
HALIN-KISHI-COMPLETE HAUSA NOVEL BY UMMU MAHEER
08 Mon 07, 2024
4
19399
File Size: 2.23 MB
Format: TXT
Phone Number:
Group: None
Compiler: None
Book Album: None
Last Download: 7 months ago
"Mama, we will leave for the Kamu ceremony at three o'clock. You know their neighborhood is far, and Abba said we should stop staying out late," Umaimah said, standing at the door of the room, looking at the older woman who was picking fresh moringa leaves and throwing them into a large container in front of her. The woman ignored her and continued her work. Umaimah, with a face full of mischief and stubbornness, said, "Mama, are you listening to me? You are silent. Later, when I finish getting ready, you will say I didn't inform you." "If you don't move from there, UMAIMAH, I will get angry with you in this house. I told you that you are not going anywhere unless you do the laundry. Aren't you ashamed to enter your room called the girls' room, and you have messed it up with your dirty clothes, you filthy girl," her mother said angrily, looking at her. A tall, fair-skinned woman came out of the kitchen, saying, "Mama, leave her alone. I heard her saying that Nazifi would come tomorrow to do the laundry. If you insist she does it, she will be late for the wedding." "Even if it takes her a year, she will do it. I am tired of her nonsense. She is nineteen years old, not a child. If you enter Saddiqa's room, you won't find the mess UMAIMAH makes. I wonder how Nuratu can share a room with this filthy girl when she is so clean," her mother said, glaring at Umaimah, who was pouting. "Come on, you can't compare. Living with someone makes you adopt their habits. If Umaimah wasn't dirty, she wouldn't be, because no one in this house is as clean as Nuratu," the woman said, sitting next to Mama to help her finish cleaning the moringa leaves. "Hypocrite, you are the dirty one, not me," Umaimah muttered as she turned to their room. Her mother, watching her lips, understood what she said and knew there would be trouble. Umaimah continued her work. She threw the dirty clothes into the yard, and no one said anything to her, not her mother or the other woman. After finishing her mischief, she gathered the clothes, went to the tap, filled the basins with water, and started washing. In no time, she finished as if someone was helping her. She went to the backyard, where the clothesline was, and hung the clothes. She returned and cleaned the area where she washed. By then, the other woman had finished cooking the dambun (a traditional dish) for lunch. She was upset because she hadn't spoken to them since she started washing. She went to their room, tidied her bed, changed the sheets, swept the room, mopped the floor, and then took a bath, realizing it was already past two o'clock. While in the bathroom, she heard the greeting of Anty Laure, her mother's younger sister. She frowned, knowing they would gang up on her and scold her. She quickly finished her bath, performed ablution, and came out in a hurry. Although the Kamu ceremony was scheduled for five o'clock, she wanted to leave early to visit the bride, her best friend, who was getting her makeup done. The bridal shower they had the previous night made Abba forbid her from going out early. He only allowed her to go after Anty intervened, with the condition that she must return by six o'clock. While praying, her friend Rumasa'u Murtala greeted her. She wanted to dismiss her but stopped her from entering the living room where she heard her mother's voice, knowing she would ruin her plans. She quickly finished her prayer and rushed out, almost tripping over her hijab, calling Rumasa'u. "Why are you acting like someone is chasing you?" Anty Laure asked, looking at her. She smiled, which made her even more beautiful, and said, "Nothing, Mom. How are you? How are Bintu and the others? Ruma, come in. I'm almost done," she said, holding Rumasa'u's hand. "You are lucky. If Ruma hadn't come, you wouldn't be going anywhere today. God saved you," her mother said, glaring at her. "Why did you come when I told you I would call you when I finished?" Umaimah asked, looking at Ruma after sitting on the bed. "I called Nadiya Isah, and she said she was at the makeup place, so I came ahead. You know I don't like staying out late, so I want us to go early," Ruma replied. "Well, you should know that the ceremony will start after Maghrib. The five o'clock time on the card is just for show. Even Halima just left for her makeup," Umaimah said, trying on a long fitted gown made for the wedding. She then changed her mind, took out a long black abaya, and sat down to tie her headscarf. She didn't do much makeup, just powder, kohl, and lip balm, which enhanced her natural beauty and her glowing skin. Ruma, sitting on the edge of the bed, watched in amazement. She was used to seeing Umaimah do things her mother forbade, like wearing certain clothes. She would lie that the clothes were torn and needed mending, then change into something else once they were out. They left the house, and as they reached the door, they heard Anty Habi saying, "My daughter, may God show us your wedding day. As for that one who married her books, we won't wait for her. Once you finish, we will celebrate." Anty Habi said, looking at her, admiring her beauty despite her minimal makeup. "Indeed, the one who married her books is better off. She doesn't even know the Prophet's teachings. Any decent suitor she gets, she drives away with her bad behavior. Today, she insulted Qasim just because he greeted a girl he picked up from school. The girl stood at the gate, talking to him, and she insulted him. I am surprised they haven't come to ask for their bride price back. Umaimah, be careful. You might end up with a man with two or three wives," her mother said. Umaimah, standing at the door, said, "You are cursing me because you got a co-wife. My husband will marry only me, no one else," she said, storming out. "Hmm," her mother sighed, knowing Umaimah needed prayers. "Oh, sister Malika, do you think Umaimah's behavior is due to spirits? Look at the other girls in the house. They have suitors even before finishing secondary school, but Umaimah is about to finish her HND without a serious suitor. She is not ugly, so why is she always causing trouble?" Anty Laure asked, looking at her sister. "There are no spirits, just her bad behavior. She has suitors, but her bad attitude and jealousy drive them away. I have given up on her. If I don't hear that she is married, I won't believe it. She can ruin her marriage in seconds. Who will tolerate her behavior? She insulted Qasim just because he greeted a classmate. I was praying in the yard and heard her. I was relieved when their elder brother came and slapped her. I am surprised they haven't asked for their bride price back," her mother said, frustrated. "That's not good. Why does she behave like that? How can you expect your suitor not to talk to another woman?" Anty Laure said, worried. "Exactly. That's why I stopped sharing my frustration. I just pray for her to change because her behavior is not good." "Prayers are essential, but you should also consider seeking spiritual help. Sometimes, you don't see the problem until it's too late," Anty Laure suggested. "God forbid," her mother said, changing the topic. She didn't like involving spiritual matters. She knew Umaimah's problem was her extreme jealousy, which she had since childhood. She tried to change her, but it only got worse as she grew older. Whenever the devil tempted her, she lost control. UMAIMAH They left the house, and Umaimah was still upset about her mother's words. They went to Maman Nana's house, where she quickly mended her dress. The dress fit her perfectly, highlighting her beautiful figure. "Are you going out in that dress? Why do you do this? Don't you know you are betraying your parents? How can you leave the house dressed decently but change outside? One day, someone from your house will find out, and you will regret it. Stop following Nabila Sani and the others. They have permission to do whatever they want at home, but you don't," Rumah said, watching Umaimah take selfies. The dress suited her well, and the color complemented her skin. "Unless you are going to tell, let's go. The tricycle is here," Umaimah said, putting her phone in her bag as Nana returned with the tricycle. Rumah followed, frustrated with her friend's behavior. If not for fear of consequences, she would have told Mama about Umaimah's bad habit. Umaimah wasn't like this before. She rarely wore revealing clothes, but since joining the polytechnic and meeting new friends like Halima Mailafiya, Fannah Babagana, Nabila Sani, Fauziyya Kura, and Izawaqa Mansur, she changed. Rumah, who had been her friend since secondary school, was the only one who didn't engage in their behavior. Nabila and Fauziyya were the most influential, encouraging Umaimah to adopt bad habits. Umaimah trusted and listened to her friends more than anyone else. Initially, she was hesitant to wear revealing clothes to weddings, but they convinced her to change outside. For Fannah's wedding, she had two dresses: one to leave the house and another to change into at the venue. Rumah was deeply saddened by their behavior and tried to make Umaimah understand the difference between her and them, but she refused to listen. Their childhood bond made it hard for her to leave the group, but she continued to advise them, hoping they would change. They took the tricycle, and during the ride, Fauziyya called Rumah. "Give the phone to Umaimah," she said after answering. Rumah handed it over, remembering their argument the previous day about getting fake nails and extra hair for the wedding. Fauziyya had insulted her, calling her old-fashioned, and Rumah had finally retaliated, tired of being treated like a pushover. "Umaimah, we are at Beejay's. They are about to start Halima's makeup," Fauziyya said. "Really? It's only six o'clock," Umaimah replied. "Just come. There are cars to take us. They are almost done," Fauziyya said, ending the call. Umaimah told the tricycle driver to change direction. Rumah asked, "Where are we going now?" "You worry too much. I forgot something," Umaimah replied, frowning. Rumah checked her watch, wanting to speak but staying silent. They arrived at the makeup place, and Rumah asked, "What are we doing here? I know you are not getting makeup." "You worry too much. I told you I forgot something," Umaimah said, stopping when she saw Nabila approaching, heavily made up and walking gracefully. Her dress was similar to Umaimah's but didn't suit her thin frame. "Let's go inside. They are almost done," Nabila said, holding Rumah's hand to prevent her from complaining. They entered the reception area, only to find Halima still waiting for her turn. They chatted and took photos. Umaimah, sitting aside, tried calling Qasim but couldn't reach him. Frustrated, she asked Rumah for her phone to make a call. Qasim answered after two rings, surprised that he couldn't reach her number but got through with another phone. He greeted her three times before she angrily said, "Did you block my number, Qasim? I reached you with another phone." Qasim hung up immediately. She stared at the phone, realizing he had deliberately cut the call. She was furious. For a week, he had stopped calling her. Initially, he answered her calls but spoke coldly. Later, he stopped answering altogether. Now, he added this insult. She vowed to confront him. She returned the phone to Rumah and crossed her legs, thinking of how to deal with him. She only wanted him to take her home, but now it was personal. They stayed at the makeup place until Maghrib. By the time they reached the Kamu venue, it was almost eight o'clock. Rumah was worried, knowing she had told her family they might stay until eight. Umaimah was the one in trouble, as her mother had warned her not to stay out past Maghrib. They found the bride's aunts already calling her. One of them scolded her, saying, "You left for a Kamu, not a dinner, and stayed out until eight. Who will wait for you? You wasted your makeup money. Half the guests have left, even the groom's family. They were about to leave but were persuaded to stay. You don't even look good." Halima pouted, knowing Anty Mara would scold her. They walked in, with the bridesmaids following. Halima sat on her chair, and Rumah took a photo with her before whispering that she would come to their house for the wedding tomorrow. She quickly went to Umaimah and said, "Say goodbye to Halima. We need to leave. It's eight o'clock, and you were told not to stay out past Maghrib." "You can leave. I'm not going anywhere. Find a seat. The event is about to start," Fannah said, trying to make her sit. Rumah insisted, "Let me go. We need to leave. It's getting late." "If you want to leave, go ahead. I'm staying to see the event. We just arrived, and you want to leave," Fannah said. As she spoke, Mama called Rumah's phone, which was on the table. "See, Mama is calling. Don't get into trouble. Let's go," Rumah said, panicking as if she was the one in trouble. "You can go. Whether I leave now or not, I'll still get scolded. If you want to stay, stay. If you want to leave, go safely," Umaimah said, turning off her phone, knowing her mother would keep calling. She had already broken the rule by staying out past Maghrib.
Related Novels
VIEW ALL
EBOOKZ
Ebookz@gmail.com