Mama took her purse and gave Fatima two thousand naira to buy whatever she needed.
Fatima thanked her and said she just needed a small bag and some things for the baby.
Mama nodded.
“Buy what you need, and take care of yourself. May God protect you.”
"Ameen," she replied, then headed out.
On her way, Fatima entered the main market area. As she walked past a big store, someone bumped into her.
"Sorry, sorry!" the man said.
Fatima raised her head and froze.
It was Ibrahim.
Their eyes locked. For a moment, the world seemed to pause.
He moved closer.
“Fatima? Is it you?”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t speak.
“Fatima, what happened? Where have you been? Why didn’t you tell me? What is this I’m seeing?”
She tried to talk, but her lips trembled.
"You... you left me..." she finally said.
Ibrahim’s heart shattered.
“No, Fatima! I searched everywhere for you. I went to your house — they said you moved. I called your number, it didn’t go through. I’ve never stopped looking for you.”
She broke into sobs.
“I didn’t know where to go... they kicked me out. I had no one...”
He reached for her hands.
“Forgive me, please. I should have tried harder. But now that I’ve found you — never again. I swear I’ll never leave you again.”
“But...”
"No buts," he said, firmly.
“Where are you staying? Let me take you home.”
She hesitated.
“Please, don’t take me back to my father’s house. I stay with a kind woman who took me in. She’s not even my real relative, but she’s treated me like her own daughter.”
"I want to meet her," Ibrahim said.
Fatima was surprised.
“You do?”
“Yes. I must. Because you’re carrying my child — and I must take responsibility.”
Her eyes widened.
“You know?”
“I can see. And I know. You didn’t get like this alone.”
Just then, Mama called her.
“Fatima, where are you? Are you okay?”
She quickly explained she met someone and would be back soon. Then she and Ibrahim walked quietly to a nearby café to talk.
---
Back at Mama’s house, Hafsa arrived from work and didn’t find Fatima.
"Where’s Ummi?" she asked.
"She went shopping. She should be back soon," Mama replied.
Hafsa looked curious.
“Has she ever mentioned Ibrahim to you?”
Mama raised an eyebrow.
“That name sounds familiar...”
“She once said someone named Ibrahim helped her with school fees. But I think there’s more to that story.”
Mama nodded slowly.
“Maybe it’s the boy she said was like a brother to her.”
"Or maybe more," Hafsa whispered with a grin.
Just then, Fatima walked in — and behind her was Ibrahim.
Mama stood up in shock.
“Who is this?”
Fatima stepped forward.
“Mama, this is Ibrahim.”
Mama looked him up and down.
“And what do you want?”
Ibrahim took a deep breath.
“I came to take responsibility. The child she’s carrying is mine. And I want to make things right.”
Mama’s face changed.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, Ma. I never meant to abandon her. I didn’t even know where she was until today.”
Hafsa's jaw dropped.
“You mean — Ibrahim from Zaria? The one who…?”
Fatima nodded slowly.
“Yes, he’s the one.”
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