FreeFreeDescription
Confrontation and a Dramatic Threat
"Why don't you take your mother’s words seriously, to the extent that you are making these threats to me behind her back? If for nothing else, she has pity on me, and perhaps she understands exactly what I feel regarding Sabir," Rumaisa said, fixing her eyes directly into his.
This intense eye contact caused both of their hearts to skip a beat simultaneously. Summoning her courage and inner strength, she slapped the hood of Adam's car and demanded, "If after Anty Aisha’s death an order was given to kill Sabir, and I took every risk imaginable—relying on Allah’s protection—to rescue him, do you honestly think that after our escape, I would conspire with anyone to harm the very child I promised his mother I would protect? What kind of a heart do you possess in your chest?!"
The facility workers began to approach them to intervene, but Adam waved them off and signaled them to stop, completely captivated because Rumaisa had just revealed something of monumental importance.
"You know exactly what brought me into contact with you from the very beginning, and I haven't taken back a single word I said, nor will I ever take it back. As for Sabir, if you like, take him to the ends of the earth; do whatever you deem fit! You merciless man, I have never hated anything in this world as much as I hate you. Even the bandits in whose custody I stayed used to respect me at times. Because of this accusation you made against me—claiming that I would conspire with someone to harm your child—I say thank you. From this day forward, I will never step foot in your house again, by God's grace! As long as I am a legitimate child born of my mother, and Yaya Usman and the others are my brothers, I will never return to this house!"
She delivered her speech logically and chronologically at first, but ended it in a typical childish, erratic outburst. Weeping bitterly, she turned on her heel and marched toward the main gate.
Adam’s heart sank, and his stubborn demeanor softened. He realized that the things he had said to her were indeed far too harsh.
She exited the premises hurriedly, crying as she walked down the road. She vowed to herself that even if it meant her death, she would never ride in his car again. A fierce fire of hatred toward him raged in her heart; to her, anyone who attempted to separate her from Sabir was her ultimate enemy.
Part 2: Suspicion and Rumors in the Household
Meanwhile, Mahmud entered Mummy's section of the house, lost in thought, a faint smile gracing his lips from time to time.
Mummy looked at him and said, "Tell me the story behind that smile. Does it mean your return has brought you joy?"
He smiled again and replied, "I ran into a certain girl on my way in, and just now I went out and saw her again. Her entire physical appearance and character are just utterly hilarious."
Mummy looked at him calmly and asked, "Or have you fallen in love?"
He chuckled, "Love? She is just a little girl! But the things she said genuinely astonished me. Apparently, she is the one who rescued and brought back that baby everyone has been gossiping about—Aisha Turaki's baby. She claimed she came to see 'her child,' but he ordered that if she ever showed up, she should never be allowed inside again. That girl possesses an insane amount of courage. Her words are completely beyond her years; there is a lot of childish nonsense in her speech, yet there is deep wisdom hidden within that very nonsense. Nothing amazed me more than how she confidently grabbed my shirt and questioned me, thinking I was that other guy."
Confused, Mummy asked, "Wait, do you mean the girl who brought Aisha's baby to this house? You're saying she's just a little girl?"
"Yes. You people living in this house should know more about that than I do. I don't know the full story, but I know she is a very young girl, even though she has the fiery energy of the whole world. In my estimation, she can't be more than thirteen years old."
"What! Do you mean a thirteen-year-old girl is the one who brought the baby people claim belongs to Adam? The sheer audacity of these people is becoming too much. How could a thirteen-year-old rescue a baby from the hands of ruthless bandits?"
Mahmud shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know."
"But wait, is the girl still around? I need to see her."
"Mummy, see her to do what? Please, there's no need. Stop meddling in their affairs and trying to investigate everything they are up to. That is exactly why they disrespect you. Leave them alone to deal with their own problems," he said, standing up to leave.
Mummy watched him walk away but couldn't find the words to say anything further. She remained trapped in deep astonishment, constantly turning the matter over in her mind, completely bewildered by the matriarch of the house and her son. It was mind-boggling to think that a mere thirteen-year-old girl had successfully rescued a baby from bandits.
Part 3: Captured and Sent Home
Meanwhile, Rumaisa continued walking down the road, crying heavily because Takawa's harsh words had deeply wounded her pride. Just as she approached the main road, she suddenly felt a firm hand grip her arm. Furious, she snapped her head up, but before she could make a move, the man began dragging her along.
She started wrestling violently to break free, shouting defiantly, "Let go of me! What have I done to you?"
She instantly recognized the man's face—it was Sidi, one of the men who had previously captured her and brought her to Takawa.
Ignoring her entirely, he flung open the back door of Takawa’s car and threw her inside, slamming the door shut. Adam rolled down his window, gave Sidi a grateful nod, rolled the glass back up, and drove off.
"Mister, stop this car and let me out! I don't want you to take me to your house, just let me out, I don't want this!" she yelled. He paid absolutely no attention to her and continued driving.
"I told you to let me out! Why on earth are you doing this to me? Let me down!"
Realizing he had no intention of responding to her, she began frantically tampering with the door handle to open it, but she found the child-lock firmly engaged.
In his mind, Adam was silently shaking his head at Rumaisa's volatile temper and sheer stubbornness. He knew that if the door had been unlocked, she would have thrown it open and jumped out without a second thought. Seeing that her efforts to escape were futile, she finally slumped back into the seat, continuing to weep and mutter grievances under her breath.
He drove straight to her family's house without stopping anywhere else. She was thoroughly astonished—how on earth did he know where her house was?
Even after parking the vehicle, he didn't get out immediately, nor did he unlock the doors. Rumaisa tried violently to open her door again, but it wouldn't budge.
"Unlock it so I can get out!" she yelled, hitting him out of sheer frustration.
He ignored her, focused on typing on his phone for a brief moment, and then unlocked his own side to step out. However, he left Rumaisa locked inside. She banged heavily on the glass, but he walked away and stood by the car, completely ignoring her cries.
Aliyu emerged from the house shortly after. The moment he spotted Adam, a wide smile spread across his face, and he walked over to greet him warmly. Rumaisa couldn't hear a word of what they were saying through the glass, but they stood there discussing for quite some time. Finally, Adam unlocked the car, and she climbed out, trying hard to act nonchalant and unfazed.
Aliyu shot her a fierce, disapproving look and barked, "Get inside the house right now!"
She didn't care in the slightest; she marched forward because, as far as she was concerned, even if she faced a severe reprimand today, her ultimate goal of seeing the baby had already been fulfilled.
A Lesson in Discipline
Suddenly, Rumaisa slammed on her imaginary brakes, freezing instantly in her tracks. Right there at the entrance of Mama's parlor stood Mai Sunan Baba (Yaya Umar), calmly adjusting the buttons on his cuffs.
She swallowed a thick lump of saliva, her heart racing. She began to walk forward at a painfully slow pace, crawling like a chameleon. Her face clearly broadcasted the absolute terror and panic seizing her soul.
Aliyu and Adam walked up and exchanged Islamic greetings with him. Mai Sunan Baba answered them in his deep tone without even lifting his head to look at them. Instead, he simply took a step back, clearing the doorway to grant them passage into Mama's parlor. He didn't acknowledge Adam, and Adam didn't acknowledge him either. They walked into Mama's room with a greeting, and Rumaisa practically sprinted in right behind them, constantly casting terrified glances over her shoulder at Mai Sunan Baba.
Mama’s face lit up with a warm smile as she welcomed Adam.
Adam lowered his head respectfully and said, "I am deeply sorry, Mama. Ever since we left the hospital, I haven't found the time to come and properly greet you. Things have just been incredibly overwhelming and hectic for me."
Mama replied kindly, "Think nothing of it. How is the family? How is Hajiya? And how is my little master (the baby)?"
"They are all doing very well and are in good health. She sends her best regards to you."
Watching him from the corner of the room, Rumaisa muttered angrily to herself, “Look at him, acting as if he didn't just finished humiliating me outside. He even had the audacity to walk into our house, sit down, and flash his teeth just so everyone thinks he’s a good man.”
Mama turned and said, "Rumaisa, check the kitchen and bring some water for our guest."
Upon hearing this, Ruma felt an intense urge to urinate out of sheer fear, terrified that if she stepped outside, Mai Sunan Baba would intercept her.
She cautiously peeked through the curtain first, and seeing that he was no longer standing there, she sprinted into the kitchen. She grabbed a single sachet of pure water, ran back inside, stood over Adam, and handed it to him.
The look Mama gave her made her wish the ground would swallow her whole. She was visibly trembling with fear.
Realizing her blunder, she forced herself to go back to the kitchen. This time, she grabbed a large plastic basin, threw about twelve sachets of pure water into it, brought it back, and dropped it heavily in front of him.
Aliyu snapped in embarrassment, "What kind of a broken, unstable person are you? What is he supposed to do with all this water? Are there no plates in the kitchen for you to neatly arrange even four sachets on, instead of displaying this childish nonsense?"
Adam intervened, "Leave her be. I’m actually about to leave anyway. I am coming straight from home, and thank God, I am completely full. The truth is, it was Ammi who insisted I bring her back home, just as I called Aliyu earlier to explain. Instead of going to school, she trekked all the way into town just to see Sabir. Walking such a distance on foot is incredibly dangerous, especially now when she is supposed to be under tight security. I brought her back so you can keep a much closer eye on her. Please monitor her closely and don't let her wander off again. If she ever wishes to see the baby, just give us a phone call, and we will bring him here to her. Furthermore, her school management needs to be questioned; they should have followed up on why she was absent today and called the house."
Aliyu sighed, "The school authorities are trying their best. She is the one who behaves like the sister of a mischievous djinni—utterly stubborn and defiant. She deliberately seeks out whatever she knows will cause trouble. Besides, it’s a public government school with thousands of students; they won't necessarily notice if one student fails to show up for a day."
Mama added, "Exactly. If she doesn't go, it’s their own break. We are incredibly grateful to you for bringing her back. By God’s grace, we will tighten our supervision, and this will never happen again."
Rumaisa’s blood boiled with resentment as she listened to Mama and Aliyu label her a troublemaker right in front of Adam, knowing it would give him even more reason to look down on her.
The Discipline Master Takes Over
Before anyone could even register his silent entry into the parlor, Mai Sunan Baba suddenly swooped in, hoisted Rumaisa up into the air as if she were a mere blade of grass, and marched right out to the courtyard with her as she shrieked in terror. Adam watched in silent awe at the raw strength of the man.
Aliyu chuckled, "Excellent! Since you returned from the hospital, the two of you haven't really crossed paths. It’s best he reminds you that he is still very much around."
Adam looked a bit concerned and noted, "But that rough handling... I hope her bones don't suffer a setback, considering she hasn't fully healed yet."
"If her bones were going to suffer, she wouldn't have made it this far with her hands intact," Aliyu replied dismissively. "She is finally facing the discipline master."
Initially, Ruma cried out for Mama's intervention, weeping and begging for mercy. But Mai Sunan Baba let out a single, thunderous roar that instantly shattered her defiance, causing her to shut her mouth and freeze in absolute submission.
He commanded her to fetch water and fill a small bucket. Once she did, he made her place the heavy bucket squarely on her head and ordered her to stand perfectly still out in the scorching sun. Without another word, he slipped on his shoes and exited the house.
Inside, the family continued their conversation, and nobody spared a single thought for Rumaisa outside, though deep down, Mama felt a twinge of motherly pity for her daughter.
Part 5: Family Bonds and Lingering Bitterness
They chatted for a while longer, discussing some of the rumors circulating about Adam on social media. Adam found himself deeply admiring Mama's profound calm and maturity. He silently marveled at how this single woman had successfully raised seven powerful, disciplined men all on her own—some of whom were currently pursuing higher education while others ran successful businesses.
In this brief encounter, and from their prior interactions at the hospital, he realized that Rumaisa's relentless chatter was a direct byproduct of growing up surrounded by seven brothers, each with a distinct personality and way of thinking.
Moreover, Mama’s articulate commentary on national affairs was highly impressive. One would assume she held an advanced university degree, yet her vast knowledge of the country's socio-political landscape came purely from her dedication to listening to the radio and keeping up with the daily news.
Adam finally made a move to leave, saying he needed to head back to work. Mama stopped him, saying, "Oh, you came and we haven't even taken the lunch off the fire yet. And you say you're heading back to work? Gadanga (Aliyu), is the rice almost done?"
Aliyu replied, "No, it needs a little more time, and the stew is still simmering. Or should we run out and buy something else for you?"
Adam looked at Aliyu in utter disbelief. "Wait, you are the one cooking? You actually know how to cook?" he asked, genuinely amazed, since he himself was terrified of even lighting a gas stove, let alone preparing a meal.
Aliyu laughed heartily, "Should I come over so Ammi can hire me as a professional chef? There is absolutely nothing I cannot cook."
They all shared a laugh. Adam stood up and said, "Please don't worry, I am completely satisfied. I will see you all later."
"No, wait," Mama insisted.
She walked into her bedroom and emerged holding a small traditional incense burner and a plastic bag filled with premium Lubiya dates. "Take this incense to scent your clothes, and give these dates to Hajiya."
Adam smiled warmly. "Thank you so much, Mama. May Allah reward you with immense goodness."
Aliyu escorted him out into the courtyard. There stood Ruma, her hands trembling violently as she struggled to balance the heavy bucket of water on her head. She was drenched in a thick coat of sweat, and a stream of tears had washed over her flushed face.
Adam cast a single glance at her, quickly averted his eyes, and walked out of the compound with Aliyu.
Once outside, Adam turned to Aliyu and said, "You guys should let her put that water down. She will collapse from exhaustion; she already walked a very long distance on foot today."
Aliyu shrugged, "Nobody dares take that water off her head except the person who put it there. Just leave her be; she refuses to listen to correction." Adam didn't push the matter further; they said their goodbyes, and he drove away.
As he navigated the road, his mind drifted back to the fiery words Rumaisa had screamed at him earlier. “If an order was given to kill Sabir, and she stood her ground to rescue him, why would she ever conspire to harm him? Who gave the order to have that baby killed, and for what reason?” he questioned himself. He eventually brushed the heavy thoughts aside and focused on his driving.
Tears of Frustration
Back at the house, the moment Takawa left, Mama unleashed a torrent of scolding on Rumaisa, lecturing her relentlessly without pause. Ruma stood under the sun for at least an hour and a half before Mai Sunan Baba finally called Aliyu on the phone, granting permission for her to take the bucket down.
It wasn't the physical punishment from her brother that hurt the most; rather, it was the memory of the sheer humiliation and the deeply wounding accusations Takawa had hurled at her regarding his child. Every time she thought about it, a fresh wave of bitter tears of frustration would flood her eyes.
This was the pathetic state Huzaifa and Yasir found her in when they returned from school later that afternoon. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, and she had flatly refused to eat a single bite of lunch, choosing instead to huddle miserably in a corner, sobbing quietly.
"Hey, what on earth did they do to you? What’s wrong?" Huzaifa asked, playfully nudging her with his foot. She ignored him completely, refusing to give him any attention.
Yasir turned to their mother, "Mama, what happened to her? Is she sick?"
"She is perfectly fine! It’s just pure insolence and a total lack of discipline driving her," Mama replied, still visibly irritated. "She skipped school today and trekked all the way into town on foot, claiming she went to see Sabir. Absolute foolishness!"
Yasir gasped, "What?! I just took you to that house to see him yesterday, and you ran right back there today on foot? Are you losing your mind?"
Seeing them all gang up on her, Rumaisa intensified the volume of her weeping.
"Shut your mouth this instant before I come over there and give you a proper thrashing!" Mama barked in a furious tone.
Part 6: Ammi's Fears and Political Storms
Meanwhile, when Iman and Nusaiba returned from school that day, they immediately noticed that Ammi was completely devoid of her usual cheerful disposition. She seemed heavily burdened by an unspoken anxiety. Nusaiba noticed it too, but Iman couldn't hold back her curiosity and spoke up.
"Ammi, has another problem arisen?"
Ammi sighed, "What did you notice?"
"I can just see that something is deeply troubling you. You look entirely drained and deflated."
"Well, trouble is never far away, Iman. The truth is, I feel an overwhelming wave of pity for that young girl."
Nusaiba interjected, "Which girl?"
"Rumaisa. The girl who brought Sabir back to us."
Iman replied, "I've never actually met her, but did something happen to her?"
"No, but I am terrified that something terrible might happen to her because of us. The profound love she possesses for that baby genuinely frightens me. Today, she trekked all the way from her neighborhood to this house on foot just to see him. I am terrified that we might end up bearing the burden of an injustice against her."
Nusaiba marveled, "Oh, my word! She truly possesses an incredible amount of courage."
Ammi took a deep breath and changed the subject. "By the way, it turns out Mahmud has returned."
Iman’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. Nusaiba eagerly asked, "When? Did you see him?"
"I didn't see him myself, but he and Rumaisa crossed paths."
"What did he say to her?"
"I don't know the details. They simply crossed paths, and she mistook him for Takawa. Anyway, I intend to go out later this evening; I am going to the Turaki residence."
Iman looked worried. "Ammi, what are you going to say to him? Is there a new development? You know that the moment Mama sees you, she will immediately start suspecting something."
"No, I simply need to see him regarding a private matter, and besides, I am not going there to see her."
"Alright then. May you return safely."
The Media Firestorm
Meanwhile, the digital space continued to churn with endless rumors and controversies surrounding the tragic death of Aisha. Adam did everything within his power to distance himself from the unfolding media circus.
Sitting quietly inside his car, he browsed through various social media platforms, observing the endless public chatter. Suddenly, a post by Senator Usman Wakili caught his eye. The Senator had posted a formal message of condolence to Adam on his official page.
"On behalf of myself and my family, I extend my deepest condolences to one of our prominent security officers, Adam Sharif Galadima, over the tragic loss of his wife. I pray that Allah grants her eternal mercy and rest. However, it is deeply alarming and highly embarrassing for the entire nation that the wife of a top-tier security operative—a man tasked with protecting the state—could be brutally murdered in the custody of bandits. This is a monumental disgrace to the country as a whole."
Instantly, the comment section exploded with public opinions. Many praised Senator Wakili for showing statesmanship by sending condolences, despite his well-known political rivalry with Adam and his continuous efforts to investigate Adam's alleged shortcomings.
Adam let out a heavy, weary sigh. He dragged his thumb across the screen to scroll further up, only to encounter a post by the notorious tabloid media outlet that had originally accused him of murdering his wife. They had published a new, highly provocative article:
"A tangled web of deception! It seems highly improbable, like a lame person claiming to have walked a long distance, that a top security operative's wife could be abducted by bandits without the knowledge of the authorities. It is highly likely this was deliberately hidden from the world to avoid the embarrassment of admitting that a security officer failed to protect his own household, let alone the nation. Why else would it be hidden from the authorities? If the life of an operative's wife is deemed worthless and they failed to rescue her, what hope is there for the rest of the citizens?
Reported by Ayshercool."
(Note: The remaining portion of this section consists of a lengthy, unrelated promotional advertisement block for "Maman Meenat's Supplements and Skincare Products," detailing various health, beauty, and anti-aging supplements available for purchase via phone or WhatsApp at 08039437158, followed by a paid book transaction receipt notification for ₦500 paid to Aisha Adam Jaiz Bank).
Adam slowly turned off his mobile data. He sat in total, heavy silence, wondering what on earth he had ever done to people to make them target his life so viciously, turning his personal tragedy into a lucrative source of income and cheap entertainment.
He quietly set his phone aside, started his car, and drove off into the evening.
Part 7: A Mother's Secret Investigation
Back at the estate, Baba Uwani was kneeling before Mummy, her entire body trembling with anxiety.
Mummy glared down at her and demanded, "Uwani, what is the meaning of this? Lately, every single task I assign to you goes unfulfilled, and you haven't brought a single piece of useful intelligence or report to me!"
"I beg for your forgiveness, your highness! Please, have mercy on me, forgive my shortcomings," Baba Uwani pleaded, shaking.
Mummy took a slow, calculated breath and asked, "The young girl who is said to have brought Adam's baby... I hear she frequently visits this house. Is that true?"
Baba Uwani hesitated for a moment, carefully pondering her words before replying, "By Allah, I cannot say for certain, my mistress. As you know, the baby hasn't even been brought out of the Matriarch’s (Giwa) private quarters yet. No maid or servant is permitted anywhere near where the child is kept, including myself. Therefore, I haven't seen her with my own eyes. However, there is a certain young girl who has been coming around frequently. I don't know the exact nature of their relationship, but I suppose she could be the one. A few days ago, I overheard whispers that she was going to be taken to see the honorable Turaki. The only reason I doubted she was the rescue girl is because she is so incredibly young; I just couldn't believe a mere child could accomplish such a thing."
