Makarantar Kwana Book Compeleted

Description

Makarantar Kwana — Book Completed by Farida Musa Sweery

Umaimah looked at Annah, shaking her head as she asked, "Do you really think this is possible, my daughter?"

Umaimah fell silent, her head bowed as tears welled up in her eyes.

Before Annah could say anything further, Mu'azzam Saraki quickly interjected: "Well, let's go ahead. Even if we bring him and take him in, when he grows up, you know he will naturally ask us where his real parents are, right? What shall we tell him at that time?"

With a voice trembling with tears, Umaimah looked up and pleaded, "Please forgive me, Nuree. If we take him, we will make him believe that we are his biological parents right up until adulthood. Please, Nuree, for God's sake, save my life and agree to this! Wallahi, I feel like I will die if my heart does not get what it desires."

Annah let out a heavy sigh and said, "Well, if we present him as our biological child, what about the people in the world outside who already know the truth?"

With the hurried, trembling voice of someone exhausted from crying, Umaimah replied, "No, Annah, they will not know—provided we follow the plan I am about to explain to you now."

Annah instructed, "Alright, tell us your plan so we can hear it."

"Annah, you will call our family back home in Katsina and inform them that the reason you spent as long as eight months away without visiting is because you fell ill, but that during that time, unknown to everyone, I was actually pregnant—a secret we decided to keep until delivery so that the news would come as a joyful surprise. When you arrived here, you discovered I had already given birth and that the baby was fully grown. You can then call them to share the good news and ask for their prayers and congratulations. Annah, if you tell them this, it will be sufficient, because I know they will all believe it."

Umaimah paused, knowing this was her final proposal and trusting they would agree. Seeing that both Mu'azzam Saraki and Annah remained silent without saying a word, a wave of despair hit her, making her fear they would refuse. Once again, she broke down into a fresh bout of crying, crawling over to them on the floor to clutch at their feet while shedding tears.

Neither of their hearts remained untouched by her deep anguish, seeing how desperately she longed to experience motherhood and raise a child. In his heart, Mu'azzam Saraki felt profound pity for his Umaimah, deciding that if it depended solely on him, he would agree to go to the orphanage and fetch a child. But he did not yet know what was in Annah's mind.

Reaching down, Annah took Umaimah's hands and pulled her close, resting Umaimah's head against her right side to comfort her. "Indeed, whoever helps another person, Allah will help them, just as you said, Umaimahtu. However, for my part, I entirely agree with this plan of yours, but you must seek the approval of your husband right here. If he agrees, then Alhamdulillah! Tomorrow being Sunday, in sha Allah, we will go to the orphanage and get the child."

Mu'azzam Saraki spoke up: "Annah, if you have already agreed, then on my part there is no hesitation whatsoever—I agree."

Annah smiled and said, "Alright then, Alhamdulillah, Masha Allah. May Allah assist us in nurturing him."

Together, all of them responded, "Ameen!"

The immense joy on Umaimah's face could simply not be contained that day. She felt as though she had just received the glad tidings of carrying a biological pregnancy she had prayed so hard for.

When night fell, they spent the evening with Umaimah showering Mu'azzam with intense affection and romance in their marital bed, making him feel deep within his blood and bones that he would never, for as long as he lived, take a second wife to distress his beloved Umaimah!

The Visit to the Orphanage

The following day, after completing all preparations around 4:00 PM, they stepped out into the compound ready to go. One of the veteran security guards—a stocky, dark-complexioned retired military sergeant around 58 years old—drove them out in the car.

Their vehicle came to a halt right in front of the grand entrance of the orphanage's main office. They were escorted inside and welcomed warmly into the director's office. Even now, the director could barely hide his astonishment and excitement at being visited personally by Alhaji Mu'azzam Saraki, especially outside of his usual routine donation visits.

Mu'azzam Saraki proceeded to explain the purpose of their visit. The director replied, "No problem at all, Alhaji. But we would like to know—roughly how old a child are you looking to adopt?"

Umaimah smiled and held up her baby finger to indicate an infant. The director smiled back, understanding her silent hint. Meanwhile, Annah sat quietly, absorbed in her silent remembrance of Allah (Lazim), completely unaware of their ongoing discussion.

Mu'azzam Saraki looked at the director and asked, "Do you have newborn babies?"

Quickly, the director answered, "Yes, Alhaji, we do! In fact, several were brought in just this week, even younger than the toddlers. We can go inside right now so you can take a look."

They were led directly into the nursery where the infants were kept. Amidst all the babies in the room, within barely five minutes, Umaimah's eyes were instantly drawn to a distance where a stunningly handsome baby was wrapped in a white shawl. He was being held by a nanny dressed entirely in white garments, wearing a white hijab and white reading glasses, who was feeding the baby his milk from a feeding bottle.

Umaimah hurried over to them and scooped the baby into her arms, whispering without realizing it: "Glory be to the Creator of this infant! He looks precisely like an Arab baby—his nose, his mouth, and his soft black hair neatly resting right where his cap sits. He has both eyes wide open, yet he is completely calm and quiet!"

When Annah walked over, she took the baby into her arms as well, gazing at him with nothing on her lips except, "Tabarakallah Masha Allah."

Alhaji Mu'azzam Saraki was similarly captivated; the infant instantly captured a deep place in his heart.

The director walked over and said, "Alhaji, is this baby to your liking?"

Quickly, Umaimah replied, "Yes, he is the one we want. Please give him to us."

The director turned to the nanny and said, "Nanny, your baby has found good fortune. Today marks only his fourth day since he was brought in."

Deep down in her heart, the nanny actually felt reluctant to part with the infant; she felt an inexplicable urge to cry, wondering why she had grown so much more attached to him than the other children. Perhaps it was because he was completely free of fuss compared to the rest? Nevertheless, she took comfort in the thought that if the man was a good person, he would adopt and care for him properly.

Compelling herself to smile, she said, "That is true. We pray to Allah to help you nurture him well."

The Mysterious Note and the Discovery of Mahabeer

They returned to the office and took their seats. Umaimah sat cradling her angelic baby like a precious jewel she never wanted to let go of.

Once they were seated, the director stated, "Now, Alhaji, there is a bit of background information you should know."

Mu'azzam Saraki asked, "What kind of information, Malam Mukhtar?"

Adjusting his seat, the director explained: "This little boy was brought to us four days ago by an elderly woman who arrived in a state of distress. She left him here, explaining everything in a white note attached to the baby's shawl, and promised to return to claim him once things calmed down. With that, she turned around and walked away, looking back at the infant with tears in her eyes.

After she left, I called in this nanny who cares for the infants and asked her to fetch the baby. As she did, a folded white paper fell out of the baby's shawl. When we opened the note, this is what was written inside:

'I am the maid of this infant's mother. His parents are honorable people who constantly help the servants of Allah. Suddenly, this child was born, and his birth pierced the heart of a certain woman in their family with jealousy—namely, the senior wife of the baby's father. Because the father possesses immense wealth, and she as the first wife has remained childless, she feared that the junior wife's child would inherit the entire wealth of the household.

Wallahi, she declared that she would not allow it! Tonight, she planned to have someone steal this infant and murder him.

As for me, Allah decreed that I should overhear her wicked plot just as I arrived to deliver the baby to her. Consequently, I turned around quickly, took the baby back to his mother, and advised her to hide him.

Knowing how ruthless her co-wife is, the baby's mother simply smiled without saying a word. Feeling uneasy because I knew my mistress would dismiss my warnings as mere gossip, yet desperately wanting this innocent child to live, I snuck back while his mother was bathing, took the boy, and brought him here for safe-keeping until things settle down, at which point I will return to collect him.

Here I leave him in your care. May Allah cause him to grow up—MAHABEER!!! I will return shortly, in sha Allah, to claim him back once peace is restored. Until then, farewell to you, precious boy and good brother...!'

Finishing the reading, the director added: "That is the brief history of this baby, MAHABEER, whom we found under those circumstances. Because of this note, we must inform you that if this woman ever returns to claim the child, we will bring her here to you so she can take her child back, just as we promised the person who brought him."

With that, the director stood up and brought out a large photo album containing the orphanage's historical records. Opening to a specific page, he said, "We also found these photographs tucked inside the baby's shawl."

He pointed to a picture: "By all indications, this must be the mother of baby Mahabeer, based on her facial resemblance and the birthmark on her hand."

He then showed them another photograph where baby Mahabeer was captured sleeping peacefully by himself.

A wave of panic gripped Umaimah's heart upon hearing the director's words that she might eventually have to part with her beloved Mahabeer if his family came looking for him. She felt that there was nothing in the entire world that could ever force her to give him up, as she was fully prepared to lay down her life as a ransom for the baby...

Summary and Description

Summary

Following Annah's wise counsel and support, Alhaji Mu'azzam Saraki and his wife Umaimah agree to adopt a child from an orphanage in Kaduna. To maintain peace and privacy within their extended family in Katsina, Umaimah devises an elaborate backstory claiming the child is her own biological baby born during Annah's extended visit.

Upon visiting the orphanage, Umaimah instantly forms an unbreakable emotional bond with a stunning, quiet infant named Mahabeer. The orphanage director reveals a dramatic backstory: Mahabeer was left by an anxious elderly maid fleeing a malicious plot by the infant's wealthy, childless senior step-grandmother/co-wife who intended to have the baby killed over inheritance fears. Although the orphanage warns that the family or maid might eventually return to claim the child, Umaimah is utterly smitten and vows to protect and keep Mahabeer at all costs.

Description

Makarantar Kwana (completed novel by Farida Musa Sweery) is a compelling contemporary Hausa family drama that explores the profound emotional depths of motherhood, the complexities of polygamous family rivalries, inheritance greed, adoption ethics, and the lengths to which a desperate mother will go to protect a child she has grown to love.

Analytics

• Thematic Focus:
  • Maternal Instinct vs. Biological Ties: Explores how emotional attachment and genuine care transcend biological parentage.
  • Family Intrigue and Greed: Introduces classic domestic drama elements—polygamous rivalry, jealousy over wealth, and threats against heirs.
• Character Arcs:
  • Umaimah: Transitions from deep despair and grief over infertility to fierce, protective, and obsessive maternal love upon meeting Mahabeer.
  • Annah: Acts as the strategic and moral mediator, validating the adoption plan while ensuring consensus with Mu'azzam.
  • Mu'azzam: Supportive, loving, and willing to bend social conventions to bring peace and happiness to his wife.
• Cultural and Social Nuances: Highlights traditional Northern Nigerian extended family communication channels (e.g., relaying news back to relatives in Katsina), orphanages (gidan marayu), and the emotional weight attached to child-rearing and family lineage.

Comments and Conclusions

Comments

• The introduction of baby Mahabeer's mysterious backstory adds an instant layer of suspense and high-stakes melodrama, shifting the novel from a quiet psychological drama into an engaging mystery-romance.
• Umaimah's elaborate plan to deceive her family back in Katsina creates ticking-clock tension, foreshadowing future conflicts when the biological family or the loyal maid eventually resurfaces.
• The emotional resonance of the adoption scene is handled with great sensitivity, capturing the immediate, overwhelming power of maternal love.

Conclusions

• Makarantar Kwana successfully weaves together themes of elite wealth, domestic malice, and tender family devotion.
• The chapter sets up a thrilling narrative trajectory where Umaimah's newfound happiness is precariously balanced against the looming threat of Mahabeer's true origins coming to light.

Keywords

• Makarantar Kwana
• Farida Musa Sweery
• Baby Mahabeer
• Alhaji Mu'azzam Saraki
• Hajiya Umaimah
• Annah (Hajara)
• Orphanage adoption
• Family intrigue and inheritance
• Hausa novel complete

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