Kaduna
“Assalamu Alaikum, Ummiey, I’m back,” said a young lady in her soft, melodious voice.
She was exceptionally beautiful, but not light-skinned; her complexion could best be described as “radiantly dark.”
Her small lips were naturally pink, and her long Fulani-like nose complemented her perfectly. She had alluring, sleepy eyes with long lashes that seemed like extensions. She wasn’t too tall but could be called of medium height. Her baby face made her appear even younger, and her slightly thick eyebrows joined at the center, giving her a unique charm.
Her hands and feet were medium-sized and adorned with red henna patterns. She removed her hijab, revealing her long hair neatly styled in a doughnut bun at the center of her head.
Hearing no response to her greeting, she peeked into her mother’s room and saw her praying. Quietly, she moved to another room, which appeared to be her own. She opened the door, greeted, and placed her bag and hijab on the bed.
She walked into the bathroom. Her room was immaculately clean, with pink and purple-themed furniture. Even the walls were painted in pink and purple. The bed and wardrobe were decorated with stickers of characters like Dora and Cinderella. The mirror was also covered in stickers, but no makeup items were placed on the dresser—only oils, humra, and perfumes.
On one side of the room, there was a large enlarged photo of the girl with the words, Happy Birthday, Janan Pharouk Makarfi.
She stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. The bathroom, too, was pink and purple. She sat on the stool by the mirror, applied lotion, and rubbed humra and perfume on herself. She then went to her wardrobe, picked a material gown, and dressed without tying her headscarf.
She left her room and headed to the parlor but didn’t find her mother there either. Smiling, she made her way to the kitchen, which was well-stocked with various cooking items.
Bending slightly, she said, “Ummiey, I’m back.”
Her mother turned, touched her hair, and said, “Welcome back, Hulwaty. How were your exams?”
“Alhamdulillah,” she replied.
“What are you cooking, Ummiey?”
“Your favorite—waina and miyan taushe,” her mother replied.
Smiling, Janan stood up and said, “Ummiey, let me help you.”
They cooked and chatted while her mother asked about the exams. Janan explained that the exams went well and that the results would be released in two weeks. Her mother wished her the best of luck, and they continued working.
At one point, Janan said, “Ummiey, let me quickly prepare kunun aya for Abbie. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
As she added sugar, she asked, “Ummiey, where are Big Bro and Ya Salim?”
“They went out and haven’t returned yet,” her mother replied.
“Okay,” Janan said.
Her mother reminded her, “Be quick. Your lesson teacher will be here soon.”
“I’m already done,” Janan replied, getting up.
She went to her room, gathered her books, and wore a long hijab that covered her entirely. She then checked the kitchen and said, “Ummiey, I’m leaving now.”
Her mother prayed for her, saying, “Hurry up; you know Malam Ahmad doesn’t like lateness.”
—
She arrived to find her teacher sitting on a large carpet spread on the floor. She greeted him and sat down.
Smiling, he responded to her greeting and asked, “How were your exams?”
“Alhamdulillah,” she replied.
“Did you pray before starting your exams?” he asked.
“Yes, Malam. I did,” she answered.
“Good. So, what should we start with today—Risala or Adab?”
Smiling, she said, “Whichever you choose, Malam. Both are fine by me.”
“Okay, let’s start with Adab,” he said.
He began reading to her while she listened attentively. When he finished, he asked her to read slowly and carefully. She read, and he asked her questions, which she answered correctly.
“Bring your book; I’ll give you an assignment,” he said.
She handed him the book, and he wrote the assignment for her. Afterward, they moved on to Risala. Once done, he told her to revise it so she could explain it to him the next day.
“It’s almost Maghrib,” he said. “Go back inside now, and we’ll continue tomorrow.”
