Hamdah Part 4 Complete Hausa Novel

Hamdah Part 4 Complete Hausa Novel 
 
The phone rang endlessly without being answered. Raliya glanced at Na’ima and said,
“He’s not picking up.”
 
Na’ima scoffed. “Call again. You know how stubborn he is—if he’s not in the mood, he won’t answer. The phone is probably right next to him, he just doesn't want to.”
 
Raliya called again. Same result. She tried three times. On the fourth attempt, he finally picked up. Quickly, she put the phone to her ear.
 
“Assalamu Alaikum, SALEEM. It’s Raliya. We’re at the hospital. Na’ima has delivered.”
 
SALEEM, who was in his office still tidying up his belongings after missing his flight due to unfinished tasks, sprang to his feet.
“Delivered?! When did her pregnancy reach full term? You mean the baby is out?”
 
“Yes,” she replied. “She gave birth to a premature baby boy.”
 
He let out a long breath, processing the unexpected news. Though he had doubted her, hearing the child was born brought a strange peace to his heart.
 
“How’s the baby? Is he okay?”
 
“He’s in the incubator,” she said.
 
He hung up without another word.
 
Na’ima, who had been eavesdropping, sneered.
“So, that’s all he cares about—the baby, not me. Hmph.”
 
Raliya laughed. “That’s SALEEM for you. Cold and stubborn. He won’t change—caring runs in his blood.”
 
The Family's Reaction
 
Immediately after, SALEEM called Mamie. She was sitting with Aunty Rafee’at, Aunty Jaleela, and Ummi. When he broke the news that Na’ima had given birth, Mamie blurted out,
“Birth?! At seven months?!”
 
“Yes,” he confirmed. “It’s a preemie. She’s still in the hospital.”
 
Mamie answered curtly, “May Allah protect the child,” and ended the call.
 
Everyone turned to her.
 
“Na’ima gave birth?” Ummi asked, surprised.
 
Mamie repeated, “Yes, that’s what he said.”
 
Ummi beamed. “Subhanallah! May the child be healthy and safe.”
 
But Mamie frowned. “A seven-month pregnancy? That’s not likely to be an easy one.”
 
Aunty Jaleela added, “Such early labor only brings hardship.”
 
Rafee’at chimed in bitterly, “Where’s the blessing in that? The baby’s not even fully formed.”
 
Unlike Ummi, who was joyful, the others expressed skepticism and sarcasm. Ummi urged them,
“We should go to the hospital now.”
 
Mamie shrugged. “I think it’s too late to visit. It’s already Maghrib.”
 
Ummi pushed again. “Come on, we should go. She has no other family there.”
 
Rafee’at rolled her eyes. “Count me out—Adeel’s dad is coming to pick us up.”
 
Despite the complaints, Ummi managed to drag Jaleela and Rafee’at along to the hospital after informing Abbu.
 
At the Hospital
 
At the hospital, they met SALEEM who had just arrived. The nurse guided them to the recovery room where Na’ima was resting. Raliya stood beside her, offering comfort.
 
Ummi rushed forward. “How are you feeling, Na’ima?”
 
Weakly, she responded, “I’m fine.”
 
Mamie barely glanced at her. “Congratulations,” she muttered with disinterest.
 
Rafee’at didn’t even speak. Jaleela, half-heartedly, muttered a greeting from the back.
 
SALEEM, hands behind his back, approached and asked,
“Where’s the baby?”
 
Raliya replied, “In the incubator.”
 
He nodded and asked the nurse to take them there. She also mentioned Dr. Mukhtar was in his office.
 
Raliya went ahead to fetch the doctor, and they all proceeded to the neonatal unit.
 
There, in a transparent incubator, lay the tiny baby boy. Though small, his facial features were sharp.
 
SALEEM stood close, peering in. A soft smile crept across his face.
 
Mamie, however, narrowed her eyes. “Is this really a seven-month-old preemie? He looks too alert for that stage.”
 
Raliya quickly interjected, “We calculated everything just yesterday. Seven months exactly. He just developed quickly.”
 
Ummi added, “Yes, some premature babies grow rapidly once they start eating well.”
 
SALEEM was lost in thought, staring at the child—his child. Or was he?
 
Rafee’at stepped closer and said bluntly, “If this is seven months, I don’t believe it. Something’s off.”
 
She exchanged sharp looks with Raliya before exiting the room, her expression unreadable.
 
Shortly after, Mamie suggested they leave, and they returned home.
 
Doubt and Dark Resentment
 
Na’ima felt a pit of anger in her chest. So that’s how her in-laws would treat her after everything? No joy, no warmth?
 
Raliya tried to console her.
“Calm down. You didn’t have that baby for them. If they act cold, it’s on them—not you.”
 
“But I did this for SALEEM!” Na’ima snapped.
 
“Exactly,” Raliya said. “If he’s happy, that’s what matters. The rest are irrelevant. That witch Rafee’at was giving me death stares—she doesn’t know who she’s messing with. I’ll show her I’m a pro inside and out.”
 
Na’ima’s face twisted. “I’m not done with her. I’ll deal with her, even if it means going back to that spiritualist. She will regret crossing me.”
 
Just then, they heard the door creak open. They quickly ended the conversation. Na’ima lay down and put on her best victim face.
 
SALEEM entered and stood at her bedside.
“How are you feeling?”
 
Feigning exhaustion, she said,
“My SALEEM… your son put me through so much. I barely survived the labor.”
 
He touched his chest softly, repeating to himself,
“My son…”
 
A strange mix of joy and anxiety overwhelmed him. He felt a heavy pressure in his chest—again. It had been happening frequently lately. His heart raced. His breath caught. He saw three glowing lights approaching in his vision… only for them to fade into darkness.
 
Na’ima’s voice snapped him back:
“What’s wrong, My SALEEM?”
 
He grabbed his head. “I’m… sorry.” Then, suddenly, he turned and walked out.
 
Na’ima watched him leave, confused. She had expected him to be excited—thrilled, even. But instead, he left more disturbed than before.
 
In the Living Room
 
Back home, Mamie was surrounded by family.
 
But something in her heart didn’t sit right.
 
“That baby…” she thought, “Something doesn’t feel right. He doesn’t feel like SALEEM’s.”
 
Meanwhile, Rafee’at grimaced at the family’s excitement.
 
“Oh, please. That baby doesn’t look anything like a preemie. Don’t tell me that’s seven months. I’ve seen enough to know—something is off.”
 
She hissed and left the room.