Introducing new characters

Nafisah Abdullahi As Mrs. Amina Bala.

Rahman Hussain As Fu'ad Muhammad.

***

The home party was a beautiful one. The guests around were about 25 or so. They placed three large tables in their small compound and white plastic chairs were surrounded around it in a beautiful way.

There were lots of food and drinks. Mr. Abdullahi then made a toast for the success of his children, Idris and Zainab. Everyone were curious to know about who she was. They only knew he had only three sons.
"She's my adopted daughter."

Zainab smiled as he announced once again.

She and Idris were seated somewhere. People prayed they become more successful in life and gave their blessings. Throughout, Amina wasn't herself. What annoyed her the most was that her husband announced in front of the whole world that Zainab is his daughter and didn't inform her first. He should have told her first before taking that decision, I'd she was going to take her in or not. The way he usually do in other matters. It's as if he has changed completely. She just went inside and washed off her makeup.

After that, She changed into a long free, silky gown and took off her wedding ring. Placing them on the table at the front of their half-length standing mirror.
Amina felt so wronged and heartbroken. All she felt was hatred, boiling inside if her but she didn't want to stop the party. It seems that little witch has succeeded after all. She's ruining her family and if she doesn't do something about it very fast, an havoc might occur. Even between the brothers.

Mr. Abdullahi finally noticed his wife's absence.

'What happened? Where could she be?'  He thought within himself again. In confusion. She was supposed to be with him. Especially now that some of the guests are about to leave.
His eyes searched around the place. Then he saw Ibrahim hosting somewhere with some of his friends as well. He quickly called him and asked if he has seen his mother.

"Yes dad, she went inside about an hour ago. Isn't she out yet?"

"Let me check on her." He said, leaving his son to continue his chatting.

Mr. Abdullahi heard her silent sobbing, immediately he got to the entrance. He was curious. 'What's wrong?' 

He quickly rushed in. Amina was lying on the bed, holding the thick blanket over herself as if she was convulsing or so.

"What's wrong wifey? You left the party." He stared at her dark eyes in puzzlement.

Silence.

"Amina darling, please answer me." He climbed the bed and drew himself closer to her. She pulled away immediately.

"Answer me now. Why did you leave the party like that. We haven't even told the guests our goodbyes yet. What's wrong with you now. Face me Dan Allah. Why are you behaving like a new bride?"

She took the blanket off her face and sits up.
"I'm not feeling fine. I'm having a very strong headache by this side of my head." She muttered, holding one side of her head.

"Are you sure? When did this happen?" He asked in curiosity.

"Just now, hubby."

"But you were alright just before the party?"

"Yes. That was because you announced to everyone that that outsider is part of our family. It's all your fault I'm having headaches, Abdul." She pointed out. "It's. All. Your. Fault!"

"I hate you referring to Zainab as an outsider. Its best you stop this madness and wake up into reality Amina! She's our daughter now, you've always wanted a daughter, didn't you? Now you have one, free of charge. Instead of you to care for her and treat her properly. You're busy complaining."

"Why didn't you inform me before telling the whole world?" She hissed. "It shows how insignificant I am to you, right? Why can't you confide in me first? What would it cost you, exactly?!" She stood up from beside him.

"That wasn't necessary, was it? If you truly love Zainab, then, you shouldn't be having problems if I announced it within or family or if I announced it to the press. The truth remains the same, Amina. Zainab is our daughter."

"Did you have any secret relationship with their mother? Because as it is, you're the one that brought her here at first!"

"What's your problem, Amina. What are you driving at exactly?"

"Can't you see she isn't just an ordinary child? She's tearing our family apart gradually. That girl is cursed! I don't want her here any longer!!" Aminah said her mind.

"Are you serious right you. You're having headache, Amina. You need to rest."

"I'm serious, hubby. Either she leaves peacefully or I would throw her out, myself!"

"Why are you so adamant about this?! I said go and rest!!” Mr. Abdullahi didn't know when he shouted on her. She forced him to, she wouldn't just listen. Silence reigned between them or a while at they glared at themselves with disappointed faces.

Tears gathered in Amina's eyes. She walked back to the bed and continue crying.

Abdullahi didn't like to see his wife like this. It was their first argument, ever. He wanted to plead with her or comfort her a bit but what she's doing his wrong. The love for her son has blinded her so much that she doesn't recognize right from wrong any longer.

'Maybe she'll come to her senses.' He thought as he left the room.

Even though he wasn't happy at all, he had to tell his guests goodbye and thank them gratefully for a attending their party.

***

After a while... the guests had already left, so, Zainab and Idris cleaned the place. Ibrahim and Isah accompanied their friends out. It was already getting dark so, the programme was over.

Zainab went to her room, briefly changing her dress from the beautiful, laced, Stony gown to an old shirt and wrapper. Well, the party was over. What do you expect?

It was time to prepare dinner. She entered Mrs. Bala's room to ask her about what she should prepare. Amina was still in her room, crying herself up like a naughty baby. All she wanted was to get Zainab out of their house but it seems Abdullahi, her husband wasn't ever going to reason with her. He had always satisfied her needs without any complain, and he's been treating her like a queen but right now... It seems that little witch has also snatched her husband away from her. She called her best friends, Simah and Aliyah to tell them about what's happening in her family. They told her to kick her out of the house or probably squash the little insect that causing havoc in her home but the word, 'squash' has been ruminating in Amina's head for hours.

One thing, she don't want to hurt her so much because she's an orphan. Another thing is that, she wants her out of the house as soon as possible.
Just thinking about Simah and Aliyah's advise, Amina heard a knock on the door.

"Yes, come in!" She ordered, thinking it was one of her sons or so. But no, it was the little witch again, Zainab. She hated her so much now, and why is she in her room again.

"What's it you're looking for?!" Amina gnawed.

"Ma, I wanted to ask what I should prepare for dinner." Zainab noticed something was wrong with her.

Her eyes were red and swollen and her hair was scattered. There were crumbled tissue papers everywhere in the room. Zainab wanted to ask if everything was alright but she was scared to. She tried to remember if she had offened Mrs. Bala in anyway but she realized that there was no reason. There was no specific reason for all of these. Maybe she didn't like her since day one. She'd just been pretending all along.

"Just get out of my room Zainab. And get out of my house too!"

Zainab was shocked with what she just heard. That she should get out of the house? What did she do wrong?

"Ma, I don't understand. But what have I done ma? I greated you this morning and you ignored me but why didn't you tell me to leave then? I don't know what I've done to hurt you mother but I'm part of this family now. Please accept me as your daughter and let's be one happy family." Zainab pleaded in a low voice.

Amina couldn't help but to smile at the young girl's words. They were rather stupid to her. "We were never family and we would never be!" Amina corrected.

"Don't bother cooking for me again, else you'll charm all my family to do your bindings. Just leave me and my family alone, okay?"

"But mother...."

"Don't ever call me mother, Zainab! Because I'm not your mother and I'll never be. You're just a piece of garbage.  That's why your uncle, Alhaji Musa didn't accept you in."

Zainab was flabbergasted. What she just broke her heart. Why would she use one's misfortune to insult her.

That means... If she had told her the truth behind Alhaji Musa, she would have insulted her with it right now. Hot tears lingered down Zainab's face. She couldn't understand why Amina would hate her so much and tell her something like this.

She couldn't say anything for a while.

"Just get out of my sight. Don't cook anything, I have hands. Don't come and poison me and my family o!" She hissed at her.

"Okay ma. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning." Zainab murmured under her breath as she left Amina's room.

"Better for you."

***