•Raliya

It's been three days since me and Alhaji Tanimu flew to Agadez.

I want to go out with Hajiya Mairo to visit the malam that came all the way from Zindar to see us but he's too clingy. At first he wasn't so obsessed with my presence and now I have no idea why.

The other day he said I love you. He knows I can't love anybody so why is he telling me that? This relationship was based on his wealth and he clearly knows it so his change in character is slightly amusing but definitely irritating me to the point of leaving him but I'll stay to gather all that I can get from his deep pockets.

"Masoyi na (My love)!" I sat on the bed beside him, folding my legs not to push his feet.

"One and only, what is it?" He dusted his trousers covered in biscuit crumbs and sat up straight.

"Toh ka san aminiyata Hajiya Mairo ta shigo gari kuma (You know my friend Hajiya Mairo is in town and) we planned to visit some of our friends we did FGGC Yola with."

He frowned but smiled again, exposing his slightly discoloured teeth "Ba matsala (No problem). Go but don't make me miss you for too long."

I thanked him and stepped out of the room to call Hajiya Mairo to come and pick me up.

She takes at least an hour before she appears at the reception of the hotel, looking slightly distraught.

Once we're sitted in the car I inquire about her abnormal countenance.

"What happened? You look like you just saw a ghost."

She hits her chest repeatedly while coughing "You won't believe it. Alhaji Habib tried to choke me because I told him I wanted to go out with you today." She coughs again then uses a white hankerchief to wipe off the sweat streaming down her face "After the argument I packed my things and changed hotels. This is even stupid! I'm not his wife so why is he acting this way? I'll just call Safwan to send me some money later."

The trip to our destination wasn't long. We arrived at a mud house covered with wooden barricades. She parked the car and we made our way to a narrow path that led directly into the house revealing several children rolling in sand and throwing stones at each other from different directions.

Three women who I guessed were his wives threw disgusting looks our way and without speaking walked into their rooms respectively then a young, light-skinned woman who looked not less than nineteen made her way towards us with a smile.

"Good Afternoon madam." I greeted her with a smile but all she did was return the smile without uttering a word.

She probably didn't understand English so we switched to Hausa.

"Sannun ku da zuwa (You're welcome). Kuna niman waye? (Who are you looking for)? Ko kunyi batan hanya ne? (Or you lost your way?)."

"Muna niman Malam Mahamadou (We are looking for Malam Mahamadou). A ka ce wai nan ne gidan sa (We were told this was his house)."

"Haka ne (That's right). Sunana Maryam (I'm Maryam). Ni matarsa ce (I'm his wife). Ku bi ni na kaiku dakin sa (Follow me so that I can take you to his room)."

"Toh mungode (Thank you) Maryam." I said, handing her a few notes which she collected happily never failing to show her appreciation before she proceeded to show us his room which was opposite the entrance.

We took our shoes off, said the sallama before entering into the empty room and sitting on the large bamboo made mats covering the floor then exchanged pleasantries with the old man sitting adjacent to us.

"Good Afternoon Malam Mahamadou. Ya aiki (How is work?) ? Munyi latti (We're late) and we're sorry for wasting your time. We got caught up somewhere."

"No problem. Sannun ku da zuwa (You're welcome)."

"Thank you Malam. Ga kawana da na ce zan kawo ta (This is my friend that I told you I was going to bring to you)." Hajiya Mairo looked at me "Her name is Hajiya Rakiya."

"Hajiya Rakiya welcome to my house. Meye matsalar ku yanzu (So what is the problem?) ?" He smiled.

Hajiya Mairo spoke for us "Toh Malam we met this big Alhaji and he's very rich. Muna son ya auri 'yar kaninta ne (We want him to marry her niece). And he loves his wife very much so we need you to give us something that'll make him forget her and start loving her niece."

"Ok, I understand. What is his name?"

"Alhaji Tukur Mamman." He nods and starts to recite some things inaudibly while sticking his hands into a large sandbox.

Once he's done, he shakes his head and looks directly at a wall behind us. It seems he's lost in a daze but he's also nodding his head in affirmation to the emptiness behind us which starts to terrify us a bit.

"Go back to your houses amma come back tomorrow. I'll have your medicine prepared before you arrive"

We thank him and gather our bags to go out. I pull out a wad of money to give to him but he declined despite my persistence so we leave. On our way out we both bump into this petite woman who's as fair as snow. She moved back a bit disoriented before shifting aside to let us pass.

Minutes later, she's smiling and walking towards us with her arms opened wide to hug Hajiya Mairo.

"Aaaah Hajiya Mairo what brings you here? Kwana biyu (long time). So how have you been? Last time we met you were too busy with Alhaji Habib to even stay and gist with me for long. Akwai matsala fa (There's a problem) but till you come we'll discuss it"

"Hajiya Jamila, money monger! Is it you I'm seeing with my two eyes? Hmmm I think Alhaji Habib has gone mad. Can you imagine? He tried to kill me fa. We'll talk about this when I go to your house." She looks at me "Wannan babban kawata ce sunan ta Hajiya Fati. 'Yar Niger ce (This is my close friend Haijya Fati. She's even from Niger). She brought me here to find medicine for Safiya. Iskokan ta sun ki barin ta (Her *jinns won't leave her body).

I look at her dumfounded for a minute before smiling at the woman before me "Sannu (Hello) Hajiya. How are your kids? Ya aiki? (How is work?)"

"Everything is fine. Ya kuka ji da sanyin Agadez? (How are you managing the cold of Agadez?)"

"Really it's just there. "

"We have to leave so I'll call you later when I'm at home. A gaida mai gidan da yaran (Greet your husband and the children)." Hajiya Mairo said as they shared another hug.

"Toh bye bye. May Allah bring you safely. Za su ji dukka (They'll all hear)."

*****

It's late by the time Hajiya Mairo drops me off at my hotel. I had to help her set her things up in her new room before going back.

The moment I open the door to the room, all the lights are still on. I'm guessing he slept off while waiting for me. I drop my things on the couch and make my way to the fridge to get a drink.

*Beep Beep* my phone rings.

"Salamu Alaykum Rakiya. Kin fara bacci ne? (Have you started sleeping?)"

"No oo I'm wide awake. Me ya faru? (What happened?)"

"Nothing happened. I just wanted to know what time we were going to collect the magani (Medicine) from Malam Mahamadou."

"Ooh twelve is ok. So who was that woman you introduced me to today?"

"She's Alhaji Tukur's wife. Kin ganta kyakyawiya ko? (You've seen she's fine ba?) He loves her very much. Amma da malaminnan za mu ci wa burin mu nasara (But with this Malam we're going to get what we want)."

"Why did you lie to her about my identity?"

"She doesn't need to know you if we're handing out your niece to her husband." She laughs.

"Ooh yanzu ma na gane me kika yi (It's now I understood what you did). Anyways I'm sleepy sai da safe."

I hung up without letting her finish talking then drag the blanket that was left here some days ago by the dry cleaners and slept off on the couch."
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*For those of you who don't know what jinns are; they are supernatural beings that are believed to have powers and they posses human beings. In English they're knows as evil spirits.

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~Aisha Safiyanu🥀