Hidden Seed

Chapter Four

Radiya and Ummie both turned their gaze toward Abbas. He adjusted his sitting position again and said:

"Three times he has brought the bride price and it was returned. I am still investigating. If the money keeps being returned to him, we will not accept it—let alone return it later."

He took another breath and continued,

"Any man whose bride price is returned to him as many as three times has a serious question mark over him. That is why I want to investigate him very thoroughly."

He then focused his attention fully on Radiya and continued, giving her heartfelt advice that pierced the heart:

"My personal wish was for you to pursue your education seriously. But since you chose marriage—and marriage does not stop education—I will not stop you.

However, it must be with the right man. I will never marry you off to a useless man. This is a heavy responsibility resting on my shoulders."

Radiya nodded her head. Only then did she feel relief from what she had been holding inside. She accepted everything Abbas said, trusted him completely, and knew that he would never hurt her.

She also loved Uncle Abbas dearly, and in all fairness, he had never shown her anything bad—no foolish talk, no indecent behavior, no wicked traits. His constant wish was to see her married.

In her view, considering how morally corrupted many young men had become, anyone who came forward with a serious marriage proposal was a genuine lover.

She cleared her thoughts, lifted her head to look at Abbas, then turned her face slightly aside and said:

"He hid nothing from me. He told me that his marriage was canceled three times. The first time, another man overtook him. The second time, the girl lacked stability. The last time, a genotype issue stopped the marriage.

We also discussed education, and he said he would allow me to continue. But please investigate him thoroughly—if he has a serious problem, I will let him go."

These words greatly calmed Abbas and Ummie. They further revealed the value and importance Abbas held in Radiya's life. Abbas nodded happily, prayed for her, and gave her permission to leave.

⸻

SIX MONTHS LATER

Preparations for Radiya's wedding had progressed greatly. This came after Abbas gave his approval, having confirmed that everything Radiya told him was true. As a result, he allowed Uncle Sani to send his elders to formally fix the marriage arrangements.

And so it was done. The wedding date was set eight months ahead, and now only two months remained before the wedding of Radiya and Uncle Sani.

Abbas spared no effort for Radiya's marriage. He sold part of his land to provide everything needed for her wedding, handling all her shopping without waiting for help from her father's relatives.

The main thing troubling him was hearing that Radiya would live in a rented house. Although this displeased him, he continued to pray for her, asking Allah to grant them peace and ease in their marriage.

There was nothing Waleeda, Radiya's friend, did not try to persuade her to prepare properly, but Radiya stubbornly refused. Even when Umma intervened, she still declined.

This was because Radiya was someone who hated betrayal, lying, and hypocrisy, and she did not tolerate such behavior toward herself.

Once she noticed anyone treating her that way, she completely removed that person from her life, regardless of how important they once were.

TWO MONTHS LATER

At that time, the wedding celebrations of Radiya and Uncle Sani were held in grand style—something only those who witnessed it could truly describe.

Her relatives from Gaya amazed everyone by bringing large quantities of food for the wedding and by presenting Radiya with generous and impressive gifts.

The engagement ceremony was held, followed by the walima Radiya celebrated with her friends. Then came the wedding day, when a grand ceremony for elders was held. Afterward, the bride was escorted to her room in the Dorayi neighborhood.

During the bride's departure, Radiya cried intensely over parting with her brother Abbas. She clung to him so tightly that it was difficult to separate her from his arms.

Abbas himself wept. Umma and Aunty Ummie gave Radiya firm advice and heartfelt counsel, and finally she was taken to her husband's house.

For every bride, the first night is usually a day filled with joy and unforgettable memories—especially when she marries the man her heart desires. But for Radiya alone, that night became the beginning of a new life, one difficult to describe.

That night, Uncle Sani revealed the condition troubling him. He had a problem with his manhood. However, because Radiya loved him deeply and was still young, it did not disturb her greatly.

At first, the news felt unpleasant—not because of him, but because of what she had read in Hausa novels where some writers describe all aspects of marital relations, especially the first night. It was then that Radiya fully understood everything.

Later, her love for him deeply affected her heart. She promised to continue living with him as he was, especially after he assured her that treatment existed, though he lacked the money for it.

She resolved in her heart to live her married life as an act of worship, convinced that one day Allah would grant them a solution.

Whenever she heard of a traditional healer, she went on her own, using her personal money or funds contributed by her relatives, to obtain remedies for him—but without any results.

Eventually, all the money she had was exhausted in the search for treatment. Worse still, she was now two months into the marriage, yet since she came to Uncle Sani's house, he had never given her even a single naira for household expenses. He always claimed he had no money.

But because he was skilled at persuasion and comforting words, she endured and continued spending her own money. Thankfully, she still had food supplies—the grains her relatives had provided.

That morning, like many others, she woke up extremely hungry and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Uncle Sani was still asleep in the bedroom since it was Saturday and there was no work.

When she arrived in the kitchen, she discovered that the gas had finished. She stood there thinking deeply about what to do, as she had no money on her at all. Reluctantly, she went to the bedroom and gently woke him.

In a sleepy voice, he looked at her and asked,

"Baby, what happened?"

Politely, she replied,

"I went to prepare breakfast and found that the gas is finished, and I also have no money left."

He sat up yawning, reached into his pocket, and brought out an old five-hundred-naira note, handing it to her. Then he said,

"That's all I have. Go and refill gas with ₦500."

She did not argue. She accepted it, thanked him, returned to the kitchen, picked up the small camping gas cylinder, and went out to refill it. After returning, she cooked beans and rice for them to eat.

And so life continued for them—with struggle and constant improvisation. Yet the situation did not disturb Radiya much, especially whenever she reminded herself that marriage is an act of worship, and worship requires patience and endurance.

When the gas finished again, she herself suggested that he buy her a charcoal cooking stove, as it was cheaper. And so it was done—once he received his salary, he bought it for her, and she continued using it without complaint.

⸻

After three months of marriage, one Friday Abbas came to visit her. She was sitting in the courtyard picking beans when she heard a knock on the gate. She quickly stood up and went out, thinking Uncle Sani had returned from Jumu'ah prayer. But to her surprise, it was her brother Abbas.

She immediately embraced him joyfully, saying,

"Brother, welcome! It's only today Allah finally brought you to me—I've been upset for so long."

He smiled and examined her closely. Her appearance showed neither praise nor exposure—she looked the same as before. Just as he had known her, that was how she still appeared.

Something tightened in his heart, but he restrained himself, maintained a smile, and handed her the bags he carried.

She accepted them joyfully and with surprise. The first bag was filled with fresh meat and offal, the second with dried meat and shredded meat, and the third was packed with cooking ingredients.

Radiya stood frozen, staring at the bags. She could no longer remember the last time she ate meat—if she even ate breakfast regularly, it had not been more than three days. Still, she suppressed her feelings, poured out her gratitude, and went inside the house.

As Abbas entered, his eyes fell on the pot sitting on the charcoal stove with pepper placed on its lid. He also noticed the beans she had been picking. Although the house was clean and neatly arranged, with no sign of dirt at all, his heart told him that Radiya was not living comfortably.

After he sat down in the parlour, Radiya picked up her hijab intending to go out. He looked at her—she was smiling happily—and asked:

"Where are you going?"

She smiled and replied,

"I want to get you cold water from my neighbor."

He shook his head and said,

"No, I already drank water on the way. Sit down."

No matter how much she insisted, he told her to stay. He then explained that he had prayed Jumu'ah at Sheikh Ja'afar's mosque, which was why he passed by.

They spent time chatting warmly. Abbas mostly observed her quietly. By Allah, this was not the kind of marriage he had wanted for Radiya, but there was nothing he could do against destiny—everyone has the life Allah has written for them.

Just before leaving, after eating the beans and rice she prepared, he stood up and asked her to bring her gas cylinder so he could refill it for her.

She almost protested, but when she saw there was no joking in his face, she brought it to him. He immediately rode his motorcycle, refilled it, and returned it to her.

He also left a message, asking her to tell Uncle Sani that Abbas wanted to speak with him. She accepted respectfully. He then gave her some money, started his motorcycle, and left—while her heart ached so deeply that tears filled her eyes.

She returned inside and began boiling the meat he brought. To her surprise, she craved it deeply. When it was cooked, she ate and marveled at herself.

She had grown up in a butcher's household where meat was abundant—she used to choose which kind she wanted, and sometimes even said she was tired of meat and preferred fish. Yet today, she found herself longing for meat.

Such life.

That night, after Uncle Sani returned home, she told him about Yaya Abbas's visit and everything he had done for her. She then brought out all the money Abbas had given her and handed it to her husband without keeping even five naira.

She also delivered Abbas's message that he wanted to see him. Uncle Sani accepted it happily, pretending to be kind-hearted.

In reality, he was fully aware of what he was doing. He deliberately pressured her because he had a big target concerning her. Whenever he went out, he ate whatever he wanted until he was satisfied, but when he came home he would claim he had no money.

She managed because there was food at home, so she did not worry too much. Besides, her brother Abbas supported her according to his ability, but that was not what Uncle Sani truly wanted. While thinking deeply, an idea suddenly came to him. He looked at her and said:

"Those bags of sorghum and maize, since we don't really use them and you don't eat tuwo, let's take them to the market and exchange them for spaghetti, macaroni, and Indomie.

It's embarrassing when your relatives visit and all you can give them is oil and pepper. We're already tired, and if not for God making Abbas bring that meat..."

She nodded in agreement and said,

"May Allah grant success."

The next day, he took the foodstuffs, sold them, split the money into two, used half to buy groceries for the house, and pocketed the remaining money—pure wickedness.

His plan was to one day leave them with nothing to eat so that he could pressure her into going back to her hometown to demand her inheritance and bring her share to him to consume completely.

Later, Uncle Sani went to Abbas to discuss Radiya's return to school. But he stubbornly insisted that he could not afford her education. He demanded that Abbas take responsibility for it, since he had already agreed—so that was final.

⸻

AFTER THREE MONTHS

Life continued for Radiya. With little happiness and no real comfort, she lived peacefully with her husband, enduring every hardship silently. She struggled hard to preserve her dignity and hide her suffering.

She was forced to start a small business. Abbas bought her a new refrigerator, so she began selling sachet water. Allah placed blessing in it, and she earned enough for daily expenses.

During this period, a message came from her village that Abbas should come for the sharing of inheritance. Uncle Sani was overjoyed, as if it were his own father's inheritance being shared—especially when Abbas said he was ready to go with them.

They traveled together, and within three days the inheritance was fully distributed. Uncle Sani was deeply shaken by the vast wealth left by Radiya's father. Even Radiya's share alone was substantial. Despite being a woman, her portion was impressive, and it amazed him.

They returned to Kano. Abbas took the lead in selling the farmland and cattle that came as Radiya's share. The cash was used to buy houses and plots of land for her in Kano, while the remaining money was invested in business as she requested.

Although Abbas advised them to buy the house they were living in—and the landlord even agreed—Uncle Sani was unhappy. This was because none of Radiya's assets came directly into his hands, and all the property documents were with Abbas.

This made him turn aggressively against Radiya, accusing her of not loving him sincerely. He said she was hiding her wealth from him, despite living with him and spending millions on herself, while she had far more but refused to help him.

Radiya became extremely troubled. She began searching for a way to reclaim control of her properties, especially since food had now become scarce at home. Yet she did not want to go begging Abbas for money.

Suddenly, during this period, Aunty Ummie gave birth again—this time to a baby girl. Abbas named the child after Radiya's mother.

Shortly after the naming ceremony, Radiya prepared to visit home, determined to secretly retrieve any property documents she could find without anyone noticing.

When she arrived, after chatting with Aunty Ummie, she excused herself as if to take a bath. Instead, she searched through Abbas's belongings.

By Allah's will, her eyes fell on the document of a house valued at about ten million naira. She succeeded in taking it unnoticed and hid it in her bag.

On returning home, she gave Uncle Sani the good news. That day felt like a festival to him. They rushed to the market, sold the house, collected the cash, and he immediately began spending lavishly.

He bought a new machine, sewed new clothes for them, renovated the house, bought food, household items, smartphones, and later traveled to Egypt for medical treatment.

Anyone who saw Radiya at that time could tell she had changed. People rejoiced that her husband had "made it." Even Abbas was shocked—he never imagined Radiya could do what she did. It never crossed his mind.

After Uncle Sani returned from treatment, a new life opened for them. He regained his health completely. However, Radiya herself was not satisfied.

This was due to the severe abdominal illness she suffered. At the hospital, doctors confirmed it. She eventually preferred that he no longer touched her, as her peace of mind was better that way.

Around this time, she gained admission into a private Nursing College in Kano. Even though Abbas noticed Uncle Sani's carelessness, he still did not withdraw. He fully sponsored Radiya's education without complaint.

Life moved on. As her studies intensified, she had to stay in the hostel for convenience. Uncle Sani agreed, since she only spent five days there and came home on weekends.

But the biggest problem was this: slowly and secretly, Radiya transferred everything she owned in the world into Uncle Sani's hands without anyone realizing.

Whenever she went to collect documents, she replaced them with handouts, knowing they were kept sealed in a box. Even if Abbas opened it, once he felt papers inside, he never checked further.

Radiya's love for Uncle Sani became excessive. Her jealousy was extreme. She fought almost every woman in their neighborhood, accusing them of eyeing her husband.

She failed to realize that he was the one chasing them—let alone now that he was healthy again.

She could not see the foolishness of her actions. Love had blinded her. She saw no fault in him. She wasted everything her father had spent many years building.

Her mind was completely locked. She never imagined the deep regret that awaited her in the future. For soon, she would realize that she was living not with a human being—but with the son of a snake.