Bayan Duhu Book One Complete Hausa Novel
Ayrah frowned, looking as though she was about to cry, but she eventually ignored them and placed her bucket in the queue.
It seemed as though Tanko had been waiting for exactly that moment.
He looked at the young man beside him and called:
“Dauda.”
Dauda immediately replied:
“Yes, Oga Tanko.”
Tanko said:
“My wife should not be standing in a queue. Remove whoever’s bucket is there and put hers in its place.”
Dauda did exactly as he was told.
He placed Ayrah’s bucket under the tap, filled it completely with water and then removed it for her.
Ayrah Refuses Dauda’s Help
As Dauda attempted to lift the bucket for her, Ayrah quickly said:
“Leave it. I will carry my own things.”
He did not argue with her and left the bucket for her.
Ayrah lifted it and began walking back home.
All the while, her stomach continued rumbling painfully from hunger.
She entered their compound with a greeting on her lips.
Ma’u Confronts Ayrah
A young woman who appeared to be around Ayrah’s age looked at her angrily and said:
“So, slowpoke, you have only now decided to bring us the water? I have wanted to take my bath since earlier. You have kept everyone waiting for you.”
Ayrah looked at her and replied:
“Please forgive me, Ma’u.”
Ma’u hissed loudly and said:
“Get away from here, you witch. Take this bucket into the bathroom for me. I want to take my bath, then you can go and fetch another bucket.”
Ayrah replied:
“Ma’u, Mama Abu said we should not use this bucket for bathing.”
Ma’u immediately became furious.
She said:
“You wretched girl! Are you the one telling me what Mama said? It is only someone useless like you that she stopped from using it.”
Then she added angrily:
“Will you take that bucket to the bathroom for me, or do you want me to change the appearance of your face?”
Ayrah did not say another word to her.
She simply carried the water into the bathroom for Ma’u.
Ayrah Goes Out to Fetch More Water
When she came back outside, she did not even look towards where Ma’u was.
She picked up another bucket and left the house again.
She had not walked very far when she reached the front of another house and heard someone calling for an almajiri.
Ayrah immediately approached the young woman who was standing there and said:
“Please, if the food you are carrying is meant for an almajiri, give it to me so that I can eat. Wallahi, I am hungry.”
Someone Recognises Ayrah
The young woman stopped and stared at her while holding a bowl of food in her hands.
Tears began flowing down her cheeks as she exclaimed:
“Mallama Ayrah!”
Ayrah was filled with surprise, but she tried not to show it.
She simply said:
“Please give me the food so that I can eat.”
The young woman replied:
“Come inside.”
As she spoke, she held Ayrah’s hand and led her into the compound.
Maryam Remembers Her Former Islamiyya Teacher
A woman was sitting in the middle of the compound sorting rice.
She looked at the two of them and asked:
“Maryam, isn’t that Ayrah?”
Maryam replied:
“Wallahi, Aunty, it is her. She used to be our teacher at the Islamiyya school.”
As she spoke, Maryam handed the food she was carrying to Ayrah.
She also fetched some water and gave it to her.
Ayrah Finally Gets Something to Eat
Because of how terribly hungry she was, Ayrah immediately sat down and began eating quickly, moving her hand repeatedly between the bowl and her mouth.
After she finished eating, she drank some water.
She thanked them and left because she did not want to remain there for too long.
Ayrah Returns Home for Prayer
By the time Ayrah finally finished fetching the water, it was almost 1:30 p.m.
She put the bucket down, picked up a small water container and performed ablution.
She then entered their room.
She found Ma’u lying down and talking on the phone.
Ma’u did not even look towards Ayrah.
Ayrah spread out her prayer mat and performed her prayer.