Maimurna (The Happy One)

Maimurna, a resilient young woman from a family haunted by the loss of three children before the age of five due to the reality of sickle cell anaemia in their family, had defied all odds to survive. Together with her older brother Ibrahim, they had overcome countless health crises, emerging victorious against the relentless grip of sickle cell anaemia. They attended school, nurtured their dreams, and embarked on a journey that would lead them to an entirely new life, she away from Kano, and away from the familiar. The gates of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria welcomed Maimurna, while Ibrahim went on to study at the Bayero University Kano..

It was during her time at ABU that Maimurna's path crossed with that of Mustapha, a charismatic young man from Nasarawa State. Mustapha, lovingly referred to as Musty, possessed a kind heart and a magnetic personality. As fate would have it, their hearts collided and an unbreakable bond was forged. The flames of friendship flickered and danced in perfect harmony, until they bloomed into something deeper—love. The two became fond of each other and found study partners, as well as trusted companions as far as life on the campus was concerned, wherever you find Maimurna, Mustapha is nearby, only when they have to attend group assignments, where they are in different groups, or when they are leaving for their respective hostels that the two were separated for few hours as they usually resume academic activities together the next day.

In the midst of their second year at ABU, Mustapha's Aunt Zuwaira embarked on a journey to visit her nephew. Zuwaira, a woman who had herself endured the pain of losing a child, Abdullahi, to sickle cell anaemia, was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions upon learning of Mustapha's plans for the future. With genuine concern, she probed Mustapha about his intentions regarding marriage, given that he was already twenty-four years old.

Mustapha, compelled by an unyielding desire to be transparent with his beloved aunt, mustered the courage to reveal his heart's desires. He shared with her the story of Maimurna, a woman who had captured his affections. Zuwaira, initially filled with joy at witnessing Mustapha's excitement, had her world turned upside down the moment he mentioned Maimurna's medical condition. The revelation that Maimurna carries the SS genotype, which was synonymous with sickle cell anaemia, struck Zuwaira with a thunderous force.

Disbelief etched across her face, Zuwaira exclaimed, "Are you out of your mind?" She considered Mustapha's resolution to marry Maimurna an act of sheer madness and selfishness. Little did Mustapha know that his beloved aunt shared the same SS genotype, and that sickle cell anaemia had cast its dark shadow over their family as well.

Despite his aunt's vehement opposition, Mustapha stood firm in his love for Maimurna. His aunt insisted that life encompassed more than the fleeting emotions young people often referred to as love. Determined to prove his unwavering devotion, Mustapha reassured Maimurna that his love was genuine, and that nothing and no one would come between them. He described his aunt's emotional nature and apologized for her outburst, claiming that she had overreacted perhaps because of her experience with the condition of being SS.

Maimurna, torn between her desire to believe Mustapha's words and the sadness that gnawed at her heart, yearned to know the truth. In their next encounter, she summoned the courage to ask Mustapha about Aunt Zuwaira's reaction. At first, he hesitated, enveloped in a shroud of silence. But Maimurna, desperate to understand the depth of their situation, pleaded with him in the name of God not to hide anything.

Finally, Mustapha broke his silence, he assured Maimurna that his love was pure and unwavering. He recounted the emotional nature of Aunt Zuwaira and admitted that her earlier hug had been an overreaction, an attempt to compensate for her earlier outburst. Although Maimurna longed to express her sadness, she chose to believe Mustapha's words and urged him to keep his promise of marriage.

Time carried them forward, and as the holiday season approached, both Maimurna and Mustapha embarked on their respective journeys. Unbeknownst to Maimurna, Mustapha found himself ensnared in an unwanted marriage. He made the painful decision to keep this secret from his beloved, consumed by the weight of circumstances beyond his control.

Maimurna's world came crashing down when she stumbled upon the truth on resumption at ABU through her roommate, who had heard whispers circulating through the campus about Mustapha's marriage. Confronting Mustapha, her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and anger, she demanded an explanation. Mustapha, compelled to reveal the truth, confessed that he had been coerced into the marriage against his will.

The heartbreak that ensued was immeasurable. Maimurna, burdened by the weight of shattered dreams, was forced to sever ties with Mustapha and redirect her focus toward her studies. The once-envied friendship that had blossomed on campus transformed into a bitter memory. Their paths diverged, and they could no longer bear to look each other in the eye.

But even as the chasm between them widened, Mustapha remained steadfast in his determination to make Maimurna his second wife. He refused to let societal expectations and the possibility of the absence of biological children due to the fear of giving birth to a sickle cell child dim the flame of their love.

In their next meeting, Mustapha apologized and she said “babu komai” (no big deal). He asked if there was anything else she would want to say or ask. She asked what's her name and he said ‘Aisha’ is her name. Maimurna blushed, Mustapha asked her why the blushing, she responded, that’s my mother’s name and added, “Allah ya bada zaman lafiya” (I wish you Allah’s peace). She went on to say, you’re now a married man, I don’t want to look foolish before anyone or make you look irresponsible on this campus. So this is likely to be our last meeting. Mustapha wanted to drag on that decision, but she said they can’t argue about her decision or anything else as their paths has separated. 

Graduation day came, Maimurna graduated and went ahead to acquire more education eventually married a man who lost his wife and they lived happily ever after. She never had her own children, but she raised three kids of her husband and other children who come to live with them. She started a foundation that helped children with sickle cell anaemia, offering counseling to intending couple, carriers, and offer treatment and care for sufferers of sickle cell anaemia.