Buzu Book 1 Complete Hausa Novel

She got up and sat down, watching Nasiru, who was standing at the door. She slightly frowned and said, "Thank you, Nasiru."

She turned around, feeling her back being held more firmly. With difficulty, she got up, cleaned herself, performed ablution, and returned to pray.

This time, unlike other dreams she usually forgets, everything she had read in the book of Kaisar returned clearly to her mind. She did not forget anything.

“The king of lips, the king of mustaches… Garba, lips and mustaches… does the king of lips have any connection to the story of the people of Buda village?”

“No, that’s impossible. It’s just that the story came like that. But it involved Lanti and her sick daughter, and she would agree for the king of mustaches to give them medicine. Hmph, Kaisar didn’t write that. But when I link the king of lips to this story, maybe it’s just fiction he’s writing, not something that actually happened.”

She didn’t dwell too long; she saw that time was running out. She got up and hurriedly began preparing. She heard Baba fussing, scolding, and emphasizing that she must find the money to repay Saleh within a week.

She didn’t complain; she finished dressing and headed to her workplace. She had completely forgotten what happened yesterday until now, on her way to the house. All the pressure from Baba had made her forget the events at Alhaji Zailani’s house.

Today, the house was open. She pushed the door and entered. He watched her until she passed into the house.

Shukura was in the living room. Nana greeted her, and she responded politely, whispering, "Today, Hajiya is not here; they went out with Jummai early in the morning. Haidar is with Daddy. If you need anything, go to the kitchen and prepare it for yourself; I’m leaving."

Nana hesitated when she heard that Haidar was in the master’s section, but Shukura didn’t wait for her response and left.

Nana entered the kitchen to cook something for Haidar and for herself if she could get any. But there was silence—no sign of Haidar.

She looked at the clock and realized that by now, he should have brushed his teeth and bathed, but he had not come out of Alhaji Zailani’s section, even though he usually didn’t sleep long when the day began.

Time passed like a game until 11:00 a.m., and Haidar still hadn’t appeared. She became very worried. She found a place to sit, thinking maybe it was a trap. But another part of her heart wondered, how could he set a trap for Haidar, his own son? He had always been playful with Haidar.

As if in thought, she suddenly heard Haidar crying, saying he was hungry.

Frightened, she jumped up, as if startled, and ran toward Alhaji Zailani’s section.

At the living room door, she called out greetings but received no reply. She peeked inside, but no one was there. Then a cold chill enveloped her, and she felt dizzy.

The large frame holding Alhaji Zailani’s photo slowly turned, revealing Alhaji Fatuhu inside, his eyes bleeding tears.

"Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return… Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return," Nana repeated.

The room lights went out, and a strong wind banged against the windows.

Alhaji Fatuhu’s voice continued wailing, and then she heard Muhsin calling her: "Aunty Nana, Aunty Nana!" Haidar’s voice began responding in her ears: "Aunty, I’m hungry!"

“Kaisar, what is this? Must you humiliate me in front of people? What is this you are doing to me?” Nana shouted.

Suddenly, everything returned to normal, and Alhaji Zailani was in front of her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking at her accusingly. She was sweating and only breathed a sigh of relief.

"I’ll take Haidar and feed him. His morning meal time has passed," she said.

Alhaji Zailani smiled and said, "You worry about a child you didn’t give birth to over a small amount of money. I, on the other hand, need you to increase my share for a large sum, but you refuse. I’ll give you money, not small like the poor forever."

“Forever? Who gave you that guarantee? Please don’t confront me with that again. Leave me; I don’t want it.”

“Poor man, proud woman. You see poverty and pride,” he said.

“I understand. Please give me the child so I can feed him,” she pleaded.

He laughed and said, "You think I’ll just hand him to you? I’ve been waiting for an opportunity, and by God, if you die, I’ll use you to achieve my desire. I won’t coax you again; by force, I’ll get what I want."

Nana’s body trembled, and she cried out, "For God’s sake, have mercy. Keep my secret. After God and His Messenger, my dignity is all I have left. Please, have mercy!"