Zuciya Da Kwanji Part 1 Compelet Maimuna Beli

Description

Part 1: The Present (The Complicated Marriage)

She was completely bundled up in her duvet due to the rain that fell last night, which had made the weather freezing. Opening her sleepy eyes, she slightly uncovered the duvet that had covered her head and looked at the bedroom clock. Jumping up quickly, she said in her sweet voice, "SubhanAllah, is it already 6:30 am? Oops... I woke up late today." She then began to recite the morning prayer for waking up. Lowering her soft, fair feet, she put on her indoor slippers and stood up. She pulled off her nightcap, which was constricting her hair, wrinkling her face in discomfort, allowing her long hair to cascade all the way down to her lower back. She began making her expensive bed, finishing it in no time. She moved over to the wardrobe, picked out a kimono to wear over her sleepwear, and hurried downstairs. She entered the kitchen to fix breakfast, quickly preparing a sandwich. Without wasting any time, she boiled tea, poured it into a flask, set everything on the dining table, and rushed back upstairs to take a shower.
She didn't stop to apply lotion; she simply grabbed a simple abaya, put it on, slung her office bag over her shoulder, and turned to look at her reflection in the mirror. Noticing her pink lips were looking dry, she applied some lip balm.
Meanwhile, he was rushing to get ready, surprised at himself because he rarely ever ran late. Emerging into the parlor while adjusting his necktie, he checked the kitchen, glancing around to see if he could find something to eat. Seeing signs that someone had cooked, he moved to the dining table. Luckily, he saw the sandwich on a plate covered with a mesh food cover. Pulling out one of the dining chairs, he sat down, uncovered the plate, and touched the flask. Feeling it was hot, he poured tea into a cup and began eating breakfast—calmly, yet clearly in a hurry. After finishing, he returned to the parlor to gather the documents he needed for the office.
Ever since she started descending the stairs, she had been watching him, though she eventually averted her gaze. He glanced at her briefly before looking away as well. She walked over to the dining area and quickly noticed that the breakfast she had just finished making was gone. Staring at the empty plate, she looked up at him and asked:
"Wait, is it the breakfast I just prepared that you ate?" Without looking at her, he replied:
"What are your eyes telling you? I ate it because I saw it was already prepared."
She hissed softly, thoroughly annoyed. Stealing a glance at him as he prepared to leave, she said, "But this isn't right. Do you actually eat food made in this house now, or are you just looking for trouble?"
Without looking at her, he said, "This is my house, and I will do as I please. So stop asking me whether I ate or not. I will do whatever I see fit."
She scowled, watching him until he walked out, following him with a glare. Grabbing her office bag, she followed his lead outside, only to find he was already in his car. As she headed toward her own car, his voice cut through the air:
"Don't you dare go out dressed like that. You're behaving like someone who isn't married."
Frowning, she looked at her wristwatch and then at the stern glare he was giving her. She found herself turning around and walking back into the house. It didn't take long before she emerged again, now wearing a hijab. Seeing her outfit, he started his car. She walked to her own vehicle, but noticing her tire was completely flat, she quickly rushed toward his car just as he began reversing.
She said, "Wait... my car has a problem. Let me just hitch a ride with you."
He threw her a harsh look, bypassed her, and drove out. She stood there, mouth agape, before simply ordering a Bolt ride.
While sitting in her office working on the computer in front of her, her boss entered with a greeting. She raised her head, smiled, and said, "Good morning, sir."
He replied, "Morning, hope you've finished yesterday's assignment?"
She opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then stood up and said, "I'm so sorry, honestly, because of the storm yesterday I forgot, but I’m going to do the work right now."
He turned and left her office without saying another word. She watched him leave, then stood up, opened a file cabinet, pulled out a paper to review, and checked her phone's email to verify everything was correct before heading to another office.
Without knocking, she pushed the door wide open and walked straight in. The man inside set down the cup he was sipping from, staring at her in sheer shock. She smirked; it was as if he hadn't just devoured her breakfast at home, yet here he was, having another breakfast at the office.
He said, "Don't you know how to knock or say hello before coming in?"
Since she was already annoyed that he had left her stranded at home, she looked at him as if she wouldn't say anything, but then replied, "The work you refused to do for me yesterday—Boss Mahmud just told me to do it and bring it to him."
He gave her a long look, then ignored her and went back to his work. She stood there for almost five minutes without him looking at her again. Irritated, she pulled his computer toward herself, adjusted her posture, and began operating his system to do the work.
He stared at her in utter shock. Just as he opened his mouth to speak angrily, the office door flew open. They both turned at the same time. She stood up with a wide smile and said, "Baba! Welcome!"
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before looking at the man who had just entered, saying, "Good morning, sir."
The elder gentleman walked fully into the office and sat down. With a warm, dignified smile spread across his face, he said, "Daughter, I hope you’re doing well."
She replied, "Alhamdulillah, Baba."
The elder man threw a look at the husband and said, "Didn't you see my message? Or are you going to claim you didn't see my call either?"
Scratching his head, the husband stole a glance at where she was standing, then looked back at the elder man and said, "I'm very sorry, Sir. Actually, I had some work I needed to finish first, then I planned to come over to the house to see you. That’s why, sir."
The elder man stood up without saying anything more to him, looked at her, and said, "Daughter, if it won't be too much trouble, I have a special assignment to give you, since your husband isn't paying attention to his work."
With a smile, she replied, "Alright, Baba, I promise to focus and finish it in no time."
He smiled at her and left. He had come to supervise the company; everywhere he went, people greeted him with immense respect.
The husband let out a deep sigh but said nothing, keeping his eyes on her until she finished her task and stood up.
He said, "I don't want to see you in here again, please."
She turned and gave him a look, saying, "Really? Why don't you swear to that?" She smirked and walked out, ignoring him. She went down to the first floor holding the papers she had printed out. At Boss Mahmud's office, she pressed the doorbell. Upon being permitted, she walked in to find him alongside Baba, who was reviewing some files.
She said, "Here it is, sir, I’m finished."
Mahmud took it, checked it over, and said, "Well, thank you." From there, she returned to her own office.
In the evening, after 4:00 pm, most of the employees began heading home. Catching sight of him, she started walking quickly because she had sworn to herself she would go home in his car. She paused briefly to speak with a female colleague, and seeing him head to his car, a smug smile crossed her face. Watching him out of the corner of her eye, she rushed over the moment he got in and yanked the front passenger door open.
About to start the engine, he looked up at her in bewilderment and said, "Are you out of your mind, opening my car without permission?"
She countered, "Why would I need permission when it’s my husband’s car?"
He gave her a sharp look and said, "Alright then, get in let's see."
"Right now," she said, sitting down and adjusting herself comfortably. Noticing his glare, she shrugged and added, "Baba told me not to take a Bolt since you're here, which is why I didn't argue. But if you tell me to get out, I swear I'll go right back and tell him."
Spying Baba coming down with his guards, the husband started the car without another word. She smirked and plugged in her Bluetooth earphones, having no interest in his nagging.
On the way, he pulled over at a large eatery, got out, and went inside. He didn't stay long before emerging with a single takeaway bag. She stared at him as he approached the car, wondering why there was only one bag, and scoffed loudly enough to make him glance at her.
Back at their parlor, he walked in ahead while she followed. He headed to the dining area while she went upstairs. The moment he set the takeaway down and went into his room to change, she peered from the stairwell. Seeing his door close, she sprinted down, snatched the takeaway bag, and ran back upstairs laughing. Locking her bedroom door, she placed it on her expensive bedside table, took off her clothes, and went into the bathroom to shower.
When he emerged wearing his jallabiya, he didn't realize the table was empty until he reached it. His mouth fell open as he stared at the empty dining table. He rubbed his head, unable to stop a sudden smile from escaping his lips, before wiping his face and heading to the kitchen to look for an alternative.

Part 2: The Family Meeting & The Backstory

Today, ever since she woke up, she just felt a distinct aversion to their upcoming family meeting, feeling anxious about facing his extended family.
As usual, she threw a small kimono over her sleepwear, went downstairs, and cooked breakfast—making enough for him too. After setting it on the dining table, she went upstairs to bathe. After her shower, she applied expensive lotions, sprayed herself with high-end perfumes, and put on a costly lace outfit with a beautifully wrapped head tie that suited her perfectly. She added a laffaya wrapper, grabbed flat shoes, a tiny handbag, donned black sunglasses, and headed downstairs.
He had been watching her from the moment she hit the stairs, unable to take his eyes off her until she reached the dining table, where he finally let out a breath.
Without looking at him, she pulled the tea flask and poured a cup. Raising her eyes, they locked glances. He cleared his throat and asked, "Don't you know how to greet someone?"
She looked at him and retorted, "If I greet you, will you even answer?"
In a lowered tone, he said, "Don't, please." She looked at him, suddenly feeling a twinge of regret.
They finished breakfast without a single word passing between them. When they went outside, she assumed she would ride in his car, but he pointed toward hers. Glancing over, she saw it had already been repaired, so she went back inside to grab her keys.
The large family compound was beautifully decorated for the gathering. It featured VIP chairs and reserved seats. This type of extended family meeting only happened once in a while, and people were already arriving and taking their spots.
Amira looked at Zainab and said, "Do you know who I'm eager to see?"
Zainab replied, "Nope, tell me."
Amira said, "My crush's wife, of course! I want to see what she has over me. I heard she's from a ghetto area and a poor background."
Zainab puckered her face and laughed, "Well, her luck ends today. I doubt she can even speak or understand English. When he goes on his business trips, let's see how he manages a ghetto wife." They both burst into laughter.
A cousin named Hajara walked past, saying, "Yaya (big brother) is about to arrive with his wife."
They turned to look at her. Amira quickly asked, "Hajara, wait... is Yaya the one arriving now?"
Hajara nodded. "Sure! Along with his wife. You know she isn't known around here yet." With that, she walked ahead.
Amira stood up. "Zee, get up, let's go toward the gate to get a proper look at her before people crowd around and ruin my view." Zainab stood up, agreeing.
Hajara, who was on the phone with her brother, said, "Okay Yaya, I'm at the car park right now waiting for you guys."
They stood near the entrance of the compound. Before long, his car drove in. Zainab turned to Amira and said, "Honestly, he should have chosen one of us. Here we are, both final-year university students. Let's inspect this wife thoroughly today." Amira glared at her. "Did you mean he should have picked me or us?"
As soon as he parked, Hajara approached to welcome him. Zainab and Amira followed, with Amira putting on a sweet, spoiled tone to speak. Hajara asked, "Yaya, where is Anty Azrah?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Azrah's car pulled into the compound. Amira and Zainab shifted their gaze, stunned that she even knew how to drive.
After parking, Azrah opened her door. Hajara rushed over—her brother had asked her to guide Azrah in since the family didn't know her yet. Azrah lowered her feet, which were adorned with red henna and flat shoes, highlighting her fair complexion. Amira and Zainab exchanged stunned glances.
Azrah stepped out of the car with a warm smile for Hajara. Amira's breath nearly caught in her throat when she saw her face, while Zainab completely forgot her "elite class" demeanor, standing there with her mouth wide open.
Zainab turned to her brother, who was already walking ahead, and asked, "Yaya, where is your wife? Or is she not coming?"
He simply pointed back to where Hajara was closing the car door for Azrah. Zainab whipped around to look at Amira, who looked utterly crushed.
Hajara walked up to them holding Azrah's hand and said, "Hey cousins, meet Yaya's wife."
The two girls were completely speechless, making Hajara feel awkward, so she quickly led Azrah toward the gathering.
Amira looked at Zainab, her eyes welling with tears. "I doubt that's her."
Zainab chuckled, recognizing the jealousy. "Would he forget his own wife? It's definitely her, it's just not what we expected. Looks like Anty lied to us about her."
Amira walked away, unable to bear staying there any longer.

Flashback: A Glimpse into Azrah's Life (The Past)

Drying the water dripping from her hair, Azrah tied a small towel around herself, put on a hijab, and picked up her shower gel and shampoo from the window sill—which didn't even have glass or plaster. Pushing the bathroom door open, she stepped into their modest compound.
Her stepmother (Mama), who was packing street food into a display basin for sale, looked up and gave her a scathing look. "Imagine a girl from a poor home insisting on bathing with white people's liquid soap! Who do you think you are, a golden child? The rest of us bathing with Omo detergent haven't died yet, have we?"
Azrah quietly replied, "Mama, it was a gift. I never said I was too good for Omo."
Mama glared at her. "Oh, so I'm lying? You know nothing but loose behavior. And all because you claim to be educated, right?"
Without looking back at Mama, Azrah walked past into the room next to her mother's (Umma).
Umma raised her head and said, "I told you to stop going out with that liquid soap, but you wouldn't listen." Azrah looked at Umma in surprise but said nothing, going straight inside to dress.
After applying her lotion, she put on her well-ironed but visibly faded school uniform. Holding her bag, she looked at Umma and asked, "Where is Zahra, Umma?"
"I sent her to buy cigarettes," Umma replied.
Azrah said, "Alright, let me head to school so I won't be late."
Umma said, "May Allah grant you success, Azrah. Take care of yourself."
Azrah nodded and walked back into the compound, where she found Mama talking to a neighbor named Maman Asabe.
Mama said with bitter sarcasm, "So, Azrah, you have no job other than school because you hate housework, right?"
Maman Asabe chipped in, "You should stop her then, since she can't say no to you. Personally, I don't see the use of Western education."
Mama agreed, "Exactly! What do they even learn there except loose morals? Before you know it, a girl claims she's educated, only to end up as a town harlot."
Azrah walked out without turning back or responding to them.
She stopped by the house of her friend, Fatima. After shouting a greeting, Fatima emerged in her uniform, and they walked to school together.
When she returned from school, the compound was empty. She went into Umma's room with a greeting. Zahra, who was sitting close to Umma eating, looked up and said, "Welcome back, Anty Azrah."
Azrah nodded, looking at Umma. "Good afternoon, Umma."
Umma replied, "Welcome, Azrah. How was school?"
"Alhamdulillah, Umma," Azrah said, before heading to their room. She quickly changed into a long dress and a hijab.
Umma looked at her and asked, "Aren't you going to eat before you leave?"
Azrah smiled. "No, Umma. I know food is scarce. When I get to Mummy's house, I won't lack something to eat. Leave this portion for you and Zahra."
Umma fell silent, looking at her daughter with deep pity.
Azrah broke her train of thought. "Alright Umma, I'm off."
Umma nodded. "May Allah protect you." Zahra stood up, walked her to the door, and returned.
Azrah arrived at a massive, beautiful mansion in Barhim Estate, Katsina State. She knocked at the gate, and the security guard, recognizing her, beamed and opened it. She greeted him, and he responded warmly. She walked toward the main entrance and saw Ya Saif sitting on the balcony.
She said, "Good afternoon, Ya Saif."
He didn't even glance her way, let alone answer. She wasn't surprised; she was used to him ignoring her greetings.
Entering the parlor, she found Mummy sitting down, with Suhaila beside her eating fruit. They both looked up as she walked in. Azrah knelt slightly by a chair and said, "Good afternoon, Mummy."
With a wide smile, Mummy said, "Welcome, Azrah. How is your mother?"
"Alhamdulillah," Azrah replied, turning to Suhaila. "Good afternoon, Anty Suhaila."
Suhaila smiled back. "Welcome, Azrah. Don't tell me you walked all the way here on foot again today?"
Azrah just smiled. Suhaila pressed, "Don't you realize how far your neighborhood is? Walking all the way from Kofar Marusa to Barhim Estate?"
Azrah kept smiling; she had grown numb to the distance. Mummy remarked, "She's used to it now, she won't stop."
Azrah stood up and began tidying up the parlor, which wasn't even very dirty. Afterward, she went straight to the kitchen.
She organized the kitchen quickly, stacked the dishes in the sink, washed them in no time, and set the food on the stove. Mummy walked into the kitchen, watching her. One thing Mummy loved about Azrah was her cleanliness and speed; she didn't procrastinate, which made her easy to manage even though she could only work after school hours.
Azrah turned around and said, "Mummy, do you need me to bring you anything?"
Mummy said, "No, just do your work, I came to grab something." Azrah nodded and continued.
By 5:00 pm, the entire house was spotless and dinner was ready. Azrah knelt in the parlor and said, "Mummy, I'm heading home."
Mummy said, "Alright Azrah, see you tomorrow, right?" Azrah nodded.
Suhaila handed her some money. "Here is three thousand Naira. Use it for transport this week so you can stop walking such long distances, please."
Azrah accepted it gratefully. "Thank you so much, Anty Suhaila. May Allah reward you with Aljannah."
Suhaila replied, "It's okay, Azrah. Amin, thank you." With that, Azrah left.
Suhaila turned to Mummy. "Honestly, Mummy, I really want to see this girl succeed in life. I pray Allah blesses her with a wealthy husband who will truly cherish her."
Mummy agreed, "I swear, I want a life of comfort for her too. She is so mannerly and educated, you wouldn't even think she goes to a government school."
Suhaila added, "Exactly! Her intellect completely surprises me. And she is so beautiful, as if she sculpted herself. She doesn't look like a poor man's child at all."
Mummy sighed, "If only your brother got along with her... I swear I would have pressured him to marry her, because she possesses every single quality a good wife needs."
Suhaila frowned slightly. "That's his business. I brought her up to him once, and it felt like it only made him hate her more. Honestly, whatever woman he brings home will barely match Azrah's qualities."
Mummy stood up, heading to her bedroom. "I am going to bring it up to him seriously to see if he'll agree."
Suhaila muttered, "Hmm," and went back to her phone.
Exhausted, Azrah reached home and entered her mother's room with a greeting. Umma, who was teaching Zahra Islamic monotheism (Tauhidi), looked up as Azrah sat down, sighing deeply from exhaustion. Zahra stood up and left the room.
Azrah said, "Good evening, Umma."
Umma looked at her daughter with profound pity for all her hard work and said, "Welcome, Azrah. May Allah bless you and give you a beautiful future where you will never have to suffer like this again."
Azrah replied, "Amin, Umma."

Story Summary

The narrative shifts between a tumultuous present-day marriage and a poignant flashback explaining how it came to be.

• The Present: Azrah and her husband live in a luxurious house but share a highly tense, distant, and argumentative relationship. Despite the friction, they work at the same corporate firm, which is owned or overseen by her husband’s father ("Baba"). Baba clearly favors Azrah due to her dedication, while reprimanding his son for slacking. After a day of petty spites—including the husband eating Azrah's breakfast without permission, abandoning her with a flat tire, and Azrah retaliating by stealing his dinner—they attend an elite extended family gathering.
• The Snobbish Cousins: At the party, jealous cousins (Amira and Zainab) gossip about the husband's "ghetto wife," expecting an uneducated, unpolished woman from a poor background. They are completely humiliated and silenced when Azrah arrives driving her own car, looking radiant, highly fashionable, and remarkably elegant.

• The Backstory (Flashback): The narrative shifts to Azrah's humble beginnings. Raised in a poor household by her loving but impoverished biological mother (Umma) and a bitter, emotionally abusive stepmother (Mama), Azrah walked massive distances to go to a government school. To help her family, she worked as a housemaid for a wealthy woman ("Mummy"). Despite her poverty, Azrah possessed exceptional beauty, cleanliness, and intelligence. Mummy and her daughter, Suhaila, admired her greatly, leading Mummy to orchestrate a marriage between Azrah and her arrogant son (Ya Saif)—setting up the underlying resentment seen in the present day.

  Character Descriptions

• Azrah: The protagonist. Beautiful, fair-skinned, and highly intelligent. She transformed from a poor, hardworking girl who walked miles to a public school and worked as a housemaid into an elegant, educated career woman. She possesses a sharp wit, refuses to be intimidated by her arrogant husband, and holds the deep respect of her father-in-law.
• The Husband (Ya Saif): Azrah’s husband. He is wealthy, punctual, and prideful. He initially harbored a deep disdain for Azrah when she was a maid in his mother's house. Though he acts cold, arrogant, and easily annoyed by her, he exhibits subtle signs of checking her out and being secretly amused or affected by her fiery personality.
• Baba: The husband's father and a powerful, wealthy patriarch. He supervises the company where the couple works. He treats Azrah with the utmost respect, calling her "Daughter" and trusting her with critical assignments over his own son.
• Umma: Azrah’s biological mother. A gentle, loving woman who lives in poverty. She deeply pities Azrah's exhausting lifestyle and constantly prays for her future comfort and success.
• Mama: Azrah’s bitter and envious stepmother. She mocks Azrah's hygiene products, devalues her pursuit of Western education, and subjects her to emotional abuse.
• Mummy: The husband’s mother. A wealthy woman living in Barhim Estate who employed Azrah as a maid. She recognized Azrah's exceptional qualities, cleanliness, and intelligence, ultimately deciding to matchmake her with her reluctant son.
• Suhaila: The husband’s sister. Kind-hearted and supportive, she treats Azrah well, gives her transport money to save her from walking, and fiercely defends Azrah's high quality against her brother's arrogance.
• Amira & Zainab: Elitist and snobbish cousins of the husband. Amira harbors a crush on him. They eagerly anticipate mocking his "ghetto wife," only to have their pride entirely crushed when Azrah arrives looking stunning and superior to them.