In the bustling kitchen, Ummu Salma, Fareeda’s biological mother, calls out to her after Maghrib prayers, urging her to prepare for a trip to Aunty Raheema’s house. Raheema, the wife of Ummu Asiya’s brother, is unwell, and with her children resuming school and Ramadan approaching, she needs Fareeda’s help. Ummu Asiya, known as Maman Fareeda, calmly prepares dinner, reinforcing the urgency of the task. Fareeda, though reluctant due to her uncle’s stern demeanor, complies, knowing her mothers’ deep bond and sense of duty.
Ummu Asiya, a tall, fair-skinned woman of royal Katsina lineage, is the third daughter of Sarki Abdul Kadeer, a just and compassionate king. Despite her childlessness with Fareeda’s father, she raised Fareeda with unwavering patience and love, taking on all household duties when Ummu Salma faced difficult pregnancies. Ummu Salma, from a wealthy Zamfara merchant family, is devout, ensuring the household recites the Qur’an daily, a practice Fareeda adopted. The two women, despite their different origins, share a harmonious bond, with Ummu Asiya’s humility complementing Ummu Salma’s strict piety.
Fareeda, aware of her true parentage only after a school holiday in Zamfara, cherishes both mothers. Ummu Asiya’s family, including her siblings—Hajiya Indo, Baba Salihu, and Uncle Jawad, a lawyer trained in Canada—form a close-knit unit. Jawad’s marriage to Raheema, a relative through their late mother, has produced two children, though Raheema’s health has declined since losing a third child before naming. Fareeda, packing for the trip, feels uneasy about Uncle Jawad’s strict nature but respects her mothers’ wishes. Maman Fareeda prepares Islamic medicines for Raheema, explaining their use, as her condition remains elusive since her loss. Fareeda prays for Raheema’s recovery, bracing for the challenges ahead in a household marked by grief and discipline.
