Tears of joy streamed down my face. The scholar called my name again. I stood up, freeing myself from the grip of emotion, and walked forward. The two other winners hugged me, and the crowd erupted with cries of Allahu Akbar.
After calm was restored, the prizes were announced. The third and second winners received their awards, and then mine was announced:
The overall winner would receive a Hajj seat to Makkah, two million naira, and useful household items.
The takbir shook the hall again.
Our major scholar, Malam Nuhu, was invited forward. He was beaming with joy. As he approached, I saw my father behind him. I rushed and hugged my father happily, exclaiming, “Baba, when did you arrive?”
All formalities were completed, prayers were offered, and the event was closed. Everywhere you went in the crowd, people were saying “RUMAINA”—some claiming I was their daughter, others their sister.
By 3 p.m., everything ended. We were transported back home. We arrived at night, and the driver dropped each of us at our houses. Baba came with me.
When we entered the house, Mama rushed out, hugged me joyfully, and laughed. We shared our journey in Mama’s room and ate the food she prepared. Baba told me to rest and sleep.
The next day, people kept coming to congratulate Mama. I became an attraction; visitors stared at me as if they had never seen me before. Men who came to Baba even requested my hand in marriage, and Baba told them there was no problem—the message would be conveyed.
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After Three Days
“RUMAINA, why are you delaying?” Aunt Habiba complained angrily.
I told Mama I was coming out. I wore my hijab and left for my maternal grandfather’s house.
As I walked, I prayed silently that I would not meet Sadam. Unfortunately, I saw his gathering ahead. I wanted to turn back, but the road was unavoidable. I lowered my head and continued walking.
All eyes were on me. Sadam stood up. I hardened my face and passed them. After walking a short distance, I heard him behind me.
“Sit beside me; it suits you better than walking ahead of me.”
I turned sharply, glared at him, and warned him to stop following me. He continued talking, saying he had visited our house and told my father he wanted to hasten our marriage.
I ignored him and entered my grandfather’s compound, leaving him behind.
Later, as I walked again, a car stopped beside me. The window was lowered, and I met the smiling face of the woman who once knocked me down with her car a year earlier. She greeted me warmly and introduced herself.
Her name was Hajiya Amina. She explained that she had long wanted to apologize to my parents and that Allah had now made it possible. She asked me to take her to my house, which was nearby.
When we arrived, she greeted my parents warmly, showing humility without any arrogance. She apologized sincerely for the accident. Mama and Baba forgave her wholeheartedly.
During the conversation, she asked about my education. Mama explained my Islamic schooling and my secondary education. Baba added that he wished for me to continue schooling but life’s challenges had delayed it.
Hajiya Amina then suggested enrolling me in a city school and offered to sponsor my education, promising I would become a doctor one day. Hearing this, my heart leapt—becoming a doctor had always been my dream.
She gave Baba her card, introduced herself fully as Aminatu Bashir from Bauchi, and asked them to investigate her background. She promised to care for me like her own child and left.
Later, Baba revealed that she was the same woman who once helped him financially when he was stranded with his bicycle during a storm. The money she gave him became the foundation of our current stability.
Mama and Baba later confirmed through investigation that she was indeed the wife of the late Alhaji Bashir Nakowa, a renowned philanthropist.
After deep discussion, my parents agreed to let me go, trusting in Allah.
When Hajiya returned, everything was finalized. Mama advised me carefully, reminding me to protect my dignity, honor, and values wherever I went.
Tears flowed as Mama held my hands, prayed for me, and wiped my face. Baba also advised me deeply before I entered the car.
We departed, and along the journey, Hajiya kept talking to me gently until my tension eased.
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