YAR SAR'ipKI CE by Uwar batoolerh.txt

<p>I felt nothing in my heart because, after all, a man from another town suited me! His poverty didn’t bother me either. As long as he had good character, religious values, and would take care of me as a responsible husband, then Alhamdulillah!</p><p>But what confused me the most was hearing my uncle say that I would be living in Niger, not Nigeria. I was too shocked to speak—I just stood there staring at him.</p><p>Mama quickly asked, “Did you say Niger?”</p><p>Uncle replied, “Yes, exactly.”</p><p>Mama protested, “But Niger is too far! Tell him the truth—we do not agree!”</p><p>I quickly interrupted her, “Mama, let it be. I will go there. But before that, we must investigate him first. If he is truly a good man, then not just Niger—even if it were China, I would follow him, since I will be seeking my paradise through marriage.”</p><p>Uncle shrugged, "That’s up to you. I’ve said my part, and I’m leaving now." He walked away, leaving us in deep thought.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Investigating My Husband-to-Be</p><p>After a while, I picked up my well-worn Nokia torchlight phone and called a neighbor I was very close to, named Saidu. He arrived shortly after, and after exchanging pleasantries (and a little teasing, since he was my playful friend), I got straight to the point.</p><p>I asked, “Do you know anyone called Umaru from the neighborhood?”</p><p>Saidu quickly responded, “Oh, you mean Malam Umaru? The water vendor?”</p><p>I said, “Yes.”</p><p>Saidu continued, “Wallahi, he is a good man. He is deeply religious—every night after Isha prayer, he teaches his fellow workers Islamic knowledge. He is calm, well-mannered, and keeps to himself. He doesn’t interfere in people’s affairs. But why are you asking about him?”</p><p>I smiled, relieved by Saidu’s praises. I knew Saidu wouldn’t lie to me, so my heart settled a little. I didn’t even realize it, but for the first time in a long while, I found myself smiling. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Because after Jumu’ah prayer today, I was married to him!”</p><p>Saidu’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”</p><p>I nodded. “Wallahi.”</p><p>Saidu, who wasn’t the type to pry, simply smiled and said, “Then you are lucky! May Allah bless your marriage.”</p><p>I replied, “Amin.”</p><p>We chatted for a while longer, but the call to Asr prayer interrupted us. I went to perform ablution and pray, thanking Allah for choosing a husband for me and praying for a peaceful and blessed marriage.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Family Reactions</p><p>Meanwhile, Mama started calling my siblings and relatives, informing them about my sudden marriage. Some were overjoyed, as they had been waiting for this moment for a long time. They prayed for me and promised to visit on the day of my send-off.</p><p>Mama also decided that the following Friday, she would host a small walima (wedding feast)—nothing extravagant, just a simple gathering to mark the occasion.</p><p>That night, I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t sure if it was excitement or something else. Instead of forcing sleep, I spent the night performing voluntary prayers, thanking Allah and praying for my marriage to be a source of goodness.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Unexpected Reactions from My Siblings</p><p>Early the next morning, my younger sister Rufaida arrived from Katsina, where she was married, accompanied by three of our brothers. She stormed into the house, furious.</p><p>She yelled, “I do not support this decision at all! How could Uncle do this without consulting us?!”</p><p>I tried to calm her down, “Rufaida, enough. Please stop. It’s not like he married me off to a stranger—I have accepted it. Whether it’s Niger or anywhere else, I will go. Marriage is an act of worship. Didn’t you also leave for Katsina when you got married? You didn’t argue about it, did you?”</p><p>I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she whirled around in anger.</p><p>She shouted, "That’s not even what bothers me the most! Out of all the men in the world, he paired you with a water vendor?! This marriage must be annulled! He thinks just because our father is no longer alive, he can humiliate us like this!" She broke down in tears.</p><p>I scolded her, “Rufaida, don’t say that. Let’s not argue. I have already accepted this marriage as the best decision for me. I am fully prepared to live with him and obey him as my husband, no matter how poor he is.”</p><p>She was visibly upset, but after a moment, she sighed in frustration and said, “Fine, I won’t argue anymore. May Allah bless your marriage.”</p><p>I smiled and replied, “Amin. That’s what you should have said from the start.”</p><p>Later, my other sister Hauwa’u (Maijidda) arrived. Unlike Rufaida, she wasn’t as dramatic but still showed her displeasure. However, after explaining everything to her, she simply sighed and prayed for my happiness.</p><p>Then our youngest brother, Rabi’u, who was studying at A.B.U Zaria, arrived with our aunt Anty Atine. Rabi’u, furious beyond words, was ready to storm off and confront Uncle, insisting that the marriage must be undone.</p><p>It wasn’t until Mama sternly warned him and showed her deep disapproval that he reluctantly let go of his anger. Anty Atine, being the eldest, openly expressed her joy and congratulated me.</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Wedding Preparations Begin</p><p>The entire week was hectic. I was constantly on the move, and so were Mama and my sisters. They spent every day in the market, buying the remaining wedding items I needed. Luckily, Mama had been saving things for my wedding for a long time, so there wasn’t much left to buy.</p><p>Meanwhile, she also arranged for a beautician to prepare me. Every day, I went for body treatments, which made the whole experience feel surreal.</p><p>What surprised me the most was that since our marriage was conducted, I had neither seen nor heard from Umaru. Not even a message from him!</p><p>I started wondering—Had someone told him something bad about me? Did he regret the marriage?</p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>Meeting My Husband for the First Time</p><p>On Wednesday night—the day Hausa people call "Ranar Bawa" (the day of fortune)—we were all gathered in the living room, chatting and laughing. My niece Islam was asleep on my back, while my other niece, Ummi, sat on my lap as I braided her hair.</p><p>Suddenly, a boy entered the house, greeting us.</p><p>We all responded, and then he said, “Someone is here to see the bride.”</p><p>Surprised, I asked, “The bride? Who is it?”</p><p>He replied, “Umaru.”</p><p>I gasped. Even his name sounded strange to me! He doesn’t even know my name?</p><p>Mama smiled, “Well, go and meet him. Let’s see what he has to say.”</p><p>I went to my room, applied some powder, a little lip balm, and a soft perfume, then grabbed my mint-green hijab and wrapped it around me.</p><p>As I stepped out, my family called out, "Safe journey!" Mama and Anty Atine added, "Greet him for us." But Rufaida and the others remained silent.</p><p>I took a large mat from the house and spread it at the entrance. Then I called the boy, “Tell him to come in.”</p><p>Soon, he stepped in.</p><p>The first thing that hit me was the scent of his perfume.</p><p>Then, with a voice filled with composure, he greeted, “Assalamu Alaikum.”</p><p>I responded, “Wa’alaikumus Salam. Please come in.”</p><p>He entered, sat down politely, and after a pause, I greeted, “How are you?”</p><p>He smiled and replied, “I’m well, Alhamdulillah. I hope you recognize me? My name is Umaru, the one you were married to last Friday. I am from Niger, where my parents reside. I came to this town to work under my uncle, Malam Sa’idu, selling water. I have memorized the entire Qur’an and studied some Islamic books. In formal education, I only reached secondary school. I agreed to this marriage based on your uncle’s announcement in the mosque. But although I know your name, I’d love to hear it from you.”</p><p>With a soft voice, I whispered my name…</p><p> </p><p> </p>