Kuluwa Yar Balai Part 1 Complete Hausa Novel

A Gang of Schoolchildren
About fifteen children in green-and-white primary school uniforms walked together, each holding large stones. They trailed behind him; he too wore the same uniform as theirs. They let him turn into an alley, and then one of the girls, named Kuluwa—no more than fourteen years old—stepped forward. There were many others with her, including several girls, easily more than fifteen of them.
Kuluwa raised the stone in her hand and said,
“Labbaik Allahumma labbaik.”
She hurled it at him, and the others began throwing stones as well, chanting,
“Labbaik Allahumma labbaik.”
Stones rained down from all directions until an elderly man intervened, scolding them harshly and driving them away.
“May you be blessed because of that old man,” Kuluwa muttered, pointing at him for stopping them.
She hissed and walked off, the others following her like flies.
Deception and Mischief
On her way home, she turned back and headed to the house of Asabe, the grain seller. Acting polite, she greeted her respectfully and said,
“Baba Lami sent me to ask for five measures of beans. She’ll send you the money the day after tomorrow, God willing.”
Asabe hesitated but finally measured the beans and gave them to her, warning that the payment must not be delayed.
“She said if she forgets to send the money, you should come yourself,” Kuluwa added, taking the beans and leaving with a laugh.
As she walked, she wondered where to hide the beans. Passing a grain shop, she decided to sell them and take the money. She entered, greeted the shopkeeper humbly, then began to cry.
“Please help me buy these beans so I can take my mother to the hospital.”
The shopkeeper felt pity and bought them at the usual price. She thanked him and headed home. Once inside the compound, she tossed her schoolbag into the courtyard and left again.
She went to Fatu’s house, greeted her respectfully, and said,
“My mother says you should give her three measures of rice. She’ll send the money when Baba returns later.”
Fatu began complaining about giving things on credit, but Kuluwa persuaded her, even promising that if the money didn’t come, her mother would return it that very night. Fatu finally gave her the rice.
“I swear, Mama and Baba Lami, you’re in trouble now since you moved here, you hypocrites,” Kuluwa muttered as she left.
She returned home, found no one in the courtyard, sneaked into the kitchen, hid the rice carefully, then went into a room without greeting anyone.
Trouble and Tears at Home
“You troublesome old people,” Kuluwa muttered, glaring at the elderly grandmother who was busy with her work.
The grandmother ignored her. Kuluwa opened several pots but found nothing to eat. She went out again, greeting half-heartedly. The grandmother replied,
“Repentance is hard, but it brings reward.”
Kuluwa pouted and glared at her. Then she noticed a bowl she had overlooked earlier—dumplings soaked in oil with beans. She ate until she was full, prayed, changed her clothes, and told the grandmother,
“I’m going out to look for something. Staying at home isn’t for someone with strong legs.”
The grandmother ignored her again as Kuluwa left.
On the way, she met a well-dressed young woman walking confidently. For no reason, Kuluwa felt annoyed.
“You big-headed shameless girl with lips like a pig,” she muttered.
The young woman grew angry and approached her, but Kuluwa stepped aside, causing the woman to fall into a filthy puddle. Kuluwa laughed until tears streamed down her face and continued on to Ummi’s house.
She knocked, and soon Ummi came out.
“Where are we going?” Ummi asked.
“To Maimuna’s house,” Kuluwa replied, laughing.
They went, greeted Maimuna’s mother, and sat down, already plotting how to lure Maimuna outside so they could beat her. They were served rice and soup, which they ate completely. As they left, Maimuna escorted them out. Kuluwa covered her mouth, and together they beat her badly before running away.
“Gossip about me again tomorrow, and you’ll get worse than this!” Kuluwa shouted. “And tell your mother she can’t cook!”
A False Cry for Sympathy
Kuluwa returned home after sunset, prayed, then began to cry loudly.
“I’ll disgrace you, Kuluwa! You roam around all day causing trouble, then come home crying,” the grandmother said.
“So you don’t love me anymore, Grandma? Oh, my poor mother,” Kuluwa said dramatically.
“Be quiet and tell me who hurt you tonight. I swear I’ll deal with him. Please stop crying,” the grandmother pleaded.
Kuluwa wiped away her fake tears and said,
“I just want to see my father. Please let me go.”