blew out a little air before continuing.

"Wallahi, I have been enduring his reckless behavior for so long, and it's for your sake (meaning to keep her parents' dignity) and my children, but not anymore. I just can't take it," she paused for a moment

And added, "And as if all that isn't enough, he is now seeing another woman." Her voice trembled as she said the last part in a low tone, trying to conceal her tears.

Her father's face softened as he offered some words of wisdom. "Zainab, you must know that the beginning of a marriage is not easy. Every couple quarrels with each other, but with time and patience, the marriage will stick for years. Just look at us, here we are after some 20 years."

She shook her head slightly and said, "But Baba, you can't compare people of your time to people of our time, especially people like Usman. You guys are mature."

Her uncle chimed in, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Yes, now it's different, but back then, we were just like you guys. In life, a person needs to be patient."

Zainab took a deep breath, hoping desperately that her parents could understand her pain. "If it weren't for him seeing another woman, I wouldn't ask for a divorce," Zainab groaned.

"Uhum, do you just bring seeing another woman as an excuse? Mind you, a man can marry three wives apart from you, the first wife. You better come back to your senses," her father responded, clearly exhausted.

"Yes, Baba, I am aware of his freedom to marry three other women apart from me. But it's not like he wants to marry one of them. In fact, they are just involved in illicit relationships," she said sadly.

"How do you know they are together?" her uncle inquired, searching for the truth.

Feeling confident that her parents might finally understand her, she said, "Yes, I saw him with Sa'ada..." Before she could utter another word, Usman, seemingly disinterested in the discussion, interjected.

"She only saw us holding hands, that's all," he said nonchalantly.

"Wallahi, he is lying. I saw them together," she insisted, her voice quivering with emotion.

"Shut up, liar," her uncle barked, growing more belligerent.

Zainab began to sob, feeling a whirlwind of emotions overwhelm her. Confusion mingled with her tears as she realized the gravity of the situation she had caused. Her uncle and father's uncontrollable reactions, coupled with the icy glare from her mother, made it clear that her decision had shattered their world.

For a few minutes, Zainab and her parents, along with Usman, sat motionless, enveloped in an eerie silence. Finally, Zainab found the strength to speak up.

"Please, Uncle, consider my feelings seriously. I never want my children to be victims of a broken home, but living with him will result in my death," she pleaded, her voice heavy with desperation.

Mtttts, her uncle hissed, "Fine, go ahead and die, but you have to follow him back," he said, his steps heavy as he exited the house.

Umma, who had remained quiet throughout, pleaded softly, "Kawun yara, won't you wait for lunch to be ready?" Her voice carried a hint of desperation.

"No, I can't stay here any longer. Otherwise, this girl will raise my blood pressure even higher than it already is," he responded curtly before storming out.

Baba stood up, his eyes filled with anger. "Let me accompany him. You better leave before I come back," her father uttered, his frustration palpable.

Usman, still seated, suddenly rose to his feet. "Umma, I am leaving too. I will come back later to pick her up," he declared.

Umma shook her head, a mix of sadness and resignation etched on her face. "No, Usman, you have to leave together. You heard what Malam said."

Abu, still engulfed in tears, managed to speak between sobs. "Wallahi, I am not leaving with him," she sobbed, her words choked with emotion. "I can't live with an adulterer anymore."

In an instant, her mother's hand met her cheek with a resounding slap. Before Abu could utter another word, another blow landed on her, leaving her stunned. "Abu, what have you turned yourself into? Is that how we raised you? Innalillahi, you are calling your husband an adulterer," her mother seethed with anger.

"Umma, please stop beating her. I am ending everything now and for all," Usman turned to her, his resolve unwavering. "Zainab, I divorce my wife, Zainab, three times."

Umma interrupted, shocked and disbelieving. "Are you mad? How can you make such a decision while you are angry?"

Usman remained unfazed. "I just want to end everything, that's all. And for the sake of our children, I will take them to my mother before I marry another woman," he declared, his words heavy with finality, before swiftly exiting the house.

As Usman stepped outside, his legs trembled, threatening to give way beneath him. Strange thoughts raced through his mind, "What have I done? What possessed me to utter the word 'divorce'? Ya Ilahi, guide me through this." He muttered to himself, perplexed by his own actions. This was not like him. Divorce, not once, but three times? Why did his inner voice speak these words? The sudden realization hit him like a slap to the face, making him wince. He clumsily made his way to his car, where he sat for nearly twenty minutes, unsure of what to do next.

He lacked the energy to drive away, lost in a sea of confusion.

Still in his car, Usman saw his father-in-law, Malam Badaru, returning. "A'a Usmanu, don't tell me you're still waiting for her?" his father-in-law remarked.

Forcing a fake smile, Usman replied, "No, Baba, I'm leaving now, but I'll be back later to pick her up."

Baba smiled and nodded. "Alright, make sure you're back early," he said before disappearing into the house.

Usman knew full well that he was to blame for everything. Regret gnawed at his conscience. If only he could turn back time, he wouldn't have allowed this day to become a part of his life.

Leaving his in-laws' place behind, Usman drove straight to his office. He sought solace in work, hoping to keep himself occupied. He began organizing some documents he needed to review and sign. However, his mind wandered, preoccupied with countless trivial thoughts. His brooding extended beyond himself and encompassed his mother as well. He pondered over what he would say to her, unsure of her reaction. He knew she held Zainaba in high regard, and he dreaded disappointing her.

When Baba entered the house, he glanced at Zainaba, who was still seated, unsure of what to do. "Zainaba, you better be ready on time. Don't keep him waiting," he said.

Umma sighed deeply. "Uhum, waiting for what? He's not coming back. He ended everything between them," Umma lamented, her face filled with sadness as she looked at Zainab.

Baba stopped in his tracks, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, ended everything?"

Umma took a deep breath before responding, her voice weary, "While you were out accompanying Kawu, Abu insulted her husband, hurling a barrage of insults. She succeeded in making him divorce her, and the worst part is, it was a triple divorce," Umma explained, her words filled with sorrow.

Baba's anger surged upon hearing about the divorce. He looked at Abu, eyes filled with disappointment. "Is being a divorcee what attracts you? If that's the life you choose for yourself, then so be it," he said, shaking his head in disbelief, before retreating into his room.

Umma shot Abu an icy stare, hissing, "Useless trash," before leaving for her own room. Zainaba sensed the brewing storm and feared the wrath of her parents.

Sa'ada sat beside her father, Malam Imranu, who occupied a worn-out chair. He cleared his throat, signaling the seriousness of the conversation to come.

"Sa'ada," he began, his voice grave.

"Yes, Baba," Sa'ada replied, her attention focused on her father.

"Why did you cause Usman to divorce Zainaba?" he inquired.

Caught off guard, Sa'ada's voice trembled as she answered, "Wallahi, Baba, I didn't expect him to do that."

He studied her for a moment, as if searching for something, before adding, "Then why do you keep going to their house, especially when she's not there?"

The questions overwhelmed her, but silence would only worsen the situation. "Wallahi, Baba, she's lying. She's jealous of me. I admit to seducing him into marrying me, but I never committed adultery," Sa'ada replied confidently.

He let out a heavy sigh. "Okay, but why would you do that? Zainaba loves you for the sake of Allah. Why her, of all people?" his anger seeped through his words.

"I also love him for the sake of Allah, with all my heart. Besides, they've broken up now. Please, Baba, let bygones be bygones. We are getting married. Just wish us well," Sa'ada said, leaving the room without waiting for her father's response.

He simply nodded, his mind filled with worry and a sense of resignation. "If that's what you've chosen for your life," he muttered under his breath.

Since the divorce, Usman hadn't answered Sa'ada's calls or replied to her messages. Though it bothered her immensely, she pushed the concerns aside and focused on preparing for their wedding. She completed all the necessary arrangements, yet she couldn't shake off a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction in Usman's treatment of her. She had no one to confide in except Zainaba, her closest friend and confidante.

Sitting alone in her room, her chin resting on her palm, Sa'ada contemplated her predicament. Suddenly, Maryam burst into the room, exclaiming, "Where is the bride?" Sa'ada managed a weak smile in response. "Oh, our bride, what's on your mind?" Maryam asked, concern etched on her face.

Sa'ada sighed and muttered, "Nothing, really."

Maryam tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Come on, girl, speak up. Holding your sorrows alone won't solve anything; it'll only make things more difficult."

Motivated by Maryam's words, Sa'ada spoke up, her voice tinged with sorrow, "Well, Maryam, Usman has changed. He never picks up my calls or responds to my messages since the fallout with Abu."

Maryam sat beside her, offering comfort. "You know better than anyone that he loves Zainaba deeply. If it weren't for his genuine feelings, he wouldn't have been tempted elsewhere. For now, give him more time to heal from the past," Maryam suggested.

Sa'ada's tears welled up. "But how much time, Maryam? It has already been two weeks," she said, her voice on the verge of breaking.

Maryam smiled empathetically. "Two weeks is not enough for someone who loved another with their whole heart to completely let go after a breakup. It may take years. However, I think it would be good for us to go to his office and talk to him. He may listen," Maryam suggested.

Sa'ada found herself convinced. "That's good advice. Can we go now?" she asked, eager to resolve the growing distance between them.

When Sa'ada and Maryam arrived at Usman's office, he was nowhere to be found. They had no choice but to wait for his return. When he finally arrived, he appeared visibly agitated. He forced a smile and asked, "What brings you here?"

Sa'ada stared at him in surprise. "Wait, don't tell me you forgot about our upcoming marriage. Are you still aware of the promise you made to me? We were supposed to get married this month," she said, her gaze fixed on him.

"I haven't forgotten, but haven't you seen what's been happening? I need more time to prepare and think about what to tell my mother. If it weren't for this divorce, nothing would have changed, and everything would be as planned," he responded wearily.

Sa'ada hissed in frustration. "What preparations? My problem is Usman. You're so clueless," she said, her anger rising.

He stared at her, his eyes wide open and mouth slightly ajar. "Sa'ada, are you calling me clueless?" he asked, anger seeping through his voice. "Please leave my office before I do something we'll all regret," he shouted, gesturing towards the door.

As Sa'ada and Maryam left the office, Sa'ada's tears flowed freely, while Maryam comforted her, assuring her that everything would be okay. Once they were gone, Usman slumped back into his chair, muttering to himself, "Stupid girl, she has no idea," his frustration palpable.

Usman appeared to be reading a newspaper in his office, but his mind was elsewhere. His phone, plugged in and charging, continued to ring incessantly. His secretary entered the room and said, "Sir, your phone is ringing," raising her voice to bring him back to reality. "Please bring me the phone," he replied.

He had missed seven calls from Sa'ada. Irritated, he let out a sigh, knowing exactly who was calling. Without checking the screen, he answered, "Haba, Malama, what's the matter?"

"Usman, what's wrong with you? Are you shouting at me?" his mother's voice filled his ears.

"Sorry, Mama, I didn't check. I just picked up the call," he apologized, his voice softened.

"Well, I'm in front of your house to drop off Ummi and Amira, but the gatekeeper said Zainaba hasn't been there for almost two weeks. Where is she? Her children want to see her," she inquired.

"Ah, well, she went to Katsina for a ceremony," he quickly replied.

"What kind of ceremony is that? And why didn't she return safely?" his mother pressed for more information.

"Amin, Mama," he responded before ending the call.

His mother sensed that something was amiss, especially when she recalled what Amira had mentioned earlier when they arrived. The young girl had said, "Hajiya, do you know something? Ummi and Abba have been fighting since yesterday."

Hajiya replied, "No," dismissing Amira's words, as she was the younger of the two siblings. But deep down, Hajiya knew Amira was telling the truth. "Malan Manu, we're going to my in-laws' house," Hajiya told her driver, who simply nodded before starting the car.

It was a somber moment for Hajiya when she learned about the divorce. She genuinely cared for Zainaba, despite her in-laws blaming their daughter for everything. She spent nearly two hours comforting Abu, hoping to provide some solace.

The children were overjoyed to see their mother again before Hajiya left. She gave Abu some cash and assured her that the kids would visit regularly. This was the only source of relief for Abu in her trying times.