Ajiya A Duhu Book 2 Complete Hausa Novel.doc

Maanal’s Arrival in Abuja and AA’s Condition

Maanal Rijib had a severe headache on the day they arrived in Abuja. AA had to be put on a drip in the evening because he had no strength in his body. Even late into the night, they hadn’t finished giving him the fluids because almost three bags were needed. Fawzan had to stay overnight with him on Abah’s orders. Oum wanted to speak but stayed silent, because she had wanted to bring Maanal to AA’s ward that night, but she realized that Abah’s insistence was on teaching someone else a lesson in the AA ward. After all, he had already instructed her to wait before bringing Maanal to her ward when they arrived.

After leaving the AA ward, Oum followed Abah’s instructions to check on her own ward, intending to speak with him, but he made it clear that he was sleeping and asked her to leave him alone. Frustrated, she left the ward. Watching her go, Abah shook his head openly and muttered,

“Fateema, your child’s love has overwhelmed you. If it’s anger, forget it—I’ll discipline Ajwaad properly in this house.”

Then he went to the toilet, smiling to himself.

Oum and Babban Yaya

Babban Yaya, feeling uneasy, went to Oum’s ward. It was nearly ten at night, and Maanal had still not returned to her ward, while AA’s body had recovered enough that another bag of fluids had been removed. Seeing Oum not in the living room, he headed to her bedroom. After greeting her, she allowed him to enter. The sight of her sitting there, her face full of worry, made his knees almost give way, even though he knew the stress stemmed from Auta’s condition.

“Oum, you’re not feeling well?” he asked, deeply concerned, moving closer to sit beside her.

Her eyes met his, unable to smile or relax. Even a few tears had gathered in her eyes. Babban Yaya became unsettled.

She grabbed his hand and shook her head.

“Calm yourself, it’s nothing.”

“Come on, Oum, don’t deny it. Look at how clearly your worry shows on your face. If it’s because of Auta’s illness, try not to stress yourself—everything will pass, God willing. He’s asleep now; the drip has been removed to finish. His body isn’t in pain, and seeing him resting peacefully, Alhamdulillah, there’s no worry like yesterday. I came here now about Maanal. I assumed she would spend the night there since she’s feeling better too.”

Oum’s frustration deepened visibly.

“It’s because of that that your father angered me, Fadeel. He said she won’t return there until after prayer, to teach Ajwaad a lesson. What lesson is needed for a child after the one already taught? Forget the past suffering; even recently, you see the difference between what entered and what is now. Everyone has their own path and destiny, but your father doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand that Ajwaad has depth. Maanal’s importance shouldn’t require him to speak to be accepted. Does he want me to lose my child because of his stubbornness?” Her voice trembled, almost crying.

Babban Yaya shook his head, deeply concerned.

“Please, Oum, calm yourself. I’ll go see him now. Or call Baba or Abba to join us…”

“Because I’m not capable at home or my mother?” At that, Babban Yaya and Oum quickly turned to look at him. Abah entered the room with clear anger, saying,

“Because it is your mother’s request that I call my parents to meet with them. Indeed, Fadeel, peace be with you, I said peace be with you, do you hear?”

“Forgive me, Abah, I didn’t mean that, but Oum…”

“Mister, leave until morning.”

Abah dismissed him angrily. Babban Yaya looked at Oum, whose eyes had closed again. She nodded to indicate he should leave. He got up and went toward the door. Abah’s eyes followed him, then he shook his head inwardly, thinking, (concerning their mother, it doesn’t matter who lives or dies). Openly, he turned to Oum, who had turned her head away as if unaware of him in the room. She tried to rise. He knew she would, so firmly he said,

“Sit back down.”

She returned to her seat. When she lifted her eyes—closed for the first time since he entered—he made a playful face, even teasing her with a glance. Then he said,

“Oh, now because I made the right decision about your child, you’re upset with me and called your eldest to hold a family meeting because I didn’t agree with what was decided.”

Oum slightly squinted her eyes, then opened them, ready to speak but stopped because of tears filling her eyes. Babban Yaya, realizing she was about to break down, stayed calm. He knew he had to discipline Ajwaad so he would understand Maanal’s importance. He couldn’t let him marry secretly, nor could he leave her behind.

She tried to leave the room, but Oum, holding back tears, said,

“So, you want to kill him so your mind can rest or Gadanga? Now, even the training your brother did isn’t enough to forgive him?”

Abah’s stern smile softened slightly, then he turned to look at her from where he stood.

“Rafeeq didn’t train your child wrongly; they only sought justice for what he gave with all his heart. I knew he would, so I stopped him,” he said, turning to leave. A heavy weight seemed to press on Oum’s neck, her heart troubled at the thought of Maanal returning to Ajwaad’s ward…

Morning at Abah’s House

The next morning, until nearly twelve, Abah didn’t see Oum at home. He realized her anger was real. That actually made him laugh, and he even teased her. Until evening, he didn’t see her again. He waited until Maghrib and Isha prayers, then went to her ward. Everywhere smelled pleasant. Only her house help was in the living room, chatting. They greeted him politely; he responded kindly and passed through.

Oum was seated in a long chair; Maanal was lying with her head on Oum’s lap, both eyes on the TV. When Abah greeted, Maanal lowered her head and returned the greeting. Abah, smiling, asked about her headache. She said softly,

“It’s gone, Alhamdulillah.”

“Masha Allah, that’s how a blessed father’s daughter should be,” he said.

Maanal smiled widely, then got up, headed to the dining area to fetch water in a jug, and cleverly entered Oum’s bedroom. Abah, surprised, watched Oum remain seated and not even glance at him since entering the living room. She was also preparing medicine. It seemed he was about to turn and leave her space, but he paused. He drank the water Maanal had brought, then looked at her carefully.

In a slightly irritated tone, he said,

“So, your anger remains? I stopped you from taking your daughter as his wife, yet you disappeared all day, Fateema? Am I not allowed to enforce the law? Why do you care so much for your child?”

For the first time, Oum lifted her tear-filled eyes to him. Her voice trembled as she said,

“What is this selfishness here, Abah? Even with the condition he was in, he deserves forgiveness and understanding. Yes, I know he erred, but even if he didn’t confess his love for Maanal, his actions require response. Yet you say he cannot have her as a wife until after prayer? Come on, Gadanga, understand—he isn’t well, he needs care…” Tears streamed down her face before she could finish.

Abah laughed at this point. The mistake was that Maanal would not be allowed to marry until after prayer, which made her sit there crying. He shook his head silently, without saying another word, preparing to leave, knowing he had pushed her to the point where she and her child would…