Fulani Psrt 1 Complete Hausa Novel

A Harsh Life for Falmata in Yola
 
Falmata is a young girl enduring an emotionally and physically draining life in Yola. After toiling with house chores and surfacing grains, she is subjected to verbal abuse by her wicked stepmother, Tumba. Tumba’s harsh demands and constant criticism reduce Falmata to near tears, yet she obeys dutifully, driven by fear of her father's anger and a sense of helplessness.
 
Despite the suffering, Falmata shows remarkable discipline and humility. She never argues, even when she's wrongly accused or overworked. When she goes to fetch water, she stands patiently away from the crowd, respectful and well-mannered—traits that distinguish her from her peers.
 
A Glimmer of Kindness – Khadija
 
Her only ray of hope is her close friend Khadija, who often assists and encourages her. Khadija helps Falmata fetch water and tries to boost her confidence, praising her job at the palace. However, Falmata is too humble to accept compliments, embarrassed by the idea of attention. She reveals her growing concern that the royal household still doesn’t trust her fully, since she's yet to meet the royal children and is always supervised during cleaning.
 
Khadija comforts her, telling her to be patient and reminding her not to give all her salary to her stepmother. Falmata, however, remains submissive. Her father has instructed her to obey Tumba at all costs.
 
The Deception of Tumba
 
Back at home, Falmata's greetings are ignored, a normal experience in her home. She silently tolerates the coldness. Naja, Tumba’s biological daughter, receives preferential treatment, enjoying the comfort of using the clean water Falmata fetched to wash her own clothes while Falmata is forbidden from using it for herself.
 
Falmata quickly finishes washing the grains and bathes. Despite her black complexion, she possesses natural beauty enhanced by her discipline and clean habits. She prepares herself neatly and eats quietly. Just as she’s about to rest, Tumba demands she return to surf more grains, despite saying earlier that it could wait until tomorrow.
 
False Appearances
 
When a neighbor, Mama Baby, arrives, Tumba immediately pretends to be a loving guardian, scolding Falmata for overworking herself. She praises her in public, portraying herself as a generous stepmother. Falmata, already used to the act, silently cries while surfacing, knowing the truth.
 
Mama Baby believes the illusion, even commending Tumba’s kindness. Meanwhile, Falmata silently continues her task, hiding her tears as she’s once again used as a tool in Tumba’s reputation game.
 
Fadime’s Quiet Pain in Katsina
 
In Katsina, another girl, Fadime, also leads a difficult life—though different in form. Dressed in traditional Fulani attire, she herds the family's cattle through the fields, accompanied only by her loyal dog and a stick.
 
She’s no stranger to the task, but she dreads every moment, not because of the work itself, but due to the consistent misfortunes that befall the cattle. Since she began herding, many cows have died, reducing their number from 43 to 17. Every outing is filled with anxiety, fearing that more might perish under her watch.
 
A Silent Companion – The Mysterious Cat
 
Adding to Fadime's unease is the presence of a strange black cat with red eyes. The creature often appears on a rock nearby, silently staring at her. Though initially frightened, Fadime has grown used to its presence. Still, its menacing eyes and frequent appearance spark suspicion. Whenever she sees it, her body breaks into goosebumps, as if the cat brings a foreboding omen.
 
Despite the fear, Fadime tries to stay focused on her duties. She finds a spot to sit and keeps watch over the cattle. Her life is lonely, repetitive, and haunted by silent threats she doesn’t understand.
 
Parallel Struggles, Shared Strength
 
Though in different places, Falmata and Fadime share similar struggles—poverty, silent suffering, and inner strength. Both live under the pressure of expectations and fear, both battle unseen forces—Tumba’s cruelty in Yola and the mysterious omen in Katsina. Each girl navigates her harsh reality with grace, resilience, and a deep-rooted desire for something better.
 
Their stories reflect the plight of many young girls in rural communities—trapped between obedience and personal freedom, yearning for love, trust, and a future free from fear.