For the first time in a long time, Kauthar awoke without her alarm. But it wasn’t because she was eager to see the day, but because, for the first time in a long time, she had a bad dream.

After splashing her face with cold water three times, she looked at her reflection: at the pimples that had ruined her smooth dark skin when she had just turned fourteen, but now they were fading, blending with her skin, like they had always been a part of her. Just like her past mistakes.

She raised a finger and traced it across her face, smooth and full, just like she had always wanted. And so were her dreams of a happy family. That was until Sumayya Aliyu Manga came into the picture. It was as if Kauthar had been yanked from the front line of her life. It wasn’t just the uncanny resemblance Sumayya shared with Salsabil, it was everything she was with Barakah: kind, warm, funny, even treating her like an adult, allowing her to make her choices of clothes, food, snacks in every outing. All in all, Sumayya was giving Barakah the freedom she (Kauthar) had denied her. 

Because she’s still a child. Kauthar whispered to the mirror, her breath releasing a white fog to her reflection. Young, vulnerable and most of all, all hers. Only she should show Barakah the world, only she should train her, only she should be the mother.

But what if she wasn’t doing a good job? Was that why God sent Sumayya to their home, to show her how to be a better mother to Barakah? Kauthar clutched her chest at the thought. No, she shook her head. Barakah was hers, only hers. 

A sharp knock on the door startled Kauthar awake. She looked around in confusion. She had dozed off on the bathroom floor across the mirror. But how? The knock sounded again, prompting her to stand up, releasing a loud groan at the ache on her head and back. 

“Kauthar, lafiya?” Ismail asked. 
She opened the door, “Yes, I think I slept off.”

He laughed, “Ai na ga alama–I thought as much.” She released a small smile and closed the door after him. She went to the girls’ room and woke them up to pray. Once she was done with her own prayer, which she had to perform in the girls’ room because of Hoor’s pestering, she came back to their room, where Ismail was getting prepared for work. “I won't be coming home as the usual time today.” 

“Toh,” Kauthar replied she yanked off the red duvet to fold it.

“Yeah, we’ll be on the ship today, there’re some repairs needed in the engine room.” He said as he adjusted the collar of his navy blue coverall.
She turned towards him with a smile. He caught her reflection and turned around, with a comb in his hand. “Any problem?”

She shook her head and scanned his attire, “Are you sure this is yours?"

He looked down immediately, then at her, “You’re not serious.” he faced the mirror again.

“I’m just saying o, cos it looks oversize.”

His head whipped towards her as he narrowed his eyes, “Don’t try me o.” He warned.

She shrugged and turned to grab a pillow, “Fine, since you don’t believe me. Go and ask the girls then.”

Ismail looked down again, then he stretched his hands, feeling the long sleeves constricting. He squatted and felt the ruffled gathering at the waist expanding. Suddenly he heard a loud cough.

On facing Kauthar, she immediately climbed the bed and began to grab at the edges of the bedsheet.

He shook his head again. “When I get back, I’ll have your time.”

Kauthar cleared her throat to hide another laugh.

“Ehen, that reminds me,” Ismail said.

Still on the bed, she turned towards him, “Hajiya Sumayya will be leaving this weekend.”  He told her.

She paused to gape at him, “Are you serious?”

He nodded and pocketed his phone. “She was actually supposed to have left since last week, but she wanted to spend more time with Barakah. so…” He widened his lips and lifted his shoulders.

She smiled back, sending silent praises to God. “That’s really bad. Just when the girls’ are starting to get used to her.” She leaned back on the heels of her feet. 

“Yeah, especially Barakah who almost sees her like family.” Ismail said.

“Well, at least she has three more days with her right?”

Kauthar frowned, “What do you mean by three more days, she only has weekends to visit.”

“Yeah, including today.” 

Kauthar climbed off the bed, “Today is Friday.”

Ismail headed for the door. “I know.” “You mean she’s coming today?”

Ismail opened the door and turned to her, “Yes, they’ll be going for Jumu’ah together. Sai anjima–see you later.”

He waved and shut the door, leaving Kauthar frozen with shock. They were supposed to go the mosque today, just her and the girls. But now, Sumayya wanted to take over.

Her anger bubbled like boiling water, although she knew she wasn’t supposed to be angry. After all, Sumayya was leaving soon, but she couldn’t help it. 

Taking a deep breath, she went over to check on the girls. Afterwards, while preparing breakfast, she also thought of doing the laundry, perhaps it’d distract her a little. 

An hour later, as she selected the white attires to wash first, she realized that she hadn’t spoken to her sister, Walida, in a while now.  So she called her, and as they talked, she felt all her anger subsiding like the dark clouds overhead, giving way to the smiling sun that would warm her clothes dry. 

She was already engrossed in their conversation about Hajja that she didn’t hear the gate swing open or perceive the scent of rose oil in the air, until she felt a light tap on her shoulder and beheld the smiling, face of Sumayya Aliyu Manga, which in that moment, transformed to Salsabil's. 

Kauthar gasped, almost dropping her phone. 

“Barka da safiya.” She greeted, but in Kauthar’s ears, it was in Salsabil’s voice.

“Why?” Kauthar whispered.

Sumayya frowned.” I don’t understand. But when Kauthar didn’t reply, she added, “Are you okay, you look pale?”

“Why are you disturbing us like this?!” She screeched, startling Sumayya, who sprang back with a hurt look on her face. 

“Yaya, lafiya?’ She heard Waleeda ask. She shut her eyes and shook her head. What was wrong with her?

Kauthar hissed loudly, thinking of how to go about it. No one should know about Sumayya, especially her family. So she tried to tell Walida as little as possible, hoping she wont ask further questions.

Luckily for her, the gate opened again, first revealing a slim leg in a red strappy heel. Kauthar instantly knew who it was. 

“I have to go, Hidaya is here. Greet your husband for me. She said to Waleeda and ended the call, cutting off her protest. Then she turned to Sumayya who was now sitting on the verandah stairs, looking sullen in her dark green floor length hijab.

Kauthar realized just how terrible of a person she had been, harboring such sickening thoughts and lashing out at poor Sumayya who had done nothing but lighted up Barakah’s days, and Hoor’s too.

Yes, she might had been a bit extravagant, but one thing was true, she loved Barakah just as much. 

Kauthar walked up to Sumayya and settled beside her. “I’m so sorry. I was having a really… she took a deep breath, “bad day. I shouldn’t have been rude. Ki yi haquri. She placed a hand on Sumayya's back as a way of saying, ‘can we be friends?’

Sumayya sighed, “you didn’t have to pretend with me. I get that you don’t like me, but you didn’t have to be so mean about it. She swallowed. I mean, I know my family did a terrible thing to Barakah’s family, I’m just trying to fix things, just like you. 

Kauthar gasped. Did Sumayya know about she did to Sasabil? If she did, only one person could’ve told her. Kauthar turned towards Hidaya who had finally ended the call she was making since she came in. “Hey,” She beamed, waving the hand holding her phone. “Assalamu alikum.”

“Wa alaikum salam,” they chorused.

“What’s happening, why are you all sitting here?” 

“Nothing.” Kauthar stood up and wiped the back of her knee length blouse. “We’re just taking some fresh air, right?” She turned to Sumaya who nodded and smiled. 

“Okay, lets go in then.” Hidaya said and made her way into the house, as though she was the owner and not a guest. 

Kauthar felt the urge to say something, but on second thought, she changed her mind. They’ve already had enough drama for the afternoon.

Once inside, after serving the ladies with a tray of cookies with pack of juice, she left them to the company of a movie on Arewa 24 and went to prepare for Jumu’ah prayer. 

As she was searching for a suitable hijab in her wardrobe, her hand landed on a small box hidden between folded hijabs. Curious, she brought it out. Her breath hitched on recognizing it as the necklace box, the one she had given Salsabil. She released a breath, knowing it won’t hurt her. the necklace had already been destroyed, so what could the box do?

She picked a maroon hijab and closed the wardrobe. Then she squeezed the box, feeling a rush of relief at it crumbled between her fingers, powerless. Like her past, it couldn’t hurt her. She was a new person now, not better, but getting there. 

As she headed for the stairs, she thought of ways to appease Sumayya, perhaps a small get-together. Barakah could even take charge of making snacks, since she’s getting better in her baking.

A loud thumping of feet climbing the stairs made her pause her thoughts. Hoor appeared, all sweaty and grimy in her white and blue sports attire, but grinning widely like one who had done something great.

“Mummy!” she cried out and ran to her, “Guess what I did-“

Kauthar held at arm’s length and smiled. “Yes, you played very well today. I can see that.”

Hoor frowned. “No, I-” Kathar glanced down the stairs. “Where’s Barakah?” she asked.

Hoor shrugged, “I don’t know, she’s not back?” Kauthar shook her head. “Didn’t she come to your school?” Hoor shook her head. 

Kauthar frowned. Where could she be then? “Okay, go and remove your uniform and put it inside your laundry basket.” She said as Hoor ran off. “Basket o, not on the floor!” She called out.

When she joined the ladies, it was already 01:35 p.m. “Sorry about the delay. Hoor just got back.”

“Yeah, but what about Barakah, or did you send her somewhere?’ Hidaya asked, standing up.

Kauthar turned towards the door, “I didn’t, she should be back by now.”

Sumayya also rose from her seat and stood beside Kauthar. “Does she come home alone?”

“Sometimes,” Kauthar pursed her lips.
“Let me go and ask Aliyah.” She headed for the door while the ladies trailed behind. Rose’s gate was open so Kauthar didn’t have o knock. Even better, Aliyah was also standing on the balcony, leaning against a pillar, with a white short in one hand, a threaded needle in the other.

But that didn’t make Kauthar feel any better. If Aliyah, a girl who came home late was at home? then where could Barakah, an early home comer be? 

“Good afternoon ma.” Aliyah greeted, standing up straight.

Kauthar nodded in reply. “Please did you see Barakah?”

She frowned, her lower lip jutting out in thought. “No ma.”

Kauthar released a breath. This was not happening. 

“When?” She heard Aliya ask. 

“Now, before you left school.” Hidaya piped in.

“Oh, yes. She came to my class when the closing bell rang.”

Kauthar’s eyes widened as she moved closer. “Ehen, where did she go?”

“She asked me if I was ready to go home. I said no, because I was copying note. So she said she will wait for me outside the gate. But when I finished and came out. I didn’t see her there.”

Kauthar narrowed her eyes, “why didn’t you look for her na?!”

Aliya gaped at her, “I-”

Sumayya moved closer to Kauthar. “Take it easy.” 

“Okay, so,” Hidaya faced Aliyah. “Did you see her?”

Aliyah quickly shook her head. “No, I thought she left, that’s why I came back. I didn’t know that she was not yet back.”

Kauthar bit her lower lip to prevent herself from crying. This couldn’t be happening. She felt her heart tightening in fear and dread.

“I’m sorry.” Aliya told her.

She nodded, and without a word, she walked out of the compound. She should have known that her dream was going to come true after all. 

A/N

Oh no! Barakah is missing!

Who can guess where she is?

Most importantly, can you guess who the kidnapper is?

Let me know in the comments section.

And don't forget to vote and share.

See you next week, in sha Allah.

F. I Uthman (Zah Storyteller HQ)