Shattered Bonds:Treacherous Path of Betrayal

r after work. Usman, caught up in meaningless thoughts at his office

the main parlor where he expected to meet his mother. Hajiya was sitting on a prayer ma

th them while waiting for Hajiya. Once she finished her prayers, Usma

ke up, her voice filled with serious concern. "Usman, why did

her son well, and his reaction indicated that he had no answer. She continued, "I don't know what got into you, but I'm sure you will regret it. It's not that I'm cursing you, but Zainaba was too good for

was bright and beautiful. But later, I understood that it was because she was kind and simple. She was your world,

ou know the pain? Yet, you want your own children to experience the s

ammered, his voice trembling with fe

already decided that you are not marryin

jiya...," he started, but she silenced him, "Kai, be quiet. You have no words to

tly, unsure of

her coldly. Her siblings were always scornful and rude towards her, never speaking to her

n her own company, comforting herself through her struggles. The more she thought about her parents' mistreatment, the more her depression deepened. Since

Bayero University. Sometimes she felt like not returning home after school.

Amira and Ummi ran excitedly to their mother. Umma, with tears in her eyes, exclaimed, "Sake su maza aiki na jiran ki, da kina son su kika bar gidan uban su (Let them go, you have a lot to do. If you love them, why

of energy," Umma said cheerfully. Abu sighed but said nothing. She

ng their bag. "Ummi, where are you g

o. You always shout at her no matter what she

y, whenever the kids visited, Umma treated Abu better, although she still stared at her coldly. Whenever Ummi and Amira visited, they re

, the day when she would write her final paper. But today, she felt a heaviness in her heart. Her home was no longer a home to her; it felt like a prison. The only place where she found solace was in school, and now she

at would forever echo in her mind. At first, she paid no att

rying in secret? You might find some relief by joining them." She looked up and saw U

isurely pace. "Thanks, Abban ummi," she replied. "Let's go to my car. Ummi and Amira are waiting. We should at

towards her and asked, "I'm sorry for everyth

ays. Please, just remember the beautiful moments we shared together and move

?" he asked, looki

gs about our relationship. I always ask myself if I will regret knowing you, but the answer is always no. We shared some be

uietly, without

n ummi, just move on. Life is always about the next step. Let's wish each other

d remained sile

gether before Usman l

aba went directly

d to ask Hajiya for a favor, to allow Usman to marry Sa'ada, as she believed Sa'ada would be the best person to rais

Although he wasn't happy about it, he wanted to ma

eir area, but she deliberately excluded her best friend, Zainaba. They had planned

a day before the wedding, as she w

bu entered. They all recognized her, and S

just to congratulate her as her old frien

t's leave them al

atulate me. There must be another reaso

, I do have something else to say. Please, Sa'ada, raise my kids as your own, no matter what

e you, but at the same time, I envy you. I also despise you. So, to put a blemish, or at least a scratch, on you, I can't do that without making everything that belongs to you mine. I will make sure your

u peace, go ahead. But remember, you can never be

what, the love between a mother and her child is sacred. But don't under

was determined to be strong for her children and to cherish the love they shared. She had no regrets, f