Ya Abin Yake Book 1 Complete Hausa Novel: Summary and English Translation

Hamda’s Recovery and Mahmah’s Compassion

There was a noticeable improvement in her sister’s condition.

Muneerah flashed her a cute smile before kneeling respectfully to greet Mahmah. Despite Ammi’s constant attempts to instill hatred for the woman in them, Muneerah held deep respect for Mahmah. Sadiya (Mahmah) gently caressed Muneerah’s head before asking, “Blessed child, didn’t you go to Islamic school today?” Muneerah smiled as she set down the basket she was holding and replied, “I came to sit with her so you could go home and rest. I didn’t want Humaid and the others to trouble you. I even heard him throwing a tantrum as I was leaving; when I asked Saliha, the house help, she said he was refusing to go to Islamic school.“

Mahmah held her chin in surprise. “Listen to that naughty boy! But Humaid is usually so good. Very well, let me go. I will return after the Asr prayer to spend the night with her, so you won’t be left alone. I see the little rascal’s condition is improving after taking her injections.” She said this while stroking Hamda’s cheek. She felt an inexplicable, deep affection for Hamda, as though the girl were her own flesh and blood.

Hamda, listening, closed her eyes tightly. She thought to herself that if people were consulted before being born into the world, she would have chosen to come through Mahmah—a righteous woman, kind, compassionate, and detached from material worldly things. She was the exact opposite of Hamda’s own mother. Quietly, Hamda said, “Thank you, Mahmah, until you return.” Mahmah frowned slightly and said, “Don’t let me hear that again. There is no need for thanks between us. I regard you exactly as I regard the children of my own womb. I will perform any duty for you that a mother performs for her children. May Almighty God bless you all.” They both replied with “Ameen,” watching her until she disappeared from sight. Muneerah exhaled audibly and said, “Mahmah is a mother to be proud of. May the Lord guide Ammi to be like her.” Hamda closed her eyes, her voice trembling as she whispered “Ameen,” feeling a pain in her heart that was far deeper than Muneerah’s.

Preparations for Didi’s Arrival from Gwarzo

Later that afternoon, Sadiya set aside her mounting chores despite how much she had to do. Didi, her husband’s mother, was expected to arrive the next day from Gwarzo village. As was her yearly custom, she came during the white fast (Ramadan) and would leave after the Eid-el-Kabir sacrifice, upon returning from the Hajj pilgrimage. By calculation, she spent six months in Kano and six months in Gwarzo.

Didi was a notoriously outspoken woman. When she was around, all of Ammi’s troublesome behavior had to be done behind her back, as Ammi knew she was not Didi’s favorite. In fact, from the moment Sakina (Ammi) was introduced as her son’s wife, Didi had shown her open dislike and was not happy about the marriage at all. While she didn’t treat her maliciously, Didi was straightforward; if you did something wrong, she would call you out and tell you the truth to your face, regardless of who you were. God had also endowed her with such an aura that no matter how bold you were, you dared not look her in the eye and speak rudely to her—only behind her back. She despised untidiness. Whenever she visited, she would take Hamda to live in her section of the house.

Mahmah tolerates Sakina not because she is weaker, but because she wants to see the end of her rudeness. She hopes that God will eventually surprise Sakina with a reality check. That was why she didn’t take Hamda away permanently; if she did, Sakina would have won by proving she could manipulate them.

The preparations and cleaning of the room prevented Mahmah from going to the hospital until after five o’clock. Before leaving, she sent Humaid to sleep at their second brother Hamidan’s house. If she left him with Saliha, he would suffer neglect. It would have been easier if Hamood were around, but he had gone to Egypt for his studies.

Ammi’s Jealousy and Bitterness Escalates

When Abbu and Mahmah left for the hospital, they left Ammi standing by the window, biting her fingers in envy as she watched them walking together happily, laughing heartily. She felt he had turned her into a nobody, uncaring about her feelings. She had intentionally refused to clean Didi’s room, hoping he would beg her to do it, but as if he knew her intent, he ignored her completely. He and Mahmah did the cleaning themselves. It was Abbu’s rule not to let house helps do his mother’s work, as she explicitly told him she didn’t like it, being a very hygienic and meticulous person.

As if he knew she was lurking at the window watching them, she saw him open the car door for Sadiya, casting her a look and a smile that provoked Ammi’s heart, igniting an overwhelming surge of jealousy. To this day, she has not been able to suppress her jealousy regarding Sadiya. Even though Sadiya surpassed her in everything, Ammi held deep resentment. She believed there was no one on earth she hated more than Sadiya, especially because Sadiya had outdone her by bearing sons; Sadiya had five sons and no daughters. This greatly embittered Ammi, especially when the phrase ‘Sadiya has secured the home’ reached her ears. She often heard this from most people, especially at wedding gatherings or naming ceremonies of her husband’s relatives. She had even heard it mocked at funerals. Was it because people noticed how obvious her desperation to bear sons was that they hurled such statements at her?

She quickly released the curtains, closing her eyes tightly as she recalled the doctor’s words after Hamda’s birth, confirming she could never bear children again because her womb had been damaged and had to be inverted. She had to live with her shattered dreams. She had desired to bear sons not just for inheritance, but for the sake of going to their homes to establish authority, just as Didi established authority in her own sons’ homes. Hearing the car start, she hissed and uttered, “You will come back at night looking for me, by God, you only hurt yourself. I swear I will refuse you your marital rights for a week.” She was certain he would nearly faint, because when she punished him even for one day during her turn, he would sit and cry, begging her. Indeed, he alone knew the sheer pleasure he derived from her body, let alone waiting a week! She smiled as she remembered the mixed honey she had bought that would nearly drive him crazy. Reality check, she said to herself, wait until you return home.

Didi Confronts Ammi and Challenges the Family

They found Hamda much improved. The doctor assured them that by morning, once the intravenous drip was finished, she could be discharged. Mahmah personally sat with her, giving her the peanut gruel she had prepared. Hamda drank it entirely, even burping afterward. Abbu just smiled, reaffirming Sadiya’s value in his heart. She was truly unique; she had a good heart, possessing the character of the virtuous predecessors, which is why he always praised her with the title “Possessor of a Thousand Virtuous Characters.“

The next day, they were discharged. Even before they reached home, Mahmah called Saliha and instructed her to prepare the room next to Humaid’s for Hamda. Although she wasn’t certain Hamda’s mother would agree, this time Abbu stood firm, stating that Ammi must agree. Since she didn’t love the girl, she had no right to prevent someone else from caring for her.

The moment they entered Mahmah’s section, Ammi came rushing in furiously, creating a scene. She entered Sadiya’s parlor storming, demanding her daughter be returned to her. She argued that no one else’s father had fathered the child for her, calling Sadiya an interloper and a favored rival. Sadiya just smiled before shaking her head and saying, “By God, she will not come out unless her father comes to take her out himself. And thank God, the ‘interloper’ has become the mother of the sons of the house, while some only bore daughters…” Ammi let out a feral cry and lunged at her.

Didi’s driver suddenly drove into the compound, sounding a deafening horn based on Didi’s instruction to announce her arrival—her signature move. Ammi froze, her arm raised in utter rage and frustration at the untimely arrival of the troublesome old woman. She hissed and quickly exited Mahmah’s section. She knew that if Didi found her causing this chaos, Didi would make her life a living hell. Mahmah smiled before uttering, “Trouble meets its match,” implying Ammi should have stayed. Then she quickly went out to welcome Didi.

Didi Demands Marriage for the Daughters and Hammad’s Return

Didi’s face beamed as she looked at everyone in the house, accepting their greetings, delighted to find them in good health. Only Sakina’s family was absent. She wasn’t bothered; she knew their reason for not coming was to avoid her mocking them about being unmarried. It wasn’t that Najma and Nasma lacked suitors; they were simply waiting for a perfect, wealthy match.

In a grim voice, Didi looked at Sadiya and asked, “Where is your ‘chief’ rival?” Mahmah hesitated before lying to smoothly handle the situation, “I think she is praying, since you didn’t see her.” Didi glanced at her wristwatch. “Praying the mid-morning prayer at twelve noon? Sadiya, are you defending your rival just so I won’t scold her? I’ve known for a long time that Sakina doesn’t like me coming here because she doesn’t want me watching her children. Well, this time I have come prepared. By God, I will not leave this house until I marry off the mothers that she is keeping in her room. They are neither divorcees nor young girls. And your spineless husband closes his eyes to it because he doesn’t want to offend his Arab ‘princess’.“

Sadiya lowered her head and said, “Have patience, Didi. Marriage is a matter of time; once their time comes, whether they like it or not, they will marry.” At that exact moment, Ammi entered, overhearing Didi’s complaints. Her heart fumed; this woman had come to cause her distress again. With an expression neither happy nor sad, she offered a greeting as she entered the parlor. Didi stared at her, shaking her head at how Sakina had tilted her headtie to cover her forehead, signaling she was ready to receive whatever Didi threw at her.

In a grim voice, Sakina began to greet her. Didi screwed up her face and said, “Sakina, you might as well have kept your greeting, since I didn’t force you to come and greet me. I don’t need it—a greeting given with the nose turned up in the air. I am up to your game, by God. Tread carefully before you push me to the wall.” Sakina just gave a slight smile—which could directly be described as contemptuous—stood up with an air of superiority, and said, “Rest in peace, Didi.” With that, she adjusted her wrapper and left, leaving Hajja Didi with her mouth agape, having seen pure arrogance on Sakina’s face. Didi just shook her head, looked at Sadiya, and said, “Unbelievable! Such insolence.” Sadiya also shook her head, wondering how Sakina had become so defiant to Didi, whom people dared not even make eye contact with when she spoke. In a strained voice, Sadiya began to apologize to her.

Didi Takes Charge of Hamda and Issues a Final Mandate

As Sadiya stood up to leave Didi to rest and reached the door, Didi asked, “Where is Hamda? I haven’t seen her. Hasn’t she finished that boarding school chaos?” Sadiya shook her head and said, “She is in my section. She was unwell; we were discharged from the hospital just today. Otherwise, you would have seen her come out immediately.“

“Subhanallahi! What happened to her? Even today, that devilish mother of hers doesn’t know that compassion exists? This woman acts as if she came from the dark ages—openly disliking your own daughter, not for any fault of hers. Let’s go and see her. Indeed, it’s better that she was moved to your section. Let’s see which father will say she should return to that abusive woman who has become a curse to your husband.” Sadiya just smiled and followed Didi, holding her wrapper that was almost falling off.

They found Hamda lying down, her eyes closed. She had lost weight again; she was naturally frail, looking as though she might collapse, perhaps because she had no peace of mind. God knows best. Didi quickly went to the bedside and sat down, touching Hamda’s forehead. With difficulty, Hamda opened her eyes, which looked like glowing embers, and fixed them on Didi, forcing a faint smile. As she prepared to sit up, Mahmah said, “Lie back down, you are not feeling well.” Didi glared at Sadiya. “Sit where? Now that God has brought me, you, stand up and let’s go. If not for your foolish pretense, Sadiya, what is your connection with her that would make you separate us?” Sadiya suppressed her laughter and said, “Have patience, Didi. Let me help her move to your section.” “That’s better. Were it not for this nonsense, isn’t she the one who keeps me company? And then I’d be left sitting over there alone like a witch. Indeed, this house isn’t very fruitful—each of you stopping at only five births. I gave birth fourteen times. You yourself know it was simply God’s will that they didn’t all survive. Only four did God spare, and I thank him regardless. Let’s go, why are you standing there pretending?“

Ammi, standing by the window, saw them emerging, supporting Hamda. Something resembling pity almost entered her heart, but she just hissed and released the curtain, her heart burning with anger that they had stopped her from continuing to punish Hamda. She was a girl whose very name she hated to hear, let alone see her dark face.

Once in Didi’s room, she began mixing the quality fura and milk she had brought for Hamda, along with fragrant fura powder that had been hand-pounded. The aroma was delightful. The mixture was perfect, and instead of sugar, she used pure white honey. With difficulty, Hamda sat up, accepted the fura, and began to drink. God had blessed her with a love for fura, but she only got it when Didi came. Sometimes Ammi would intentionally mix fura, forbid her from having it, and give it to the house helps, knowing she craved it desperately. Hamda closed her eyes, enjoying her grandmother’s arrival, certain that the love Didi showed her was genuine. She felt strengthened, eventually standing up on her own, performing ablution, and praying beside Didi, who was also praying.

As they finished, they heard the greetings of Muneerah, Najma, and Nasma. Only Muneerah’s face was bright; Najma and Nasma looked as though they had received news of a death. Muneerah quickly went to Didi and greeted her. Didi answered affectionately; she loved Muneerah, especially since she was her namesake. “Where have you been all this time? I haven’t seen you.” Muneerah, taking some fura, said, “By God, Didi, I went to Islamic school when I got tired of waiting for your arrival.” Didi said, “Masha Allah, may the Lord grant success to your studies. As for you, useless ones, where have you been? You are standing shoulder to shoulder with your parents yet refusing to marry, right? Well, be informed that this time I have come prepared. Either you produce husbands or I will choose matches for you from among the relatives or respectable friends in Gwarzo. I give you exactly one month. By God, this time I will not accept your excuses. Whether the governor and the president haven’t noticed you yet, you must accept your fate before gray hair starts appearing, because the beauty you are proud of will fade if there is no marriage.” Finishing their greetings, they stood up, enraged by her insults, and went to Ammi. As they entered, Ammi saw that Didi had provoked them. She just hissed before asking what happened. Najma sat down, her face in her palms, and said, “When will we see an end to this trial? From the moment she arrived, she started talking about marriage, saying she will match us with Gwarzo people. Kurt would rather die than marry a villager.” Ammi hissed before saying, “I must stand firm to find you matches of high distinction, even if I have to walk naked to achieve it. My desire is to see you marry distinguished men I can boast of as sons-in-law. Since God did not give me the male children whose homes I dreamed of going to to establish my rule, just as that old woman establishes hers. Since I was a girl of no more than sixteen, I set my heart on bearing sons, seeing how my mother’s elder sister wielded power in her sons’ homes. But our mother only bore daughters; she had nowhere to go to boast until much later when she bore our younger brother. So I set my heart on bearing males, but God did not fulfill my desire, despite all my efforts.” As she said this, tears began to stream down her face, clearly showing the raw bitterness in her heart.

When Abbu returned, Didi confronted him with the same issue. She assured him that this time she was serious: they must be married off, whether they liked it or not, whether they brought suitors or she did. She reiterated, “If you see that this doesn’t happen, it is proof that I am no longer alive. Even if I am on a hospital bed, I will marry them off. Also, inform Hammad to pack up and return home. A boy of thirteen years is stuck there in the lands of the red-eared people. Did barewa not run, for its child to crawl? Well, this time I have come prepared. I will deal with anyone who opposes me, including Hammad and you, his parents.” Abbu just lowered his head, assuring her that her wishes would be carried out.