Fadeelah Hausa Novel Book One – Narrative Continuation
Murder at the Bridal Home
Before Muhammad could even reach the bedroom doorway, he spotted dark droplets of blood staining the floor. Terror surged through him, and he rushed into the room, his body trembling uncontrollably. Overwhelmed by shock, his breath caught in his throat, and he collapsed unconscious to the ground.
Out in the living room, unaware of the horror inside, Alhaji Sagir grew restless waiting for his son. He turned to Hajiya Baturiya and said, “Listen, this boy has been gone for too long. Should we just leave? I think he has completely forgotten we are out here.”
“Why don’t you call his phone?” Hajiya Baturiya suggested. “He really has been in there a long time.”
Alhaji Sagir dialed Muhammad’s number three times, but the calls went unanswered. Frustrated, he looked at his wife. “The boy forgot about us, and out of sheer disrespect, he isn’t even picking up his phone.”
Hajiya Baturiya paused before standing up. “Let me go inside and speak to him myself.”
As she stepped toward the hallway, Hajiya Baturiya froze in bewilderment, her eyes catching the trail of blood droplets on the floor. Filled with sudden dread, she bypassed all formalities and rushed into the bedroom without making a sound.
The sight inside tore a blood-curdling scream from her throat. Terrified, she bolted out of the room in sheer panic.
Alhaji Sagir, still waiting in the living room, jumped at the sound of her scream. Before he could stand up, Hajiya Baturiya burst out of the inner corridor, her eyes wide with horror.
He rushed forward and grabbed her by the arms. “What is wrong? What happened?!” he demanded, panicked by her expression.
Hajiya Baturiya was utterly speechless, trembling so violently that foam appeared at the corners of her mouth. She pointed wildly toward the bedroom, trying to pull away from his grip. Realizing she was in a state of shock, Alhaji Sagir held her firmly and dragged her up the steps toward the master bedroom.
Seeing where he was taking her, Hajiya Baturiya shook her head frantically, terrified to step back into the room. Holding her tight, Alhaji Sagir pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The sight inside shattered him. The new bride, Hafsat, lay dead in a pool of her own blood, her throat slit. The moment they entered, Hajiya Baturiya fainted onto the floor.
“Hafsat! Hafsat!! Hafsat!!!” Alhaji Sagir cried out, falling beside her body in complete distress. “Wake up, please! Wake up and tell me who did this to you!”
In a state of delirium, he reached for his phone and dialed the first contact he could find. Before the person on the other end could even speak, Alhaji Sagir sobbed hysterically into the receiver. “Please bring the police quickly! They have murdered Hafsat!”
On the other end of the line, Usman stared at his phone in disbelief. “Daddy? What’s wrong? What happened? Where are you?!”
Panic-stricken, Alhaji Sagir could only repeat his desperate plea: “Bring the police! Hafsat has been murdered!”
Kaduna State: An Unexpected Suitor
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, Fadeelah had finally come to terms with losing her broadcast job at Rahama TV. She spent her days at home helping her mother with domestic chores, though the longing for her career still weighed heavily on her heart.
One afternoon, Fadeelah’s father sat chatting with her mother in the main compound. He turned to his wife and asked, “Do you remember Sale the fish seller’s son?”
Fadeelah’s mother nodded. “Yes, I remember him.”
“He met me at the market today,” her father explained. “His father approached me to ask for permission for his son to begin courting Fadeelah.”
“That is wonderful,” her mother agreed. “The young man is sensible and well-behaved.” They continued discussing the proposal, approving of the match.
Inside her room, Fadeelah was reviewing a book when her mother walked in and sat down beside her. Sensing a serious conversation, Fadeelah placed her book aside.
Her mother hesitated for a moment before asking, “Fadeelah, is there anyone you are currently seeing? Anyone you have discussed marriage with?”
Fadeelah shook her head quietly.
Her mother continued gently, “Your father asked me to inform you that you will be receiving a visitor today. I know the young man your father spoke about. When he arrives, I want you to welcome him warmly. It seems your father made a strong agreement with his father. The young man is sensible, well-mannered, and has a steady occupation.”
Fadeelah remained silent, unsure of what to say. Not wanting to appear disobedient, she whispered, “Alright, Mama.”
A short while later, her father sent word into the house: Fadeelah’s suitor had arrived outside.
Character Breakdown: This Episode
| Character | Role / Situation |
| Muhammad Sagir | Discovers blood droplets, faints from shock upon entering the crime scene. |
| Hafsat | The newly married bride, brutally murdered inside her new home. |
| Alhaji Sagir | Muhammad’s wealthy father who discovers Hafsat’s body and alerts the police. |
| Hajiya Baturiya | Muhammad’s stepmother who witnesses the crime scene and loses consciousness. |
| Usman | Muhammad’s close friend who receives the panicked phone call from Alhaji Sagir. |
| Fadeelah | Struggling to adjust to life without her media career while facing an arranged suitor. |
| Sale the Fish Seller’s Son | The new suitor approved by Fadeelah’s parents. |
Story Highlights & Plot Points
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A Shocking Tragedy: The joyous wedding of Muhammad Sagir turns into a nightmare following the brutal murder of his bride, Hafsat.
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Investigation Impending: Alhaji Sagir’s frantic call to Usman sets in motion a major police investigation into the murder.
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Fadeelah’s Courtship: With her journalism career halted, Fadeelah is drawn into a courtly arrangement orchestrated by her father.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happened to Hafsat in Fadeelah Book One?
Hafsat, the newly married bride of Muhammad Sagir, was found brutally murdered inside their new home right after the wedding reception.
Does Fadeelah know Muhammad Sagir yet?
At this stage in the novel, Fadeelah is in Kaduna dealing with her father’s choice of suitor, while Muhammad Sagir is in Adamawa dealing with his bride’s murder. Their paths have not yet crossed.