Abban Sojoji Book 1 Complete Hausa Novel

She pressed her hands over her ears, tired of hearing the harsh scolding from Buzu, the caretaker:

“You! If a witch caught you, I swear, it would be hard to find a cure for you.”

“I told you, Hajiya isn’t here every day, yet you keep coming. Do you have no shame? You’re a small girl, yet so stubborn, with those wild eyes of yours, staring at people as if you have no manners. You little devil!”

She slowly raised her head to look at him, feeling the humiliation he was pouring on her. Her eyes filled with tears, her small lips trembling, and her entire expression began to change.

In his mind, he expected the girl to retaliate, for he knew children nowadays never stayed silent when provoked. He stared at her, expecting a reaction. He saw her pull back, apparently intending to leave, but instead she found a corner by the wall, knelt down, rested her head on her knees, and began crying with a deep, heart-wrenching sob.

He stopped, watching her, feeling a pang of regret. In his heart, he knew he had been unfair to her. As a Muslim, he realized he had failed to understand this small girl who came every day to the gate. He had never asked himself why she came. No amount of scolding could stop her from returning the next day.

Feeling a chill in his body, he moved closer and knelt before her. “Alright, that crying is enough! Look at me and tell me—what’s bothering you? Why do you keep coming every day looking for Hajiya?”

She lifted her tear-streaked face, her eyes red, and through her quiet sobs she said,

“I come looking for Hajiya because I heard she helps poor girls who work, and pays them some money.”

He paused, studying her, then asked, “But why are you looking for work, little one? Aren’t there adults in your house?”

She shook her head. “No, there’s no one. It’s just me and my siblings, and they’re sick, hospitalized. The doctors said they need treatment, but I don’t have the money for their care because there are many of them. That’s why I wanted to find work, so I can earn money and pay for their treatment, so they don’t die and leave me alone!”

She finished speaking, lowering her face and crying.

Now he understood why she was so persistent about seeing Hajiya. In his heart he thought, “God’s child is concerned for her little siblings… but she is wise beyond her years.”

He took her hand gently. “Enough crying. I’ll help you see Hajiya. Come, let’s sit on the bench and talk.”

She stood up, and together they sat on the bench. They were quiet for a while before he said,

“Now be still, and stop crying. God is the protector of His servant. If someone has no one, and they truly believe in God, He will be their protector. You go ahead and pray, and your siblings will find relief—you will even be able to play with them again.”

She smiled, feeling comforted by his words.

He reached for the tea he was preparing on the small stove, where two small cups sat ready. She watched him with fascination, especially impressed by his careful movements. He poured some tea into a cup and handed it to her. She took it with both hands, glad to have something to drink since yesterday. Then he poured some into his own cup and sipped it slowly, telling her a story with a mixture of humor and effort.