In the hospital room where Aliyu was admitted, the injection given to him had calmed both his overwhelming desire and his body, allowing him to finally relax. Because of this, the doctor instructed everyone to leave the room so Aliyu could rest alone.
Outside the doctor’s office, Iman quickly stood up the moment she saw Aunty coming out.
“Aunty, what is wrong with him?” they all asked at once.
“Calm down,” Aunty replied. “Let me call home and inform them.”
She immediately dialed their father, Alhaji Bala. After exchanging greetings, she informed him that Aliyu was sick and currently at the hospital.
Less than thirty minutes later, Aliyu’s entire family had arrived.
Aliyu came from a wealthy and respected family. The number of people arriving at the hospital made it look almost like a wedding ceremony.
Soon after, Aliyu’s father met the doctor privately. The doctor explained Aliyu’s condition to him just as he had earlier explained to Aunty.
Then he added seriously:
“Alhaji, if you truly want your son to live a stable life, you must arrange for him to get married immediately. Otherwise, he might fall into serious trouble. Your son is a decent young man, but right now he desperately needs a woman in his life.”
Alhaji Bala shook the doctor’s hand firmly.
“Thank you, doctor. Insha Allah we will do as you advised.”
Immediately afterward, Alhaji Bala spoke with his elder brother Alhaji Mukhtar. Together they called Aunty and asked if Aliyu had any woman he loved.
Aunty sighed.
“Wallahi Baba, I have never seen any girl Aliyu likes. I’m always advising him to marry, but he keeps telling me he hasn’t found the right woman yet.”
Alhaji Mukhtar nodded thoughtfully.
“Then we will find one for him ourselves. We cannot sit and watch things get worse. Insha Allah, tomorrow Friday, Aliyu will get married.”
“With who?” Aunty asked in surprise.
“It doesn’t matter who,” he replied firmly.
“Tomorrow there will be a wedding.”
---
Friday
After the Jumu’ah prayer, the Imam began announcing several marriages that would take place.
Then came an announcement that shocked many people from the powerful family of Alhaji Sambo Mai Dala.
The Imam announced:
“The marriage between
ALIYU BALA MAI DALA
and
FATIMA MUKHTAR MAI DALA.”
Aliyu froze.
He knew the marriage mentioned was his own… but who exactly was Fatima?
The name sounded familiar, yet he couldn’t remember clearly.
His mind raced with confusion and anger.
“How could my father do this to me?” he thought bitterly.
“A marriage arranged like this? As if we are living in ancient times. Even villages no longer force marriages like this. I am not ready to get married!”
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even realize someone was calling him.
It was his close friend Salim, who tapped him on the shoulder.
Seeing that Aliyu looked troubled, Salim quietly pulled him outside the mosque.
In the room where Aliyu was lying, the injection that was given to him reduced his sexual urge and also made him sleepy, which gave him some relief. Because of that, the doctor ordered everyone to leave the room so he could rest alone.
---
Iman quickly stood up when she saw Aunty coming out of the doctor’s office.
“Aunty, what is wrong with him?” they all asked together.
“Don’t worry yourselves. Let me call home and inform them,” she said while dialing their father, Alhaji Bala.
After greeting him, she told him that Aliyu was not well and that they were at the hospital.
Within thirty minutes, Aliyu’s entire family had arrived at the hospital.
Aliyu truly came from a wealthy and influential family; you would think a wedding ceremony was taking place because of how many people came.
Aliyu’s father later met with the doctor, who explained the same thing he had earlier told Aunty.
The doctor added:
“If you want your son to live, you must arrange for him to get married quickly, otherwise he might fall into serious trouble. Your son is a good young man, but right now he is desperately in need of a woman.”
Alhaji Bala shook the doctor’s hand.
“Thank you, doctor. Insha Allah we will do as you advised.”
Immediately, Alhaji Bala met with his brother Alhaji Mukhtar, and they asked Aunty if there was any girl Aliyu liked.
Aunty replied:
“Wallahi Baba, I have never seen any girl that Aliyu likes. I’m always advising him to marry, but he keeps saying he hasn’t found the right woman yet.”
Alhaji Mukhtar said:
“Then we will choose a wife for him ourselves. We cannot keep watching him like this. Insha Allah tomorrow, Friday, Aliyu will get married.”
“With who?” Aunty asked.
“Whoever it is, tomorrow there must be a wedding,” he replied.
---
By evening Aliyu had recovered as if nothing had happened, so the doctor discharged him.
He tried to hide the real problem, but it was too late—the doctor had already told his family.
---
FRIDAY
After the Jumu’ah prayer, the Imam announced several weddings. Then he mentioned a wedding that shocked many people from the family of Alhaji Sambo Mai Dala, a very wealthy man.
Some people who already knew about the plan were happy.
The shocking announcement was:
The marriage of
ALIYU BALA MAI DALA
and
FATIMA MUKHTAR MAI DALA
Aliyu was stunned. He knew the wedding was about him, but who was Fatima? He had completely forgotten.
He was deeply shocked. The marriage came unexpectedly.
“How could my father do this to me?” he thought.
“Marriage like this as if we live in a village? Even in villages they don’t do this anymore. I’m not ready for marriage!”
All these thoughts were running through Aliyu’s mind.
His friend Salim tapped him because he had drifted too deep into his thoughts.
Seeing that Aliyu was not calm, Salim pulled him outside the mosque.
They left in Salim’s car while Aliyu’s security drove his own car home.
Aliyu couldn’t even speak; he was still in shock.
---
AT HOME
Only Aunty knew what was really happening.
Abba called Aunty and asked everyone to come to his house immediately.
When they arrived, there was already a meeting between Abba, Baba, Ummah, Momy, and Mama.
Aliyu was called many times but he didn’t pick his phone. So they called Salim and asked him to bring Aliyu within ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Iman felt very uneasy and scared.
Soon Aliyu and Salim arrived.
Aliyu’s face was full of anger, his eyes reddish. After greeting the elders, they all sat down.
Abba cleared his throat and began:
“Aliyu, you already know what is happening, but let us explain it.”
Then he turned to Iman.
“As your parents and elders, we believe we have the right to decide what is best. Because of your cousin’s health condition, we have decided to marry you to him. From now on, you are Aliyu’s wife.”
Both Aliyu and Iman were shocked.
Iman felt the world spinning around her, while Aliyu quickly stood up in disbelief. He had never imagined marrying such a young girl.
Suddenly, Iman fainted.
Everyone rushed to her side. Aunty tried calling her name but she didn’t respond.
Aliyu brought water and sprinkled it on her face.
She finally woke up and burst into tears.
“Aunty please tell me this is just a dream! I don’t want him. I already love someone else. Uncle is my elder brother; he can never be my husband!”
Everyone felt pity for her, but the marriage had already been arranged to save Aliyu’s life.
Aliyu was also angry. He couldn’t imagine marrying such a young girl.
Without anyone noticing, he left the room.
---
Outside, Salim followed him.
Salim laughed and said:
“Aliyu, you are lucky! Your family has honored you with such a marriage.”
Aliyu glared at him.
“They have embarrassed me. Out of all women they chose this little girl. They even said she would help cure my problem!”
Salim laughed again and teased him.
“Maybe she actually will.”
Aliyu replied:
“Never! I can never live as husband and wife with that small girl.”
---
Later they arrived at Aliyu’s luxurious mansion.
It was a beautiful house like something you’d see in Europe.
Aliyu went straight to his bedroom without talking to Salim.
Salim shouted jokingly from the living room:
“Groom! Prepare yourself. Soon we’ll bring Iman here!”
Aliyu angrily closed the door.
After taking a shower, he lay down and eventually fell asleep.
---
BACK AT THE FAMILY HOUSE
Iman had calmed down a little because Ummah and Momy reassured her that she would not be forced.
Later that night, Aliyu returned home.
He thought Iman was still at Aunty’s house.
But in the dark living room, Iman came downstairs looking for food because she was hungry.
She was wearing soft night clothes.
As she stepped on the staircase, her foot slipped and she almost fell.
Suddenly, Aliyu caught her in his arms.
For a moment, he felt a strange sensation in his body.
Immediately he pushed her away.
“Don’t you look where you’re going?” he shouted.
“Uncle, I’m sorry. I’m hungry.”
“Because you’re hungry you want to fall on me? And don’t think because they say you’re my wife you can disrespect me!”
Then he ordered her to go back to her room.
---
THE NEXT DAY
Aliyu received an urgent call from work.
He had to report to Abuja the next day at 8 a.m. for an operation against kidnappers.
He decided to go, hoping he would find a solution about the marriage before returning.
Before leaving, he called Iman.
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Seventeen,” she replied.
“Do you want marriage?”
“No, Uncle!”
Aliyu smiled.
“You’re still a child. You haven’t even finished secondary school. For now, think of yourself as my younger sister. I will find a solution when I return.”
He warned her to stay away from boys.
Then he left for work.
---
Weeks passed.
Aliyu was busy fighting kidnappers in dangerous forests.
Meanwhile, Iman focused on her studies and almost forgot about the marriage.
But secretly, the family began preparing her—beauty treatments, perfumes, and body care—so that when Aliyu returned, she would look stunning.
After weeks of treatment, Iman became incredibly beautiful. Her skin glowed, her hair shined, and everywhere she went she left a sweet fragrance.
Everyone knew that when Aliyu returned, things would change.
MY UNCLE
Chapter One
In the hospital room where Aliyu was admitted, the injection given to him had calmed both his overwhelming desire and his body, allowing him to finally relax. Because of this, the doctor instructed everyone to leave the room so Aliyu could rest alone.
Outside the doctor’s office, Iman quickly stood up the moment she saw Aunty coming out.
“Aunty, what is wrong with him?” they all asked at once.
“Calm down,” Aunty replied. “Let me call home and inform them.”
She immediately dialed their father, Alhaji Bala. After exchanging greetings, she informed him that Aliyu was sick and currently at the hospital.
Less than thirty minutes later, Aliyu’s entire family had arrived.
Aliyu came from a wealthy and respected family. The number of people arriving at the hospital made it look almost like a wedding ceremony.
Soon after, Aliyu’s father met the doctor privately. The doctor explained Aliyu’s condition to him just as he had earlier explained to Aunty.
Then he added seriously:
“Alhaji, if you truly want your son to live a stable life, you must arrange for him to get married immediately. Otherwise, he might fall into serious trouble. Your son is a decent young man, but right now he desperately needs a woman in his life.”
Alhaji Bala shook the doctor’s hand firmly.
“Thank you, doctor. Insha Allah we will do as you advised.”
Immediately afterward, Alhaji Bala spoke with his elder brother Alhaji Mukhtar. Together they called Aunty and asked if Aliyu had any woman he loved.
Aunty sighed.
“Wallahi Baba, I have never seen any girl Aliyu likes. I’m always advising him to marry, but he keeps telling me he hasn’t found the right woman yet.”
Alhaji Mukhtar nodded thoughtfully.
“Then we will find one for him ourselves. We cannot sit and watch things get worse. Insha Allah, tomorrow Friday, Aliyu will get married.”
“With who?” Aunty asked in surprise.
“It doesn’t matter who,” he replied firmly.
“Tomorrow there will be a wedding.”
---
Friday
After the Jumu’ah prayer, the Imam began announcing several marriages that would take place.
Then came an announcement that shocked many people from the powerful family of Alhaji Sambo Mai Dala.
The Imam announced:
“The marriage between
ALIYU BALA MAI DALA
and
FATIMA MUKHTAR MAI DALA.”
Aliyu froze.
He knew the marriage mentioned was his own… but who exactly was Fatima?
The name sounded familiar, yet he couldn’t remember clearly.
His mind raced with confusion and anger.
“How could my father do this to me?” he thought bitterly.
“A marriage arranged like this? As if we are living in ancient times. Even villages no longer force marriages like this. I am not ready to get married!”
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even realize someone was calling him.
It was his close friend Salim, who tapped him on the shoulder.
Seeing that Aliyu looked troubled, Salim quietly pulled him outside the mosque.
In the room where Aliyu was lying, the injection that was given to him reduced his sexual urge and also made him sleepy, which gave him some relief. Because of that, the doctor ordered everyone to leave the room so he could rest alone.
---
Iman quickly stood up when she saw Aunty coming out of the doctor’s office.
“Aunty, what is wrong with him?” they all asked together.
“Don’t worry yourselves. Let me call home and inform them,” she said while dialing their father, Alhaji Bala.
After greeting him, she told him that Aliyu was not well and that they were at the hospital.
Within thirty minutes, Aliyu’s entire family had arrived at the hospital.
Aliyu truly came from a wealthy and influential family; you would think a wedding ceremony was taking place because of how many people came.
Aliyu’s father later met with the doctor, who explained the same thing he had earlier told Aunty.
The doctor added:
“If you want your son to live, you must arrange for him to get married quickly, otherwise he might fall into serious trouble. Your son is a good young man, but right now he is desperately in need of a woman.”
Alhaji Bala shook the doctor’s hand.
“Thank you, doctor. Insha Allah we will do as you advised.”
Immediately, Alhaji Bala met with his brother Alhaji Mukhtar, and they asked Aunty if there was any girl Aliyu liked.
Aunty replied:
“Wallahi Baba, I have never seen any girl that Aliyu likes. I’m always advising him to marry, but he keeps saying he hasn’t found the right woman yet.”
Alhaji Mukhtar said:
“Then we will choose a wife for him ourselves. We cannot keep watching him like this. Insha Allah tomorrow, Friday, Aliyu will get married.”
“With who?” Aunty asked.
“Whoever it is, tomorrow there must be a wedding,” he replied.
---
By evening Aliyu had recovered as if nothing had happened, so the doctor discharged him.
He tried to hide the real problem, but it was too late—the doctor had already told his family.
---
FRIDAY
After the Jumu’ah prayer, the Imam announced several weddings. Then he mentioned a wedding that shocked many people from the family of Alhaji Sambo Mai Dala, a very wealthy man.
Some people who already knew about the plan were happy.
The shocking announcement was:
The marriage of
ALIYU BALA MAI DALA
and
FATIMA MUKHTAR MAI DALA
Aliyu was stunned. He knew the wedding was about him, but who was Fatima? He had completely forgotten.
He was deeply shocked. The marriage came unexpectedly.
“How could my father do this to me?” he thought.
“Marriage like this as if we live in a village? Even in villages they don’t do this anymore. I’m not ready for marriage!”
All these thoughts were running through Aliyu’s mind.
His friend Salim tapped him because he had drifted too deep into his thoughts.
Seeing that Aliyu was not calm, Salim pulled him outside the mosque.
They left in Salim’s car while Aliyu’s security drove his own car home.
Aliyu couldn’t even speak; he was still in shock.
---
AT HOME
Only Aunty knew what was really happening.
Abba called Aunty and asked everyone to come to his house immediately.
When they arrived, there was already a meeting between Abba, Baba, Ummah, Momy, and Mama.
Aliyu was called many times but he didn’t pick his phone. So they called Salim and asked him to bring Aliyu within ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Iman felt very uneasy and scared.
Soon Aliyu and Salim arrived.
Aliyu’s face was full of anger, his eyes reddish. After greeting the elders, they all sat down.
Abba cleared his throat and began:
“Aliyu, you already know what is happening, but let us explain it.”
Then he turned to Iman.
“As your parents and elders, we believe we have the right to decide what is best. Because of your cousin’s health condition, we have decided to marry you to him. From now on, you are Aliyu’s wife.”
Both Aliyu and Iman were shocked.
Iman felt the world spinning around her, while Aliyu quickly stood up in disbelief. He had never imagined marrying such a young girl.
Suddenly, Iman fainted.
Everyone rushed to her side. Aunty tried calling her name but she didn’t respond.
Aliyu brought water and sprinkled it on her face.
She finally woke up and burst into tears.
“Aunty please tell me this is just a dream! I don’t want him. I already love someone else. Uncle is my elder brother; he can never be my husband!”
Everyone felt pity for her, but the marriage had already been arranged to save Aliyu’s life.
Aliyu was also angry. He couldn’t imagine marrying such a young girl.
Without anyone noticing, he left the room.
---
Outside, Salim followed him.
Salim laughed and said:
“Aliyu, you are lucky! Your family has honored you with such a marriage.”
Aliyu glared at him.
“They have embarrassed me. Out of all women they chose this little girl. They even said she would help cure my problem!”
Salim laughed again and teased him.
“Maybe she actually will.”
Aliyu replied:
“Never! I can never live as husband and wife with that small girl.”
---
Later they arrived at Aliyu’s luxurious mansion.
It was a beautiful house like something you’d see in Europe.
Aliyu went straight to his bedroom without talking to Salim.
Salim shouted jokingly from the living room:
“Groom! Prepare yourself. Soon we’ll bring Iman here!”
Aliyu angrily closed the door.
After taking a shower, he lay down and eventually fell asleep.
---
BACK AT THE FAMILY HOUSE
Iman had calmed down a little because Ummah and Momy reassured her that she would not be forced.
Later that night, Aliyu returned home.
He thought Iman was still at Aunty’s house.
But in the dark living room, Iman came downstairs looking for food because she was hungry.
She was wearing soft night clothes.
As she stepped on the staircase, her foot slipped and she almost fell.
Suddenly, Aliyu caught her in his arms.
For a moment, he felt a strange sensation in his body.
Immediately he pushed her away.
“Don’t you look where you’re going?” he shouted.
“Uncle, I’m sorry. I’m hungry.”
“Because you’re hungry you want to fall on me? And don’t think because they say you’re my wife you can disrespect me!”
Then he ordered her to go back to her room.
---
THE NEXT DAY
Aliyu received an urgent call from work.
He had to report to Abuja the next day at 8 a.m. for an operation against kidnappers.
He decided to go, hoping he would find a solution about the marriage before returning.
Before leaving, he called Iman.
“How old are you?” he asked.
“Seventeen,” she replied.
“Do you want marriage?”
“No, Uncle!”
Aliyu smiled.
“You’re still a child. You haven’t even finished secondary school. For now, think of yourself as my younger sister. I will find a solution when I return.”
He warned her to stay away from boys.
Then he left for work.
---
Weeks passed.
Aliyu was busy fighting kidnappers in dangerous forests.
Meanwhile, Iman focused on her studies and almost forgot about the marriage.
But secretly, the family began preparing her—beauty treatments, perfumes, and body care—so that when Aliyu returned, she would look stunning.
After weeks of treatment, Iman became incredibly beautiful. Her skin glowed, her hair shined, and everywhere she went she left a sweet fragrance.
Everyone knew that when Aliyu returned, things would change.
And that was when the real story would begin.