Chapter 7 I thought today is mine

Sa'ada sat comfortably on the couch, engrossed in one of her favorite movies, "Ga duhu ga haske" (The Darkness and the Lightness), an old Hausa film. Usman emerged from their bedroom, dressed in a sky-blue kaftan with a matching cap, his presence accompanied by the pleasant fragrance of his cologne. Sa'ada glanced at him, their eyes meeting briefly, and she couldn't help but smile. He appeared remarkably handsome in her eyes.

"Good morning," Sa'ada greeted him, her voice filled with warmth.

Usman chuckled and retorted, "Morning to you? Can it still be considered morning?" He glanced at his watch, teasingly emphasizing the lateness of the hour. "I'm heading out," he announced, making his way towards the door.

"But I thought today was ours," Sa'ada responded, raising her voice slightly for him to hear. Usman turned back, his hand brushing across his lips, his eyes focusing on her face as he said, "What do you mean, 'ours'?"

"I meant since it's the weekend, it would be nice for you to stay at home. Isn't that what civil servants do?" Sa'ada suggested playfully.

Usman's smile lingered as he replied, "Whether I stay home or not is my choice. You don't have to remind me; I know what I'm doing."

Sa'ada smirked, playfully retorting, but before she could speak, Usman interrupted her, raising his palm to silence her. "Please, if you have nothing important to say, I have things to attend to," he stated firmly before leaving the room.

Sa'ada watched him depart, her head tilting slightly as she licked her lips, whispering to herself, "Oops."

Later that night, Usman returned home at 2 am, parking his car in the dimly lit lot before making his way to their bedroom. Stepping into the silent parlor, he noticed the darkness, a peculiar emptiness hanging in the air. Something felt amiss.

As he moved slowly toward his bedroom, his gaze wandered to the dining area, and he had to rub his eyes to confirm what he saw. Zainaba was sitting there, gazing at him with a warm smile, just as she always did whenever he returned late. Usman smiled back at her and walked over, saying, "I told you not to wait for me. You need to sleep early, but you never listen." He reached out to open the food flasks on the table.

Abu's smile widened, showing her upper teeth, as she took a step closer, gripping his hand gently. "Please, Usman, stop going to the bar," she pleaded softly, her words resonating with concern. Before he could respond, she vanished before his eyes.

Usman bit his lip and slapped himself lightly on the cheek, urging himself to wake up from his reverie. "Usman, please wake up. What are you thinking? Zainaba will never be yours again," he muttered, his voice filled with self-realization.

He opened the food containers on the dining table, only to find the same leftovers he had eaten the day before. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he made his way to the bedroom.

To his surprise, Sa'ada was peacefully asleep on his side of the bed. He stared at her for a couple of minutes before lightly slapping her thigh.

"Please, Usman, what is it?" she mumbled, half-asleep.

"Sa'ada, leave this room," Usman shouted, his frustration palpable.

Without uttering a word, Sa'ada got up and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Usman hissed and muttered to himself, "Nonsense!"

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Usman found himself engulfed in a surreal sensation. Abu had been his world, and he had lost her. He knew deep down that Abu loved him wholeheartedly, caring for him as she cared for herself. She never slept until he returned home, always making sure he ate before going to bed.

Pushing these thoughts away, he headed to the bathroom for a much-needed shower...

Usman strode purposefully through the room, his movements imbued with a mix of restlessness and anticipation. With his arms folded across his chest, he cast occasional glances at his watch, a manifestation of his growing impatience. Sa'ada entered the elegant parlour, her presence unnoticed by Usman, who was lost in his thoughts. Exhausted from a long day, she collapsed onto the plush three-seater chair, stretching her weary limbs.

Usman turned towards her, his face a mask of seriousness. "You must be exhausted, considering the late hour of your return. I thought you had morning duties today," he inquired, his gaze penetrating into her soul. His mood was dark, his emotions turbulent.

A frown formed on Sa'ada's face as she responded, adjusting herself on the chair. "Why are you asking such a question? Where else would I be apart from work?" Her voice held a hint of frustration, as if trying to convey the weight of her weariness.

Usman pointed at the time displayed on his watch. "Look at the hour. I believed you had morning duties, yet you return at this late hour, well past 7 pm."

Sa'ada sighed, a mixture of weariness and concern in her voice. "Today was unusually hectic at the hospital. Sister Maryam asked for my assistance, as her daughter fell ill, leaving me with no choice but to continue her duties."

Usman emitted a disapproving sound, his frustration mounting. "So, because I hold no significance in your life, you simply forget to make a simple phone call, informing me of your delayed return?" His tone grew dangerously sharp, reflecting the turmoil within him.

Sa'ada shook her head, lips pursed, and rose from her seat. "Please, Usman, I'm tired," she implored, making her way towards their bedroom.

Usman followed her, his anger unabated. As he entered the room, he emitted an exasperated sigh, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. He waited, his impatience palpable in the air.

Moments later, Sa'ada emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair wrapped in a towel. Usman, who had been sitting on the bed, rose to his feet, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her. Suspicion lingered in his gaze, his mind haunted by doubts.

"What have you been doing?" Usman questioned, his voice tinged with skepticism as he locked eyes with her.

Sa'ada met his gaze with exasperation, pressing her lips together. "What's wrong with you? Didn't you see me coming from the bathroom? I took a shower. Isn't that normal?" Her tone carried a tinge of wrath, an unwillingness to be unjustly accused.

"You return from work and take a shower just before prayer. How can I believe it wasn't Janaba?" Usman's doubts persisted, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and frustration.

Rolling her eyes, Sa'ada responded, her anger simmering. "I don't understand why you're acting this way. Do you doubt me? Do you think I'm cheating on you?" Her words carried the weight of her own disbelief and fury.

His answer came sharply, fueled by his mounting doubts. "Yes, I doubt you. I cannot believe that you were at the hospital. You need to tell me where you were," he demanded, his eyes piercing into her own.

A gasp escaped Sa'ada's lips, her voice trembling. "I am not that kind of woman, Usman. I would never betray our marriage by seeing another man. Just because we engaged in premarital relations does not make me cheap. You can go to the hospital and verify. There are security cameras that can vouch for my presence." She clutched her waist, her indignation evident.

In a moment of blind fury, Usman's hand lashed out, slapping Sa'ada across the face. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held her stinging cheek. "Did you just slap me, Usman?" Her voice quivered, a mixture of hurt and disbelief.

Without uttering a word, Usman abruptly left the house, his anger propelling him forward. He found himself driving aimlessly, lost in a sea of tumultuous emotions. Eventually, he arrived in front of Zainab's house, his car idling as he contemplated his next move. After a brief moment of hesitation, he sent a young boy to fetch