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1: The Departure and Arrival in Kano
The next morning, they woke up prepared for their journey. Uncle G (Youseef) was looking after Sopy (Safiyya), who clearly did not want to leave. Baba and Gwaggo gave them a lot of heartfelt advice, emphasizing that they now considered Sopy to be exactly like one of their own biological children.
> "This is exactly how parents-in-law should treat their sons' wives," Baba advised. “You shouldn't sit back and act jealous of your own son's wife—that is entirely wrong. If you embrace her as your own daughter, I swear to Allah, she will respect and honor you even more. But the moment you start competing or being jealous of her, disrespect creeps into the relationship, and your own son will end up resenting you for no good reason. May Allah grant us understanding.”
>
It was only after the Dhuhr (afternoon) prayer that they finally departed. Sopy was crying so much that it actually amused Youseef. She continued weeping all the way until they reached Tsanyawa. Realizing that she wouldn't stop if he left her to her thoughts, he began initiating conversation to distract her. At first, she answered with short, murmured responses, but eventually, she cheered up and began looking out at the road and the passing villages.
He pulled over in Bichi to buy fuel, and as they resumed their drive, she asked, “So, what town is this?”
He replied, “This is Bichi. Whenever you hear people talking about Bichi, this is it.”
"Oh wow, today is the very first time I'm ever hearing the name of this town," she remarked. He simply smiled without saying anything further.
As they approached the time for Asr prayer, they entered the city of Kano. He asked, “Where would you like us to go first? Should I take you to greet Inna and the family?”
She quickly replied, “Yes, let's go to Inna's house.”
He gave a small smile but made no comment.
Noticing that they had driven past the street leading to her family's house, she said, “Uncle, we've passed it! Did you forget?”
He glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the road. “I changed my mind.”
"Why?" Sopy questioned.
Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, he replied, “Because I felt it wasn't appropriate. They escorted you to your husband's house, and now you're returning to them looking exactly the same way you left. There needs to be a noticeable change first.”
Bless her heart, Sopy didn't quite grasp the deeper meaning behind his words, but she sensed there was a specific implication to what he said. She fell silent and didn't speak again, and he didn't say anything more until they arrived at their neighborhood.
The house was modest—the home of a poor man who possessed a content heart. He got out of the car himself to open the gate so they could drive in. The space where the car parked was the only open area available; nothing else, not even a motorcycle, could fit beside it. They stepped out, and he said, “Safiyya, welcome to your home.”
Sopy gave a small laugh and said, “I see it, and it is very beautiful.”
He smiled too as he opened the car trunk to unload all the luggage. Picking up some of the bags, he teased, "Oh, I forgot that you are 'blind' in this house, so I have to guide you into your home." She picked up the remaining bags and followed him. He inserted the key and unlocked the living room door, and a wonderful fragrance immediately greeted their noses. They set the bags down, and he said, “Sit down while I finish bringing the rest of the things inside.”
Sopy looked around the living room, nodding her head in pure admiration. Her parents and siblings had truly outdone themselves; the parlor looked magnificent. Everything inside was styled in a red and white theme. There was a full sofa set with a center rug in the middle. The cushions were red, beautifully accented with white throw pillows, matching the center table perfectly. The room was draped in elegant red and white curtains, and a small plasma TV—perfectly sized for a modest household—sat on the TV stand.
She turned her attention toward the dining area, which was beautifully furnished with a dining set and a refrigerator. If she remembered correctly, she had seen those exact dining chairs long ago at Aunt Nafisa’s house, covered up in cloths. She had no idea they were actually hers. Tears of pure joy began to stream down her cheeks. She didn't even know how to begin thanking her parents and siblings, especially Uncle Kabeer, who had played the most significant role in her life. Her siblings had always told her that they were working hard at their businesses specifically to provide for her wedding, and today she had living proof of that.
Uncle G, who had been quietly watching her for a while, came over and made her sit on the sofa. Using his hands to wipe the tears from her face, he said, “Safiyya, you shouldn't be crying. Instead, you should be praying for your siblings because they have truly done an incredible job for you. Even an enemy would look at this bridal decor and respect their effort.”
Taking her hand, he led her to the kitchen, and it was a sight to behold. The kitchen was perfectly arranged, and here too, everything followed the red theme. "This is your pantry," he said, pointing to a small door. "Actually, come inside and see." When they opened it, foodstuffs of all kinds appeared before them, including crates of drinks. Youseef stood there with his mouth wide open, staring at the sheer abundance, knowing without a doubt that this was the handiwork of Uncle Kabeer.
Overwhelmed with happiness, Uncle G pulled Sopy into a warm embrace. “Sopy, I swear I am completely speechless. All we can do is keep praying for Baba and the family for a blessed life. Come, let me show you the rest of the house.”
He led her to her bedroom, and then they went to see his room, which was equally well-furnished, except his room followed a green theme. He sat her down on the edge of the bed and said:
> "Safiyya, you see your house now. It is small because it belongs to a poor man. Even as it is, it took me four long years to build it, because a portion was being deducted from my salary bit by bit to do the construction. But we thank Allah for the blessings of life and good health; we are far better off than many others. My hope is that we will join hands to live together in peace, and that we accept destiny whenever it catches up with us. Let us practice patience in times of scarcity, remain content with whatever provision Allah blesses us with, and always be grateful to Him.
> Wealth is not everything in life; in fact, it is better to remain poor forever than to have certain kinds of wealth. I promise that I will cherish and take care of you as a sacred trust. I also ask that we always exercise mutual patience whenever we have disagreements, and that we strive to understand each other whenever things become unclear. I am certain this will guide our marriage."
>
Sopy replied, “Insha Allah, you will find me to be completely obedient to you.”
He smiled, “Alhamdulillah. Now, stand up and let me walk you to your room so you can take a refreshing shower, okay?”
She replied, “Alright...”.
The New Home and the Interruption
He walked her all the way to her room. After he left, she took another long look around the bedroom and then went to take a shower. She smiled to herself upon realizing that her menstrual cycle had just started; she was genuinely relieved and happy that it happened at this timing. She finished her bath and stepped out, but suddenly realized she had a problem: she didn't have any sanitary pads with her. She knew she had to find a solution between now and nightfall, otherwise she would end up ruining her clothes.
As she sat there lost in thought, trying to figure out what to do, she heard a greeting from the entrance. She quickly hurried out to answer and found a young, average-built girl standing there holding a basket.
The girl greeted her respectfully, and Sopy responded with a warm, welcoming smile.
The girl handed over the basket, which contained food flasks, and said, “Here, this is from Aunt Asiya.”
Sopy asked, “Aunt Asiya? Which Aunt Asiya do I know in this neighborhood?”
Just then, Uncle G walked out wearing a white jalabiya. The girl greeted him, and after responding, he turned to Sopy and explained, “Asiya is Kabeer’s wife! Their family house isn't far at all; it's just further down from us.”
"Oh my! I had absolutely no idea," Sopy exclaimed.
He said, “I forgot to tell you. Let me head out to the mosque quickly, time is running out.”
She replied, "May you return safely." He walked out, muttering, “May Allah accept it.”
The moment he left, Sopy turned to the girl and asked, “What is your name?”
The girl replied, “My name is Fatima, but they call me Ummy.”
"What a nice name," Sopy said. “Ummy, please, for God's sake, is there anywhere you can buy sanitary pads for me?”
Ummy replied, “Oh, yes! There is a shop right behind your house. Give me the money and I'll go buy them for you.”
"Wow, thank you so much, Ummy, God bless you." Sopy went and fetched a 500 naira note, handed it to her, and described the specific brand she wanted.
It wasn't long before Uncle G returned. By then, Sopy was in the kitchen rinsing the utensils they would use for dinner. He sat down in the living room and turned on the TV, noting that everything had been perfectly set up—all thanks to the efforts of Uncle Kabeer.
Ummy knocked and entered the parlor. Youseef looked up and said, “Oh, you haven't left yet?”
She replied, “Yes, Aunt sent me on an errand.”
“Okay, bring it here.”
She handed him the plastic bag along with the change, adding, “I'll be leaving now, I have to go to Islamic school.”
He said, "Alright, extend my greetings to them and tell them we are very grateful." He handed her a 100 naira note.
She hesitated, “Oh no, thank you.”
He insisted, "Take it, I am giving it to you willingly." She accepted it with gratitude and left.
Curious to see what was inside the bag, he opened it. He blinked in surprise. "Oh wow... so this is what is happening," he muttered to himself. He set the bag down, shaking his head playfully. “Well, there goes my big plan for tonight! My show has just been officially cancelled.”
Sopy emerged from the kitchen carrying plates and set them on the center table in the living room. “Here is the food. Should I move it to the dining table?”
He sat down on the floor and said, “No, I'll eat right here on the floor. I'm far too tired.”
As she began serving his food, he remembered the errand. “Ah, I almost forgot. That girl came back and delivered your package.”
Sopy replied, “Oh, alright. Thank you.”
She finished serving him a meal of white rice with stew, coconut-flavored drink, and salad.
He looked up and asked, “What about you?”
"I'll eat later," she replied.
He glared at her playfully. “Sit down right now and let's eat together. And take off that big hijab so you can catch some fresh air.”
Seeing his slightly firm expression, she complied with his instruction. She removed her hijab and sat down to eat with him. Although she was only picking at her food nervously out of sheer shyness, he didn't press her further; he simply kept eating while watching the television.
### Part 3: The Secret is Revealed
Late that evening, Youseef went to her room and found that she had already changed into her sleepwear and was under the covers. He said, “Come, let's pray.”
She lowered her gaze nervously and whispered, “I am on my period.”
He replied, "Okay." He had actually only asked to confirm his suspicion from earlier.
Sopy assumed he would go sleep in his own bedroom, but to her surprise, he climbed onto the bed and lay down right next to her. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Seeing that she had no choice and couldn't exactly chase him away, she rested her head against his chest and fell asleep.
Life in Uncle G's house was beautiful and full of joy, even though they hadn't become intimate yet. They maintained a deep mutual respect, and Youseef showered her with love and affection. In fact, her overwhelming shyness around him was the only thing holding him back from teasing her even more. Every single day, Aunt Asiya would send Sopy cooking ideas and recipes via WhatsApp, which enabled Sopy to cook incredibly delicious and satisfying meals for her husband. She also kept the house spotlessly clean, which made Youseef very happy since he was a man who deeply valued cleanliness.
Every day, Sopy received visitors from the neighborhood—women coming to inspect the new bride's apartment and meet her. Sopy possessed a very welcoming aura and was extremely generous; she never let a guest leave empty-handed, always serving them homemade chin-chin and dubulan. Youseef's friends also visited, some bringing their wives along. However, from her own immediate family circle, none of the sisters like Aunt Nafisa had visited yet. Even Aunt Asiya, who lived so close by, hadn't stopped by. Only Uncle Kabeer had visited once, briefly, during the night.
### Part 4: The Alcor'an Test
It had been two days since Sopy finished her period and began observing her prayers again, but she intentionally hid this fact from Uncle G. She would only pray after he left for work, or she would lock herself inside her room to perform her prayers in secret. However, his vacation was ending, and he was scheduled to return to work the very next day.
They were sitting in the living room watching the news when they heard a knock at the gate. Uncle G checked the wall clock and muttered, “Who could it be at this time of night?”
Sopy stood up, “Let me go check.”
"No, stay seated. Let me handle it," he instructed.
He went out and opened the gate to find two young teenage girls standing there. They greeted him, and he responded with a very stiff, unsmiling face—as was his usual demeanor around young women. "Yes, how can I help you?" he asked firmly.
Intimidated by his stern look, the girls stammered, and one managed to say, “Um... we are looking for a young girl who left home a while ago. We thought maybe she came over to this house?”
He replied coldly, “No, there is no one here.”
"Alright, thank you. Goodnight," they said.
"May we see tomorrow," he replied smoothly before closing the gate and walking back inside.
Sopy asked, “Who was it? I hope everything is fine?”
Youseef sat down. “Just some girls claiming they were looking for a young girl. A young girl in this house? Ridiculous.”
Sopy smiled, “It was obviously just an excuse to come see you.”
He chuckled, “Yeah, I figured as much.”
Just then, his phone rang. He picked it up and joked, “Hey there, my brother-in-law! How is everything?”
Uncle Kabeer replied on the other end, “Haba, Malam! If you're going to call me your brother-in-law, at least use a softer, respectful tone!”
Youseef laughed. “Hey, it's only because you aren't here physically. If you were, I'd be squatting in respect right now!”
They both laughed, and Kabeer continued, “Anyway, I called to say we should head over to that place we discussed the other day tomorrow.”
"Okay, no problem, we will go. How is the mother of two?" Youseef asked.
“Wallahi, she's right here throwing tantrums. You know how pregnant women can be. How is my sweet Sopy?”
“She's doing perfectly fine, sitting right here next to me.”
“Alright, extend my greetings to her. Goodnight, see you tomorrow, Insha Allah.”
After hanging up, Youseef looked at Sopy. “Kabeer sends his greetings.”
Sopy pouted her lips playfully. “And yet he didn't ask to speak with me directly.”
Amused by her adorable reaction, he said, “Alright, let me call him back so you two can talk. Don't cry, Uncle Kabeer’s favorite little girl! Come over here and take the phone.”
Thinking he was being completely serious, she stood up and walked over to him. As she bent down to respectfully take the phone, he suddenly pulled her straight into his lap. “Look at that, this is your designated seat right here.”
She blushed, “Come on, call Uncle back so we can talk.”
He pinched her nose gently. "You are looking at your Uncle right now. I am not calling anyone. In fact, I have an errand for you." She stood up as he gave her a mischievous, knowing look. “Go to my room and fetch the Holy Qur'an from the bedside table.”
Sopy agreed instantly, completely forgetting her little secret and missing his underlying motive. She went to his room, retrieved the Qur'an, and brought it back. He took it from her with a triumphant, slightly wicked smile. Setting the Holy Book firmly on the center table, he looked up at her and asked point-blank:
“Sopy, have you actually finished your period and started praying?”
Her heart instantly dropped into her stomach. The question caught her completely off guard. She gathered her courage and whispered, “Yes.”
He leaned back on the sofa, letting out a victorious laugh. Sopy pouted and muttered under her breath, “You wicked man.”
From that moment on, they went back to watching TV, but anyone looking at Sopy could see she was now gripped by a deep, nervous anxiety. At exactly ten o'clock, he stood up and announced, "Time for bed, let's go." Sopy stood up with a heavy heart and walked ahead, while he followed closely behind her, playfully making faces at her back.
When they entered her bedroom, he stopped her. "Meet me in my room. We are sleeping in my room tonight." He walked away without waiting for her reply, leaving her standing there looking like she wanted to scream.
Left with no choice, she took another shower and changed into her nightwear. She delayed as much as possible, her heart racing with fear and apprehension. He popped his head back in. "Are you still not done?" She finally walked out, moving as slowly as someone carrying fragile eggs.
In his bedroom, he told her they must perform their prayers together first. They prayed four Raka'at, and he offered incredibly lengthy, heartfelt supplications for their union. Sopy simply kept repeating "Amin." He then placed his hand on her head and prayed so intensely that tears actually welled up in his eyes. Sopy thought to herself, *“Wow, so men actually cry too?”*
Once they finished, she folded the prayer mats. Youseef changed out of his jalabiya into his sleepwear and turned to look at her. “Aren't you going to take off that hijab? Or are you not feeling hot?”
She simply nodded her head. He smiled to himself, thinking, *“No matter how clever a new bride tries to be, she will eventually be outsmarted.”* He walked over, sat close to her, and gently removed the hijab. She pulled her body tight, shivering slightly as if she were cold.
He leaned in close, "Let me look at your face, it looks like there's something on your eye." She raised her face without thinking twice. He cupped her face with both hands, leaned in as if to blow the speck away, but before she could realize what was happening, his lips were firmly on hers. He began kissing her with immense passion and expertise, slowly laying her down on the bed. As his hands began to wander to places they had never been before, Sopy broke into tears…
### Part 5: The Wedding Night and Aftermath
Safiyya had officially become a woman that night. However, she found the experience incredibly painful and difficult, and she cried bitterly throughout. Youseef held her tightly, comforting her, whispering soothing words, and showering her with blessings. He gently laid her down and said, “Let me take a quick shower, and then you can take yours.”
He stepped into the bathroom, his heart bursting with a level of joy and fulfillment he had never experienced in his entire life. He felt deeply that marriage was truly a beautiful blessing and mercy from Allah.
Sopy pulled the duvet tight and curled into a ball, shivering from a sudden chill until a heavy, exhausted sleep overcame her. W
