Halysaah Part 1 Complete Hausa Novel

A Quiet Garden Evening
 
She stood leaning against the trunk of a tree in a large garden filled with all kinds of plants decorating the place. Birds fluttered happily around the garden, chirping as the sun slowly set. The view was beautiful and breathtaking. Even though her eyes were fixed on the view, her mind was somewhere else — she was staring absentmindedly at the setting sun, lost deep in thought.
 
At her side was a hospital worker in her mid-forties. The doctor gently touched her and, speaking in a soothing voice, said, “It’s Maghrib; shall we go and perform wudu?” She only looked at the doctor without blinking, as if she didn’t understand what was being said. Tears started to gather in her eyes; she breathed out slowly. The doctor took her hand and led her closer, calmly saying, “Come on, sweetheart — are you already breaking the promise you made me?” She rested her head against the doctor; tears streamed down her face. The doctor closed her eyes briefly while gently patting her, calming her whole body.
 
They turned together when they heard footsteps in the garden. Someone stopped a short distance away and watched them without coming closer. The doctor greeted him respectfully. She slid away from the doctor’s hold and turned her back to him — as if she didn’t want to see him — tears rolling from her eyes. She felt as though her breath might fail her, and suddenly she burst into loud sobs, pressing her hand against the tree trunk beside her. The man didn’t respond to the doctor’s greeting; he turned and left the garden. The doctor hurried to support her, fearing she might faint. She helped her sit on the soft carpet spread in the area and tried to calm her, saying, “Sister, why won’t you keep the promise you made me?” Her voice trembling, she replied, “I’m sorry — I can’t, I swear I can’t.” The doctor hugged her, gently patting her back with deep sympathy.
 
In her medical career the doctor had attended many cases, but none had pierced her heart and stayed with her like this young woman’s suffering. She wished she could take the pain away, make her happy again, help her forget the past and face the present. Quietly the doctor said, “Halysaah…” Khaleesat lifted her red, swollen eyes and looked at the doctor. The doctor repeated, “Forgive me, Halysaah, forgive me.” Khaleesat lowered her gaze without saying anything. The doctor helped her to her feet, held her hand, and they left the garden and walked back toward the main compound of the house.
 
A Few Years Back — Choices and Pressure
 
“Talk to Abdul about it. I know he would never agree to that, and he will definitely find a way out for you immediately,” Safiyyah urged. Khaleesat raised her big eyes and looked at her friend Safiyyah but didn’t answer right away; then she slowly dropped her gaze and said, “That will be another huge burden, Safiyyah. You know how expensive apartments are in this state. Houses are costly, and I already told you I won’t keep asking him for anything, or make any demands…”
 
Safiyyah said, “Abdul. If you don’t ask him, who will you ask? Besides, you know his character — in a moment he could turn this situation against you. I think you should tell him; it will bring you peace of mind.” Khaleesat fell quiet and considered what Safiyyah said. Then she sighed and shook her head: “It’s fine, Safiyyah. I won’t tell him. I will cope, God willing. After all, we only have a year and a half left.” Safiyyah held her hand and asked, “When you return to my place, shall I tell them your friend will come and stay with us for a little while?” Khaleesat shook her head: “Let’s not inconvenience them, Safiyyah. Don’t worry — I’ll sort myself out.”
 
“No, I’ll speak to Ya Musty about your situation, Khaly. I know he won’t say no. His wife, though… she’s a real troublemaker — I don’t even care. You don’t know what she does to me at home. She never cooks at night; I have to find something to eat. You know Ya Musty works night shift, and I prefer junk food; I just mix cornflakes or something.” Khaleesat smiled weakly: “So you want me to follow you to their house like that? You’re so funny.” Safiyyah rolled her eyes: “So what? You won’t be living with her alone if you come back. You know Ya Musty is my cousin — or did you forget? Whether you like it or not, I’ll stay at that house until I finish school. That woman is wicked and self-centered. I swear, don’t worry, if I talk to Ya Musty and he agrees, just pack your things and come back tomorrow if needed.”
 
Khaleesat said, “No, really — don’t start that, Safiyyah. I’ll cope with my situation gradually. I know I’ll get used to it. Besides, it’s normal; the problem is mostly my worries because of my religion and culture and other things I can’t ignore. Anyway… it’s fine.” As she spoke she looked at her phone and saw a notification. “I think my Lyft is here, Sophie. See you tomorrow, God willing.” Safiyyah breathed a sigh of relief: “Okay then — take care. I’ll stroll home too.” They parted, and Khaleesat headed to the Lyft she had ordered to go home.
 
That night around ten, Khaleesat finished cooking noodles for dinner. She poured her Indomie onto a plate, picked up a fork, washed the pot, closed the fridge, took a bottle of water, and headed straight for her room. As she walked along the corridor, a nearby door opened — it was a room only a few steps from hers. She paused, about to open her own door, when someone said, “Hi, good evening. We didn’t get to meet this morning; I guess you left for school. Call me Jay — I’m your new housemate. I moved in this morning.” Only then did Khaleesat turn and look at him but didn’t say anything. He nodded and said, “Jay.” No greeting, no introduction from her aside from “I see.” As she was about to go into her room he called, “A minute, please.” She turned and looked at him with an expression she couldn’t hide. Briefly he asked, “Are you Hausa?” She frowned a little and said, “I don’t know what you mean.” He corrected himself: “Oh, okay. I’m asking permission…” and then added, “Since it’s late, could I use some of your bottled water and beverages tonight before I get mine tomorrow, if you don’t mind?” Khaleesat lifted her head slightly and answered, “Okay.” He said, “Alright.” She went into her room, locked the door, and put the key in the lock.
 
Even after finishing her Indomie, she couldn’t bring herself to go back out to put the plate in the kitchen. Finally she left it there, went to the bathroom to wash her mouth, performed wudu, and sat on the edge of her bed with her phone. She noticed missed calls from Abdul — two calls she’d missed since six in the morning. She sighed softly and checked the clock—about ten thirty. Meanwhile, back home in Nigeria it was around five in the morning. She opened WhatsApp and saw he was online, so she placed a WhatsApp call. He picked up; she greeted him in a low voice, but he immediately chided her: “Why are you only answering my call now?” She breathed out in relief and said, “Sorry, I just saw your call; honestly I did.” He snapped, “You mean your phone wasn’t with you?” She tried to explain, “Not really. Since I returned, I’ve been studying at school. Exams start in a few months.” He said, “I see — that’s why I think you don’t deserve time for yourself right now, since exams are coming. How can you not hear your phone ring twice and say you didn’t know, unless you were careless?” She had no reply; her phone had been on silent because he’d insisted she set it that way many times to avoid problems. To avoid more trouble she didn’t tell him the phone was on silent. Quietly she said, “I’m sorry. I swear it’s not like that. I’m sorry.”
 
He retorted sharply, “Sorry to yourself, young lady. I want you to tell me where you are when your phone rings twice and you don’t answer. Your lectures end at 4 PM Baltimore time; where did you go after that?” She closed her eyes and reopened them, exhausted by his accusations. After a few seconds she meekly replied, “I was in the parlor studying; my phone was in my room.” He said, “So you’ve started living in the parlor? When did that start? Is your housemate’s girlfriend no longer coming into the house?” Khaleesat’s head dropped. She said quietly, “She’s not here; she went to LA yesterday.” He snapped, “This is the third time this week I’ve called and you didn’t pick up until you decided to. That nonsense shouldn’t repeat. Are you the one studying, or do I have to remind you about exams?” Khaleesat fell silent; her eyes filled with tears. He asked angrily, “Did you hear me?” She answered in a soft voice, “Yes, I heard. I’m sorry — this won’t happen again, God willing.” He said, “Good. You can go to bed.” Wiping the stubborn tears, she said, “Thank you. Goodnight.” He cut the call. She placed the phone beside her pillow, tears still falling. After a while she went to the bathroom, washed her face, turned off the light, prayed, and lay down to sleep.
 
The next morning, Friday, they finished lectures early. She and Safiyyah sat in the same spot where they had talked the previous day. Khaleesat was still lost in thought; she didn’t notice Safiyyah’s phone call ending. Safiyyah put her hand on Khaleesat’s shoulder to bring her back. “What’s wrong, Khaleesat? I’ve been talking and you didn’t respond. What are you thinking about?” Khaleesat forced a small smile and said, “I miss our mother and my siblings.” Safiyyah shook her head: “I don’t believe that — something is definitely bothering you.” Khaleesat dodged the subject: “Are you and George on the phone?” Safiyyah, in a low voice, said, “Please, get ready this weekend — we’re going to Virginia, Leesat. George is throwing a party for his birthday tomorrow and we’re going to the beach. Please don’t say no. We need a break to rest our brains — it’s not always study, study, study.” Khaleesat looked at her: “You want me to go to Virginia now, Safiyyah?” Safiyyah rolled her eyes and said, “So what? It’s just a four-hour ride from Maryland — like Kaduna to Kano by car if traffic isn’t bad. Please, for once, be social, Khaleesat. Aren’t you tired of staying in one place in this country? Aren’t you tired of studying? We’ll be back Monday, God willing, and nobody will know we went to Virginia. Ya Mustapha and I already planned how to tell him. You keep missing opportunities while we’re here. Once we return to Nigeria, that’s it — the trip includes both guys and girls.” Khaleesat shook her head: “I advise you not to go, Safiyyah.” Safiyyah said, “I don’t want advice — the ten of us are going.” Khaleesat replied, “May God protect you on the journey and bring you back safely.” Safiyyah gave her a look: “So you’re not coming, then?” Without looking at her, Khaleesat said, “You know I won’t go.” Safiyyah insisted, “You’ll see — we will go.” She stood and said, “See you Monday.” Khaleesat watched her leave and quietly asked, “You really plan to go? With this timing, Safiyyah?” Safiyyah said, “What else are we going to do at school? Besides, you were the one who said we should use our time well and go home early.” Khaleesat had no answer — inside she felt a growing dislike for her home. She no longer saw her house as a comfort zone and didn’t think she could live under the same roof with a Hausa guy. If it had been a foreigner, she probably wouldn’t have been worried like this. She didn’t meet the new housemate in the morning. Safiyyah opened her eyes and sat down: “Oh, now I remember — is your worry about the new housemate? So what’s your problem with him? If he acts inappropriately, just call the cops and be done with it. Dial 911. Besides, from what I heard, he barely managed to get into this school on some scholarship — if he were foolish, he wouldn’t be living in a shared apartment in the USA. The rich ones are more scandalous than the poor; they behave worse. Just mind your things and he’ll mind his. Don’t be surprised he got a scholarship to come here.” Khaleesat just looked at Safiyyah. Safiyyah flicked her lips and said, “Let’s go home. I know Ya Musty won’t say no — either that or I’ll gather your things and move them to my house so you can stay with me.” Khaleesat whispered, “Please talk to him again so he won’t abandon me; you know we haven’t been in school long.” Safiyyah said, “Don’t worry; that man won’t refuse. Stand up; I’ll accompany you. If the housemate sees you looking frightened, he’ll start to suspect things about you.” Khaleesat stood and said, “Don’t go acting too Hausa; just pretend we’re not Hausa.” Safiyyah laughed: “You’re the non-Hausa one — I’m fully Bahaushiya.”
 
They left school and went to Khaleesat’s house. She unlocked the front door, entered the parlor, and Safiyyah followed behind. Safiyyah sniffed the air and said, “Seems he hasn’t been gone long.” Khaleesat looked around the parlor and saw reading materials stacked on the chair — evidence he had been studying. Safiyyah said, “Listen, please relax and focus on your work. You’re in Maryland in the USA, not Kano in Nigeria. Do careful, sensible things here, please.” Khaleesat gave her a look and put down her handbag, saying, “You told me I would only worry if I were a foreigner or speaking a foreign language…”