ZAGON ƘASA 1 COMPLETE HAUSA NOVEL by Khadeeja Candy

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<p><strong>FIRST FAMILY…</strong></p>
<p><em>1…</em> At precisely 5:48 in the evening, she parked her car in the designated space. She sighed more than three times, then glanced at the documents beside her as though lost in thought. Finally, she picked them up, opened the car door, and stepped out.</p>
<p>With a weary expression, she walked toward the courtyard where her father sat, relaxing in the evening breeze. It was his usual practice to sit outside in the evenings, sometimes reading newspapers, other times browsing the internet to stay informed about global affairs.</p>
<p>As Namra approached him, a hint of anxiety crept in as her mind ran through a host of thoughts.</p>
<p>She started removing her shoes even before reaching the carpet spread out for him. Lowering her gaze like someone feeling too embarrassed to look him in the eyes, she greeted him.</p>
<p>“Assalamu Alaikum.”</p>
<p>He didn’t respond to her greeting, but she wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t expected him to respond, so she continued with a polite inquiry.</p>
<p>“Good evening, Abba. How was your work?”</p>
<p>After a pause that lasted around twenty to twenty-five seconds, he replied, in a barely audible tone, “Alhamdulillah.”</p>
<p>She didn’t let another word slip from her lips. Instead, she rose wearily, put her shoes back on, and made her way to her mother’s part of the house. She wiped away the tears that had started to well up before reaching for the doorknob to enter the living room. It was empty except for the air conditioner humming softly. She headed straight to her bedroom, her heart heavy.</p>
<p>She sat on her bed, closed her eyes, and listened to her heartbeat. Her father's words from that morning echoed in her mind. His harsh criticism of her filled her with despair, and she clasped the ring on her finger tightly as she broke down into tears.</p>
<p>She stayed in her room until the Maghrib prayer. After performing her prayer, she entered the living room with a neutral expression on her face. Her younger siblings were gathered there, watching a television show. No one seemed to notice her arrival except for her mother. She greeted her, taking a seat a little distance away.</p>
<p>“Good evening, Aunty.”</p>
<p>Her mother didn’t respond but looked at her intently, trying to gauge her daughter’s emotional state.</p>
<p>“Namra, ever since you returned from school, you’ve been locked in your room. Do you want to let stress overwhelm you? It was my turn to cook today, but because of you, your father didn’t even come here. I even went to his section, trying to figure out what was going on with him. Are you trying to ruin my marriage, Namra? Do you care more about your desires than your parents' happiness? I don’t object to your choice, Namra, but as long as your father disapproves, it’s better to let it go.”</p>
<p>She sank deeper into her chair, unable to cry out loud. She wondered when her father would ever understand her situation, if he’d ever have sympathy for her. If she agreed to break up with Asim, she feared she might die. She didn’t feel she could live with any other man besides him. And if she didn't marry him, she was convinced Allah wouldn’t forgive her, and people would mock him. She knew how much Asim loved her, so how could she possibly tell him she wouldn’t marry him?</p>
<p>Just then, Barrister Yasmin and her husband entered with a greeting, pulling her back to reality. She quickly wiped away her tears, adjusted her face to hide any traces of sadness, and smiled, welcoming them warmly as she usually did.</p>
<p>“Welcome, welcome, lawyers! How are you both this evening?”</p>
<p>Yasmin took a seat next to her aunt while Uzair sat in the chair closest to the door, watching Namra with an unreadable expression.</p>
<p>“How’s Afnan, Barrister Aunty?” Namra asked.</p>
<p>“You mean you saw me and came out into this evening, only to ask about Afnan?” Yasmin joked, making everyone laugh.</p>
<p>Uzair chimed in from his spot, “I’m just happy I got to see you, Namra.”</p>
<p>Namra was silent, hoping to avoid any suspicion from her mother. But deep down, she knew that the thought of going to Yasmin’s house now, given how Uzair was starting to show open interest in her, filled her with discomfort.</p>
<p>Later, after Yasmin left, Namra muttered, “I honestly don’t want to go to Aunt Yasmin’s house.”</p>
<p>“Why?” Maryam asked.</p>
<p>It seemed like she was about to say something but then stopped, merely looking away toward the TV.</p>
<p>“Go eat something,” her mother urged her.</p>
<p>“I’m not hungry.”</p>
<p>“Look at you. You’ve become so thin you look unwell.”</p>
<p>“I swear I’m not hungry, Aunty.”</p>
<p>The following evening, her father called her over and told her, “You know Alhaji Madu Sanusi?”</p>
<p>“Yes,” she responded, her voice barely a whisper.</p>
<p>“The day before yesterday, he expressed interest in marrying you. He wants you to become his First Lady, given that his current wives don’t speak English. In his career, he needs a wife with an education. He’ll be coming tomorrow night to introduce himself.”</p>
<p>By the time he finished speaking, tears were streaming down her face.<br><br></p>
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<p>Since returning from work, she had been in deep distress, feeling overwhelmed with the weight of her worries. Every day she left and came back, there was always gossip about her in the neighborhood, her friends teased her, and family members asked prying questions as if she had chosen to remain single.</p>
<p>She looked at herself in the mirror, tears in her eyes. Everywhere she looked, she saw herself as a woman well-made by God, embodying all the qualities associated with femininity. But no decent suitors approached her — only men who lacked good intentions. Among her admirers, there was no one she could single out as a potential husband; every time she mentioned marriage, they would leave and never return, showing only interest in her appearance.</p>
<p>All her peers had married, leaving her behind, as if she had wronged men in some way. She used to hope that once she finished school, she’d find someone to marry. Now she had graduated and secured a job, but there was still no one. At first, her parents weren't worried, but now it had become a primary concern for them. They prayed, but it felt as though no one was listening. Her two younger sisters had already married, yet she remained without a single prospect.</p>
<p>They had tried every type of remedy and prayer, yet nothing changed. Now, she was on the verge of losing hope of ever finding a husband.</p>
<p>She kept staring at her reflection in the mirror, wondering at the effort she put into preserving herself from immoral acts and striving for virtue, praying late into the night, and giving in charity. But despite it all, she couldn’t find a man who was willing to marry her. Tears started streaming down her face as she thought of all the friends who had moved on, leaving her behind in marriage.</p>
<p>A ringing sound from her phone jolted her from her thoughts. She looked at the screen, and Salma’s name was displayed. Quickly, she wiped her tears, picked up the phone, and held it to her ear.</p>
<p>“Hello, Salma.”</p>
<p>“Yes, Kalsoom, how are you?”</p>
<p>“I’m fine. How is Ahmad?”</p>
<p>“He’s doing well. If you’re free tomorrow, come early so we can go somewhere.”</p>
<p>Kalsoom simply replied “okay” and put down the phone. She knew without asking that Salma was likely taking her to see a spiritual healer, as she was the most concerned among her friends about Kalsoom’s lack of marriage and constantly sought solutions for her.</p>
<p>Soon, she heard someone calling for her downstairs, so she moved to the door and opened it, running into her mother.</p>
<p>“Were you calling me?” she asked.</p>
<p>“Yes, Zainab’s husband just called and said she has been sick since the day before yesterday.”</p>
<p>“Oh my goodness, what’s wrong with her?”</p>
<p>“It seems to be malaria, but I suspect she’s pregnant. I want you to prepare to go see her and stay a few days if possible, just until she feels better, then come back.”</p>
<p>“Oh no, Mom! Why can’t Saleena go instead? She’s my sister; it doesn’t make sense for me to stay there.”</p>
<p>“What’s the issue? It’s a matter of necessity, and Saleena is starting exams tomorrow, so she can’t go. Since you work, it’s fine. When you come back, you can also help with some house chores and cooking.”</p>
<p>“But, Mom, he has younger sisters who could also help her, or he could even hire a maid.”</p>
<p>“Yes, he has younger sisters, but he chose to ask us. When someone shows you respect, it’s good to return it. It’s just three days; you’ll be back, okay?”</p>
<p>She nodded reluctantly, her heart heavy.</p>
<p>“God bless you,” her mother said.</p>
<p>“Amen,” Kalsoom replied, as her mother turned and went downstairs, leaving her standing there. Kalsoom leaned against the door and whispered a prayer:</p>
<p>“Oh God, if my husband is far away, bring him close to me. And if he is near, bring us together.”</p>
<p>She turned back and entered her room, letting out a sigh of frustration.</p>
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