INTRODUCTION.

This story would be told by me, Sameera but I'll tell you about my mother, Hadiza Muhammad, my younger sister Elham and what we had gone through.

Now starting with my mother...

Hadiza Muhammad was a good, beautiful girl of three when her parents died in a plane crash. She lived with her maternal uncle who had five wives and thirty-two children out of which thirty were girls and two were boys. Mallam Musa, her uncle was a well known cattle rearer but he couldn't afford to educate all his children except for Usayd and Usman, the two boys.

They were the only two sons from the same mother. Usayd and Usman attended a public school meters away from home while the girls helped their mothers in cooking and trading which was what females were usually known for. Destiny made Hadiza learn a little trading but what she wanted most was to become educated even if girls weren't given the chance to. She wanted to become a lawyer who would fight for woman and children's right within the community.

So she pleaded with her cousins to teach her little of Arithmetics and English but it was all in secret.

As months grew into years, Hadiza grows into a beautiful, hardworking and respectful girl. Other of her other cousins where betroth by men older than Mallam Musa himself. He became more wealthy and popular through his girls. It would soon be time for his twin daughters... Fatima and Fadilah's wedding with two politicians.

Hadiza was closer to them because she was a week younger than them by birth. It's already a month to their wedding and the next two months, it would be Hadiza and a land-dealer from Kastina who she has never ever met. She heard Laraba, Mallam Musa's fifth wife talking about Mallam Nasir, the land-dealer being a man of Fifty-five years and wanting Hadiza to be his sixth wife. He sent her some beautiful clothes and golden jewellery but she didn't use them. Fati and Fadi decided to tell their dad about going to the city, starting a business and marring someone of their age but he got angry and disapproved. Infact, he hastened the date for their wedding.

One night, the girls went to discuss with their father outside the hut on his mat where he usually relax after prayers.

"Good evening, baba... We want to tell you about something bothering our minds and we hope you'll look into it." Fati started.

"What's it my daughters? Tell me what's bothering you and it'll be solved." He became interested.

"We think it's nice if we go to the city to practice our trading." Fati persuaded.

"What?!" His eyebrow raised.

"Yes, baba... We can later settle down with someone of our choice..."

"Fati! Fadi!... Are you girls insane?!"

"Baba, please... We know we are not wiser than you but our plan is not bad." Fatima expanciated.

"We don't want to be like Salma and Aisha and our other sisters. We can make a change, make you proud just like our brother. Just give is a chance, Baba." Fadila added.

"What?! You girls must be crazy! How long do you expect me to feed and brush you up?!"

"Baba, We-"

"Shut up, Fati! I'm losing it!! You girls are already fifteen years old and you're matured enough... Do you want to become prostitutes?! Become victims of rape or what?! You girl's would get married in two weeks time and that's final!!!" He stands up and left them, disappointed.

Their mother had no mouth in the issue because whatever her husband says is final. Two weeks later, they were forced into marriage. Fati and Fadi almost cried out their eyes. They didn't smile throughout that day because they were sad... Of course, they had no choice. Performing any drama on the wedding would cause disgrace and shame to the bride's family. Mallam Musa would even disown the girl and divorce her mother because he'd believe she's a bastard and not his daughter.

***

A Week Later...

Hadiza woke up very early in the morning. She packed her small bag, and left before the first cock crow.

"Knock-knock-knock!" Ramatu, the first wife kept knocking.

"Hadi! Hadi!! Aren't you awake yet?" She piped through the tiny dark holes on the door but it was dark inside. The windows were not opened either.

"Hadiza, It's morning! open the door!!"

Just then, a piece of cloth in which She used to make the door, lock fell. Ramatu noticed that she wasn't in. She quickly went to inform her husband. Mallam Musa became angry, asking his wives and other children to find her or else....

Everyone did their bit but Hadiza was nowhere to be found. No one saw her leaving. Noone had any idea where she was. Their father suspected Fati and her twin to know something about it because he remembered they had a plan of going to the city but they swore they didn't tell anyone about the plan except him, their father. Everyone became worried, hoping that she would come home one day.

Only then, Mallam Musa regretted his mistakes. He didn't fulfil the promises he made to Zainab, his late junior sister. It was her last wish on her sick bed to care for Hadi like his eyeballs.

***

In the other hand...

Hadiza took all her savings and travelled to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. She was alone because she don't know anybody. Seeing how beautiful the city was made her relieved and satisfied from within. Luckily for her, she could speak and read English Language. She went to a hotel and told the receptionist she needed a job. That moment, the owner of the hotel who was going out of the hotel saw her and asked about her certificate. She narrated her story to him so he ensured to help her in getting a job and also a small apartment where she can manage for a while. Hadiza was very grateful. She started as a cleaner for the main time. Mr. Thomas, the owner of the hotel promised to find her a better job and sponsor her education....

Unfortunately, he died a week after they me. Thomas had stroke. Hadiza was down but she believed in herself.

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THREE YEARS LATER....

Hadiza took so much pride in working as a janitor. Even though she earned a little, she saved as much as she could to register herself in a women training center and buy books that would help her intellectually.

A new guy noticed her, She use to clean his room every morning. Asgar noticed her shyness, beauty and respect. One day, he decided to speak with her.

***

"It's nice meeting you, what's your name please?"

"I'm Hadiza Muhammad."

"I don't know but you look good... better for this job. What's your qualification? If you want... I can help you get a better job."

"Ummm... Actually, I'm not educated. I never attended any school."

"What? Do you mean it?" Asgar asked in disbelieve. He became more interested in knowing why she never attended school, She told him everything.

"But you speak English fluently."

"Yes sir, I learnt it secretly from my cousins, Usayd and Usman."

Asgar moved closer to her...

"I wish to see you again, to spend more time with you. I want to know more about you and help you. Please. "

"Okay, I guess I'll see you later, then. I have to clean the other rooms now." She smiled shyly and left.

***

Soon, Hadiza and Asgar became good friends and fell in love with each other.

I know you'll ask, who is Asgar?

Well... He is a a rich, handsome and wealthy son of a minister. Asgar was born and brought up in the United States. His name full name is Asgar Zarar.

As only son of his parents, Asgar was given everything he wanted. He was asked to take over some of his father's companies in Nigeria, especially Abuja. Asgar promised within himself to marry Hadiza, he'll tell his parents about it when he goes back to the state.

They became close friends and spent lovely time together. He said he loved everything about hadiza, but what he loved most was her hard work and braveness. Not every girl her age would fight for her dream and he promised to educate her. Asgar never interrupted hadiza when ever she spoke about her opinions and dreams of becoming a Human Right Activist and also a lawyer. He supported her financially and cared a lot about her.

******

One day, Asgar came to visit Hadiza in her small apartment. It was her 18th birthday, so Asgar brought some gifts among which was a cell phone, a television, a deep freezer and a bottle of fruit wine. He promised to buy her a fruit wine because she wanted to taste the "non-alcoholic" wine. He asked her to open the wine and drink it alone, since she's the one celebrating.

They cut the birthday cake and enjoyed the happy day together.

***

Minutes Later...

Hadiza became dizzy. Her head turned as her vision became blurry. She tried so hard to get up but she couldn't. Her body was so weak, all she felt was pains.

"What happened here? And where's Asgar?" The questions roamed her confused head. But she managed to sit upright.

A sharp pain hit the lower part of her stomach as he quickly held it. She noticed Asgar must have left.
Her eye stared at the mighty, old wall clock hung not far from where she laid.

"Inalillahi waina ilaihi raji'un( To God we belong and to Him is our final return). It was 7:30 p.m... How long have I been asleep?" She asked herself.

She felt something wet in her wrapper. Just as she stretched her hand to check...

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#Amana-Deena.