In a state of weakness, laziness, and fear, she muttered:
“What kind of problem again, Umma? I am in serious trouble.”
“The man didn’t see anything on the girl. Everything was hidden from him. He didn’t notice the pregnancy, just as there is no certainty that it isn’t there.”
Hafsat held her forehead, her heart boiling with anger. In truth, she deeply hated the girl. She had become a thorn in her flesh, a great threat to her life. In furious bitterness she said:
“Umma, let him do whatever he wants to her, anything that will reshape her life. I don’t want to see her in this house at all. Can you believe Abba Mimi even paid for her Hajj? They will soon travel for pilgrimage together.” She burst into tears, wounded beyond measure.
Her mother sighed deeply, almost as if Hafsat was standing before her.
“You’re alive and watching all this? Indeed, we must act seriously. We must rise against this girl.”
Abbas’s Joy and Widad’s Fears
“Ya salam!” Abbas exclaimed within, his heart pounding with overwhelming joy—like a man given the news of his first child after many years of waiting. His face shone with a smile as he looked at Widad.
Their eyes met. Her face melted with weakness, close to tears. The moment their gazes locked, her vulnerability was exposed. Abbas knew there would be trouble, but he was ready to bear it all. Could it be pregnancy? A pregnancy cleverly hidden, invisible to the eye? He knew she would question him.
He stretched his hand to her, but she turned away, tears rolling. He reached her, held her hand gently, and whispered:
“How will this go? I hope it won’t cause problems with the journey.”
“I don’t think so. I’ll try my best so everything goes smoothly. Since he hasn’t noticed, you two should travel together.” She herself was surprised that the pregnancy had been well-hidden—no sign could be seen.
As he escorted her to the car, she broke down crying. Abbas stopped, worried:
“What’s wrong again? Are you in pain?”
“Wallahi, if Abba finds out you made me pregnant, he will kill both of us!” she cried. He tried to suppress his laughter but failed—it burst out. She scolded him, accusing him of deceiving her, telling her that drinking water would prevent pregnancy. He softened, tilted his head in pity, and tried to calm her down.
Later, when he teased her that it was Abba himself who instructed her to obey him in Kano, she flared up in disbelief, striking him in protest. Abbas only laughed harder, assuring her with playful words until she shyly rested her head on his lap.
To him, her innocence and youth were still intact. Even as they drove away, his heart overflowed with happiness.
Conflict with Hafsat
When Abbas later escorted Widad home, Hafsat watched bitterly from the window, her jealousy burning. Seeing their closeness crushed her spirit. Rage consumed her—how could they act as though nothing had happened? She stormed out in anger.
Abbas, noticing Hafsat’s aggression, dragged her aside and sternly warned her:
“This must be the last time you dare approach or touch her. From now on, if you repeat such recklessness, you will regret it. I now see you for what you are—a thoughtless, disrespectful woman.”
His words struck Hafsat like arrows. To be called foolish and senseless by Abbas himself cut deep. Yet she swore she would never stop fighting for her “rights.”
Abbas walked away, recalling Hafsat’s late father, a man he greatly respected. His heart boiled at how far Hafsat had strayed from her father’s good name. But remembering the precious gift God had granted him in Widad, his anger melted. Compared to her, Hafsat’s tantrums were meaningless.
In the days leading up to their Saudi trip, Hafsat continued to quarrel, weep, and complain. Abbas dismissed her protests coldly, while Widad pretended not to notice. Her main fear was the day everyone would know about her pregnancy. Abbas, however, laughed in secret, even while outwardly showing concern.
Description
Hafsat’s Hatred and Jealousy
In a state of weakness, laziness, and fear, she muttered:
“What kind of problem again, Umma? I am in serious trouble.”
“The man didn’t see anything on the girl. Everything was hidden from him. He didn’t notice the pregnancy, just as there is no certainty that it isn’t there.”
Hafsat held her forehead, her heart boiling with anger. In truth, she deeply hated the girl. She had become a thorn in her flesh, a great threat to her life. In furious bitterness she said:
“Umma, let him do whatever he wants to her, anything that will reshape her life. I don’t want to see her in this house at all. Can you believe Abba Mimi even paid for her Hajj? They will soon travel for pilgrimage together.” She burst into tears, wounded beyond measure.
Her mother sighed deeply, almost as if Hafsat was standing before her.
“You’re alive and watching all this? Indeed, we must act seriously. We must rise against this girl.”
Abbas’s Joy and Widad’s Fears
“Ya salam!” Abbas exclaimed within, his heart pounding with overwhelming joy—like a man given the news of his first child after many years of waiting. His face shone with a smile as he looked at Widad.
Their eyes met. Her face melted with weakness, close to tears. The moment their gazes locked, her vulnerability was exposed. Abbas knew there would be trouble, but he was ready to bear it all. Could it be pregnancy? A pregnancy cleverly hidden, invisible to the eye? He knew she would question him.
He stretched his hand to her, but she turned away, tears rolling. He reached her, held her hand gently, and whispered:
“How will this go? I hope it won’t cause problems with the journey.”
“I don’t think so. I’ll try my best so everything goes smoothly. Since he hasn’t noticed, you two should travel together.” She herself was surprised that the pregnancy had been well-hidden—no sign could be seen.
As he escorted her to the car, she broke down crying. Abbas stopped, worried:
“What’s wrong again? Are you in pain?”
“Wallahi, if Abba finds out you made me pregnant, he will kill both of us!” she cried. He tried to suppress his laughter but failed—it burst out. She scolded him, accusing him of deceiving her, telling her that drinking water would prevent pregnancy. He softened, tilted his head in pity, and tried to calm her down.
Later, when he teased her that it was Abba himself who instructed her to obey him in Kano, she flared up in disbelief, striking him in protest. Abbas only laughed harder, assuring her with playful words until she shyly rested her head on his lap.
To him, her innocence and youth were still intact. Even as they drove away, his heart overflowed with happiness.
Conflict with Hafsat
When Abbas later escorted Widad home, Hafsat watched bitterly from the window, her jealousy burning. Seeing their closeness crushed her spirit. Rage consumed her—how could they act as though nothing had happened? She stormed out in anger.
Abbas, noticing Hafsat’s aggression, dragged her aside and sternly warned her:
“This must be the last time you dare approach or touch her. From now on, if you repeat such recklessness, you will regret it. I now see you for what you are—a thoughtless, disrespectful woman.”
His words struck Hafsat like arrows. To be called foolish and senseless by Abbas himself cut deep. Yet she swore she would never stop fighting for her “rights.”
Abbas walked away, recalling Hafsat’s late father, a man he greatly respected. His heart boiled at how far Hafsat had strayed from her father’s good name. But remembering the precious gift God had granted him in Widad, his anger melted. Compared to her, Hafsat’s tantrums were meaningless.
In the days leading up to their Saudi trip, Hafsat continued to quarrel, weep, and complain. Abbas dismissed her protests coldly, while Widad pretended not to notice. Her main fear was the day everyone would know about her pregnancy. Abbas, however, laughed in secret, even while outwardly showing concern.