Ayyah Buzu is a fulani woman. Born into the family of Nomads and was married to a very nice Nomad called Sani. Ayyah and her late husband Sani have toured the whole Nigeria in search of grazing lands for their herds. At 16, a year after her marriage to Sani, she gave birth to Haidar, the apple of their eyes. She had to remain in a forest in the central part of Nigeria where he would go in search of food for them in neighboring villages. Sani had been a very devoted husband and a father, though they weren't blessed with another child before Sani passed on, he had been the best supporter to Ayyah.. Ayyah decided to go back home to her family, she had had enough touring and wanted to settle down so her son doesn't have to be cattle rarer like her, she wanted him to have a life, get married and settle down in a home. Besides, the forests were no longer safe as they used to be. She had sold off half the cattle when Sani had fallen ill, the other half had been when they were moving. 

On their way back to Sokoto, they had witnessed Aisha's rather gory accident. Ayyah had screamed, covering her eyes with her palms. Not until they heard little Zarah’s wail. Haidar had dumped the clothes he was carrying running off to the scene. His mother followed suit, after rescuing the little girl, Aisha could not be saved. They ran back as fast as they could, seeing the fire was already starting to consume the place. As they ran, the car exploded with a loud bang. They knew there and there that the little girl’s mother is no more. The tank drivers were at the other end of the road, so they had not seen Ayyah and Haidar as they were also trying to run for their lives. Ayah urged Haidar to quickly leave the scene so they did not see them.

"Mama, why didn't we take this child to the police? Her father might be looking for her, '' Ayyah's 14 year-old son said, staring at his mother questioningly. They had gone more than three miles away from the accident scene with Zarah who was already fast asleep, after wailing for almost a mile. Ayyah had stuffed Zarah in an Ankara pouch attached to the donkey they had mounted their clothes on. Haidar noticed his mother was in fact threading further away from the town instead of waiting for the authorities, he could only guess what his mother wanted to do with the child. “You’re not saying anything, what are you going to do with a child? '' he had added, stopping.

"Haidar, things happen for a reason, I don't think it's mere coincidence we happened to be on that route when they had that accident" Ayyah said with her thick buzu accent. "I've always wanted a baby girl, but after you, I couldn't conceive again. So let me have this one. Rabbi(God) gave her to me Haidar '' she said, smiling sweetly. Haidar has never seen his mother this happy after his father's death. He looked at the little kid sleeping peacefully. It won't harm them to keep this pretty baby, but what would they tell his uncle, and what if the parents of the child track them down. Voicing out his thoughts won't change her mind so he did not bother trying to say anything again, because she isn’t the type to back down once she’s made up her mind.

It took three days for them to get to Sokoto. Zarah would wake up, cry a little then go back to sleep. She'd call for her mummy at times. On the third day she didn't cry at all. Instead she would smile and laugh at baby jokes Haidar kept cracking. Ayyah had already written a letter to her relatives about building a house for her and her son, they had affirmed seeing the letter that's why she and Haidar had started their journey back home. On the third day they arrived in Sokoto, Haidar became nervous. 

"What will we tell people when they ask where you got her from, you and I both know Baba died years ago" Haidar reasoned with his mother again. 

"We'll tell them I got married and divorced. Anything contrary to this story will make them treat her badly. They would frustrate my little baby and I wouldn't want anyone maltreating her or saying something bad to her" she stated sternly with a frown. Haidar nodded. It's obvious they will be doing this. 

"What will be her name, mama?" Haidar asked 

"Yasmin, she'll be called Yasmin," she replied. 

When Ayyah requested a house, one would think the house is a well furnished bungalow, a big flat screen, and a decoder, soft sofa and a well furnished kitchen also. Well that's not the case; it’s actually very far from that, it's actually a house made from sand and stone, a thatched roof and a cheap curtain; they did fence the house though, providing Ayyah with the required privacy.

 On getting to the village, the little children who were already awaiting their arrival ran to them to help as some ran around the village announcing their arrival. A lot of people ran towards them and helped them with their things. Ayyah quickly passed Zarah to Haidar as she exchanged pleasantries and thanked her well wishers.

"Welcome back Ayyah, Haidar, you've grown up so much. We need to get you married, there are a lot of eligible girls, wait! I have a daughter, she's very pretty.. "

"Haba! Aminatu '' Ayyah cut her off. "You haven’t changed at all, you still talk a lot. You're supposed to get us water, we've been on the road for more than 2 weeks, yet you’re planning a matchmaking session" Ayyah scolded her sister who giggled happily before running to the room to get her sister water. Then she went ahead to mix the freshest of the Fura(gruel) she owned. She had it made two days ago knowing her sister would be back home anytime soon. Everyone from the family started to assemble, welcoming and offering gifts to Ayyah for returning home. 

Suddenly, Zarah started crying, making everyone go rigid. None of the people present had a child with them, so it came as a surprise when a baby started wailing. They had all turned their attention to the direction the sound was coming from; she had not been noticeable because no one ever thought they would have a child with them, everyone had assumed he was holding a pile of clothes. Ayyah immediately collected her and patted her back while soothingly rubbing her head also. They all exchanged questioning glances, waiting for the head of the family to speak up.  

"Whose child is that?" Abbu asked. (Abbu is the first son of the family) 

"Mine" Ayyah replied as calmly as possible. She was scared they'd find her out and demand taking the child back to where she belongs. Haidar simply squeezed her hand giving her assurance. "I got married two years back. It didn't last long" she said after swallowing her spit. Abbu was not convinced at all. He looked sternly at his sister and her son. Then back at the dark child. He frowned immediately, feeling Ayyah was telling a lie.

"Why didn't you tell us, we are your family" he said with his thick accent. 

"I wanted to surprise you," she said, giggling nervously. 

"Bring her here" he said standing up. Ayyah scolded herself for not being prepared to answer questions. Her brother was a nomad before he settled down and started farming, what lie could she come up with; her brother was wiser than that. She handed Zarah to her brother; he furrowed his eyebrows and looked directly at the baby girl. She didn't look a bit like his sister, maybe she looked like her father he assumed. His sister would never marry anyone without his consent though. But, what if she had no other choice, he thought harder. She would have written them a letter, not for once has she ever done something without sending a letter for approval. The girl did have long hair quite alright but it wasn't soft like theirs and she had these swollen eyes, probably from crying. He silently prayed she hadn't stolen the baby, knowing how his sister had wanted a baby girl. Zarah cut his thoughts short by grabbing his beards. She pulled laughing hysterically. Abbu joined the laughter as she took him by surprise. The stunt Zarah pulled made Abbu forget about examining his supposed niece. He instantly liked the little girl; she's got a good spirit. She stuck her tongue out at him then started saying gibberish she could muster. There was something about the little one that states pure peace. He handed her back to Ayyah who gladly collected her. Haidar was happy that the session was over, and would probably not be visited anytime soon.

Ayyah and her family live in Runji, a small town in Sokoto state. Her brother's house is the biggest; he had two wives and 18 children, which he could feed because of his profession as a farmer. Having 18 children came as a blessing because he needed not to employ farmers to do the needful. Abbu's wives are women who could create a well out of a molehill. In fact, when they would quarrel the whole town must come to their aid.  Abbu's children were mostly girls and they were married at the age of 15. His second wife is currently pregnant, and the first wife is sure to be pregnant soon, both women tend to compete with one another over the number of children they will bear. It will take God’s divine intervention for them to stop giving birth and of course Abbu’s ability to regulate being intimate with his wives.

Amina (Ayyah’s sister) on the other hand has just three, 2 boys and a girl who is 12 years old. She was able to send them to islamiyya since western education is a violation of the rules of the Buzu family. The choices concerning livelihood were either islamiyya or farm. Whatever a child fancies is okay by Abbu.

Ayyah has Haidar and Zarah. Due to the fact that she had seen Zarah’s mother before her death, she knew the girl came from comfort. So, she had informed Abbu about wanting both her children to have both the knowledge of islamiyya and that of farming. Abbu was so proud of her decision because none of his daughters had ever thought of following him to the farm. 

The houses in Runji were not far from each other. The people of Runji would farm millet, rice, pepper and onion and a whole lot more. Most of them are not familiar with the proper method of utilizing these farm products to make food. As such, they sell them to people from big-cities. They mostly make dawo(a delicacy made from millet) and milk their cows for consumption. They also make tuwon shinkafa and Miyan kuka, a very special delicacy eaten during Eid celebration and ceremonies. 

15 years later

True to late Buzu's words, the big plot of land did become a whole village. Many cousins were married to each other and some outsiders were married into the family as such, many grand kids paraded Runji. Runji became more popular with time; a beautiful village turned into a market. Many people would come and buy crops for either sales or family consumption, from the residents. Attempts have been made by NGO to help their children with western education, but to no avail. The elderly kind of have strong belief in the traditional ways.

Haidar had gotten married, he has his own house too, he married Amina’s daughter Asiya, and they live very close to Ayyah’s house. The union had benefited both sisters because Haidar and his wife had made most of their marriage. Although, not everyone was happy with the union; Abbu's wives wanted Haidar to marry any of their daughters, he’s quite a charmer, and a hardworking young man. Every one wanted him for themselves, so when he picked Asiya his cousin, the other wives of the family were specifically offended. Many hurtful words were said, Ayyah almost left Runji but Abbu stopped it and gave his wives an earful. If it was a movie, it would have been epic. 

Zarah grew up to be a typical Buzu girl, she has the accent and the whole Buzu shy behavior, the only difference was her body structure which differs from the normal Buzu woman. Zarah is thicker than an average Buzu girl and that has successfully attracted the other gender’s attention. Ayyah was having a hard time accepting all the suitors, in fact she chased all the boys away. Abbu was surprisingly in support of his sister’s attitude. In fact he had declined all requests to have Zarah married off to other families. Every morning, they would go to the farm, help the men harvest the crops and then bring it back home when it’s the harvesting season. The older ladies would pick out the dirt and fill it in a sack then see it to be taken to the market. Runji specifically has a market day. Well this market day was responsible for changing Zarah's life completely.

Zarah

"Yasmin, Yasmin, Yasmin" Mama shouted my name. She's fond of doing that, I'm starting to believe she enjoys it. Calling my name once seems like a taboo. There are times where I would be right in front of her but she would still call me multiple times. Her excuse was she needed me to actually hear her as she calls.

"I'm coming Mama! I want to dry this millet first" I replied, slightly rolling my eyes. She'll explode now; she does it all the time. I quickly dusted my hand, clapping them loudly, as I stared at my perfect job. She was already out of her bedroom and I can swear I know how this scenario will play out.

"Is the millet playing drums, blocking your ears from all my shouting?" she asked moving closer to me in a sly manner. If I hadn't stayed with this woman for 15 years of my life, I would have stood still. I know what will come next so I ran out of the house. "Better sleep out there!" she yelled after me. Of course I know she's joking. That's what she always says. So I ran into the house and hugged her from behind saying I was sorry. She normally falls for my hugs every time, she has loved me unconditionally, my best friend, my rock and of course my hero. “Abbu sent for you, you should take the measuring cup to the grand market. He said he needs it urgently" she said after laughing slightly at my tantrum. I frowned at her statement and pouted.

"But mama, why didn't whoever he sent wait and collect it?  Abbu is always sending me on errands when he has children" I said pouting. The idea of going to the grand market disturbs me; there is not a single female soul there. Those men are always gawking and looking, I know this because this is not the first time he had concocted an excuse to make me come to the market. He has quite a number of children left, yet I seem to be the only one he wants to be around. 

"Just because these sorry tiny things have started growing on your chest doesn't mean the men of Runji can't take their eyes off you" Ayyah stated, making me cower in shame. I want to die this instant. Last time she called my breast Guava. She always has insults in store for me. I giggled shyly, placing my hands on my chest, when I heard her laughing. 

"Mama" I whined, stamping my feet, like a child.

"Also, stop being disrespectful to your uncle because he fancies you, he believes you're his good luck charm that's why he keeps looking for you wherever he goes" she added with a serious expression.

"Mama, Malam said superstition is not good. Besides, I'm a human being" I said, smirking. I know how to press her buttons. She ignored me, went into the room and flung my hijab out, pointed at the measuring cup, and then pointed outside. I was not stupid, I know what that means. I took that as my queue and headed out knowing, if she dares come back outside and finds me loitering about, I'll pay for it with palms on my back and trust me, it doesn't come as a pat. That's how it's always been. I have no single friend in Runji anymore, all my mates are married. Abbu refused all the proposals. He told them I was too young. No one dared question him, he is a bit intimidating. 

Thinking of what mama said, is he keeping me because of his belief? What nonsense is a good luck charm? Ha, he must be joking. I jumped a few gutters, boy-cut a few refuse bins, before getting to the grand market square. It's not like it's a market, it's just an open space where we hold our festivals, eid festivals, marriages or naming ceremonies. Runji is small yet home. 

I sighed when I got to the market square. It's so crowded, men are buying different food stuff, and there are big cars everywhere, some models of cars, we do not see in Runji unless it's a market day. I know Abbu's stand, because as I have told you all before, it’s not the first time I’ve had to come to this market for Abbu. He always stays at the far end of the market, whereas his sons were spread around the market, who are expected to sell and make profits, and the money would be used for their marriages. That was how I started greeting everybody, because they all knew me except their customers’ of course; my cheeks became sore from smiling before I got to Abbu.  

"Abbu, Good afternoon" I greeted as I got closer to him. 

"My little Yasmin, thank you for bringing it, you're a good child. How is your mother?" he asked beaming. He saw my mother before leaving, why is he asking after her? I cocked an eyebrow. He grinned cheekily. I get it; he wants me to stay here. Now I can't say no to him. I scrunched my face then went to get a stool which was at the back of the mounted stall. 

What Zarah doesn’t know is, Abbu knew she was not Ayyah’s daughter so he devised this plan so that either her family might recognize her or some one could ship her off this village to the city where she could meet her family.