Shattered Bonds:Treacherous Path of Betrayal

d to take hold of Usman, as if a veil had descended upon his expressive nature. He spoke less, but his eyes betrayed a silent turmoil beneath his enigmat

meantime, their absence had brought about profound changes in the children's lives. Ummi, wore a mask of constant cheerfulness, yet her eyes concealed a profound loneliness. Mista

erred and received a reprimand from Hajiya, Ummi would embrace her, and together they would weep, Ummi whispering words of assurance that Hajiya's scolding

d themselves seated in the parlor, seeking solace from the melancholic weather.

her for a while," Hajiya inquired, her

Bashir," Ummi replied, her

," Hajiya instructed, co

iya, can you ask Aunty Baraka to call her? I need to finis

Baraka for me," H

aka!" Ummi

, around forty years of

ention towards the maid and said, "Baraka, please call A

replied before makin

y with her friends, heedless of the

of the main parlor. Amira looked at her with a disappointed expressi

ng dark, and the rain is starting to fall.

finish building our house," Amira stubbor

rom the veranda, raised her voice, "If you step out

paying no heed to her distress, took

the mud from her hands and feet. As they entered the parlor, Amira sought solace in her sister Ummi's embrac

e room, she widened her eyes and she interjected, "Amira, it's no

taking hold of her hands and beaming with joy. "Hajiya, is it tru

e and replied, "Why woul

staken," Amira exclaimed, he

en why had she allowed their father to marry another woman, especially someone like Sa'ada who seemed to shatte

film. Usman emerged from their bedroom, dressed in a sky-blue kaftan with a matching cap, his presence accompanied by the pleasant fragrance o

a greeted him, her vo

morning?" He glanced at his watch, teasingly emphasizing the lateness of

htly for him to hear. Usman turned back, his hand brushing across his li

ice for you to stay at home. Isn't that what c

er I stay home or not is my choice. You don'

ted her, raising his palm to silence her. "Please, if you have nothing importan

tilting slightly as she licked her

ot before making his way to their bedroom. Stepping into the silent parlor, he no

sitting there, gazing at him with a warm smile, just as she always did whenever he returned late. Usman smiled back at her and walked over,

his hand gently. "Please, Usman, stop going to the bar," she pleaded softly, her w

ake up from his reverie. "Usman, please wake up. What are you thinking? Zainaba

find the same leftovers he had eaten the day before. Lett

his side of the bed. He stared at her for a cou

at is it?" she mum

om," Usman shouted, hi

ada got up and left the room

muttered to him

orld, and he had lost her. He knew deep down that Abu loved him wholeheartedly, caring for him as she c

, he headed to the bathroom