ABOUT THIS BOOK
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The Family Gathering
Everyone was present in Abba’s grand parlor that evening — laughter, light chatter, and the excitement of their family’s favorite pastime: pira, their usual bonding game.
Aunty of the children was the first to speak, teasingly saying,
“Abban Champion really loves this girl — it’s obvious from the way he can’t hide his feelings for her!”
Abba smiled, shaking his head. “Loving her doesn’t mean I’ll treat anyone unfairly,” he said firmly. “When he does wrong, I still scold him.”
Laughter filled the parlor.
“Actually,” Aunty continued, “it seems your dream might soon come true. Faherths may finally have found his secret someone.”
Abba adjusted himself on the chair, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. “Is that true?”
“Wallahi, it’s true,” she replied, grinning.
“Masha Allah!” Abba said warmly. “So who is she? Whose daughter?”
The Shocking Revelation
At that moment, Champion’s voice cracked as he tried to speak. His throat went dry and his hands trembled.
Aunty urged, “Come on, Champion! Tell us who she is!”
Struggling for words, he finally managed, “She’s… she’s… her name is Zainab. She lives behind our street. Her father is just an ordinary man — a poor one.”
Abba nodded thoughtfully. “That’s not a problem. Being poor isn’t a sin. Wealth and poverty are all in Allah’s hands. What matters is character.”
Then he added seriously, “But before anything, I must know her full name and her father’s. Marriage nowadays can’t happen without proper investigation.”
“Her name is Zainab,” Champion said softly. “Her father’s name is Malam Usman Shehu.”
Abba immediately dialed a friend who lived near their area for inquiries. After greetings, he asked casually, “Do you know a girl named Zainab, daughter of Malam Usman Shehu?”
The friend chuckled. “Know her? Of course I do! But why are you asking?”
“Just a normal inquiry,” Abba replied.
The man sighed. “Abba, that girl? She’s known everywhere — and not in a good way. She’s… a prostitute.”
Abba froze. “A what?” he asked in disbelief.
Laughter and shock mixed across the room — Champion’s expression was priceless. If only you could’ve seen his face at that moment!
Broken Trust
When the call ended, Abba turned toward Champion, his face clouded with disappointment. “So that’s the woman you’ve been celebrating — a woman known all over the city for her shameful acts?”
The room fell silent. Mommah, who had been quiet all along, gasped. “A prostitute? Are you sure?”
Abba nodded gravely.
Aunty whispered, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Champion! Did you know about this?”
Looking distressed, Champion shook his head. “Wallahi, it’s not true! It’s just a rumor — people call her names because she’s poor. But Zainab is not what they say she is!”
Abba cut him off sharply. “Enough! With all the respect I have for you, I’ll never let my son marry a woman the world calls a prostitute. Never!”
Tears filled Champion’s eyes. He stood abruptly and walked out of the parlor, anger and pain written across his face.
A Mother’s Heart
The air was heavy with sadness. Mommah turned to Abba, quietly saying, “Let him go. He’s in pain.”
Later, Champion came to her room, kneeling beside her. Holding her hands tightly, he whispered, “Mommah, please understand me. Even if no one believes me, I know Zainab is innocent. Please talk to Abba for me.”
She looked at him long and hard. She saw the sincerity in his eyes — the love, the desperation.
“Son,” she said softly, “I can’t say anything without proof. We can’t defend what we don’t know.”
“Mommah, I beg you,” he pleaded, tears falling. “Zainab isn’t what they call her. I have witnesses — Hauwa and others — they saw everything. Please, let them explain.”
Hauwa and the others entered and narrated the full story — how Champion had helped Zainab in a difficult moment, how gossipers twisted it into lies.
Mommah sighed deeply, her heart softening. She turned to her son and said, “If what you say is true, I’ll stand by you. I’ll convince your father. A mother never abandons her child.”
Champion’s eyes shone with joy. “Mommah, you’re truly the light of my world. May Allah bless you forever!”
They hugged tightly as tears and laughter mixed once again in the house.
Truly, a mother is light — the pillar of joy, comfort, and peace.
She is everything.
May Allah bless our mothers, guide us to obey them, and forgive those who have passed away. Ameen. 🤲
Three Weeks Later — The Wedding
Through Mommah’s persistence and prayer, Abba finally agreed. The next three weeks were filled with excitement.
On Friday, December 18th, 2022, the marriage of Faherths Umar Taheer Ma’aji and Zainab Shehu was officially conducted with a bride price of ₦200,000.
The ceremony was grand — three luxury cars arrived at Zainab’s home, gifts packed in dozens of boxes. The neighborhood buzzed with admiration.
Even though Champion once said it wasn’t a “love marriage” but one of compassion, deep down, everyone knew the truth — he truly loved her.
The halls were full, the food was delicious, laughter echoed, and joy filled every heart.
That day, Champion smiled again — for love, for Zainab, and for the peace that followed struggle. â¤ï¸
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