31~Why do you hate me?
Moments after everyone settled into their seats, the trial officially began.
Under the escort of several armed police officers, Hajiya and Musa were led into the courtroom.
The instant Hajiya walked past her, Hanan felt her blood boil.
Rage surged through every vein in her body.
Every painful memory she had buried over the past three years came crashing back at once. She wanted nothing more than to rise from her seat, grab the woman by the neck and demand answers herself.
Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress as she struggled to contain the anger threatening to consume her.
A gentle hand rested on hers.
She turned to see Grandma looking at her with a reassuring smile.
"Everything will be fine, my dear."
"In Sha Allah." Hanan replied, swallowing a lump in her throat while forcing a nervous smile.
"Hajiya must answer for everything she has done." Nanny Ann muttered. "She shouldn't even be granted an appeal."
"She will pay." Hanan whispered, never taking her eyes off Hajiya.
The court is now in session.
"Court rise!" the Court Registrar announced.
Everyone immediately stood as Honourable Justice Mary Okafor entered the courtroom and took her seat.
"You may all sit."
The courtroom settled.
The Judge adjusted the case file before her.
"Registrar, kindly read the charges."
The Registrar rose.
"Charge Number CR/247/24."
"The Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba and Musa Lawal."
He cleared his throat before continuing.
"That you, Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba and Musa Lawal, did conspire to unlawfully cause the death of Miss Habiba Aliyu by arranging an attempted murder, an offence punishable under the Criminal Code."
"That you, Hajiya Aminu Garba, with the assistance of Musa Lawal, did intentionally cause the death of Miss Zaitun Mansur, thereby committing the offence of murder."
The Registrar lowered the charge sheet.
"My Lord, the charges have been read."
Justice Mary nodded.
"The first defendant, Musa Lawal."
Musa stepped forward slightly.
"How do you plead?"
"Guilty, My Lord."
"I regret everything I did."
"The plea is recorded."
The Judge shifted her attention.
"Second defendant, Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba."
Silence.
Hajiya neither lifted her head nor uttered a single word.
Nearly a minute passed.
The atmosphere inside the courtroom became suffocating.
Even the reporters stopped writing.
Judge Mary Okafor repeated herself.
"Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba, how do you plead?"
Slowly...
Hajiya lifted her head.
Her eyes locked onto Hanan.
A smile spread across her face.
Not a smile of remorse.
But one filled with satisfaction.
"Guilty, Your Honour."
She chuckled softly.
"I burned Zaitun alive."
"And yes..."
She pointed directly at Hanan.
"I also tried to kill that woman."
Gasps spread across the courtroom.
Before anyone could react...
Hanan sprang to her feet.
"Why?!"
Her voice echoed across the courtroom.
"Why, you devil?!"
Tears streamed freely down her face.
"What did I ever do to you?"
"What crime did my innocent child commit against you?"
"Why did you kill my baby?"
"What have I ever done to deserve this?"
"Tell me!"
Her cries shook the courtroom.
"Order!"
The judge struck her gavel.
BANG! BANG!
"Order in the court!"
"Hanan..."
Nanny Ann gently pulled her back into her seat.
"It's okay."
"She will answer for everything."
Grandma rubbed soothing circles on her back.
"My dear Habiba."
"If you cry like this... You'll only make me cry too."
Hanan buried her face in her hands.
Her shoulders trembled.
Hajiya laughed.
"I had no business with your child."
She shrugged carelessly.
"Blame Zaitun for that."
"My problem was never the baby you were carrying."
"My problem..."
She smiled directly at Hanan.
"Was you."
"You were the one I wanted dead."
"And I don't regret a single thing."
"In fact... I'm happy to see you're still suffering."
An uncomfortable silence settled across the courtroom.
Several reporters exchanged stunned glances.
Others hurriedly scribbled down every word.
Never before have they witnessed someone confess so proudly to crimes of such magnitude.
Justice Mary Okafor looked at her steadily.
"Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba."
"You have pleaded guilty before this Honourable Court."
"Do you understand the consequences of your plea?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Has anyone threatened, forced or promised you anything in exchange for pleading guilty?"
"No, My Lord."
"Are you making this plea voluntarily?"
"Yes, My Lord."
The Judge nodded.
"The plea is duly recorded."
She turned towards Musa.
"Musa Lawal."
"You have also pleaded guilty."
"Yes, My Lord."
Justice Mary spent a few moments reviewing the documents before her.
The courtroom became so quiet that only the turning of papers could be heard.
Then...
"My Lord!" Barrister Auwal got on his feet.
"My Lord, both defendants have pleaded guilty, and the evidence before this Honourable Court supports the charges against them. We respectfully ask the Court to convict them according to the law."
Justice Mary looked up and nodded briefly.
"In view of the guilty pleas entered by both defendants, the confessional statements before this Honourable Court, and the evidence presented by the prosecution..."
"I hereby find both defendants guilty as charged."
She lifted her gavel.
"Hajiya Khadija Aminu Garba and Musa Lawal are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment."
BANG! BANG!
"This Court is adjourned."
For a few seconds...
Hanan couldn't move.
She simply stared ahead.
It was over.
The woman who had shattered her life...
The woman responsible for her pain...
Had finally been held accountable.
Warm arms suddenly wrapped around her.
Grandma pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It's over now, my child."
"You finally got your justice."
At these words... The tears Hanan had been holding back poured freely once again.
"God never abandons justice." Nanny Ann smiled.
The previous night, Hanan didn't slept a wink. She had been awake for hours, her thoughts consumed by everything that had happened especially her encounter with Amina at Najib's office.
How am I supposed to deal with another enemy after Hajiya?
She could only pray that Allah would soften Amina's heart and set things right between them.
"Congratulations."
Barrister Auwal approached them with a smile and extended his hand to Najib.
"Thank you, Barrister Auwal." Najib smiled, shaking his hand.
"I was only doing my job." He replied before turning to Hanan.
"I was asked to give you this."
He handed her a sealed envelope.
"What is it?" Hanan asked, accepting it. Everyone around her looked at it curiously.
"It is from Miss Amina, Hajiya's daughter. She asked me to give it to you after the case ended. I suppose she couldn't bring herself to meet you in person."
"Amina?" Grandma murmured sadly. "She didn't come? My poor granddaughter... She must be devastated."
Barrister Auwal nodded.
"She looked heartbroken yesterday when she entrusted me with the letter. In fact, it was largely because of her that this case ended so quickly."
Najib frowned.
"You mean... my sister helped?"
"How?" Hanan asked, equally surprised.
"During Hajiya's interrogation yesterday, she refused to cooperate. She denied every allegation and insisted Musa acted alone. She would only speak through her lawyers."
He paused.
"Then Miss Amina arrived. She requested to speak to her mother privately. I don't know what happened between them, but when she came out... Hajiya willingly confessed. Before leaving, Miss Amina handed me this letter and requested that I give it to you after the judgment."
Silence settled between them.
"That is all. I'll take my leave now."
"Thank you once again, Barrister." Najib smiled.
"My pleasure."
After he left, Abdul hugged Hanan.
"Congratulations Sis. Justice finally belongs to you."
"Thank you, Abdul." She smiled returning the hug warmly.
"I honestly don't know how I would've survived these past three years without you. You've stood beside me through everything. You've been more than a friend and a brother... you've been my guardian angel."
Abdul chuckled. "I'm just glad it's finally over."
He glanced at his wristwatch.
"I should head to work."
Grandma gently held Hanan's hands.
"Will you come home with me today?"
Hanan hesitated, instinctively glancing at Najib before looking back at Grandma.
"Not today, Grandma. But I promise I'll visit you very soon."
"You better keep that promise."
"I will."
Just as she turned to leave, she stopped.
"Before we go... I want to speak to Hajiya."
"What for?" Abdul frowned.
"There's nothing left to say."
"Please don't meet her." Grandma pleaded softly.
"I have to."
Without another word, Hanan hurried away.
Outside the courthouse, she nearly collided with Faruk, who had spent the entire trial outside, still upset from their earlier argument.
"Where are you rushing to?"
He reached for her arm, but she slipped past him without answering.
"Wait!"
She called out to the police officers escorting Hajiya.
Musa had already been taken away, but Hajiya was still outside, surrounded by reporters asking endless questions.
"Please... just a moment!"
She stopped before the officers, breathing heavily.
"I only want a few words with her."
One of the officers shook his head.
"You cannot speak with her privately now, If you wish to see her alone, you'll have to visit her at the correctional facility."
"I understand."
She sighed and turned to leave.
"Don't bother." Hajiya's cold voice stopped her.
"I don't ever want to see your face again."
Hanan slowly turned back.
"I don't want to see yours either."
Her voice trembled with restrained anger.
"But I deserve to know why you hated me enough to destroy my life."
"You'll get no answers from me."
Hajiya smiled bitterly. "You probably wish I were dead. Perhaps before you visit, I'll grant you that wish."
"Don't."