Garin Mazugal

Chapter 6

The magnificent lights that beautified Alhaji Mai Naira's parlor welcomed guests that night. They were here to brief him on what really transpired in the meeting. Alhaji Mai Naira was looking relaxed,sitting with an air of victory. He smiled,knowing that his money has gotten him the party primaries.

"Ranka ya Dade Alhaji! Alhaji Mai Naira,Dan mai kudi,Jikan maikudi! Alhaji mai pampon fura! Alhaji mai Naira!... ( Praise. Alhaji's wealth being hyped to high heavens).

Alhaji Mai Naira was getting fed up with the praise. He had a premonition of what was going to happen after the praise sessions so he interrupted him.

" Barau,Just go straight to the point. I don't have time for all this "

"OK. Alhaji. The meeting started at the scheduled time. You know hajiya,she asked questions and make passes at everyone in her speech but we dealt with that. Alhaji Iro then took over.He asked for ...."

   "Barau.Has Yaro agreed to withdraw?"

"Alhaji not really. But we've made our points clear to him. He won't have our support even if he contest. He is an FIW..Failure In waiting"

Other guests chirped at this with reckless abandon. The comic side of Mal Barau always took the better of him when he had something silly to say. They laughed with seriousness, a seriousness strengthened by kilos of gold offered them by Alhaji Mai Naira. Mai Naira didn't see the comic side of the discussion. His face devoid of joy and satisfaction,was a stony example of eating your cake and wanting to have it. His voice divorced every element of enjoyment in the room. They were miffed by the intransigence, jolted by the seriousness, and scared by the tone of desperation noticed in his voice.

"Barau! Has Dr.Yaro stepped down? Has he agreed to step down"

     "Not really Alhaji,but we can make him suffer"

"Leave my house Barau.Call me when he has agreed" .

His pyjamas folded as if to angry with the mechanical sway of his body responsible for locomotion. He swiftly turned backwards,beckoning on Barau with his hands. He came running like a child promised candy after attaining victory in a relay race.

"Check inside the bag by your left. You'll see kudin mota (transport fare) for you and your boys. Give the others something out of it. Alhaji Iro's hands must be greased. I hope we understand each other?"
 
"Yes Alhaji " Barau said obviously xenobombulated by the fluctuations noticed in Alhaji's nocturnal behaviors.

   "Mun gode sossai Alhaji." He added. Alhaji Mai Naira did neither of turn nor answer. He just walked into his room.A loud thud was heard seconds after.

  "Ikon Allah! I don't know.. I can't place this. Alhaji is a very nice man during the day. He becomes the exact opposite at night. What might have caused this scream? Na ko ga abun mamaki yau (I've seen surprising things today)...But it's none of my business. As far as my pocket remains healthy and heavy "
He walked off happily. The night was fruitful.

CHAPTER 6

Mal Ishaq just saw off a parent who owed fees in excess of 2,900mazugal dollars. The parent came cap in hand,asking for leniency. Mal Ishaq smiled with consummate hypocrisy, spewing varying degrees of insults subconsciously. The Islamiyya he runs is at the verge of collapse.

"People don't want to pay. The students have no books, pencils and textbooks. Worst still, they pay thousands to see their children dressed in beautiful clothes during festivities. Yet,they won't pay. When they need prayers, they'll immediately run to us. And they expect us to just pray for them like that! Why shouldn't we ask for white fowls and farin Riga (white cloth)? They don't want us to enjoy too isn't it?... It's impossible!"

A picture of a spectacular mansion lying across the road caught his eye. He rushed to where it laid,picking it up with tenderness. A huge smile appeared across his face. He started to day dream.

"He owned the house. And there was Hauwa,sitting down in dignified beauty, attending to our children. Such beauties they're. There was about 6 cars packed loosely in the garage. There was signs of opulence and enjoyment everywhere. Mal Ishaq was clearly enjoying himself. A maid coming to serve him lunch was startled by screams of another person. The maid,out of fear,dropped the plates on the floor,breaking them. The shouting got more fierce and near. It was then he realised that a woman was,truly screaming close by and that he was day dreaming. He threw the picture away,hissing and said

"Allah ya tsine was talauchi (God punish poverty) " .Just look at this! He started moving towards the shouts.

"Wai menene ne! Look at this shameless man! You think I'm like other women you'll use,abuse,reduce and refuse. It won't happen.Aaa ni ri nkan buruku.Ngbati mi ose omo ale ( Evil wouldn't want to close )! I'll show you today that I'm from Iyana-Ipaja"

"I've told you a thousand times. You're divorced! Tosin go away and leave me alone!"
    
    "Iro ni( Lies!) I'm going nowhere!"

Mal.Ishaq stood few yards behind.
" This is clearly a marital problem " 
he said to himself. Let's go bring peace!
  
"Salaamun alaikum"

"Wa alaikumusalam" The man,Rabiu Tela answered. Everything he has earned in his life came from the sewing machine he hawked about. His desire to divorce and remarry on one hand and to follow anything in skirts was not only famous but absolutely legendary. He has divorced 8 wives and remarried 6.These divorces are most times built on frivolities like the wife calling him "Alhaji" instead of "Mallam"." When a woman you love,takes it upon herself to change your name before you die,then you need to sit up. If she can change your name in your presence, what happens in your absence? Just divorce her!".

Rabiu was relived that a man as respected as Mal Ishaq was coming to mediate. His face brightened up like a new electric bulb powered by electricity gotten from the sun.

  "Good afternoon" Mal Ishaq asked with courtesy.

"It's my wife" Rabiu replied."She has refused me peace ever since we got married. Its been from one problem to other. She doesn't cook,clean and do house chores. As a responsible young man,I work hard to provide for my family but she doesn't appreciate anything I do "

Tosin was prancing. Flexing her muscles, she was looking for a venture to channel her anger in. She knew what he said were all lies but she didn't care refute them. She wanted a chance at Rabiu. She'll beat him up so bad that his parents will mistake him for an accident patient.

"Is that true,Tosin? " Ishaq asked.

"Mallam don't ask her anything. I just want  a divorce!"

The word "divorce" made Tosin mad with rage. It'll mean victory for Rabiu and she wasn't ready to allow such either.

  "Aaaaah,Rabiu! " She said. "You're a very shameless person.".

Turning to Mal.Ishaq,she continued.

" He no sabi anything. Food,na me dey buy.na me dey do everything. Because i see am dey borrow money wey he wan use marry again,na im dis morning he say he don divorce me.Na like that he dey do o.Even self,he divorce him last wife because she pour water for front of him room.And na mistake o! He just wan divorce her.But me,Tosin,na lie.I no dey go anywhere !"

Mal Ishaq was shocked. He hasn't seen a thing like this. Mazugal men were fond of divorce, something he is familiar with. This one is something else.

"OK,just calm down Tosin.Rabiu, is it true that you want to marry another woman?"

"Yes Mallam"

  "Rada rada(rubbish)! Even the razor wey he use to barb him armpit this morning, na me buy am give am"

  "Tosin please" Mal Ishaq said already feeling tired and disgusted.

"Rabiu" He continued. "Who is this girl you want to marry?"
"Hauwa"

  "Hauwa?"