FreeFreeDescription
Part 1: Emotional Disputes and Domestic Turmoil
Bongel shook her head firmly and protested, "No, Asiya, this is getting entirely out of hand. For Allah's sake, please return Baba's money to him so he can use it for something else."
Asiya flashed her a sharp, reprimanding glare. "Baba gives you financial support out of pure love, and you are talking about returning it? Honestly, Bongel, it is only today that I truly realize you don't look at Baba as a real father..."
Bongel immediately slapped her hand over Asiya’s mouth to cut her off. "For Allah's sake, please don't say that, Asiya! I swear by Allah, I love and revere Baba exactly like my own biological father. I am simply looking at the harsh realities of life. If we cannot financially assist Baba right now, the absolute least we can do is avoid piling extra burdens onto his shoulders. Between travel costs and daily feeding expenses, I just feel it's entirely too much."
"It is not too much at all, Bongel," Asiya countered firmly. "Besides, he provided it willingly because he knows he can afford it."
Bongel exhaled a long, heavy sigh. "I know that, Asiya. But tomorrow is never guaranteed, and only Allah knows what the future holds. That is precisely why I want to start working as a domestic housemaid (aikatau)."
"A housemaid?!" Asiya echoed, her voice rising in utter shock.
"Yes, a housemaid."
"Are you going to university to work or to study? Do you honestly think a demanding job will give you the free time or mental peace to focus on your degree?"
"I will find a way to manage somehow," Bongel insisted softly. "Whenever I don't have a scheduled lecture, I will head straight to my workplace."
"For Allah's sake, please drop this ridiculous housemaid idea and focus your entire mind on your studies! If it’s a matter of your upfront academic and living expenses, Baba has already completely taken up that responsibility."
"I just want to earn an income so I can consistently send financial support back home to Nene and my siblings," Bongel explained, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes. "Baffa was our sole breadwinner and provider, but he has answered the call of nature and passed away. Right now, my family has absolutely no one else to turn to but Allah."
Asiya immediately moved closer, gently wiping away Bongel's tears. "Please don't cry, for Allah's sake. Baffa needs your constant prayers right now, not your tears. As for Nene and the kids, Allah will surely watch over them."
Bongel wept silently for a long time, a profound wave of grief and longing for her late father washing over her soul. Eventually, she composed herself, performed her ablution, and observed a two-raka'at prayer, fervently begging the Almighty to grant her late father eternal rest and divine mercy.
Although Mama and Baba initially tried to dissuade Bongel from pursuing domestic maid work, seeing how deeply determined and passionate she was about supporting her family, they ultimately relented and gave her their blessings. Mama kindly promised to personally find her a placement with a good, respectable, and God-fearing family, ensuring she wouldn't be overworked, exploited, or subjected to humiliation. Bongel felt an immense wave of warmth and gratitude for Mama's protective care.
Part 2: Classroom Humiliation and Unexpected Guests
By the time the academic week drew to a close, Haidar had not conducted another lecture for their class. This unexpected relief brought immense joy to Bongel's heart, and she silently prayed to Allah that he would despise teaching so much that he would quit the university entirely.
True to their established routine, Bongel and Asiya were among the very first students to arrive on campus the following Monday. However, long before the 8:00 AM bell rang, the lecture hall was completely packed to capacity—a phenomenon Bongel had never witnessed so early in the morning, as many students usually straggled in late while the lecture was already underway. Bongel had completely forgotten that Haidar’s strict, unforgiving zero-tolerance policy for lateness was the sole reason the students were terrified into arriving early.
She was so distracted that she didn't even notice Haidar walk into the room. The entire lecture hall instantly fell into a dead, suffocating silence. Bongel’s focus was entirely fixed on trying to retrieve her pen, which had rolled underneath her desk. As she stretched her arm out to grab it, her hand accidentally got violently wedged and crushed against the sharp iron frame of the lecture chair.
"Auchh! My hand!" she cried out involuntarily.
The sharp, loud exclamation echoed through the silent room, immediately drawing the attention of every single student directly to her. Haidar adjusted his cold gaze and locked eyes with her. Without a single moment of hesitation or asking for an explanation, he pointed his index finger rigidly toward the exit and barked a single, icy command:
"Out."
Bongel’s entire body began to tremble violently with fear and humiliation. She hurriedly gathered her things, stood up, and walked out of the classroom under the stares of her peers. Haidar turned back to the whiteboard and seamlessly commenced his lecture, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction at having thrown her out. Witnessing his ruthless lack of empathy, the remaining students felt the blood run cold in their veins, and everyone sat in absolute, terrified silence.
Bongel retreated to a quiet corner outside the building, tears of double heartbreak streaming down her face. She was weeping from the bitter humiliation of being thrown out of a classroom—something that had never happened to her in her entire academic life, especially since she hadn't committed any intentional disciplinary offense. Her hand had been hurt, and she deserved an accommodation, not an eviction. Simultaneously, her heart broke over losing the vital academic knowledge from that day's missed lecture.
By the time the class finally ended and the students emerged, Bongel's eyes were visibly swollen and red from continuous crying.
"Haba, Bongel, what is the point of all this crying?" Asiya chided gently, her face full of deep concern and disapproval.
"Please, let's just go over the lecture notes," Bongel whispered, desperately trying to deflect the conversation away from her tears. "Explain everything he taught to me."
"We have another lecture scheduled right now," Asiya replied. "Let's attend this next class first, and the moment we come out, I will sit down and explain everything to you verbatim." Bongel nodded understandingly.
At exactly 4:30 PM, they completed their classes and walked back home. The moment they approached the front gates of the compound, they noticed a stunning, ultra-luxurious vehicle parked directly outside.
Asiya paused, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What kind of wealthy guest do we have today?" she wondered aloud.
Bongel remained silent, but a strange, unsettling feeling began to churn in her stomach as she wondered who it could be. As they stepped toward the entrance, the sudden, sharp blare of the car's horn startled them, forcing them to freeze in their tracks. They turned to stare at the vehicle, but the heavily tinted windows made it entirely impossible to see the occupant inside.
Slowly, the driver's side door clicked open, and Hisham stepped out. The moment Bongel's eyes locked onto his face, her heart violently dropped into her stomach. What on earth brought him here? she thought in sheer terror. What does he want?
Part 3: Academic Arrogance and Office Rejection
Back on campus on a subsequent day, Bongel timidly walked down the administrative corridor. Pushing open a heavy door, she offered a very soft, hesitant greeting: "Assalamu alaikum."
Haidar was sitting majestically behind his executive desk, deeply engrossed in reviewing several advanced economics textbooks. Her soft greeting reached his ears, but upon hearing a female voice, he refused to even lift his head. Instead, he simply let out a sharp, authoritative clearing of his throat, silently demanding she state her business.
With a trembling, nervous voice, Bongel pleaded, "For Allah's sake, please have mercy and accept my assignment submission."
The moment those words left her lips, Haidar recognized her voice instantly. So, she actually has the audacity to pursue me all the way to my private office, he thought bitterly to himself, his mind instantly racing with deep-seated prejudice. Does this girl honestly think I am just another weak, undisciplined man she can easily manipulate?
Aloud, he raised his head, his eyes burning with intense anger and disgust as he snapped, "Did you come here to seduce me, or what? Has your complete lack of morality and self-respect pushed you so far that you think you can corner me in my private office? Let me make one thing clear to you: I am not the kind of cheap lecturer who messes around with classless, loose girls (yan tasha) like you! So get out!" he concluded with a thunderous, terrifying shout.
Bongel felt the blood drain from her face. Shaking with raw trauma and humiliation, she turned around and stumbled out of his office. Her heart burned with agonizing pain from his cruel, unjust accusations. If she had known he would twist her academic desperation into something so disgusting, she would have never set foot near his office. She would have gladly accepted a failing grade on the assignment rather than subject her dignity to such horrific violation.
"Did he accept it?" Asiya asked anxiously the moment Bongel emerged.
Bongel slowly shook her head, her voice completely gone. "No."
"Ya Salam! This man’s stubbornness and rigidity are truly out of this world," Asiya sighed in disbelief.
"May Allah let whatever happens be for the best," Bongel whispered, trying to find solace in divine destiny.
Part 4: High-Society Scandals and Malicious Sabotage
Meanwhile, across town, a completely different drama was unfolding. Ihsan and Feedo were stealthily navigating through the expansive, multi-winged luxury estate of Haidar’s family, searching for the correct path into the main villa. The massive mansion was divided into separate, opulent architectural sections.
Inside, Haidar had just stepped out of his private quarters. He had gone to find his mother, Ammi, to discuss the impending forced marriage his family was orchestrating for him, hoping to find a loophole or a strategic way to call the entire alliance off. Unfortunately, Ammi was currently unavailable.
As he walked down the paved pathway, Ihsan and Feedo spotted him, their eyes locking onto his tall, imposing figure. Feedo completely failed to conceal her intense greed and awe at his sheer wealth and commanding aura. His striking physical features and close resemblance to Hisham immediately confirmed that this was indeed the revered older brother. As he closed the distance between them, Feedo kept her gaze locked onto him.
"Good afternoon," the two girls greeted, performing a slight, respectful bow.
"Good afternoon," Haidar replied flatly, his voice devoid of warmth. He didn't even look in their direction, completely intending to brush past them without stopping.
Sensing her opportunity slipping away, Ihsan quickly called out, "For Allah's sake, sir, we are looking for Ammi's quarters."
"She is not around," he answered directly, keeping his pace.
Feedo nudged Ihsan sharply with her elbow, gesturing frantically with her head. Ihsan quickly spoke up again: "Since we didn't meet her, we might as well relay this vital information directly to you. I am absolutely certain that you are Hisham's older brother."
Haidar’s heart dropped slightly, a sudden wave of apprehension washing over him. He prayed silently that Hisham hadn't brought another massive, embarrassing scandal to their family's doorstep, fully suspecting these girls were part of his brother's endless rotation of loose girlfriends. Haidar stopped, adjusting his posture. He slipped his hands deep into his kaftan pockets and turned to them, his expression cold. "I’m listening."
Ihsan took a deep breath, her voice dripping with calculated malice. "I am sure every good sibling desires to see their brother marry a pure, respectable, and virtuous woman. Well, you need to know that Hafsah—the girl your family is planning to marry off to Hisham—is nothing but a shameless prostitute! She is a loose woman who can never keep her body to a single man. She is a public taxi with no brakes! If my calculations are correct, she has aborted pregnancies at least five times. I personally know the exact hospital she frequents to undergo those procedures. How can a degraded woman like that ever become a good, moral mother to the children your family bloodline will produce?"
Haidar stood perfectly still, listening to Ihsan's toxic tirade without interrupting her once. When she finally finished, he cleared his throat calmly. "I am absolutely certain that you are simply one of his discarded girlfriends. The sheer jealousy and bitterness of seeing him legally marry someone else is the only reason you came here to fabricate these wild lies. You are not welcome here," he concluded, coldly pointing toward the outer security gates.
Ihsan unleashed a wicked, cynical smirk. "Even if that were true, there is no crime in it. It is my deep love for Hisham that drives me to rescue him from this trap."
Haidar let out a bitter, mocking smile. He instantly recognized Ihsan’s face; she was the exact same dramatic girl who had engaged in that fierce, chaotic brawl with Bongel on the campus lawns weeks ago. In his eyes, this confirmed his worldview: every single one of them belonged to the exact same club of loose, immoral street-girls. The only detail that baffled him was the mention of Hisham marrying a girl named Hafsah—he had absolutely no knowledge of any marriage being arranged for his younger brother. But one thing was absolutely certain: as long as he drew breath on this earth, he would never allow his family's elite bloodline to be contaminated by such filth.
Without another word, Ihsar marched out of the compound, with Feedo following tightly behind her like a shadow.
Part 5: The Grand Marriage Proposal and Greed
Back at Dada's residence, the elderly matriarch had finalized every single arrangement to formally request Bongel's hand in marriage from her family in Malumfashi. She assembled a prestigious delegation consisting of Abba's two elder brothers, his two younger brothers, and Ammi's three older brothers. Every single traditional requirement for an elite Hausa marriage proposal had been lavishly prepared. There were massive baskets of kola nuts (goro), countless boxes of assorted sweets, and a staggering cash gift of two hundred thousand naira. Dada had deliberately ordered the items to be excessively grand and abundant, wanting to make an unforgettable statement.
Dada walked into the inner bedroom and found Bongel quietly seated on the mattress, deeply engrossed in reading an Islamic religious book.
"The delegation is officially leaving right now to formally request your hand in marriage, Bongel," Dada announced with a warm, triumphant smile.
Bongel’s heart violently thudded against her ribs, a wave of profound anxiety and dread suffocating her chest.
Dada continued, "They have the general directions to your family house, but I need you to give me the exact description so they don't get lost."
Bongel softly detailed the precise location of her family compound to Dada, who nodded in satisfaction and walked out. Left completely alone, Bongel let out a long, trembling sigh, silently praying to the heavens that everything would go smoothly and peacefully without any toxic drama from her paternal uncles.
Meanwhile, in Malumfashi, the situation at Bongel's family compound had reached an absolute breaking point. Jabeer had finally run out of patience with Hamma Siddiku’s endless lies and financial evasions regarding the money he owed. Losing his temper, Jabeer had used his legal connections to have Hamma Siddiku arrested and dragged to the local police station.
Hamma Siddiku was currently breaking out in a cold, terrified sweat inside the station. The police officers forced him to sign an official undertaking, stating that if he failed to produce the full sum of money within forty-eight hours, he would be locked behind bars indefinitely.
Released temporarily, Hamma Siddiku marched back home, his heart bursting with toxic rage, humiliation, and intense hatred for Nene and her children. In his twisted mind, Nene's family was the sole cause of his public disgrace. The sheer indignity of a respected elder like him being dragged to a police cell ruined his pride, and he screamed insults the entire way down the street.
The moment he stormed into the compound, he targeted Nene’s quarters. He marched into the center of the courtyard, lifted his foot, and violently kicked over the clay cooking pot Nene was using to prepare dinner, shattering it into pieces and scattering the food across the dirt. He ripped down the fabric privacy curtain hanging over their doorway and roared:
"Get out! Get out of this house right now! I swear by Allah, every single one of you must pack your trash and leave this compound today! Living with you has brought nothing but bad luck and misery! Bongel has already gone out to live a life of prostitution in the city, and I will not allow your wretched family to bring public shame and disgrace upon our family name! I am absolutely certain that Ramla is already preparing to follow directly in her sister's footsteps. Who knows if she's actually going to a workplace? She's probably wandering the streets doing shameless things! After all, whichever path the lead cow takes to drink water, the rest of the herd is bound to follow!"
The disgusting, unfounded accusation sliced through Nene’s heart like a rusted blade, hearing her pure, innocent daughters branded as loose women. Yet, true to her naturally enduring, patient, and stoic character, Nene refused to lower herself to his level or utter a single word in self-defense. Instead, she turned around, grabbed little Abu’s hand, and retreated into her small room, with Ramla running right behind them to offer comfort.
"Oh! So you’re just going to walk away from me because you think I'm beneath your time?!" Hamma Siddiku screamed at her retreating back, his veins bulging. "Well, I swear by Allah, let me make this abundantly clear to you: the very day that girl brings shame and an illegitimate pregnancy into this household, every single one of you will be kicked out onto the streets to rot!"
Hamma Bala quickly joined the fray, his face contorted with equal malice. "You must leave this house immediately! There is absolutely no benefit in keeping you here!"
Working in a frantic frenzy of pure hatred, Hamma Siddiku and Hamma Bala stormed into Nene’s small room and began violently throwing their meager clothes, bedding, and plastic containers out into the dirt courtyard. Nene collapsed into a corner, weeping bitterly, while Ramla and little Abu wrapped their arms around her, crying in absolute terror. Fatsuma and Dije stood safely by their doorways, their faces lit up with pure, unadulterated joy and malicious celebration at the sight of Nene's destruction.
Suddenly, Sa'ade and Habiba rushed into the compound, breathless, having just returned from a local hair-braiding salon.
"There are massive, incredibly beautiful luxury cars parked right outside our front gates!" they announced, their eyes wide with shock.
Hearing this, Hamma Siddiku froze mid-action, his hands holding a bundle of Nene’s clothes. "Are you absolutely sure they parked at our gate?" he demanded.
"Yes! They explicitly stopped us and asked if this was the family compound of Bongel, and we told them yes!"
Hamma Siddiku’s face twisted into a smug, knowing sneer. "Ahaf! I knew it! It’s her! I am absolutely certain it’s one of her wealthy clients or sugar daddies who tracked her down here!" He violently dropped the clothes in his hands and marched toward the exit, with Hamma Bala hurrying right behind him to witness the scandal.
However, the moment they stepped out into the street, they froze in utter disbelief. Three impossibly beautiful, state-of-the-art luxury vehicles were lined up outside their humble gate—vehicles of such immense wealth and prestige that the two uncles had never seen anything like them in their entire lives. They exchanged a look of pure bewilderment.
Simultaneously, the doors of the vehicles opened, and the elite delegation stepped out. Seeing elderly, highly distinguished men dressed in pristine, incredibly expensive hand-woven shadda fabrics, the two uncles instantly lost all their aggressive bravado. Their bodies went cold with intimidation. Each member of the delegation stepped forward and warmly shook their hands.
Alhaji Yusuf, looking around the modest neighborhood, asked politely, "Can we find a suitable place to sit and discuss?"
"Yes, yes! Please, welcome!" Hamma Siddiku stammered, his voice suddenly dripping with fake humility.
Hamma Bala scrambled back inside the compound like a servant, frantically grabbing their best woven mats and spreading them out nicely under the shade for the prestigious guests. The delegation sat down. In their hearts, many of Haidar's uncles were genuinely shocked and bewildered by the extreme poverty of the house, wondering why on earth a billionaire heir like Haidar had chosen a bride from such a destitute background, considering his own immense fortune and the high-society status of his late wife.
Alhaji Yusuf formally introduced their family background, stating their elite lineage before delivering the main purpose of their visit: "We have come here today on a formal mission to request the hand of your daughter, Hafsah (Bongel), in marriage for our son."
Hamma Siddiku’s stomach violently churned with an overwhelming mix of utter shock, confusion, and an intense, burning wave of jealousy. Hamma Bala was equally paralyzed, a sudden, dry cough catching in his throat from pure astonishment.
Trying desperately to recover his composure and hide his bitter resentment, Hamma Siddiku blurted out, "Uh... actually, she has already been promised to another husband!"
The members of the delegation exchanged confused, disapproving glances. Alhaji Nasiru, who was Ammi's elder brother, frowned and countered, "How can that be? We came here with the full consent and blessing of the girl herself. Are you absolutely certain she wants this choice you are forcing upon her?"
Alhaji Yusuf added, "The issue of whether she wants him or not shouldn't even be a question. If she truly didn't want our son, she would have never permitted us to travel all this way to make a formal proposal."
Hamma Siddiku swallowed hard, a lump of bitter frustration catching in his throat. Alhaji Nasiru adjusted his posture and lectured firmly, "I strongly advise you to let the young girl marry the person her heart desires. Forced marriage brings absolutely nothing but misery and destruction."
Completely dominated by the overwhelming aura and prestige of the wealthy elders, Hamma Siddiku found himself utterly unable to argue further. He fell into a submissive silence. Seeing that the elders had successfully established authority, Alhaji Yusuf signaled their drivers to begin bringing out the traditional marriage gifts from the vehicles.
As Hamma Siddiku and Hamma Bala watched the endless stream of massive cartons, luxury items, and twenty heavy bowls of high-grade kola nuts being carried into the courtyard, their jaws literally dropped. But the absolute final blow to their resistance came when Alhaji Nasiru reached into his robes and placed a thick, heavy brick of cash—two hundred thousand naira—directly onto the mat in front of them.
Instantly, Hamma Siddiku’s bitter, angry expression vanished, replaced by a wide, greedy, and servile grin. Astaghfirullah! To think that immense wealth was knocking on my door, and I was busy trying to kick it away with my own feet! he thought frantically to himself.
Aloud, he smoothly lied, "Ah, well, you see... it was actually just a local neighborhood boy who was desperately pestering her for marriage, but she completely dislikes him! It was only out of respect for that boy’s father that we were even considering it. But since she has found the man her heart truly loves, then the matter is completely settled! After all, it was only the lack of a serious, wealthy suitor that caused the delay!"
The delegation members looked at him with quiet amusement and disdain, observing how seamlessly the man had completely transformed his principles in a single second for the sake of material wealth.
Hamma Bala chimed in, his eyes glued to the money. "So, when do you suggest we formally set the date for the wedding fatiha?"
"We are fully prepared to execute the wedding at any time of your choosing," Alhaji Yusuf answered.
"We are completely ready as well!" Hamma Siddiku cheered gleefully.
The delegation offered their final blessings, said their goodbyes, and drove away in their luxury convoy.
The moment the vehicles cleared the street, Hamma Siddiku turned to the inner courtyard and barked, "Pick up all your clothes and carry them right back into your room!"
Nene raised her eyes, staring at him in utter bewilderment.
With a completely relaxed, jovial face—as though he hadn't just unleashed a basket of horrific abuse upon them minutes prior—Hamma Siddiku announced, "A formal delegation just arrived to request Bongel’s hand in marriage! Ashe, we were completely misjudging her all along when we thought she went out to engage in prostitution!" He said all this purely to justify taking absolute control over the massive heap of food provisions and cash that had just been delivered.
Nene's mind spun with absolute shock. A marriage proposal for Bongel? When on earth did she find a suitor in the city, and who was this mysterious man? These pressing questions flooded her mind, completely overshadowing the sight of the luxury items filling her yard.
Hamma Siddiku greedily pocketed the vast majority of the money, tossing a mere ten thousand naira to Nene without revealing the actual amount of the cash gift. He gave her only a single carton of sweets and a single bowl of kola nuts, keeping the mountain of wealth for himself. Nene didn't care about his greed; she gathered the meager items he gave her and set them aside, vowing never to touch a single cent of the money until she heard the full truth directly from Bongel’s lips.
Meanwhile, Fatsuma and Dije were suffocating under a massive wave of pure, toxic jealousy, feeling as though their hearts would explode from envy.
Armed with his newfound wealth, Hamma Siddiku marched directly to the local gathering square where Jabeer and his friends were lounging. He arrogantly threw Jabeer's twenty thousand naira debt directly onto his lap, sneering that he could take his cheap money and get lost. The encounter nearly erupted into a violent physical brawl, but the onlookers quickly stepped in and pulled them apart.
Part 6: Secrets, Transformations, and Misunderstandings
Back in Katsina, up until this very day, both Ammi and Abba remained completely in the dark regarding the true identity of the girl Dada had chosen for Haidar. The members of the marriage delegation, upon returning from Malumfashi, had privately expressed their deep reservations to Dada, pointing out that an elite, highly educated billionaire like Haidar was completely incompatible with a girl from such a destitute, impoverished household. However, Dada had given them a severe, uncompromising lecture, warning them to strictly mind their own business and stay out of her decisions. Realizing her stance was unyielding, they shut their mouths and dropped the matter entirely.
Bongel, on her end, was filled with profound joy and relief when she received the news that Hamma Siddiku and her family had formally accepted the proposal. She knew that the terrifying threat of a forced marriage to Jabeer was permanently destroyed, and Nene would finally find long-awaited peace. Her mind constantly drifted back to her family home, knowing Nene was anxiously waiting to hear a detailed explanation from her.
"The delegation went to request your hand in marriage, and your family has officially granted it," Ammi gently informed Haidar one evening.
Haidar was sitting on the sofa, with little Irfan glued to his lap, crying and demanding, "Daddy! Daddy! Take me to Aunty!" The toddler had been on a two-day school holiday and was throwing a tantrum because he hadn't been allowed to visit Dada’s house. Haidar simply nodded his head slowly in response to his mother's announcement, refusing to utter a single word. Deep inside his chest, a burning fire of resentment and anger was raging. He gently took Irfan’s small hand, stood up, and walked out of the villa, instructing his private driver to take the boy to Dada's house alone. Haidar refused to go along; he felt an intense, bitter anger toward Dada for trapping him in this forced marriage arrangement.
Dada, determined to prevent any unexpected complications or delays, decisively set the wedding date for just two weeks away. She handed Bongel a massive sum of money, instructing her to immediately begin her traditional bridal beauty and skincare routines (gyaran jiki). Bongel was overcome with intense shyness. Asiya quickly hired a professional traditional aesthetician who came to the house daily to perform advanced herbal skin treatments, steam therapies, and massages on Bongel. The intense grooming worked miracles; Bongel's skin began to glow with a flawless, radiant, and incredibly beautiful bridal complexion.
Whenever Hisham visited the house, he would stare at her in absolute awe, declaring that she grew more breathtakingly beautiful with each passing day, feeling his intense infatuation for her deepen. However, the one thing that constantly baffled Bongel was that Hisham never once brought up the topic of their upcoming marriage or wedding preparations. She found his absolute silence on the matter highly confusing, but out of traditional modesty, she could never bring herself to initiate the conversation either.
As the wedding days drew closer, Bongel noticed that Dada had still not made any arrangements for her to travel back home to Malumfashi. In Bongel's eyes, her personal honor, family dignity, and cultural respect dictated that her marriage fatiha must be contracted at her father’s actual compound, and she must be formally wedded and escorted from her mother’s home. She decided to respectfully approach Dada regarding the matter.
In a soft, deeply polite voice, she said, "Dada, for Allah's sake, I would really love to travel back home so that my marriage can be officially solemnized at my family compound."
Dada nodded her head in deep appreciation. "You have spoken with great wisdom, Bongel. That is exactly the right and respectful thing to do. I will immediately prepare everything for your journey home. However, I want us to host a grand Islamic bridal shower (walima) here at my residence before you depart for Malumfashi."
Bongel quietly agreed, though in her heart, she wished they could bypass the grand celebrations entirely and just proceed straight to the marriage fatiha.
Scene 7: The Grand Walima and The Veil of Fate
Dada spared no expense, organizing a magnificent, high-society bridal shower at her estate. The event was so grand that the groom himself was required to attend alongside two of his closest friends. A beautifully decorated, elevated stage had been meticulously set up with luxury matching thrones for the bride and groom.
"Wow! I swear by Allah, Bongel, you look completely out of this world today! Groom Hisham is definitely going to lose his mind the moment he sets eyes on you!" Asiya gushed excitedly, snapping endless digital photos of her friend.
Bongel offered a shy, elegant smile. She looked blindingly beautiful in a flowing, custom-tailored white ballgown made from an incredibly expensive designer lace fabric that Ammi had specially ordered for her. She looked every bit the perfect, regal bride.
Meanwhile, at the main villa, Haidar let out his hundredth irritated click of the tongue. He absolutely despised the idea of attending this bridal shower, but Ammi had sternly insisted that his absence would be an unforgivable insult to the family. He was dressed in a pristine white hand-woven shadda fabric, tailored into a grand babban riga adorned with intricate, elite embroidery. His traditional cap sat flawlessly on his head. He looked exceptionally handsome—the absolute epitome of a perfect, high-society groom, radiating an elite fragrance of expensive Arabic oud and designer perfumes.
Hisham stepped into his bedroom, a teasing grin on his face. "Groom! Big groom!" he joked playfully.
Haidar threw him a glare so lethal and icy that Hisham immediately dropped the joking demeanor. "Uh, Fahad and the guys are waiting outside in the driveway," Hisham stammered. "You're the only one we're waiting for."
Haidar didn't say a word. He calmly adjusted his expensive designer leather shoes, stood up, and marched out of the villa. The moment he emerged, his friends began cheering, "Groom of the year!" Haidar kept his face tightly hardened into a stern, emotionless expression, completely devoid of any joy. He slid into the back seat of his luxury vehicle, his friends boarded their respective cars, and the convoy accelerated out of the gates in a grand, synchronized procession.
Bongel and her bridal train had already arrived at Dada’s estate nearly thirty minutes prior. She had temporarily retreated to Asiya's family home earlier to accommodate the massive influx of high-society guests arriving for the event. The groom had still not arrived. Bongel remained seated inside the air-conditioned car, refusing to step out yet. Her head was completely bowed, her face hidden beneath a delicate, shimmering transparent net veil.
"The groom has officially arrived!" a chorus of excited voices from the young bridesmaids echoed through the courtyard.
Haidar’s private security escort rushed forward, opening his door. Haidar extended a single foot out of the vehicle, his heart heavy with intense reluctance. He felt that only a man marrying for pure love deserved to celebrate an event like this—not a man who was having an unwanted stranger forced onto his life. Does this girl even love me, or is she also being forced into this marriage against her will? he questioned bitterly. Whether she loves me or hates me, it changes absolutely nothing. She will never find a single shred of space in my heart. Releasing a sharp breath, he stepped out of the car.
He and Hisham stepped forward together, walking side-by-side toward the grand entrance of the decorated courtyard. Asiya hango them from a distance, her eyes widening in utter bewilderment. Wait, Hisham and Haidar know each other? she thought, her mind racing. Could they actually be biological brothers? Their physical resemblance is just too striking!
However, because Hisham was also dressed in an exceptionally grand, matching white babban riga, Asiya’s mind completely assumed that Hisham was the actual groom, believing Haidar was simply accompanying his brother.
Asiya quickly hurried over to the car, pulling the door open for Bongel. "Bride, it’s time to come out! The groom is finally here, and oh my God, your groom looks absolutely stunning! I saw him before you!" she beamed.
Bongel smiled shyly. Asiya gently took her hand, guiding her out of the vehicle. With her head deeply bowed and her face fully shrouded beneath her bridal veil, Bongel allowed Asiya to lead her directly toward the spot where Haidar, Hisham, and their friends were standing.
"Good afternoon, our handsome groom," Asiya greeted cheerfully, her eyes fixed directly on Hisham.
Hisham threw her a completely baffled look, wondering how on earth Asiya happened to be the bride’s best friend. But quickly dismissing his confusion, he smiled warmly and replied, "Good afternoon, bridesmaid." Asiya smiled back.
"The bride and groom should now lock arms and walk into the venue together!" announced an elderly matriarch, who was Abba’s eldest sister.
Hearing this command, Fahad stepped forward, playfully grabbing Haidar's arm like a child and physically steering him directly into position right next to Bongel.
In that exact fraction of a second, an absolute shockwave of confusion and terror paralyzed Asiya’s entire body. Her breath caught in her throat. What on earth is the meaning of this? she panicked, her mind spinning out of control. Did the elders make a horrific mistake because of the brothers' identical looks?
She frantically whipped her head toward Hisham, expecting him to speak up and correct the elders, but to her absolute horror, Hisham was standing back, smiling happily, and seamlessly falling into line behind Haidar alongside the rest of the groomsmen. Asiya's brain completely short-circuited. She was left utterly frozen, entirely unable to think, let alone stop the procession.
At that exact same moment, as Haidar was guided to her side, a rich, mesmerizing, and intensely familiar fragrance of elite Arabic oud and designer perfume suddenly washed over Bongel’s senses, violently invading her nostrils...
2. Comprehensive Literary Analysis
A. Narrative Structure & Strategic Tension
This segment of the novel represents a classic, high-octane dramatic irony setup common in contemporary Hausa literature. The author, Zee Yabour, expertly splits the narrative into parallel tracks that run concurrently toward a massive explosion:
- The Identity Blindspot: The ultimate source of tension relies on the fact that Bongel believes she is marrying Hisham (her persistent suitor who rescued her from poverty), while Haidar knows he is marrying a girl named Hafsah (Bongel) chosen by Dada, whom he assumes is a completely different, respectable girl.
The Climax of Convergence: The final scene at the walima brings the tension to a absolute peak. The sensory trigger—Haidar's distinct corporate perfume—serves as the ultimate catalyst for the upcoming revelation, leaving the reader on a psychological cliffhanger.
B. Core Themes Deep-Dive
- Socio-Economic Predation vs. Altruism: The contrast between Baba’s pure, unconditional generosity and Hamma Siddiku’s extreme greed highlights the binary nature of wealth in society. Baba uses his resources to lift Bongel up without expectations, while Hamma Siddiku immediately exploits Bongel’s sudden marital fortune to wipe out his personal debts and secure his own comfort.
- The Weaponization of Toxic Masculinity and Slander: Hamma Siddiku and Hamma Bala’s violent eviction of Nene, paired with their immediate branding of Bongel as a prostitute, reflects a patriarchal bias where an underprivileged woman's success is automatically assumed to be tied to moral degradation.
Class Bias and Professional Arrogance: Haidar’s brutal rejection of Bongel in his office highlights his extreme classism. Because he previously witnessed her in a compromising situation with his brother (unaware she was an attempted rape victim), his mind automatically categorizes her as a dan tasha (a loose, uncultured street girl) trying to "seduce" him for grades.
3. Concise Summary of Shafi na 8 & 21-22
Bongel attempts to return cash to Asiya's family out of pride, but ultimately accepts it and expresses a desire to work as a domestic maid to support Nene. At school, Haidar humiliates Bongel by evicting her from the classroom for a minor noise caused by a crushed hand. Later, when Bongel tries to submit her assignment to his private office, Haidar brutally insults her, accusing her of attempting to seduce him. Meanwhile, Hisham's ex-girlfriend Ihsan tries to sabotage his life by falsely telling Haidar that his planned bride is a loose woman.
In Malumfashi, Hamma Siddiku faces arrest over debts and violently evicts Nene and her children, but his rage turns to extreme greed when Dada's elite marriage delegation arrives with massive wealth to claim Bongel for marriage. Siddiku greedily hoards the wealth, lying that the marriage is fully supported. As the wedding approaches, Dada organizes a grand bridal shower (walima). Asiya mistakenly believes Hisham is the groom due to his attire, but at the final moment, Haidar is steered onto the stage as the actual groom next to a veiled Bongel, who instantly recognizes his elite corporate fragrance as the trap closes.
