ZUCIYATACE part 1 COMPLETE HAUSA NOVEL

"Hey! Hey!! Hey!!! Are you all not going to come out so we can leave, or are you planning to be late?" From the other side, I heard someone respond, "Yes, we are coming out now."
A young girl stepped out, probably about fifteen years old, followed by a boy of about ten. She was dressed in a blouse and trousers of a matching color, carrying a Qur’an, some books, and a hijab. Judging by their attire, they were heading to an Islamic school.
However, just one look at their uniforms was enough to show they were worn out from age. The uniform had faded from its original dark maroon color to a lighter shade. But since it belonged to someone tidy, it was always washed and ironed. Even now, the uniform looked spotless and neatly pressed, despite its age.
The girl stood by the doorway, mumbling complaints. "Imagine not calling someone properly but instead shouting, ‘Hey! Hey!’" She imitated the sound mockingly while attempting to put on her hijab. She stopped mid-action, distracted by the laughter of the boy, who was likely her younger brother given their resemblance. He was also wearing the same uniform, a shirt, trousers, and a cap.
She shot him a glare and said, "Sajeed, I swear I'll slap you! Am I joking with you?"
He apologized quickly, saying, "Sorry, Aunty Sajeedah, I’ll stop."
She clicked her tongue in frustration, making a sound of irritation, and went back to putting on her hijab.
I took this opportunity to observe her more closely. She wasn’t light-skinned, nor was she very dark; her complexion was the attractive, rare shade of chocolate brown. She wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful, but she couldn’t be called unattractive either. Her nose was modest—not long or flat. She had small lips, and her eyes were bright and almond-shaped, though not deep-set. She was slightly tall and had thick, shiny hair that, even without shampoo, was silky and smooth. Her figure was notable—she had curves and a shapely physique that could make one marvel and say, "Masha’Allah."
Just as she finished putting on her hijab, her name became clear: Sajeedah.
She was the daughter of Malam Abubakar and Inna Saratu, their only daughter, along with her younger brother Sajeed, who was ten years old. There was a five-year gap between them. Malam Abubakar was originally from Niger and an orphan, having lost both his parents. Raised by relatives, he later relocated to Minna, where he met and married Saratu. Together, they were blessed with two children, Sajeedah and Sajeed.
The family was impoverished, which was evident in their clothing and the state of their living conditions. They lived in a makeshift house with two mud-built rooms, no plaster, and no paint. Their doors were makeshift, and even the toilet was a temporary enclosure that lacked privacy.
Their home was in Tunga, a district in Minna. Malam Abubakar had tried different trades, including selling cooking ingredients at Maje market. Recently, he had resorted to selling small goods on a table in front of their house due to declining sales.
Sajeedah had completed primary school and her Junior WAEC but couldn’t proceed to Senior Secondary School (SS1) due to a lack of funds. Her dream was to attend the School of Nursing, but financial difficulties hindered her progress.
Malam Abubakar often prayed that Allah would make it possible for Sajeedah to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. In the meantime, she attended Islamic school, where she excelled in her memorization of the Qur’an, having already completed it. Sajeedah was highly intelligent, excelling in both Arabic and English education.
Her brother, Sajeed, was equally brilliant and in Primary Five at the same Islamic school. He loved and admired his sister, and the bond between them was strong.
Sajeedah was known for her discipline, humility, and devotion to worship. She was calm, soft-spoken, and incredibly patient. However, when angered, she could be unyielding, living up to the saying that those with patience are capable of the greatest fury.
Sajeedah disliked being called "Hey!" as her mother often did, so she would grumble about it while Sajeed teased her endlessly, laughing at her reactions.
Malam Abubakar’s neighbor was Alhaji Siddi, a wealthy and stingy man who looked down on the poor. He had two wives: Hajiya Harira, who was kind-hearted and patient, and Hajiya Hajara, who shared his disdain for the less privileged. Between them, he had five children.
Despite the family’s wealth, the home lacked proper moral upbringing, especially in Hajiya Hajara’s quarters. However, Sajeedah had one close friend, Sadeeqah, Alhaji Siddi’s eldest daughter, who shared the same age and bond with Sajeedah.
Their friendship had faced obstacles, with Sadeeqah often sneaking food or money to Sajeedah and being scolded by her parents for associating with a poor girl. But their bond remained strong.
Sadeeqah, however, had contrasting traits—she lacked modesty, loved extravagance, and mingled with questionable company. Unknown to Sajeedah, Sadeeqah had begun engaging in morally questionable behavior. Despite their differences, their friendship continued.
One Saturday morning, Sajeedah and Sajeed were about to leave for Islamic school when Sajeed asked, "Aunty Sajeedah, can we drink some porridge first?"
Their mother, Inna Saratu, encouraged them to sit and drink. Though Sajeedah reluctantly agreed, her quiet demeanor showed her disinterest. After finishing, they headed off to school.
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Later that day, at Minna Airport, a large crowd gathered to welcome returning pilgrims. Among them was a striking young pilot, S. A. Sardauna, who emerged from the plane with poise. His appearance captivated everyone, from his well-groomed hair to his tall and handsome frame. He commanded attention effortlessly.
As he walked to his car, a young woman excitedly ran toward him for a hug, but he stopped her in her tracks with a thunderous shout:
"Hey! Get a grip of yourself! What do you think you’re doing?"