He arrived dressed in stylish, expensive clothes — looking very handsome. At the station he went inside; the police gave him a seat and recognized him by his status. His eyes were behind white-tinted glasses. They pulled out his file and began writing. After a while the DPO himself came out, looked at Annoor and said, “Annoor, right?” Annoor planted his feet defiantly and said, “Oh? Since you arrested me, you didn’t even tell me your name?” The DPO said, “Get your wits together — you’re standing before the law. No matter who you are, you won’t stare us down.”
Annoor sucked his lips and said, “So you know my name but you keep asking? Fine — my name is Annoor.” The DPO snorted and asked, “Do you know why you were arrested?” “A silly question,” Annoor replied. “You got a girl, Maryam, pregnant. Maryam — your girlfriend — is she your girlfriend?” Annoor spluttered, “Pregnant? Me? In my dreams I went and did it without knowing? Me, Lollipop? If a woman sees me — DPO Lion, listen — I don’t have a mistress; who would lead on my bed? Wait — which Maryam? Maryam Sahabi from your secretariat?” Annoor smiled and said, “Oh my God — she says she’s pregnant because I got angry with her and beat her, so she’s making trouble. I have CCTV — check it.” The DPO said, “She’ll come now.” Annoor added that people gathered accusinging him of making her pregnant and that they hauled him before a crowd. He insisted it wasn’t his child.
Then Maryam entered — a stout woman around thirty, and she burst into tears saying, “He’s the one who got me pregnant.” Annoor looked at her and asked, “When? Where did you send my package? Where did it go?” His charming eyes fixed on her and she started stammering, “I… I….” Annoor said, “Take her to court — swear and explain.” Maryam, trembling, begged for forgiveness, saying she lied because she wanted to force him to marry her. A policewoman dragged Maryam and slapped her then took her away to custody. Annoor said, “Let the court deal with her — I’ll get my rights.” He accused her of trying to coerce marriage and blamed her family background. The police exchanged greetings with him, apologized, and he left straight home.
He headed for their large house in G.R.A. — the gate guards opened the gate for him. A pretty young girl, maybe not older than eighteen, peered out and ran up when she saw Annoor’s car. She wore a long silver-colored dress from the market and was eating ice cream from a cone. Her hair was done up neatly. She hurried to open his car door; he stepped out smiling. She hugged him excitedly and said, “Brother welcome!” He replied, “Hey Iman Sanabe. Where’s my ice cream? Did you do your assignment today?” She lifted her face while eating and teased; he told her to open the trunk because there was chocolate there and to give Nabeela hers. She happily followed him inside to their fine living room.
Habiba, Jauro’s housewife, smiled and said, “So you’ve returned.” Annoor asked, “Is mother back?” She said, “Yes, all is well. Where are the kids? Nabeela and the others are in their room studying — what do you call that in English?” He said, “Assignment?” She said, “Yes, they were doing it. Your person finished earlier waiting for you.” Their conversation ended with a comment about a doctor; Iman blushed and lowered her eyes. Annoor teased Iman that her part was fixed; she shyly denied it. He went up and she followed him, saying “Don’t follow me.” She pouted, “Brother, what did I do wrong that you don’t like me?” He didn’t turn back and went to his business; she sat in the living room sulking.
Kawu Jauro came in — the flashy, wealthy kind you could spot from his cars. The kids came out greeting him. Jauro glanced at Iman and asked who the cheeky girl was who once touched him. Iman made a face and said Kawu is like an elder brother. Nabeela teasingly said Iman is the one who annoys her the most; when she follows him to the bedroom she says she will sleep there. Iman is still inexperienced. Nabeel was teased as the spoiled one. Jauro told them to leave the girl alone and called Iman “Yar Albarka” and urged her away. He gave keys and told them to collect their things from his car. Nabeel, a young man slightly older than Annoor by five months, carried bags — everyone had their own.
Jauro let everyone go to their rooms. He checked and noticed Rahma wasn’t in her room; his watch said it was already past midnight. He sat in the living room waiting to see when she would return. Rahma was in a new club in a different part of town until 2 a.m.; friends dropped her at the car. The guard called him and she bribed the guard with two thousand naira to let her inside.
She wore a short gown barely past the knee. When she entered the living room she saw Kawu sitting and froze. Jauro greeted her, and she struck a coy pose, playing with her fingers. She tried to speak but Jauro chided her — telling her she acts as if she’s someone special and that he has no patience for pretense. He lectured her about religion and education, how he provided for them and expected them to live decently without influence from men. He told Rahma to stop following Haidar and behaving as if Haidar were a woman; she fell silent, pouting. Kawu mocked that no one except him would find time to relax while she dances publicly. Jauro warned her she’ll regret her lack of sense and left, saying he’d given her advice.
Rahma went to her room, showered and lay down telling herself, “I only went to the club — I didn’t do sex.” She defended herself, saying it was just kissing and playing, not full sex. She said she liked Nabeel, not his brother; Annoor is the one who would be right for her and Nabeel would do better than Haidar. She fell asleep under the blanket.
Haidar arrived and friends dropped him off at the gate. When he returns after misbehavior he climbs the back wall and ladder so Jauro doesn’t see him arrive. Iman stayed up in the girls’ living room watching films, not attending school. Haidar came and teased her, threatening to expose her to Kawu. They laughed. Annoor emerged from his bedroom to get food and found Iman and Haidar chatting; he gave a look and left to his room without much notice. Haidar muttered jealousy but smiled.
Annoor grabbed his food and went upstairs. He saw Iman watching an American film and teased her about it being instructive; she retorted. He told her to go to bed. Later he knocked on Nabeela’s door; she answered, “Yes brother, I’m here,” and he replied, “Let’s pray.” He visited Rahma’s door too but she did not speak. Kawu saw and said “Okay, let’s pray,” then went to his room to sleep.
Jauro spent the evening with Na’ima in his room. He called her “my bride,” and she smiled. He declared he wouldn’t sleep at home if she wasn’t there and teased about not wanting children, offering to let her marry another man to have children if she wished — a crude, possessive attitude. He said he had married five women before her; they all had children and were content. Na’ima asked him to stop complaining and returned to him; he calmed down and they reconciled tenderly.
Romance, Domestic Scenes, and Daily Rhythms
Elsewhere, Naila and her circle were having intimate, playful moments. Naila teased Spark about fasting and periods; Spark replied with a mix of teasing and desire. He was supposed to fast but struggled because of his attraction to Naila. They joked about romance and practice; Naila was bold and led the intimacy, surprising Spark and making him proud. He praised her, saying she had learned well; their flirtation turned into warmth and plans. Spark decided he would fast the next day and expected Naila to prepare sahoor (pre-dawn meal). She agreed. He later rushed to the office for an urgent call while she helped him get ready.
By evening, Spark returned and Naila served him, gently urging him to keep his fast. There was playful banter about timing of prayers and his inability to keep the fast because of desire. At one point, sleeping beside him, she stirred him awake to touch and tease; they kissed and shared intimacy. Spark, half-asleep, murmured pleasure; Naila told him not to force her into things she didn’t want but also expressed love and warmth. He praised her confidence and said he had been searching for someone like her to marry.
Meanwhile, daily household interactions continued. Mima arrived and fussed that Annoor should take her out instead of leaving him to his young wife. Mima accused Spark of being shameless and warned him about public perception, while Spark teased back and ordered ice cream. Naila cleverly served refreshments to Mima, who huffed but accepted. Spark urged Naila to finish cooking so they could enjoy ice cream.
Later, Naila prepared sahoor and roused Spark for prayer; he managed to perform wudu (ablution) and pray before heading to the mosque. He returned and found her reciting Azkar (remembrances). She worried he might break his fast, but he later set out for the office. Throughout the day Spark thought about Naila and whether she would tempt him into breaking his fast. By afternoon, he returned home and their playful banter resumed — she teased about the clock and his sluggishness; he admired her and enjoyed her company. They joked about clocks and timing of fasts, and she busied herself preparing food while he lounged.
At 5 p.m. they continued to joke; he pretended the clock wasn’t moving and she laughed. She brought him water and food, and he teased that he lacked the discipline to keep the fast. He watched her affectionately as she served food, savoring her presence. Other family members moved through the house — people coming and going, small dramas and flirtations, the mix of showy wealth, youthful romance, possessive older partners, and the everyday bustle of a large household with many interwoven relationships.
Description
Arrival at the Station and the Household Tension
He arrived dressed in stylish, expensive clothes — looking very handsome. At the station he went inside; the police gave him a seat and recognized him by his status. His eyes were behind white-tinted glasses. They pulled out his file and began writing. After a while the DPO himself came out, looked at Annoor and said, “Annoor, right?” Annoor planted his feet defiantly and said, “Oh? Since you arrested me, you didn’t even tell me your name?” The DPO said, “Get your wits together — you’re standing before the law. No matter who you are, you won’t stare us down.”
Annoor sucked his lips and said, “So you know my name but you keep asking? Fine — my name is Annoor.” The DPO snorted and asked, “Do you know why you were arrested?” “A silly question,” Annoor replied. “You got a girl, Maryam, pregnant. Maryam — your girlfriend — is she your girlfriend?” Annoor spluttered, “Pregnant? Me? In my dreams I went and did it without knowing? Me, Lollipop? If a woman sees me — DPO Lion, listen — I don’t have a mistress; who would lead on my bed? Wait — which Maryam? Maryam Sahabi from your secretariat?” Annoor smiled and said, “Oh my God — she says she’s pregnant because I got angry with her and beat her, so she’s making trouble. I have CCTV — check it.” The DPO said, “She’ll come now.” Annoor added that people gathered accusinging him of making her pregnant and that they hauled him before a crowd. He insisted it wasn’t his child.
Then Maryam entered — a stout woman around thirty, and she burst into tears saying, “He’s the one who got me pregnant.” Annoor looked at her and asked, “When? Where did you send my package? Where did it go?” His charming eyes fixed on her and she started stammering, “I… I….” Annoor said, “Take her to court — swear and explain.” Maryam, trembling, begged for forgiveness, saying she lied because she wanted to force him to marry her. A policewoman dragged Maryam and slapped her then took her away to custody. Annoor said, “Let the court deal with her — I’ll get my rights.” He accused her of trying to coerce marriage and blamed her family background. The police exchanged greetings with him, apologized, and he left straight home.
He headed for their large house in G.R.A. — the gate guards opened the gate for him. A pretty young girl, maybe not older than eighteen, peered out and ran up when she saw Annoor’s car. She wore a long silver-colored dress from the market and was eating ice cream from a cone. Her hair was done up neatly. She hurried to open his car door; he stepped out smiling. She hugged him excitedly and said, “Brother welcome!” He replied, “Hey Iman Sanabe. Where’s my ice cream? Did you do your assignment today?” She lifted her face while eating and teased; he told her to open the trunk because there was chocolate there and to give Nabeela hers. She happily followed him inside to their fine living room.
Habiba, Jauro’s housewife, smiled and said, “So you’ve returned.” Annoor asked, “Is mother back?” She said, “Yes, all is well. Where are the kids? Nabeela and the others are in their room studying — what do you call that in English?” He said, “Assignment?” She said, “Yes, they were doing it. Your person finished earlier waiting for you.” Their conversation ended with a comment about a doctor; Iman blushed and lowered her eyes. Annoor teased Iman that her part was fixed; she shyly denied it. He went up and she followed him, saying “Don’t follow me.” She pouted, “Brother, what did I do wrong that you don’t like me?” He didn’t turn back and went to his business; she sat in the living room sulking.
Kawu Jauro came in — the flashy, wealthy kind you could spot from his cars. The kids came out greeting him. Jauro glanced at Iman and asked who the cheeky girl was who once touched him. Iman made a face and said Kawu is like an elder brother. Nabeela teasingly said Iman is the one who annoys her the most; when she follows him to the bedroom she says she will sleep there. Iman is still inexperienced. Nabeel was teased as the spoiled one. Jauro told them to leave the girl alone and called Iman “Yar Albarka” and urged her away. He gave keys and told them to collect their things from his car. Nabeel, a young man slightly older than Annoor by five months, carried bags — everyone had their own.
Jauro let everyone go to their rooms. He checked and noticed Rahma wasn’t in her room; his watch said it was already past midnight. He sat in the living room waiting to see when she would return. Rahma was in a new club in a different part of town until 2 a.m.; friends dropped her at the car. The guard called him and she bribed the guard with two thousand naira to let her inside.
She wore a short gown barely past the knee. When she entered the living room she saw Kawu sitting and froze. Jauro greeted her, and she struck a coy pose, playing with her fingers. She tried to speak but Jauro chided her — telling her she acts as if she’s someone special and that he has no patience for pretense. He lectured her about religion and education, how he provided for them and expected them to live decently without influence from men. He told Rahma to stop following Haidar and behaving as if Haidar were a woman; she fell silent, pouting. Kawu mocked that no one except him would find time to relax while she dances publicly. Jauro warned her she’ll regret her lack of sense and left, saying he’d given her advice.
Rahma went to her room, showered and lay down telling herself, “I only went to the club — I didn’t do sex.” She defended herself, saying it was just kissing and playing, not full sex. She said she liked Nabeel, not his brother; Annoor is the one who would be right for her and Nabeel would do better than Haidar. She fell asleep under the blanket.
Haidar arrived and friends dropped him off at the gate. When he returns after misbehavior he climbs the back wall and ladder so Jauro doesn’t see him arrive. Iman stayed up in the girls’ living room watching films, not attending school. Haidar came and teased her, threatening to expose her to Kawu. They laughed. Annoor emerged from his bedroom to get food and found Iman and Haidar chatting; he gave a look and left to his room without much notice. Haidar muttered jealousy but smiled.
Annoor grabbed his food and went upstairs. He saw Iman watching an American film and teased her about it being instructive; she retorted. He told her to go to bed. Later he knocked on Nabeela’s door; she answered, “Yes brother, I’m here,” and he replied, “Let’s pray.” He visited Rahma’s door too but she did not speak. Kawu saw and said “Okay, let’s pray,” then went to his room to sleep.
Jauro spent the evening with Na’ima in his room. He called her “my bride,” and she smiled. He declared he wouldn’t sleep at home if she wasn’t there and teased about not wanting children, offering to let her marry another man to have children if she wished — a crude, possessive attitude. He said he had married five women before her; they all had children and were content. Na’ima asked him to stop complaining and returned to him; he calmed down and they reconciled tenderly.
Romance, Domestic Scenes, and Daily Rhythms
Elsewhere, Naila and her circle were having intimate, playful moments. Naila teased Spark about fasting and periods; Spark replied with a mix of teasing and desire. He was supposed to fast but struggled because of his attraction to Naila. They joked about romance and practice; Naila was bold and led the intimacy, surprising Spark and making him proud. He praised her, saying she had learned well; their flirtation turned into warmth and plans. Spark decided he would fast the next day and expected Naila to prepare sahoor (pre-dawn meal). She agreed. He later rushed to the office for an urgent call while she helped him get ready.
By evening, Spark returned and Naila served him, gently urging him to keep his fast. There was playful banter about timing of prayers and his inability to keep the fast because of desire. At one point, sleeping beside him, she stirred him awake to touch and tease; they kissed and shared intimacy. Spark, half-asleep, murmured pleasure; Naila told him not to force her into things she didn’t want but also expressed love and warmth. He praised her confidence and said he had been searching for someone like her to marry.
Meanwhile, daily household interactions continued. Mima arrived and fussed that Annoor should take her out instead of leaving him to his young wife. Mima accused Spark of being shameless and warned him about public perception, while Spark teased back and ordered ice cream. Naila cleverly served refreshments to Mima, who huffed but accepted. Spark urged Naila to finish cooking so they could enjoy ice cream.
Later, Naila prepared sahoor and roused Spark for prayer; he managed to perform wudu (ablution) and pray before heading to the mosque. He returned and found her reciting Azkar (remembrances). She worried he might break his fast, but he later set out for the office. Throughout the day Spark thought about Naila and whether she would tempt him into breaking his fast. By afternoon, he returned home and their playful banter resumed — she teased about the clock and his sluggishness; he admired her and enjoyed her company. They joked about clocks and timing of fasts, and she busied herself preparing food while he lounged.
At 5 p.m. they continued to joke; he pretended the clock wasn’t moving and she laughed. She brought him water and food, and he teased that he lacked the discipline to keep the fast. He watched her affectionately as she served food, savoring her presence. Other family members moved through the house — people coming and going, small dramas and flirtations, the mix of showy wealth, youthful romance, possessive older partners, and the everyday bustle of a large household with many interwoven relationships.