AISHA SIDDIQA 2 BY TAKORI

Long ago, a thorough investigation by Mallam Yunus and his son Mallam Barau finally revealed everything they wanted to know about Engineer AbdulRasheed Idrees Akanni, otherwise known as Polo Legend, “The Latest Yoruba Demon.” Mallam Yunus’s coworker, Abdulganiy—a Yoruba Muslim from Gombe who was close to the Akanni family—confirmed that AbdulRasheed is indeed the eldest grandson of Sarki AbdulRasheed Abdullateef, the current Emir of Ilorin, as well as the grandson of the former Emir of Gombe, Sarki Ahmadu Jalloh Umar. Additionally, it was confirmed that Prince AbdulRasheed has no apparent flaw preventing him from marriage, though his polo fame and wealth have occupied his time and passion, possibly delaying his marriage plans.
Abdulganiy explained that “Polo Celebrities” like him find it hard to marry on time due to constant travel and commitment to tournaments worldwide, especially in Argentina, a significant hub for the sport. It’s unclear why he hasn't married at 42, but it should not be a reason to deny him marriage, especially considering that even those in arranged marriages aren’t always virtuous or dependable. Furthermore, his family is respected for their uprightness and scholarly heritage.
Concerned, Aisha's father approached Ishaq's parents for the third time, urging them to let Ishaq marry Aisha immediately. This was due to the revelation that Nenne Sappa, previously thought to be an ordinary wealthy woman, was actually the daughter of the Emir of Gombe, the wife of a prince from Ilorin, and a woman of remarkable lineage.
Recalling the long-standing bond between Ishaq and Aisha since adolescence, Aisha's father felt Ishaq was the most fitting suitor for her, believing that only someone of similar age and understanding of her background could provide a stable, compatible marriage. 
Just when things were on the verge of becoming overwhelming and potentially leading to a headache for her, Nenne entered with their father, Taiwo’s father, known as Dade Engineer, following closely behind her.
Siddiqa noticed the two visitors were calm and composed, prompting her to attempt to calm herself as well, despite the fright still apparent in her eyes. With a warm smile, Nenne addressed Siddiqa affectionately, “Aisha, Nenne of Lagos, how is your guest? Your father has come to see you.”
Tears of renewed anxiety welled up in Siddiqa’s eyes when she realized that even Hajiya Sappah’s husband was Yoruba. Was Nenne the only non-Yoruba in this household? Would she be staying with the Yoruba for days on end? She bit her lip like a young child, watching them silently, unable to say a word. But she felt it was appropriate to greet Dade, even if he didn’t understand her language. She knelt and greeted him in Fulfulde, showing great respect yet uncertain if he would understand, just as she didn’t understand his language but hoped to learn it.
Engineer Akanni chuckled slightly, understanding her hesitance and that she was uncomfortable opening up to them, almost as if she wished she could run back to Gombe. They all laughed at her formal bow before Dade, and their laughter only embarrassed her further, as she couldn’t see what was amusing about her greeting. To Siddiqa’s surprise, Engineer Idris Akanni said, “Calm down, Aishah, feel at home. I’ll ensure they don’t speak a language you can’t understand while you’re here. How was your trip to Lagos, and how did you leave everyone back in Gombe?” He concluded in Hausa.
Siddiqa let out a heavy sigh of relief. At least the father and mother here could speak Hausa. They would prevent the Oduduwa language from being spoken around her.
She stepped down from the side of the bed and greeted Dade in a low, polite voice using traditional Gombe greetings. Nenne interjected, adjusting her greeting with, “How are you?” as greetings were done differently in the Ilorin household. In her mind, Nenne thought about giving Siddiqa special coaching on the family customs.
Dade Engineer observed everything about Aisha subtly, recalling how Nenne Sappa had also been shy and hesitant when first introduced as his wife to his Yoruba family, at about Aisha’s age, only radiant with the beauty Yoruba men admired so much in Fulani women (notably, fair and beautiful).
Dade asked her about school and her grade level. Calmly and respectfully, Siddiqa told him she was entering her final grade (Grade Six) after the break. Dade didn’t stay long; he excused himself, saying he would be back late and that they shouldn’t wait for him for dinner. Waziri Idris left very satisfied with Nenne Sappa’s choice for Prince Abdulrasheed. He could say it was similar to his own arranged marriage by his father, Sarki Abdulrasheed. The only difference was that Siddiqa wasn’t from a royal background. However, he was one hundred percent content with his wife’s choice of “Aishah-Siddiqa Yunus” as a wife for the star of the Akanni family, their only son, Prince Abdulrasheed (Kehinde).
Firdausi called Femi, the head cook, to the kitchen, asking her to prepare food quickly because Nenne’s guest from Gombe hadn’t eaten since her arrival. Nenne accompanied Dade to his car as he left and then returned to find Firdausi had arranged lunch for them in the dining area. Firdausi took Siddiqa to the dining room after she had freshened up, lending her a long gown from her niece Kiki, as it was new and her size, while her clothes were being washed.
Firdausi perceived Siddiqa’s clothes as dirty. So, she gathered them all, including her prayer clothes, and instructed Femi to wash them in the back quarters, remarking in Fulfulde that “all your clothes need freshening up.” This didn’t sit well with Aisha-Siddiqa, as her Eid clothes were included, as well as several well-kept, high-quality African wax prints her mother had bought. However, Firdausi’s use of Fulfulde instead of Yoruba made her feel better, and she didn’t object since Dade had instructed them not to speak Yoruba around her. Seeing as Hausa was rarely spoken in the household, they opted for English or Fulfulde, as Hausa wasn’t a common language for them.
At the dining area, Nenne indicated the seat beside her, and Siddiqa sat down obediently. The kitchen staff, all Yoruba from Lagos, bustled about, placing dishes before them, their movements accompanied by an unmistakable body odor she had always heard characterized Yoruba people. She could hardly move or eat, with thoughts of the odor permeating her mind.
Siddiqa barely managed three bites, telling herself she couldn’t eat food cooked by “these Lagos Yoruba” unless it was made by Nenne herself. She remembered that Yorubas ate odd things like shrimps and lobsters. Just as she was thinking this, she saw Fatima, sitting across from her, pick up a large shrimp with her fork and put it in her mouth. As she attempted to take a sip of water to satisfy her hunger, the sight brought nausea, causing her to choke. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filling with tears.
Among them, only Nenne noticed she wasn’t eating and sensed her unease. The meal was the family’s favorite (black amala, well-prepared pounded yam, and ugu vegetable soup garnished with shrimp and turkey meat), but it wasn’t to Siddiqa’s liking. She couldn’t take more than three bites, and the thought of the food itself didn’t appeal to her at all.
Upon finishing, she excused herself and rushed to her room, heading straight to the bathroom to spit out what she had managed to eat. When she returned, she found that all her clothes had been washed and brought back, as well as some others that weren’t hers. Unknown to her, she was staying in Kiki’s room next to Fatima’s.
Nenne, ever calm and perceptive, followed Siddiqa into her room with fresh milk and a warm shawarma. She had noticed her difficulty in adjusting to the Yoruba household and customs, sensing Siddiqa’s ethnocentrism, a struggle she herself had faced when she first entered the royal family of the Emir of Ilorin.
Unlike Siddiqa, she had willingly embraced Yoruba cuisine, learning to eat it out of love for her husband, Engineer Idris Akanni, who had won her heart with his kindness and devotion.
With a knowing smile, Nenne envisioned the day Siddiqa would join Prince Abdulrasheed’s household as his wife. How would she feel upon learning that her life partner was Yoruba? She chuckled softly at the thought, imagining Siddiqa eventually realizing that Yoruba men were known for their dedication to their wives.
After eating, Siddiqa bundled herself under the blanket, shivering slightly from the air conditioner. Nenne, recalling that Siddiqa had mild asthma, rushed to turn off the AC, saying, “Who turned on the AC for you, Indo?” She placed a hand on Siddiqa’s forehead, feeling its warmth.
“Aisha, are you okay? Why haven’t you eaten? Since we arrived, I’ve only seen you drink water. Do you want me to take you home with an ulcer when I came to seek healing for you?”
Since Siddiqa was outspoken and found it hard to keep things to herself, she trusted that her honest response would bring understanding from her mother. So, from the bottom of her heart, she confessed, “Mom, I can’t eat Yoruba food. I tried my best, but I just can’t.”
Fatima, who had approached the room in search of Nenne, heard this statement, finding it surprising. She paused, curious to understand what Aisha meant, as the words baffled her; she had never heard anything so surprising.