DESCRIPTION FOR SAKACINA KO HALIN MAZA BOOK COMPLETE
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Around 4:30 p.m., a young boy walked in and said someone was calling for Ruhaimat. Maryam laughed and said, “Go your way, she’s coming out.” Then she stood up and headed toward Hajja Dada’s section. Ruhaimat was lying down, holding a copy of Bulugh al-Maram, deeply engrossed in reading.
“Miss Ruhaimat, someone is asking for you outside,” said Maryam.
She widened her eyes. “Who is it, Aunty Maryam?”
She shrugged. “How should I know? Maybe it’s your teacher or something—who knows?”
“I’m not expecting anyone.”
“Well, it’s your business. Who would even come for you if not someone with nothing better to do?” She rolled her eyes and walked off.
Hajja Dada turned to Ruhaimat and said, “Go on, my namesake. See who it is.”
“I don’t want to go,” Ruhaimat replied.
“No arguments—go.”
Grumbling, she stood up, pulled her hijab over her head, and headed outside. Maryam sat there on her phone, clearly chatting. When she saw Ruhaimat, she widened her eyes dramatically.
“Oh no! You’re going out like that? You’ve worn a full-length hijab like a scholar’s wife? Do you think that’s going to make him like you?”
Ruhaimat frowned and replied, “If he doesn’t like it, that’s fine. I didn’t invite him in the first place.”
She walked off without another word.
He was standing beside his motorcycle, neatly dressed, looking handsome, and smelling of perfume. As she approached, she greeted him, and he responded warmly.
“How are you, madam?”
“I’m well, alhamdulillah.”
“How’s the family and your studies?”
“Everything’s fine. Please, be quick. I don’t want my father to come back and find me here. He’ll scold me.”
“Ah, sorry. It’s nothing serious. I’ve just had feelings for you for a long time. My name is Aliyu.”
“Thank you, Aliyu. But I’m sorry, I have someone I’m engaged to.”
“Engaged? But I asked around, and I was told you don’t have anyone serious.”
“That’s true, but I have someone I’ve promised to marry. I’m sorry.”
“No problem. Thank you, Ruhaimat.”
He took a large bag from his motorcycle and offered it to her. She refused politely, then bade him farewell and returned inside.
Yusuf was eating when she passed by. “Hey… come here.”
She sat down beside him. “Yes, big brother?”
“So now the Imam’s wife is dating? I guess you’ve finally given up on my love, huh?”
“No, brother. I still believe in him. I know he’ll return.”
They burst out laughing, including Maryam. “So what did you say to that guy?” she asked.
“I told him I already have someone I’m going to marry.”
Yusuf smiled. “Hmm… I think something’s wrong with you. How can you say you’re waiting for someone who might as well be a ghost? How many years has it been since they left town? Back then, you two were just kids. Now he may have forgotten all about you, while you're here rejecting suitors. Think about it, sis.”
Just then, a boy walked in holding a black bag. He said it was sent for Ruhaimat. Maryam jumped up, thanked him, gave him ₦10, and he left. Excitedly, she opened the bag. Inside were three lovely perfumes, a body lotion, and chocolates.
“Wow! That guy really knows how to shop. He showed up and spoiled you already… I’m jealous, honestly,” she said.
Yusuf laughed. “You just want to milk someone for their money.”
“It’s not about money, brother… I just love classy guys like that. When you’re going back to school, let me do some shopping for you too,” she teased.
Ruhaimat was clearly irritated with her sister and got up to return to Hajja Dada’s side.
That night, she lay outside on a mat, staring at the sky. She couldn’t stop thinking about the face of her beloved. Where was he now? Wherever he was, she was sure he felt the same longing. She imagined him older now, even more handsome, dignified. She closed her eyes and whispered, “Oh, my love…”
“Here we go again… every night, you mention my love. Are you even okay?” Hajja asked. “This your matter is going too far. May God help you.”
Ruhaimat smiled and said, “Hajja, just pray for me. May God fulfill my heart’s desire.”
“Hmm… may He bring you peace.”
She smiled silently.
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Meanwhile, a young man slept peacefully on a luxurious bed. Gently, someone tiptoed toward him. Suddenly, she poured cold water on his face. Startled, he sat up.
Wearing only a vest and shorts, he jumped up and chased her out of the room. They ran through a grand living room that looked like paradise.
In another room, a beautiful fair-skinned woman with a petite frame sat watching the Xee Cinema Awards on TV. Without warning, someone jumped on her.
“Hey! Are you okay?”
“Mom! Help me—he wants to beat me up!”
“What did you do to him?”
Just then, he ran in. Seeing his mother, he pouted and said, “Mom, you see her, right? I was enjoying the best sleep ever and even dreaming about my girl, then she came and poured cold water on me!”
She glared at the girl. “Get out of here, you disrespectful brat! I hope he hits you!”
The girl, Meenah, pouted and said, “But mom, he promised to take me to the stadium this morning to watch our club’s match. I knew he wouldn’t wake up early, so I woke him myself.”
“Hmph… nonsense! Who wakes someone with cold water? Meenah, you need to behave.”
She stomped her foot. “But mom, what did I even do?”
The mother rolled her eyes. “You two can go continue your nonsense elsewhere. I missed my award show thanks to you. Tsk.”
She turned back to the TV. Meenah turned to her brother, who crossed his arms, watching her.
“Yaya, I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not. You’ll pay for this today.”
“Please, big bro, don’t hurt your only sister.”
Just then, their father walked in, smiling. Meenah ran to him, but he raised his hand. “Hold on, madam. My wife comes first.”
He kissed his wife’s forehead. “My queen, the light of my eyes, my life partner. I hope you slept well.”
She smiled. “Alhamdulillah, my husband, father of my children. I hope you did too.”
“I did. But why didn’t you wake me? Today is your special day, and I want to dedicate it to you.”
“Oh, my dear, I couldn’t wake you. You were so tired. It’s your only day off.”
They smiled at each other. Meenah teased, “Wow! Mami and Baba, your love never gets old!”
“My baby girl, love doesn’t age—only lovers do,” her mother replied.
“Ameen! May I find someone who will love me forever too.”
“Ameen, dear. If you find a true lover, you’ll enjoy life,” Mami said, looking at her husband.
“Good morning, Dad,” the boy greeted.
“Morning, son. How are you?”
“Fine, alhamdulillah.”
“Why are you still in a vest at this hour?”
“This rude girl ruined my sleep, Dad.”
“Sorry, son. Baby girl, that wasn’t nice. Don’t do that again.”
She pouted. “I just woke him up for the match…”
“Still, you could’ve waited for him to wake up on his own. Anyway, go freshen up and let’s have breakfast—I’m starving.”
Everyone went their separate ways to get ready.
This was Ambassador Mukhtar Aliyu and his family. His wife, Hajiya Zainab, a kind and dignified woman from Yola, Adamawa State, met her husband while studying at MAUTECH. He was already working at the university. Their love grew from there and led to marriage.
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