BEYOND AMBITION

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Mama was in her room, rubbing medicine on her aching feet when Omar entered with a greeting. She responded warmly, "My son, where have you been? I haven't seen you."

Omar took the medicine from her and continued applying it for her. "I'm at home, Mama. The office has been hectic, no time to rest."

Mama smiled. "Omar, I thought maybe you've found a second wife for me."

He chuckled. "Marriage? So soon? Where would I even keep another wife when the one I have is already too much for me to handle? I don't want any marriage, Mama."

Mama laughed gently. "Omar, patience. It's just because this marriage wasn't built on love, and unfortunately, you and your wife aren't compatible. That's why you feel this way."

"Mama, can you believe this? I just got home, and I was told that she left a message with the workers saying she’s traveled to Ghana. All the traveling she does within this country isn’t enough for her, now she’s going abroad."

Mama's expression darkened upon hearing what Sahar had done. "This girl is getting out of hand. I'll talk to your Baffa about this, and someone will have to go to her family and inform her parents since she refuses to listen to anyone. I’ll also call her myself."

"Mama, please leave her be. Let her stay there. I don’t want her coming here and disrespecting you. You know I won’t tolerate that."

"Omar, it’s necessary to tell her the truth."

"Alright, Mama. No problem."

He handed her the package that Iklas had given him. Then, he passed her another one. "This is from Grandma Ummi, and this one is from Iklas."

Mama smiled. "Thank you. May Allah reward them. But hold on, which one is from whom? I won’t open them until you tell me."

"Oh, Mama," Omar chuckled. "The red package is from Grandma Ummi, and the other one is from her granddaughter, Iklas."

Mama smiled, feeling happy and hoping that what she was thinking would turn out to be true. Out loud, she said, "Well, I don't know them before…"

Omar cleared his throat and scratched his head. "Uh… we just met because of work at the farm."

Mama let it go and simply said, "Alright, thank you. You see, these are good people. Let’s see what’s inside."

she opened iklas package first—it was a large white container packed tightly with dambun naman kaza. iklas had prepared it especially because Suhaila loved it. But when she saw Omar, she changed her mind and poured the entire generous portion into a new container, handing it to his mother instead.

Mama was overjoyed. She opened Ummi’s package next and found fragrant spices and dried ingredients for cooking. Her excitement was obvious, and even Omar was surprised by how happy she was.

"My dear, you should bring them to see me, or better yet, take me to their house," Mama said.

"Not now, Mama," Omar replied.

"Then may Allah grant us the opportunity whenever the time is right," she said. "You know I don’t eat oily food because of my ulcer. I’ll only take a little, just enough for myself and Abdullah. Take this and keep it in your room."

Omar hesitated at first, insisting that he wouldn’t eat food made by kids. But in the end, he reluctantly took the container and walked to his room, grumbling under his breath, his expression full of reluctance.

----

I saw Sadiya furiously ranting, cursing loudly in the compound. All the workers had gone silent, listening to her outburst.

I spotted Suleim in her school uniform, crouched before Sadiya, pleading with her.

"Anty Sadiya, please forgive me. I didn’t know the paper was important. That’s why, when I saw it, I tore it up and threw it in the dustbin," she said, her voice full of remorse.

Sadiya landed a resounding slap on Suleim’s cheek, leaving a deep red imprint on the young girl’s face.

"Ya Allah!" The little girl cried out, clutching her cheek in pain.

Sadiya wasn’t done. She yanked Suleim’s hair harshly. "So, you don’t know the value of a piece of paper, huh? Useless child! It’s not even your fault—your mother is an illiterate fool, that’s why none of you understand the importance of knowledge!"

She was so engrossed in her rage that she didn’t even notice Omar’s car pull into the compound. He parked, stepped out, and took in the scene before him.

Then, Sadiya shoved Suleim with such force that she stumbled and hit her head and mouth on the ground, bursting into a heartbreaking wail.

Omar's blood boiled. His vision blurred with anger as his eyes turned red with rage. Without hesitation, he strode forward and began slapping Sadiya repeatedly. The force of his blows sent her staggering until she collapsed onto the ground.

Not satisfied, Omar unbuckled his belt and lashed it across her body, striking her mercilessly. He was furious, his grip strong, his strikes relentless. By the time he stopped, her skin was bruised and marked with belt.

It took his mother rushing out to hold him back before he finally dropped the belt.

By then, the entire household had gathered, watching in stunned silence.

sadiya's sisters furious at the scene, didn’t waste time—they launched into their own insults at Omar and quickly called their father and mother, who were in Russia, to report everything telling them lies.

At that moment, Hajiya Rahina lost all composure. She turned to face Baffa, her voice shaking with fury.

"Wallahi, I won’t stand for this! Either you take action, or I will handle it myself! For too long, we’ve been oppressed in this house—I refuse to let him kill my children!"

Baffa’s expression darkened, his patience snapping like a frayed thread. He thundered, "Shut up, you senseless woman! Listen to yourself!"

His voice echoed through the room, silencing her momentarily.

"They are all his younger siblings. He has every right to discipline them! And don’t act as if you don’t know how your children behave. Do you think I don’t hear what people say? Misbehaving, causing trouble, bringing shame upon this family! Omar is my representative—he has full authority to make decisions in this house!"

He then exhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead before dropping the final blow.

"And before I return, tell all your daughters to find husbands. I am done tolerating their disgraceful behavior in this neighborhood!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Rahina erupted into wailing cries. Her voice rose in high-pitched lamentations, filling the house with deafening noise.

But Baffa? He simply picked up his keys and left, not sparing her another glance.

As soon as Baffa left, Rahina’s wailing intensified. She cried loudly, her body trembling with anger and frustration. She wasn’t just crying for Sadiya, her rebellious daughter who had just been beaten—she was crying for herself, for the humiliation, for the years of feeling powerless in this house.

After exhausting herself, she wiped her tears aggressively and reached for her phone. Her hands shook as she dialed the one person she trusted with her pain—Hajiya Bilki, her closest friend.

The moment Bilki answered, Rahina wasted no time, pouring out everything in a heated rush. "Bilki! This boy—this cursed child! He has no fear! He humiliated my daughter, and Baffa did nothing! Nothing! Instead, he gave him more power!"

Hajiya Bilki clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Lallai! That boy is truly a wretched soul. No home training, no conscience. He needs to be dealt with."

Rahina sniffled, rage fueling her next words. "That is why I called you. I need you to go to that powerful witch of yours in Mali. This ends now! I’ve spent so much money on my own witches, yet nothing has worked. But I know yours are stronger. I’ll do anything to destroy these people!"

On the other end of the call, Bilki smirked, though Rahina couldn’t see her. A twisted sense of satisfaction filled her heart. "Insha’Allah, it will not work."

She spoke softly, pretending to sympathize. "Don’t worry, my dear. I will handle everything."

But deep inside, she was celebrating Rahina’s downfall. "You think you’re better than me, Rahina. You flaunt your wealth, your powerful husband, your children in government jobs, like you’re above everyone. But I will make sure you lose everything. You have no idea how much I’ve envied you all these years."

Hajiya Bilki’s eyes gleamed with malice as she ended the call, already plotting Rahina’s destruction.

Hajiya Rahina snapped her out of her dark thoughts and quickly responded, "Hello… hello… can you hear me? Wallahi, Bilki, it's the network!"

Bilki’s voice finally came through, steady and confident. "Rahina, I hear you. Calm down. Wallahi, as your best friend, I have no choice but to go to Mali, even if it’s just for you. Leave everything to me."

Rahina let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Bilki. But whatever we do, it has to work!"

Bilki chuckled. "Of course, but you know these things require proper funding. You must send enough money."

"No problem!" Rahina quickly assured her. "Just tell me how much, and I’ll send it immediately."

Bilki smirked, knowing Rahina's desperation meant she could ask for any amount she wanted. But she had her own hidden motives.

"And Rahina," Bilki lowered her voice, "we must also combine this with a woman’s tricks. You know, nowadays, charms alone aren’t enough. Women’s cunning works faster on men."

Rahina hummed in agreement, already plotting in her mind.

From that point on, their conversation became too sinister, whispered so low that even I, the narrator, couldn’t hear. Readers, whatever they discussed, I can only tell you this: it wasn’t good.