Umaimah sang in her melodious voice as she walked back to the village. If there was a singing competition, she was sure she'd win. She strolled home to find Baba Alhaji eagerly waiting for her.
He smiled, revealing his less-than-white teeth at the sight of the empty tray. It meant she’d sold everything, and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on the money.
She greeted him, but all he wanted was the cash, which she handed over.
"Good girl," he smiled, before leaving the house.
Umaimah said her taslim and went to Hajja’s hut to greet her. Hajja answered, and she walked back to their hut where she shared a bed with Samiira and Fadimatu.
She lay down on a pile of thatch with a cotton blanket, not directly on the rough straw. There were two bamboo beds, one each for Fadimatu and Samiira.
By now, night had fallen. She knew the girls were probably out chatting with suitors at the village square. Her stomach growled—she was hungry, and rightfully so.
She wondered if Hajja would give her anything to eat tonight, or if, since she’d sold all the potatoes, she might get something.
She kept tossing and turning, thinking about her life. She had given up on marriage. If she didn’t run away, would her life just keep being miserable until Baba Alhaji and Hajja got tired of her and kicked her out?
No. She had to leave—and quickly. Even if she couldn’t find her parents, she could explore the city and build a life for herself.
"Umaimah!" Hajja’s voice made her jump. Could it be food?
She stood up, adjusting her wrapper and waist beads, and walked out of the hut to find Hajja smiling at her. Something was definitely off—Hajja didn’t smile unless something was up.
"Come sit," Hajja gestured with her hand.
Umaimah sat, heart pounding.
"Do you know Yakudima, the one who goes to the city?" Hajja asked.
"Yes, I do," Umaimah replied.
"Well, she's looking for a maid for one of the houses she works for in the city, and I thought of you."
Umaimah’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. Maid? Her? She felt tears welling up but quickly steeled herself. This was an opportunity. She was about to run away, and this was her chance.
"Okay, Hajja," she answered quickly.
Hajja raised an eyebrow, surprised at how easily Umaimah agreed. She expected more resistance, some crying, perhaps begging. But Umaimah’s acceptance didn’t change anything for her.
"They’ll pay you fifty thousand per month, and you’ll send it here. Pack your clothes—you’re leaving the day after tomorrow."
Umaimah nodded.
Hajja went to get food while Umaimah spread out the mats on the floor. Samiira and Fadimatu soon entered, chattering away as usual.
Without a hint of shame, they plopped down on the mats, just as Hajja finished serving the food.
"Hajja, do you know who talked to me today?" Fadimatu asked excitedly.
"Who?" Hajja asked, pausing her serving.
"Ali, the son of the village head!"
Hajja’s eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, Hajja! He even said he’d come to greet Baba Alhaji soon!"
"Fadimatu, may God bless you. If we’re related to them, it’ll bring honor to this home."
"But what about Hussani?" Samiira asked curiously.
Hussani was Fadimatu's boyfriend. They’d been together for a couple of months and promised to marry.
"I only promised to marry him because he owns a horse and a cow. But now I’ve met someone with more cows, donkeys, and all kinds of animals."
Umaimah rolled her eyes. How greedy could she be? Fadimatu was ditching Hussani for someone with more. But it wasn’t her business.
She took the silver plate of food from Hajja, filled with rice, beans, oil, and chili powder. She could swear this was the most food she’d ever gotten in this house. She ate until she was full—something that had never happened before in Hajja's house.
Afterward, she washed the dishes and lay down on her pile of thatch, letting her mind wander before sleep took over.
---
The next morning, as usual, Umaimah went to fetch water from the village stream. On her way there, she met her only friend, Zayyana.
"Umaimah!" Zayyana called, running to hug her.
Zayyana was also 23, married to the Village Treasurer's son, but they had no children after five years of marriage. The village taunted her, but Zayyana wasn’t one to stay quiet and always had a sharp reply. Once, when some girls taunted Umaimah, Zayyana stepped in and gave them a reply they wouldn’t forget. That’s when they became friends.
"Um, how have you been? Sorry I’ve been busy these past couple of days. I didn’t come to see you," Zayyana said, using the nickname she gave her "Um."
"It’s okay," Umaimah replied, and they continued walking toward the stream.
"Zayyana, I’m leaving this village tomorrow."
"What? You already arranged the money?" Zayyana lowered her voice so no one would overhear.
"No, I’m being sent to the city with Yakudima as a maid."
"Hajja will never change. She just keeps moving forward, sending you to work as a maid. That cruel woman."
"But I’ve decided—once we get to the city, I’m running away."
"Um, I have advice for you." Zayyana stopped walking as they reached the stream and bent down to fill their clay pots with water. "If you run away without any money or knowing the city, it’ll be tough. Work for a month, save some money, and then run away. At least by then, you’ll know your way around."
Umaimah nodded, realizing how rash she had been thinking she could just run away without preparation. But she was desperate for freedom.
They finished fetching water and continued chatting.
"I’ll come by later, I have some money," Zayyana offered.
"No, Zayyana, you don’t have to."
"Don’t start with that, Um!" Zayyana teased, waving her off as she finished fetching water.
---
"Umaimah, are you ready yet?" Hajja's voice rang through the house. "What are you doing? It’s not like you have a mountain of clothes!"
Umaimah sat before her small stash of clothes, suddenly feeling uneasy. She had always wanted to leave Marari, but now that the day was here, she wasn’t sure. What if she was complicating her life further?
She wiped away a tear and smiled, wondering what awaited her in the city. She packed up her clothes and the bracelet Baba Alhaji had given her. He already knew she wouldn't come back, he was right though. She had no plans of returning to Marari.
She hid the two thousand Naira Zayyana had given her the day before and the two hundred from selling potatoes.
"Finally! The queen is ready. Do you think you're so special that we should wait for you?" Hajja said, with a smirk.
"No, sorry, Hajja and Aunt Yakudima," Umaimah replied.
"It’s okay," Yakudima smiled, and they walked out of the hut.
She bid farewell to Hajja, Fadimatu, and Samiira, who were happy to see her go. But Umaimah was far happier.
Baba Alhaji was nowhere to be found, so she picked up her clothes and walked to the motor park. They got on a bus to Dasuki State, leaving Marari behind for good.
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ORNAMENTS✅
Mystery / Thriller©2024 COPYRIGHTS. ❝It's you i want not your virginity, literacy or marriage count.❞ Nabeel became her shadow, her protector in a world that had abandoned her. He fought for her, bled for her, and, in the end, claimed her as his own. In his arms, she...
