Their lives improved, and their minds were at peace. It was during this time that AmatulMaleek began to understand the relationship between her mother and her sister, Mommy Abeeda, whose entire life was vastly different from that of Maamah.
At first, she did not know they were born to the same father but different mothers. It was only later, when they visited Mommy's house and saw how her mother worked among the servants, that she began to realize they did not share the same mother. Yet, she still hoped they had the same father.
Before Babah's death, nothing troubled his heart and caused him greater pain than the thought of how AmatulMaleek and her mother would fare among his relatives. This worry led him to accept a job offer from ASH TALBA that had been pursuing him for a long time.
After he received the job offer and the accommodation provided, he fell ill and eventually passed away before he could start the job.
Initially, after his death, Madame Abeeda did everything she could to support her sister, especially because she had just given birth and hadn't even had a naming ceremony before Babah died. But Babah's relatives refused to allow it, as they wanted to take advantage of what little he had left. Thus, Madame had no choice but to leave her sister and AmatulMaleek, who was her age mate and close companion.
Living in the house Babah left for them became difficult because they needed more care due to Maamah's childbirth and her illness, with no one to care for them. Their struggle ended, so they packed up and moved into the family house they came from. Luckily, no one occupied their section, so they cleaned it up and settled in.
After Babah's death, Madame left the country with her husband, who didn't live in the country but would visit occasionally. Madame left the country unaware of her sister's and her children's dire condition and needs, as she was their only supporter due to their close family ties.
Maamah was raised by her grandmother, but Madame Abeeda's father took care of all her needs because her own father, who was his eldest son, had passed away.
He never differentiated between her and Abeeda, treating them equally, and instilled in them a deep love for each other, growing up like twins because of their mutual affection and considering each other an integral part of their lives.
Abeeda, also an orphan, lost her mother and was raised by her stepmother. They attended school together up to the secondary level when Abeeda's father died during their final year, causing their separation, not because their love waned, but due to the circumstances.
Maamah, whose given name was Asmau, returned to the village with her grandmother, where her care shifted to her paternal relatives. After her incomplete secondary education, no further progress came into her life until Babah married her in the village, which further pushed her life into hardship. But she was fortunate to have a loving and caring husband, which somewhat eased her life.
After Alhaji's death, Abeeda's maternal relatives took her in along with her substantial inheritance. They moved to Portharcourt, where her life continued to improve with care and abundant wealth. Abeeda then went to Malaysia for her studies, while Asmau remained in the rural Sanda Fulde, experiencing a married life filled with trials and tribulations.
