Ammah replied, “Everyone is fine. As for the brides, they’re nearby but feeling unwell, so their husband insisted they come to Kano for a check-up. I haven’t reached them since morning—Zilai told me they haven’t returned yet, but she said Zahra isn’t alone, she’s with her friend and the friend’s younger sister.”

That confirmed Umman Sajida’s suspicion. “Well, Zahra is here at my house. We just returned from Rimi, and I found her here. I knew something wasn’t right. Apparently, she came to visit me.”

Ammah was quiet, thinking. “Keep an eye on her tonight. If they come to pick her up tomorrow, fine—otherwise, stop her from leaving and call me. Thank you. May Allah guide us and bless our children.”

“Amin.”

After they ended the call, Ammah’s heart kept pounding. She muttered, “What now? Oh Allah, protect this orphan girl. One problem ends and another begins. Why did she sneak away? Why switch off her phone? We’ll have to deal with this—I won’t tolerate nonsense.”

---

Later, Ammah called Abdul Hakeem, telling him, “Umman Sajida just called—Zahra is staying over at her house, and she’s alone without Zilai. I called Zilai, and she confirmed they haven’t returned since morning. Call Sameer and find out if he knows about this. If not, be ready—we might have to go to Kano tomorrow. I’m not telling your father yet; I don’t want trouble.”

When Abdul Hakeem called Sameer, Sameer quickly asked, “Is Zahra there?”

“Calm down—she’s in Janbulo at her friend Sajida’s house. Umman Sajida just called Ammah to say she’s there. But she left without telling anyone, and Zilai says you all went out in the morning and haven’t returned.”

Sameer finally relaxed. “Please thank Ammah for me, and tell her there’s no need to come. This was a mistake—it won’t happen again. It was just misfortune.”

Ammah, listening on hands-free, nodded in understanding.

---

Sameer then called Rukayya: “Tell Mommy I’m going to get Zahra from Janbulo.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up, grabbed his car keys, and left.

At the gate of Sajida’s house, they met her father, Abba, returning home. Sameer explained they’d come to take Zahra home. Abba agreed and asked Umman Sajida to send Zahra out.

Inside, Umman Sajida went to wake Zahra. “Get ready—your husband is here to take you home.”

Zahra’s eyes widened. “I swear I’m not going, Umma. Tell them I’m not here.”