When Walida heard the news about Barakah on Saturday evening. She quickly called Shamsu to inform him that she was going home. Then she prepared the boys for bed, locked the door and flagged down a rickshaw.

Thankfully, it only took her ten minutes to reach her parent’s house.
“Assalamu alaikum,” She greeted as she lifted the purple curtain and stepped into the dimly-lit but warm living room. Her parents were seated on the sofa, in their nightgowns, talking in hushed tones. 

Obviously they didn’t hear her, so she cleared her throat. Alhaji Yusha’u raised his head and gave her a tired smile, “Walili, kin karaso?”

She nodded and sat on the carpeted floor, eyes trained on them, more on Hajja Muna whose head was still bowed.

“Ina wini.”

Her father replied. Hajja didn’t. Walida shot her father a questioning look. He just shrugged. 

“Hajja,” She called out quietly, leaning forward.

Hajja finally raised her head and rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Oh, Walida.”

“I just got the call from Yaya Ismail, is it true?” Walida asked her father, for she was still finding it hard to believe. She had guessed that things weren’t going well at Kauthar’s, but she didn’t know it was this bad.

Alhaji Yusha’u nodded, “she was taken on Friday.”

Kauthar covered her mouth in shock, “Ya Allahu.”

Hajja Muna pursed her lips in a frown, “But they didn’t inform us till today.” She pointed a finger to the floor. “and it wasn’t even Kauthar, but her husband. Sekace we are not family.”

“Toh maybe she was still in shock.” Alhaji Yusha’u said.

Hajja Muna gaped at him, “Shock for what, is Barakah her biological daughter?”

“Mama!” Walida cried out, “Haba Mama, whether or not they are not the same blood, they are still family.”

“Ohh, we kuma we’re not family, ko?” She shook her head and clicked her tongue. “It’s obvious she doesn’t need our help. If not, she could have said something since.”

Alhaji Yusha’u sighed, “What they need is prayer.”

“Or we should even go and see her.”
Hajja muna raised her hands, “Ba da niba–count me out, since we don’t matter much to her, let her solve her problems herself. Aikin banza–Nonesense.” She hissed loudly and left the room.

Walida shook her head. When would this mother of hers stop taking little things to heart?

“Baba, about the travelling. Kauthar needs us. I know she has a problem in voicing out her issues, but we need to be there for her.” 

“I know, I was already planning to go to Lagos tomorrow in sha Allah.”

“I want to go too.”

“Kai, will your mai gida allow you?”

Walida frowned, “Why will he stop me? this is an emergency fa.”

Alhaji Yusha’u shook his head, “Don’t worry, your mother and I will go.”

Walida glanced at the room Hajja had gone into, “With the way she’s raging, will she want to go?”

He smiled, “Don’t mind her, she’s just hurt that Kauthar didn’t come running to her, you know how she likes being needed.”

Walida scoffed. “But Yaya Kauthar is not a child na.”

He shrugged, “True, but she remains her mother’s child. No matter how old she gets.”

Walida smiled at that, but on remembering the situation at hand, she frowned and moved closer to her father. “Oh Allah, Barakah.” She shook her head. She couldn't begin to imagine how Kauthar would be feeling right now. “Why would anyone kidnap her?”

Alhaji sighed, “Who knows? Ismail only said that the intelligence unit are still investigating. We hope they find something.”

“Ameen.” Walida replied. Then she recalled what Kauthar had told her about Salsabil’s relative. She bit her lower lip, wondering if she should tell her father. What good would that do? She wasn’t sure. But she felt the need to tell him anyways.

“Baba, did Kauthar inform you about a lady that came to their house, claiming to be Salsabil mother’s sister-in-law?

Alhaji frowned, “No, when?”

Walida scratched her hijab clad head, hoping she wouldn’t get into trouble. “It’s more than three weeks now.”

He shook his head.
“Toh, I don’t know, we were talking on Friday. Then the lady showed up, Yaya sounded really angry.”

“Toh,” Alhaji tilted his head in thought, “Was the lady bothering her?”

“I don’t know. But you know how Yaya is, even if something is happening, she will not talk.”

He sighed and pursed his lips, “I’ll talk to her about this.”

“But don’t tell her I told you o. Just ask her to tell you everything she’s hiding.” She said with a smile.

Alhaji chuckled, “I shouldn’t tell her you were doing gulma abi?” She pouted, but laughed with him.

“Lallai ma,” Hajja cried out, starling Walida. She had been standing by the door, holding up the curtain, directly in Walida’s view, and Walida didn’t notice.

“So,” Hajja came and stood behind the sofa, “Salsabil’s people have started showing up shine
Kauthar bata fada mana ba?” She punched the sofa and bit her lips. “What is the woman’s name?”
 
“Dan Allah Mama,” Walida said, face scrunched up. Kauthar would be very disappointed in her. 

“Na ce what is her name?” Hajja asked again, leaning forward, the fire of rage burning in her eyes, so hot that Walida could feel it. 

“Em, Sumayya…” She looked at the ceiling in an attempt to recall the last name, also in an attempt to get Hajja off her back
.
“Ai there is no need for thos. Once we get there, we can get the info we want.” Alkali Yusha'u said.

“Ba wani,” Hajja snapped. She faced Walida again, “don’t let me meet you there fa.” She warned.

Walida glanced at her father who just nodded. “Aliyu Manga.”

Hajja looked away in thought, “Wait,” She came over and sat on her former position.

“Aliyu Manga,” Alhaji asked, “Of Shu’aib Aliyu Manga family.”

“Ban sani ba wallahi–I honestly don’t know” 

He turned to Hajja Muna who was still thinking. “Ehen,” She snapped her fingers loudly. “ba a Abuja suke–aren’t they in Abuja?”

Walida quickly shook her head. “Wallahi ban sani ba.” 

“Ehe, no wonder mana,” Hajja Muna said, adjusting her nightgown. “No wonder all these calamities are happening.” Walida frowned in confusion. 

Hajja Muna tapped her husband’s lap, “The Aliyu Manga family is cursed with bad luck.” She turned to Walida, eyes wide in excitement. 
The
Both father and daughter exchanged confused looks. “Haba dai,” Alhaji said, narrowing his eyes at her.

Hajja eyed him, “Don’t you know about the death of his wife and first son? I even heard that she hung herself in one of the hotels he was building, while the son was found dead in the bathroom, just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

“Death is death, Maimuna.” He said quietly. Walida snickered, for she knew Baba was scolding her.

“Kai dai ka sani,” Hajja faced Walida. “Let me tell you, that family is one of the most powerful families in Arewa. Ke, forget Dangote, there is no man that made as much money as Shu’aib Aliyu Manga. Kawai he was a very mysterious man, he barely attends social events, or grants interviews, even his wife and children. They like keeping to themselves. It’s only their money that speaks for them.”

“Haba Maimuna!” Alhaji called, making Walida burst into laughter. Drama and all, she loved her mother.
Hajja eyed him, “In dai Salsabil is related to that family. But wait o, which of the sons did
Maman Salsabil marry? cos I know only one is remaining now, and he has two wives. Kar dai…” She tapped Walida, eyes widened, “it’s the last one that died. Ya sunan shi ma?” She tapped her chin. 

Walida watched her mother in awe. “Ke,” Her father called her, “Tashi ki tafi gida–go home.” She pouted but rose slowly, waiting for Hajja to finish thinking. 

“Ke!” Alhaji glared at her, something he rarely did. 

As she turned towards the door, Hajja Muna called out, “Ehe, na tuna, Hashim Aliyu Manga.” She shot Alhaji a victory smile. “Ai dole mu je Lagos dinnan, ko ma dai mu ga Sumayyan nan–we have to go to Lagos, even if it’s just to see that Sumayya. Saboda I have many questions for her. Walida ki gaishe min da jikokina–greet my grandchildren for me.” Without waiting for a response, she stood up and went back to her room.

“Ikon Allah,” Alhaji folded his arms and watched his wife. 

Walida hid another laugh. “Baba, sai da safe.” She waved.

He sighed and nodded at her, then went to join his crazy wife. “Turn off the light please.” He said over his shoulder. 

Walida nodded, did as she was told, and headed for the main road, shaking her head, but also wondering if Kauthar knew all this. Even more, was Mama right?

A/N

Who was surprised to see Hajja Muna?

It's never a dull moment with her, am I right?

And her talks about the Aliyu Manga, do you believe it too?

Let me hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Voting and sharing are allowed

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