Abban Sojoji Book 2 Complete Hausa Hausa By Hafsat Bature

His body suddenly went cold as he moved closer to her, crouched down in front of her and said, “Hey, that’s enough crying! Lift your head and tell me what is troubling you. Why do you keep coming every day asking for Hajiya?”

She raised her tear-stained face, mixed with mucus as she sobbed, and said, “I come looking for Hajiya because I heard she helps young girls from the village find housework jobs where they are paid.”

He stared at her for a moment before saying, “But why are you looking for work at your age? Aren’t there elders in your family?”

She shook her head. “No, there is no one. We have no one. It’s just me and my siblings, and they are sick in the hospital. The doctor said they need surgery. I don’t have the money for it because they are many. That’s why I want a job so I can earn money and save it for their treatment so they won’t die and leave me alone!” She finished speaking and lowered her head, crying.

Now he understood why the little girl had insisted on seeing Hajiya. In his heart he said, “This poor child is carrying such heavy worries at her age. Oh, but she has a good mind!”

He held her hand and said, “Wipe your tears, that’s enough. I’ll help you see Hajiya. Come, let’s go sit on the bench.”

She stood up and followed him. They sat together on the bench. After a while he said, “Be quiet now and stop crying. Allah is the guardian of His servants. Even if a person has no one, as long as they believe in Allah, He will be their protector. Keep praying and your siblings will recover, and you will play with them again.”

She smiled because his words comforted her. He reached for the tea he was brewing in his small kettle. He had two small cups he used for serving tea. She kept glancing at the little metal kettle he used to boil the tea, fascinated by what was inside it. He poured some into a cup and handed it to her. She received it with both hands; she hadn’t eaten anything since the previous day. He poured some for himself into the other cup and sipped while telling her a folktale about a spider and a toad.

She didn’t really understand what he was saying. The tea he gave her distracted her because of its sweetness, especially with the sugar he added. She sipped it slowly. About three times she finished it and he kept refilling her cup. Finally he said jokingly, “You are really something! Look at you finishing all my tea. When Hajiya finds you a job and you start working, you’ll pay for my tea.”

She smiled, surprised at how he addressed her like a boy even though he could clearly see she was dressed as a girl.

Evening came and Hajiya had not yet returned. At the time of the Asr prayer, he opened the small gate door and they went inside. He fetched water for ablution, and they performed it together. Then he spread a mat for prayer. He led the prayer while she stood behind him.

After they finished, they remained seated on the prayer mat. He moved his prayer beads in remembrance while she drifted into deep thought. By Maghrib time they prayed again. Even before finishing, he heard the sound of Hajiya’s car arriving.

Joy filled her heart—today, by Allah’s will, she would finally meet Hajiya. He finished the prayer quickly and went to open the gate. Hajiya drove in with her large car and parked it. He shut the gate and followed behind her car, praising her as usual.

The girl couldn’t stop smiling. She remained seated on the prayer mat, waiting for the guard to speak to Hajiya about her. He opened the car door for her and she stepped out. She was one of those well-built women, fair-skinned and glowing, though it seemed she enhanced her complexion with bleaching cream. She wore an expensive blue lace dress decorated with stones, which suited her beautifully. She adjusted her headscarf. Diamond rings adorned her fingers, and a diamond necklace hung around her neck. Her makeup was striking—bright eyes, a long pointed nose, and bold red lipstick.

Respectfully, he said, “Welcome back, Hajjaju Makkatu!”

She frowned slightly, looking tired, and said, “Alright, Aku Sarkin Dumi, did anyone come while I was away?” She asked as she opened the back door of the car, for she hadn’t come alone—she had brought some village girls with her.

The guard replied, “Yes, many people came, but I didn’t take their names. I just told them you were away. However, there’s one child who keeps coming to look for you. I told her to wait for you today.”