Description for

NAKASA BA KASAWA BA CE 

HAUSA NOVELS DOCUMENT 

Zaleeha’s Silence and the Tumultuous House

The house had become like a place of mourning; everyone was consumed by their own emotions. Ahmad, Mamy, and Maryam spent their time pleading with Baba Malam to forgive Zaleeha. Eventually, they saw signs that Baba Malam’s anger was calming down.

After the Isha prayer, Malam Adam and Ya Aminu entered the house in a line. They went straight to Baba Malam’s parlour. After exchanging greetings, they explained what had happened. Ya Aminu made a remark, certain that if he had been present, he would have already disciplined Zaleeha. Malam Adam, on the other hand, nodded sadly, expressing his fear and concern for the younger generation, saying, “Aminu, go and call Zaleeha.” Aminu responded, stood up, and headed for Mama's part of the house.

As for Zaleeha, she had been crying for a while, her tears had dried on her face. Aunty Lubna and Maryam had tried to make her take a bath, after which she prayed. They gave her medicine to help with the swelling in her neck and face, and despite the treatment, her skin was still marked with bruises from the beating she received. Her heart was heavy with remorse, as she realized the pain she had caused her father. As Ya Ahmad entered, Zaleeha closed her eyes, feeling fresh tears roll down her face.

Seeing her in such a state of distress, Ya Ahmad spoke softly with compassion, “Zaleeha!” She didn’t respond, but fresh tears began to flow from her eyes. Lubna quickly wiped her tears, and Maryam, too, seemed on the verge of tears. Ya Ahmad’s voice broke the silence. “Please Zaleeha, I beg you, listen to our father’s commands. Follow Maryam’s example, and preserve our family’s dignity, the respect of our father and his house.”

Slowly, she opened her mouth with a faint voice, “Ya Ahmad, I hate him. I feel like I’m going to die when I think of him.”

He gently patted her head, saying, “You will get over this, you will stop feeling like this once you free yourself from the negative influence on you. I know that Zaleeha wants our father to be happy.”

She fell silent, understanding that Ya Ahmad didn’t truly comprehend her struggles. He continued, lifting her up to face him with care, “Please, Zaleeha, follow our father’s wishes and marry as he desires. You can live happily with your husband. I promise I will do anything for you as long as it’s within my ability, and as long as it doesn’t go against the law. Tell me anything you need, and I will make it happen for you, my dear sister. I just want you to be happy with your husband.”

With tears in her eyes, she said, “Buy me a new car, I want two cars now.”

Maryam quickly responded, “Actually, your cars are already two. And the wedding gifts, your new car, Saifuddeen has arranged that for you.”

Zaleeha clenched her eyes tightly, filled with anger at hearing Saifuddeen’s name. “I don’t want it, this is an embarrassment from the family of my husband.”

Ya Ahmad smiled and replied, “I’ll buy you a new one, sister, I’ll get you a new car, so your cars will be three.”

Her heart felt lighter at the thought of receiving a new car, and seeing the joy on her family’s faces, she too felt a sense of relief. Ahmad took her hand and asked, “What else do you want?”

She answered with a sense of satisfaction, “A new system.” With a smile, seeing her youthful happiness, he said, “You’ve got it.”

“What about furniture for your room, what kind of furniture do you want?”

She paused, thinking for a moment, then replied, “Any kind.” She believed that whatever they spent on furniture would not concern her.

Meanwhile, Ya Aminu arrived at Mama's parlour, where Habu greeted him, his face stern. "Where is Zaleeha? Baba Malam has called for her."

“She’s in Mamy’s part.”

“Go and bring her.”

He responded and they headed for Mamy’s parlour. From the doorway, he called out, “Zaleeha, come here. Baba Malam is calling you.” The sound of Habu’s voice terrified her, and she quickly stood up and went to the parlour. Ahmad followed closely behind.

Upon seeing Ya Aminu and Ya Habu in the parlour, she grew even more frightened. She hurried, with her feet almost dragging as they followed her. When she reached Baba Malam, her body trembled. The glare from Ya Aminu caused her to lower her head in fear, and she softly said, “Baba Malam, I am here.”

He remained silent, watching her, and her body shook in anxiety. Malam Adam adjusted his tone, which was the moment she noticed him. With trembling words, she said, “Daddy, how are you?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and replied, “I’m fine, Zaleeha.”

There was silence for about 55 seconds before Malam Adam spoke again, his voice serious. “I heard about what you did, and the promise you made to kill yourself. Is that true?”

She stayed silent, and sweat began to bead on her forehead.

He continued, “So now, tell me, between the two people you sent to bring their parents here, which one do you prefer?”

She shook her head, indicating she had no preference.

Aminu, raising his voice, said, “Why did you send them to bring their parents? Do you know that your wedding is only five days away? Why did you ask Abdussalam to bring his parents?”

Quickly, she responded, “It wasn’t me, I didn’t tell them to bring anything.”

In an angry tone, Habu demanded, “Who, then?”

She answered, fearfully, “It was Mama.”

They all fell silent, and Baba Malam then said, “Hmm.” Malam Adam spoke again, “Well, it’s better that we release our hold on you. It’s better that your father leaves, and you do as you please.”

In a weak voice, Zaleeha pleaded, “Please, Baba Malam, forgive me, I repent. Please don’t leave. I accept the marriage.”

With a smile, Malam Adam responded, “May Allah bless you. Go now.”

She rose unsteadily and left.

The conversation continued. Baba Malam instructed Habu to collect Abdussalam’s belongings the next morning and return them to him.

Zaleeha went to her room, picked up her phone, and saw it was 10:15 PM. Her heart heavy with sadness, she lay down. She typed a harsh message, sending it in three parts, then called Bilkeesu to tell her everything that had happened. Bilkeesu replied, “I’ll come tomorrow; we can’t talk about this on the phone.”

As for Saifuddeen, before she could send him the messages, he had fallen asleep, exhausted from the day