ABOUT THIS BOOK
Description
Family Disagreements
Leena Abbah, a young climate change advocate, was preparing to share her message with the world. Just as she held the phone, her mother, Ammi, frowned at her.
“Waya ta ce abun wasan ki ko Leena? Ba dama na ajiye waya sai kin É—auka kin cika min waya with unnecessary pics and videos?”
Leena quickly defended herself.
“Mummy, these aren’t unnecessary. They are meaningful.”
She broke down in tears. Her father, Abbah, came out and comforted her. “Ammi, meye kuma? Why always making my daughter cry?”
Ammi insisted, “She’s wasting time with that phone.” But Abbah sided with Leena, asking her to show him the video. Ammi had already deleted it, and Leena wept harder. Finally, Abbah gave her his own phone to continue her work.
Morning Routines
The next morning, Ammi was busy at the firewood stove, boiling water for Leena’s bath. Leena, still in bed, scribbled in her diary until Ammi reminded her, “Brush your teeth quickly.”
After her bath, Ammi dressed her in uniform while Abbah went out to buy bread and milk for her breakfast. He returned, smiling warmly.
“Good morning, my little angel. Did you sleep well?”
“No, Abbah. I slept late reading.”
He encouraged her to eat quickly before school. Leena hugged him tightly, laughing. Ammi only shook her head, focusing on cooking.
Running Home
That evening, after Islamic school, Leena dashed into the house. Ammi scolded her, “Stop running, I’ve told you times without number!”
Abbah intervened gently. “Haba Sirbajo, must you always make her cry? Let the girl be.”
Leena apologized sweetly, hugging her mother. “I won’t do it again, Ammi. Don’t be angry.” Ammi’s heart softened, and she hugged her back.
Later, she dressed Leena for a visit to her grandmother, Mami. Together with Abbah, they left the house, with Leena blowing kisses to Ammi.
Visiting Relatives
They arrived at a large house in Unguwar Kinkinau. The security guard recognized them immediately and rushed to open the gate. Leena jumped down happily, greeting him in Fulani language. He teased her, making her laugh.
Inside, Leena ran to her grandmother Nyaama, hugging her tightly. Abbah greeted the elders respectfully. Soon, they all settled in the parlor where Mami welcomed them warmly.
“Where’s Leena?” Mami asked.
“She’s outside with Babaajo,” Abbah replied. Mami smiled knowingly.
Leena later rushed in, hugging Mami. “I missed you so much, Mami.”
Bonds of Love
As night fell, Abbah announced he would travel soon for a job interview. At once, Leena’s heart sank.
“Abbah, please don’t go. I don’t want you to leave me.”
He stroked her hair gently. “Leena, it’s for you I’m doing this. If I succeed, I’ll put you in the best school, where you’ll continue your debates.”
“But I love us just the way we are,” she whispered.
Ammi urged her to sleep, but Leena tossed and turned that night, haunted by uneasy dreams.
Departure
Morning came. Abbah dressed for his journey while Leena cried bitterly.
“Please don’t go, Abbah. I’d rather give up my dreams than lose you.”
Abbah held her hands firmly. “Leena, because of you I must go. Don’t you want to become a great climate change advocate? You’ll make me proud.”
Reluctantly, she nodded, though tears streamed down her cheeks.
Ammi too was restless, sensing the weight of his journey. They escorted him to the door, whispering prayers. Abbah raised his hands:
“Allah, protect my family. Elevate Leena and fulfill her dreams.”
Leena waved goodbye, her little heart heavy with fear.
Behind Palace Walls
Some months later, in Rimi Low Cost, Kaduna, a luxurious neighborhood stood out. Among the houses was a grand mansion with two apartments facing each other and another at the back.
One afternoon, a car drove in, dropping children with their lunchboxes and school bags. Among them was a girl with a bright smile. She rushed inside, calling, “Mummy, your girl is back!”
But the house was silent. She tried the bedroom—it was locked. She checked the kitchen—also locked. Her smile faded, and tears welled up. Hungry and alone, she sat by the kitchen door sobbing.
Later, she found some food left for her—milk, sugar cubes, cornflakes, and Golden Morn. She whispered, “Ammi, why did you travel and leave me alone?”
Loneliness and Struggles
Seeking company, she went to the small quarters of Hajiya, an older woman in the compound. “Hajiya, where’s my Mummy?”
“Eh, if you won’t speak Hausa, how can I understand you? Your Ammi traveled to Niger; there was a death in the family.”
Disappointed, the girl whispered, “But I’m hungry.”
Reluctantly, Hajiya gave her food. The girl complained there was no meat, making Hajiya scold, “Your mother has spoiled you.”
Just then, her brother Rayyan walked in. She ran to him crying, “Ya Rain, Mummy left me alone.”
Rayyan hugged her warmly. “No, little angel. You are not alone. I’m here with you.”
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