Halysaah Part 3 Complete Hausa Novel

The Garden, the Tears, and the Unwanted Encounter
 
She stood leaning against the trunk of a tree in a large garden filled with different kinds of plants that beautified the place. Birds hovered happily, chirping softly as the sun slowly set. The view was breathtakingly beautiful, yet despite how intensely she stared at it, her mind was far away. She was just gazing absentmindedly at the setting sun, lost deep in her thoughts.
 
Beside her stood a hospital worker, a woman in her mid-40s. The doctor placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and said softly, “Maghrib is close. Let’s go so you can perform ablution.”
 
She just stared at the doctor without even blinking, as if she did not understand her words. Tears began to gather in her eyes as she exhaled slowly. The doctor took her hand, pulling her close gently. “Come on sweetheart… are you breaking your promise already?”
 
She rested her head on the doctor’s chest, tears flowing down her face. The doctor closed her eyes and patted her back gently, her entire body calm and soft.
 
Both of them turned when they heard footsteps in the garden. He stopped at a distance, choosing not to come closer. The doctor greeted him respectfully. She immediately pulled away from the doctor and turned her back to him, refusing to look at him as tears poured down her face. She felt as though she couldn’t breathe, just like always. She burst into loud sobs and held onto the tree trunk beside her for support.
 
He didn’t respond to the doctor’s greeting. He simply turned and walked out of the garden.
 
The doctor quickly held her as she was about to fall, guiding her to sit on the soft carpet spread across the garden. Trying to calm her, she whispered, “Haba my dear sister… why won’t you keep the promise you made to me?”
 
With a trembling voice she replied, “I’m sorry… wallahi I can’t do it.”
 
The doctor hugged her, rubbing her back gently, overcome by intense pity. She had attended to countless cases as a medical doctor, but none had ever shaken her heart like this girl’s. She wished she could take away her pain… make her happy again… erase her past so she could face her present.
 
Softly, the doctor said, “Halysaah…”
 
Khaleesat lifted her swollen eyes and looked at her.
 
“Please be patient, Halysaah… please.”
 
Khaleesat lowered her gaze without saying a word. The doctor helped her up, held her hand, and together they left the garden toward the main compound of the house.
 
A Few Years Back: Struggles, Choices, and Unsaid Pain
 
“Talk to Abdul about it. I know he’ll never agree to this. He’ll definitely find a solution for you immediately.”
 
Khaleesat raised her big eyes to look at her friend Safiyyah. She looked as though she wouldn’t say anything, then slowly lowered her gaze and whispered, “That will be another burden, Safiyyah. You know how expensive apartments are in this state. Houses are ridiculously costly. And I already told you—I won’t ask him for anything again or request any favor…”
 
Safiyyah frowned. “Cabdi… if you don’t ask him, who else will you ask? And you know his attitude—he will twist this whole situation against you instantly. I think you’re better off telling him. You’ll have peace of mind.”
 
Khaleesat went silent, thinking about Safiyyah’s words. Then she sighed and shook her head. “It’s fine, Safiyyah. No need to tell him. I will cope, in sha Allah. After all, we just have a year and a half left.”
 
Safiyyah stared at her, then took her hand. “Or you can move back in with us. I’ll tell them you’ll stay with us for some time.”
 
Khaleesat shook her head. “Let’s not inconvenience them, Safiyyah. Don’t worry, I will sort myself out.”
 
“No,” Safiyyah insisted. “I’ll talk to Ya Musty about your situation. He won’t refuse. His wife is the only problem—such a troublesome woman. And do I even care? You don’t even know what she’s been doing to me in the house lately. Every night she refuses to cook with me, so I end up looking for whatever I can eat since you know Ya Musty works night shifts. And me, you know I prefer junk food. I just prepare cornflakes or something.”
 
Khaleesat smiled. “And you want me to come and live with you in that condition? You’re funny.”
 
Safiyyah rolled her eyes. “So what? You won’t be living under her, you know. And in case you forgot—Ya Musty is my cousin brother. Whether she likes it or not, I will stay there until I finish my studies. Very wicked and selfish woman. Wallahi don’t worry—if I talk to Ya Musty, just pack your bags and move in, even tomorrow…”
 
Khaleesat quickly stopped her. “No, please don’t start that, Safiyyah. I will cope with my situation over time. I know I’ll adjust eventually. Besides, this is normal—it's just me stressing myself too much because of my religion, my culture, and other things. Anyway… it’s fine.”
 
She looked at her phone when she got a notification. “My Lyft is here, Sophie. See you tomorrow, in sha Allah.”
 
Safiyyah sighed. “Alright then, take care. I’ll walk home too.”
 
They parted ways, and Khaleesat headed toward her Lyft.
 
Later that night, around 10pm, she finished cooking noodles in the kitchen. She plated her food, washed the pot, grabbed a bottle of water, and headed toward her room. As she walked past one corridor, a door opened just a few steps from her room.
 
Someone spoke behind her.
 
“Hi, good evening. We didn’t meet earlier when I came in the morning—I guess you already left for school. You can call me Jay, and I’m your new housemate. I moved in this morning.”
 
She turned and looked at him but said nothing. He nodded politely. “Jay.”
 
She replied dryly, “I see.”
 
Just as she turned to enter her room, he said, “A minute, please.”
 
She turned again, expression unreadable.
 
“Are you Hausa?” he asked casually.
 
She frowned slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
 
“Oh, okay. I just want to ask permission…”
 
She stared silently.
 
He adjusted his stance. “As you can see, it’s late already. Can I use some of your water and beverages before I get mine tomorrow, if you don’t mind?”
 
She looked away and said briefly, “Ohk.”
 
“Alright,” he replied.
 
She entered her room and locked it. After eating her noodles, she felt too tired to go back out and take the plate to the kitchen. She left it aside, went to the bathroom to wash her mouth, performed ablution, and sat on the edge of her bed.
 
She noticed two missed calls from Abdul—since around 6pm. She sighed, checked the time: 10:30pm in the US… nearly 5am in Nigeria.
 
She opened WhatsApp, saw he was online, and called him.
 
When he picked up, she lowered her voice and greeted him gently.
 
He didn’t respond. Instead, he said, “You just saw my calls now?”
 
She exhaled softly. “I’m sorry… I just saw them wallahi.”
 
“You mean since then your phone wasn’t with you?” he snapped.
 
“Not really… I’ve been studying since I got back from school. In a few months we’ll start exams.”
 
“I see. So that means I don’t deserve your time because you have exams? How can your phone ring twice and you don’t hear it unless you’re deliberately ignoring me?”
 
She didn’t know what to say. Her phone had been on silent, but he had warned her several times never to keep it silent. To avoid further issues, she didn’t mention that.
 
Softly, she said, “I’m sorry. It’s not like that. I’m sorry.”
 
“Keep your sorry. Tell me where you were that your phone rang twice and you didn’t hear it? Your lectures ended around 4pm Baltimore time. Where did you go after that?”
 
Her eyes closed in exhaustion from his interrogation.
 
After a few seconds, she whispered, “I was in the parlor, studying… my phone was in my room.”
 
“So you’ve started using the parlor now? When did that start? Did your housemate stop bringing her boyfriend into the house?”
 
Her heart dropped.
 
“She’s not around,” she replied softly. “She traveled to LA yesterday.”
 
“I’ve called you three times this week and you never pick up until you feel like it. Don’t ever repeat that nonsense. Are you the one doing the studying, or will you teach me exams?”
 
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
 
“Did you hear me?” he barked.
 
In a shaky voice, she whispered, “I heard you… I’m sorry… it won’t happen again, in sha Allah.”
 
“Good. Go to bed,” he said coldly.
 
“Thank you… goodnight,” she replied, wiping her tears.
 
He ended the call.
 
She set her phone aside, rested her head on the pillow, and cried quietly. Later, she washed her face, switched off the lights, made her bedtime dua, and lay down.
 
Restlessness, Red Flags, and the Invitation to Escape
 
Friday morning, they finished their lectures early. She sat with Safiyyah in the exact spot they were the previous day. Khaleesat got lost in deep thought again, not realizing Safiyyah had finished her phone call.
 
Safiyyah tapped her shoulder. “What’s wrong, Khaleesat? I’ve been talking and you didn’t even notice. What are you thinking about?”
 
Khaleesat forced a small smile. “I just miss my mother and my siblings.”
 
Safiyyah shook her head. “I don’t believe that. Something is definitely bothering you.”
 
Khaleesat deflected. “You were talking to George, right?”
 
Lowering her voice, Safiyyah said, “Please… tomorrow is weekend. Let’s go to Virginia, Khaleesat. George is throwing a birthday party. And we’ll go to the beach. Don’t say no, please. We need to rest our brains. It’s not every day we bury ourselves in books, as if we’re the ones who brought education to the world.”
 
Khaleesat stared at her. “Safiyyah… so you want to travel all the way to Virginia?”
 
Safiyyah raised her eyebrows dramatically. “And so? It’s just four hours from Maryland. Like traveling from Kaduna to Kano—if the driver isn’t even speeding. 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 morning in sha Allah. And no one will know that we trav—”