<p>Rafeeq and Mima's Household Scene</p><p>Rafeeq went to visit Mima, and he found their son, Arham, playfully resting his head on Mima's lap. Rafeeq exclaimed, "Hey, what are you doing?" Arham responded cheekily, "You have your wife, so go lie on her lap and leave me alone. As for me, Mima is my mom, and if she continues nursing me, I’ll gladly revert to being a baby." Turning to Mima, he said, "Please drink the itch-relief water they give in the village." Rafeeq laughed and said, "Look at your son; this is why he has no respect for you." Mima retorted, “Oh, shut up! Back when we were poor, you avoided us like the plague. Now you want to act all concerned?”</p><p>Arham interjected, "Back then, he would even tease us. If it were in the past, he’d be cracking inappropriate jokes with us now." Rafeeq chuckled, “Even now, I do that. The only reason you don't hear it is that I don't do it in front of you.”</p><p>Arham laughed, "We hear everything, and we enjoy such talks too." Mima, annoyed, took off her shoe and playfully chased Rafeeq, who ran to the bedroom. She shouted, "Go to your own house! I’m tired of you!" Meanwhile, Mummy was sitting quietly, reading a court summons. Arham looked at her, suppressing his laughter. She noticed and asked, "Hey, you! What’s funny?" He replied, "Oh, nothing. I wasn’t laughing at you." Then he added, “By the way, where is Alhaji Baseeru? I hope you’re pregnant again for him.”</p><p>Mummy scoffed, “That useless man is out there suffering. Do you think I would still bother with him? He once divorced me, and I remarried. Then he begged me to come back, calling his first divorce a mistake. He’s so ungrateful!”</p><p>Arham laughed, "Yes, he has no shame. Humans can be such ingrates." Mima emerged and scolded Mummy, “Why are you entertaining Arham’s chatter? The boy has no limits. Get up, Arham, and leave before I chase you too.”</p><p>Shaheed Returns Home</p><p>Shaheed came back from school and was greeted with Mima's sharp tone: "Turn around and go to your quarters! I don’t want to hear a word from you." Shaheed protested, "What did I do? I just got back from school." Mima warned, “If you don't leave, I’ll report you to your dad!”</p><p>He reluctantly left, mumbling, "These kids should just get married. That would solve everything!" Shaheed excitedly chimed in, "Yes, that’s a great idea! Let’s arrange marriages for all of us! I’ll be married soon and have kids within 9 months. Junior is the only one who isn’t ready." Rafeeq came out laughing, "All this just because I came to greet you? I’m leaving now!" He slipped away while Shaheed celebrated, humming, “They said we’re getting married!”</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Hanif Usman</p><p>Hanif Usman was a 33-year-old Fulani man from Adamawa State. He lost his father at age 3 and was raised by his determined mother, who ensured he pursued his education up to a master’s degree. Hanif was a strikingly handsome man with fair skin, sharp features, and a reserved nature.</p><p>He was a wealthy businessman, owning a mansion in GRA, Kano. Despite his riches, he remained humble and quiet. His family, including his mother, lived in Adamawa. Hanif had loved his cousin, Khairat, since childhood, but a fire tragedy claimed her life, leaving him devastated.</p><p>Hanif's Trouble</p><p>Hanif’s troubles began when Sudeis, his cousin, disappeared after just two weeks of living with him in Kano. The boy's father accused Hanif of foul play, claiming he was involved in criminal activities. Hanif was arrested and has been awaiting trial in prison. Despite his predicament, Hanif maintained a dignified appearance and had the best food and clothes brought to him.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Khadija Sani Uba (Mero)</p><p>Khadija, or Mero, was a young girl from a rural village in Danbatta, Kano. She and her younger brother, Muneer, were raised under the harsh rule of their mother, Hajiya Jummai. Jummai was controlling and manipulative, using her husband, Sani, as a pawn.</p><p>Sani, though hardworking, was submissive to Jummai, who dictated his every move. She controlled the household and even prevented her children from getting an education. Despite this, Sani accepted his situation and prioritized peace over confrontation.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Sani’s Struggles</p><p>One day, Sani returned home after selling millet and handed all the proceeds to Jummai, keeping only 3,000 naira for himself. Jummai angrily rebuked him, reducing his share to 1,000 naira. Muneer protested on his father’s behalf, but Jummai silenced him with threats. Sani took the reduced amount without complaint.</p><p>Later that day, Jummai prepared to attend a naming ceremony and ordered Sani to carry her belongings. He complied without question, drawing ridicule from villagers. Even Sani’s friends, like Malam, tried to counsel him, but Sani defended his actions, stating, “I’m only fulfilling my duties as a husband. It’s what Jummai wants, and I’ll do it.”</p><p>Malam sighed in frustration, "May God guide you." Sani responded, "Ameen," and went back to his life under Jummai’s control.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
