Hidden Seed

Chapter Three

He was sitting on one of the decorated chairs in the staff room, pressing his Tecno Camon C8 phone as he scrolled through f*******:.

Suddenly, he felt someone tap his shoulder. He quickly looked up and saw a young man, not more than thirty years old, standing with books in his hands. He smiled, returned his attention to his phone, and said:

"Ah! Uncle Bashir. You're already out?"

"Yes! It's just a single period," he said as he prepared to sit on his chair. Then he looked at him again and added,

"Still, the class wasn't interesting today because your girl didn't come. You know she was suspended yesterday over your case.

When she's not around, I feel like I'm not even teaching. You know she understands quickly; that really boosts my confidence."

He smacked his lips and said,

"Even I don't enjoy teaching when she's absent. But the problem is she doesn't listen at all. I mind my business, she minds hers."

They both laughed.

At that moment, a female student entered the staff room and greeted them. They responded to her greeting and told her to come in. After kneeling down, she looked at Bashir and said in a pleading voice:

"Uncle, please forgive me. I forgot my notebook in Radiya's bag, and since she didn't come today, that's why I didn't write the notes."

"That has nothing to do with me," he shouted angrily.

"Go out and continue kneeling outside. I swore that anyone without a notebook will suffer today. Get out!"

She stood up quietly and left.

As she left, Bashir started complaining:

"They keep following Radiya even though she's better than them in everything. She works harder than them. And that girl you see—her father was a rich village man. They just shared his inheritance; she can study anywhere she wants in this country. Yet out of foolishness, they still follow her..."

Suddenly, he stopped and lifted his head, staring at Bashir in shock.

"So that girl is an orphan?"

"Very much so. You know we used to live in their neighborhood before we moved. Abbas, her brother, is my friend. Her father was extremely wealthy; he died and left properties."

He finished speaking while checking some documents.

He fell silent, placed his phone aside, and leaned back. His thoughts turned to how Radiya openly showed him affection—and how badly he treated her.

There was no beating or humiliation he hadn't subjected her to. Eventually, he referred her case to the principal. Yet she still refused to break, despite the gossip and pressure she faced from other students—it never bothered her. Today her case would be closed; tomorrow she would appear with a new approach.

He smiled as he remembered the big opportunity he had been searching for and finally grabbed.

In life, he had no ambition beyond marrying wealth—becoming rich overnight without suffering. He loved money excessively, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to get it.

If a relationship did not benefit him, he would not engage in it. That was his nature. But he rarely showed it because he was extremely clever and patient, especially when he knew he would benefit. He could endure any delay or humiliation.

Within a short time, his view of Radiya began to change—from seeing her as a poor, insignificant girl to seeing her as property, capital, or stored wealth.

That made him decide he would marry her and use her love for him to build his life. Later, if he wished, he could live with the kind of woman his heart truly desired.

Although he knew he had a serious problem with his manhood, he was convinced that any woman who loved him deeply—especially someone like Radiya—would endure life with him. And he also knew that her vulnerability, her fear of loss, would play a crucial role in achieving his plans for her....

Bashir interrupted his thoughts, saying:

"Uncle Sani, didn't you say you have a class? It's 9:35 now. Let's go the same way."

He stood up quietly and followed him out, his heart full of joy at his perceived success.

⸻

Around five in the evening, Radiya was struggling to prepare dinner because Umma was not around. From a distance, she heard the greeting of her close friend, Waleeda.

She hardened her heart and refused to respond.

Only after Ummie became tired did she lean out from upstairs and begin calling Radiya, certain she was in the compound.

Radiya came out of the kitchen and saw Waleeda turning away arrogantly, lifting her head as she spoke to Ummie.

Waleeda looked at her and said,

"Radiya, what did I do to you? I told you at school, I swear I knew nothing. How could you think I teamed up with someone to expose your secret?"

Ummie sighed deeply and looked down at them.

"So, Radiya, you also fought with Waleeda?"

"Aunty Ummie, this girl you see is a hypocrite," Radiya said.

"She was involved. She's the one who said I wrote that letter.

The principal already said she would investigate, and apart from her, no one knew I wrote it."

She finished speaking, glaring at Waleeda.

Waleeda raised her head again and said to Ummie, who was staring at them in shock:

"I swear, Aunty Ummie, I didn't say anything. I don't know who did. I swear..."

"You're a complete hypocrite!" Radiya cut her off.

"And I swear, if you don't leave now, I'll beat you in this house. You know I don't tolerate hypocrites, and once I'm done with someone, I close their chapter forever."

She finished speaking, went into her room, opened her school bag, brought out an exercise book, and came back to throw it at Waleeda while pointing toward the exit.

Quietly, Waleeda bent down, picked it up, turned around, and left.

Ummie, who was upstairs, was filled with shock. She began to come down and stopped close to Radiya, looking at her angrily.

"So you, girl, you're shameless at all—you even boast after being betrayed. Don't you feel ashamed to say you love a man?"

Radiya pushed out her lips in anger and stormed into the kitchen.

Ummie watched her helplessly, then finally said,

"May Allah guide you. May Allah make you understand."

AFTER THREE DAYS

Because she was no longer attending her Western school, her heart felt completely unsettled. The situation was beginning to weigh heavily on her—especially since she had gone two days without seeing the one her heart longed for. To make matters worse, Abbas was still angry with her. All of it left her deeply restless.

She was lying down when Umma came in and slapped her, saying sharply,

"Get up and go take the rice to the mill. Since you chose to stay at home, then you'll deal with me. Stubborn child who never listens."

She sprang to her feet and looked at Umma. Seeing no hint of playfulness on her face, she quickly grabbed her hijab, collected the milling money, picked up the bowl, and went out.

She walked slowly, her heart heavy. The truth was, Abbas's anger hurt her deeply. When she got to the mill and found a long queue, she dropped the bowl there and went to his shop instead.

She stood aside until he finished attending to his customers, then approached him. Softly, she greeted him. His response was flat—neither warm nor harsh. Lifting her face timidly, she began to speak in a pleading tone.

"Please, brother, forgive me. I promise I won't do it again, in shā' Allāh. And if I ever do, then punish me however you see fit."

He sighed, having grown tired of holding onto his anger. He raised his head, fixed his gaze on her, and asked,

"Where are you coming from?"

"Um... Umma sent me to take rice for milling. I went there and found a queue, so I came here. Please, brother, forgive me," she said quickly, hope brightening her voice.

"It's fine. It's over. Go quickly and take it to her. Don't let me hear that you stopped anywhere else," he said.

She turned at once, smiling. "Alright, brother, thank you. I'll take it to her now. See you later."

He only nodded, watching her as she left. When she returned to the mill, she found the rice already done, so she picked it up and headed home.

As she walked, joy filled her heart. Good, she thought, I've settled things with my brother. One more remains—I feel it in my bones, I'll meet him too...

Almost as if from the sky, as she neared the gate of their house, she saw Uncle Sani standing there, watching her intently. Startled, she approached, widening her eyes in disbelief.

He smiled when she reached him and said,

"Radiya, young lady. How are things?"

Shyness seized her. She didn't know what to say; the surprise left her speechless. She had never imagined this could happen. Here he was, standing at her gate, his face relaxed and open. It felt like a dream.

With courtesy and modesty, she replied, "I'm fine, Uncle. Are you looking for someone?"

He smiled again, his face full of deceptive charm.

"No, I came to see you. I couldn't settle for two days without seeing you, so I came."

She fell silent, unable to speak. The words sounded unreal. In her heart she questioned herself: So he loves me? Then why did he treat me that way?

He interrupted her thoughts.

"I know you must be surprised. Radiya, I've always liked you. The problem was only the path you chose—it wasn't right. You know it goes against the rules. If it were discovered, I could lose my job. And you see how closely we're being watched, that's why I did what I did."

He sighed as though sincerely troubled, then continued, carefully dressing his lies in wise, gentle words. He spoke with such calculated skill that his words sank deep into her heart. She had always loved him, and he worked hard to erase every doubt she once had.

Radiya's happiness was beyond description. Though she hid much of it inside, it still showed plainly on her face.

He looked at her again, offering another charming smile.

"I should ask for your brother's permission so I can start visiting properly. But I want this relationship to remain secret—I don't want anyone to know."

She only nodded, still stunned, then they exchanged farewells and she went inside.

He watched her walk away, surprise etched on his face. So this is who Radiya really is? A complete woman—her steps confident, her face devoid of childishness.

Her dark skin had made him overlook the beauty hidden beneath, since he had always preferred fair-skinned women. But seeing her now, speaking with her, he felt something stir within him.

The calm dignity in her speech, the grace in her bearing, the way she gently turned those striking eyes—everything about her was captivating. Even women found Radiya impressive; how much more a man with restless blood.

Two days later, Uncle Sani formally sought Abbas's permission to begin courtship. Abbas postponed his decision, saying he needed time to investigate. After completing his inquiries, he eventually allowed him to start visiting.

Though Abbas disliked the idea, the advice and pressure from Ummie and Umma left him with little choice. To avoid trouble, he reluctantly agreed.

Moreover, he noticed how deeply Radiya cared for him, and his investigation revealed nothing troubling about Sani—he appeared intelligent, cautious, and composed.

Even so, Abbas sternly warned Radiya about phone use, telling her it would have to wait until she finished secondary school, promising he would buy one for her himself then.

After two weeks, Radiya returned to school. This time, she was remarkably calm—no fights, no chaos. That had been her only problem, and it seemed resolved.

Her teachers were astonished, especially the principal, all assuming the suspension had finally humbled her.

And so life went on for Radiya. Her relationship with Uncle Sani grew stronger by the day. The only major issue was that no matter how hard he tried to send his elders, Abbas refused to consent, insisting it was not yet time.

AFTER ONE YEAR

Nearly a full year had passed since Uncle Sani began visiting Radiya. With time, things started to change. At first, on his part, it had all been deception and calculation—but Radiya exceeded his expectations. Gradually, without his realizing it, genuine feelings began to take root in his heart.

At first, he only noticed discomfort whenever he went a day without seeing her. He struggled, argued silently with his own heart, resisted as much as he could. In the end, he surrendered and admitted to himself that what he felt for Radiya was real love.

By then, preparations had begun for the final secondary school examinations. Radiya was naturally intelligent, but Uncle Sani supported her greatly, giving her extra lessons whenever he came to the house, being a skilled Chemistry teacher.

For at least two months, they studied intensely for WAEC, and afterward she sat for NECO as well. They completed both examinations with joy and peace of mind.

However, the biggest problem troubling everyone remained the same: Abbas still refused to approve Radiya's marriage to Uncle Sani. No amount of persuasion worked—he remained firm and unyielding.

At first, it was treated lightly, as though it would eventually pass. But the issue dragged on, and Abbas still refused to explain his true reason. This only increased Uncle Sani's frustration, as he began to feel Abbas was standing in the way of his goals.

Gradually, he began to stir Radiya's emotions, carefully fueling her anger and restlessness. He had noticed how much influence Abbas had over her life—Radiya never tolerated anyone speaking ill of him, even when he was clearly at fault.

Despite the depth of her love for Uncle Sani, Radiya never openly showed resentment toward Abbas's decision. Though it hurt her deeply, she hid her pain well and never let her inner struggle show.

But the pressure Uncle Sani placed on her forced her to start searching for a solution. That was when Baba Sallau came to her mind—Abbas's uncle, their late father's younger brother, the only elder they had left, whom they regarded as a father figure.

With careful thought, she suggested to Uncle Sani that he visit Baba Sallau privately to greet him—not with the intention of reporting Abbas, but merely to pay respect as a potential in-law. Radiya was thoughtful and perceptive; she knew Baba Sallau would eventually relay the message to Abbas.

The suggestion pleased Sani. He chose a Tuesday night and went with his friend, Uncle Bashir, to Baba Sallau's house in Cheɗiyar Ƙuda, in the heart of Kano city.

By tradition, whenever Baba Sallau returned from the Abbatuwa market, a mat was spread for him at the entrance of his house. There he performed Maghrib and Isha prayers, ate his dinner, listened to the radio until about half past ten, then went inside.

That was where Uncle Sani and Uncle Bashir met him. They greeted him respectfully and introduced themselves. Baba Sallau was pleased. He offered them brief advice, and after they presented him with the customary kola money and prayers, they left.

Three days later, early in the morning before Abbas went to the market, he asked Ummie to call Radiya. When she entered the sitting room, he looked at her with a neutral expression and said:

"I know you were the one who sent them to Baba Sallau. Do you think that will force me to do what I have no intention of doing?"

She shook her head gently in denial, saying nothing, lowering her gaze. Abbas was about to continue speaking when he noticed tears beginning to stream down her face. The sight stunned him. In his heart, he wondered—what kind of love is this?

He knew Radiya well. From childhood, despite her stubborn streak, whenever he showed disapproval of something, she would eventually give in. But this time was different. It shook him deeply.

Noticing Radiya's state, Ummie turned sharply to Abbas and said angrily:

"I honestly don't understand what you want with Radiya. She wants marriage—just let it be. What exactly is in your heart concerning her?"

Abbas turned to Ummie and let out a bitter laugh.

"But you know very well there is no marriage between me and Radiya, don't you? Or are you thinking of something else entirely?"

"That's not what I mean," Ummie replied calmly. "And you know it. We just want you to explain what is really going on."

She said this, trying to dismiss the accusation Abbas was implying.

He nodded slowly, then turned back to Radiya.

"There is something I later discovered—something I heard—that made me suspicious. That's why I stopped everything. And if what I suspect turns out to be true, then even if it kills you, I swear you will never marry him..."