HADASSAH

HADASSAH

Hajiya Hadiza was the most cheerful of all the women and I found it a favor from God that she was assigned to take care of me before presenting me to the Emir.

The day had finally come and she was up early enough to get me prepared.

"Hadassah" she called out my name with a smile, revealing her gold tooth

"Let's go to the courtyard, I'll start by washing your hair"

"Okay Hajiya" I replied.

She oiled my hair and made neat braids of it, dusted my face with a powder that smelled of tumeric and a paste of red tikka on my forehead. My eyes were outlined with kohl and my hands had linings of red and black that seemed she intended drawing a flower.

I put on a fine cloth fashioned like an Indian sari, my ears and wrists were filled with bangles that dangled in every step I took. I had a huge headtie and a veil covering my head to my chest, I couldn't tell how many steps we were away from the Emir's palace. Hajiya Hadiza put me to a stop and I could feel the silence in the room, it made me want to call out to my uncle to be sure I was safe. My chest was getting heavy from a fragrance that was intentionally finding it's way to my nostrils, it was close and even closer in every breath I took until another turban was placed on my head. The room became filled with cheers, flashes of camera from every angle and the ringling noise from women holding their nose.

It was the Emir, he placed his royal turban on me, I didn't need anyone to tell me, I was the Emir's wife.

I heard Hajiya Memunat lost her place as the Emir's wife because she was a headstrong feminist and she turned down the Emir's desire to show her off after the royal party. The Palace officials suggested the verdict that was laid on her because they feared their wives would become rebellious and turn down their orders too. I wonder the verdict that would be laid on me if they discovered my lineage and belief. To be a Christian in the palace was the most deadliest spot I ever imagined, it seemed as though, I was trapped in my own fears.

It was not long after my marriage to the Emir, that I received an urgent message from my uncle, informing me of a plot to assassinate the Emir. I prayed under my breath till I found the boldness to talk to the Emir.

"Mai gida, ina kwana, there is something you need to know, it is quite urgent"

"Haba Hajiya what is the matter that would not allow you greet me like you used to, ehnn?"

"Mai gida, we all know it is haram to kill or plot evil against your master, but two of your workers have brought evil on themselves oo"

"Inna lilahi wa Inna lilahi raji'un" The Emir exclaimed

"Two officials? How did you know this"

"The security man at the palace entrance overheard them, but mai gida, we'll talk about the source later, get the security involved and let them carry out an investigation, shikena"

The Emir paid heed to my words and the investigation revealed that Jamiu and Abass had plotted to kill the Emir in their envy, and they faced the law. A document of this detail was kept in the Emir's library, but I never understood why that was necessary when the press had all the details already.

Weeks later, the Emir rewarded one of his loyal officials in the emirate by granting him a promotion. Hamza had worked for over 15years in the emirate and refused to submit to any governmental or political authority except the emir because he believed it was not the will of Allah. He despised everything that seemed western including education, the way he spoke against them, you would think islam started in Kano. He sounded like an almajiri whenever he tried to speak English. However, he was greatly revered and everyone treated him like a demi-god except my uncle. Hamza liked to see everyone tremble before him but my uncle was stubborn, so he started to consult other officials on who my uncle was.

This morning, Hamza visited the palace without a forehand information.

"Salamu alaikum"

"Amin, alaikum wassalam" we greeted back and I excused myself as conducts will have it.

I do not know what they talked about, but when I bumped into Hamza on his way out, he was smiling with relief and touching his belly with his left palm like he does whenever he receives an appraisal.

"Ahh! Alhaji Hamza, you're leaving so soon, thanks for stopping by"

He rains blessings on me and talks about aljanna but I do not know what he means because I haven't understood everything about Islam.

Today, I received a disheartening news, my uncle has been down and will not stop crying like a lost child, I sent a message to know why he is grieved and why his bitterness is unending.

"Alhaji Hamza has made a report to the Emir that we are infidels and have come to desecrate the land because we do not follow the teachings of the Hadith and Sunna. He even says we're like the westerners that blaspheme and say that Allah has a Child but no wife. The Emir is angry and he has given orders to have us arrested." My uncle explained. It is in his reply that I understand why Hamza seemed delighted after the meeting yesterday and why my uncle would not submit to him.

The news of the order spread through the entire emirate like flood on a rainy day. My uncle has requested that I speak to the Emir on behalf of my people but I want to run away everytime I remember Hamza is Mujahideen.

He says Islam is not peace but submission to the will of Allah and I wonder why Allah cares about infidels and why they should be killed. I had to reply to my uncle's message with a reasonable excuse.

"The Emir has requested to be left alone in his court for 30days, uncle, he wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone that violates his orders, not even me. I don't know what to do" I said

"You think because you're in the palace they would not see you as an infidel? Think well my dear. We will still find help even if you keep quiet on us, but it might be that God put you there for such a time as this" he replied

"Uncle I think we should pray first. Reach out to many Christians as possible, let us all fast and pray for three days, I will speak to the Emir on the third day even if it violates his dictates, if I die, let me die for this cause"

On the third day, I entered the meeting room where the Emir was seated, I sat next to him and greeted;

"Sanu mai gida"

"Hajiya Hadassah, you know you have a very beautiful name? you're just like a typical gold from Mecca, you're not showing any sign of old age" The Emir laughed while he said these words before continuing his speech; "Tell me what gift suits my beloved wife, tell me anything you want, even if it's the entire emirate, I will take off my title and give it to you"

"Ahh! Mai gida, you're so funny and you seem so excited, my request meets you well then. I just want us to have a banquet. Shikena!"

"A banquet? Hajiya.. you're filled with pleasant surprises. Consider it done"

"Thank you mai gida. And I would love Alhaji Hamza to be present, please inform him"

"Ba masala, it is done!"

Everyone in the palace was filled with awe because thirty days had not been completed, yet the Emir was delighted to have me in his courts.

Few hours before the banquet, the Emir stood in his library reading the remarkable events that had taken place in the Kano emirate. He soon came across my uncle's information about his assassination and he called out to an official;

"Jamal! What was given to this man for saving my life from traitors?"

"Nothing your excellency" Jamal replied

While he was about to give an instruction, Hamza's presence distracted him,

"Ahh! Alhamdulilah, you're here" the Emir addressed Hamza with excitement

"Salamu alaikum" Hamza greeted

"Amin, alaikum wassalam. Alhaji, I was thinking, what is befitting enough for loyalty?"

Hamza laughed and rubbed his belly like he was about to receive an appraisal.

"Your excellency, let him have a car, and drive around Kano" Hamza spoke in his laugh, like one who was shy to make a request to avoid being misinterpreted as a selfish person, then he continued in a much lower voice; "and ehnnn, a new kaftan would not be bad"

"Very well then, that security man at the palace entrance, let him have this for his reward. Come and see Alhaji, he has done a very big thing for me" The Emir spoke motioning to Hamza to see the document he was holding.

Top trends on my bird app revealed that my uncle was wanted based on Hamza's orders. His son, who worked in the central mosque, was nothing different from him. He led a movement of youth, they were constantly spying on everyone at the mosque and giving reports to their father. Some tweets had it, that they fed the police with information on my uncle's whereabouts.

On the second day of the banquet, the Emir sang praises to me while we all laughed. But my heart was heavy and I couldn't keep up with the pretense because I knew I was running out of time.

"Hmmm, mai gida" I interrupted the little silence that existed after we laughed. "I've been troubled for some days. One man, only one man mai gida, is threatening to kill me and my people"

"Hajiya, I do not understand, how can someone threaten to kill you, 'ba zai yiwu ba' I will find him and have his head chopped off" the Emir retorted.

"If his excellency is willing to go any length to save me, then I will not hesitate to speak. Mai gida, your right hand man does not share the same interest with you, not even on religious grounds. He will not let us sleep and wake up to see tomorrow, he is a threat to us"

"Haba! Hajiya, are we here to find answers to riddles?" The Emir spoke at the top of his voice, with eyes widening like he didn't want to believe his suspicion

Tears gathered around my eyes as I blurted out the words "Mai gida Alhaji Hamza and his family will kill me and my people if you do nothing about it"

The Emir left his table and I couldn't tell where he was going or what he was thinking. Alhaji Hamza threw himself beside me with pleadings but I could'nt make out the words he was spilling.

The Emir returned and found Hamza by my side, he flared up and held Hamza by the arm.

"Hamza! Do you realize that is my wife?" The Emir spoke between his teeth. The police soon arrived and took Hamza away.

I opened up to the Emir and he realized the man that the security man at the palace entrance is my uncle. The old order was reversed and Christians started to roam the Kano emirate freely.

Weeks later, Hamza's sons were arrested after thorough investigation revealed that they had a hand in the evils of their father. My uncle received an award of excellence and on top of it all, he replaced Hamza as the second in command.

One would think the Emir was under a spell but God was with us!

©Umoru Elizabeth KJ