Zurfin Ciki Part 4 Complete Hausa Novel

Counsel, Warnings, and Quiet Decisions
Inna Harira said, “May Allah make it easy. Let us get up and go.” They stood up and headed to Ummi’s room. Although Ummi did not think she would receive any good news, she now knew the kind of stay they would have. Inna Saratu and the others told Ummi that whatever she chose to do, for Allah’s sake she should not pay attention to provocation. They advised her to focus on her own affairs and obey her husband, saying that was what would protect her most.
Ummi said “Alright,” though in her heart she did not think she could watch herself be treated with contempt. As they were leaving, Fatima came in to greet them. Ummi pleaded, “Please, Fati, stay a little—I'll be alone in this room.” Fati teased, “Who are you afraid of—your co-wives?” Ummi replied, “Which co-wives? A marriage contracted in a few minutes?” Fati laughed, “Today you’ll hear what women hear.”
Ummi grabbed Fati’s veil. “I’m feeling uneasy—are you serious or just teasing me?” Fati whispered something in her ear. Ummi’s eyes widened. “Really?” Fati burst out laughing and said she would come back to hear the details. Ummi said it was a secret. Fati teased that she had already shared hers. They laughed together. However much Ummi tried to keep her, Fati refused and they said goodbye.
Fatima went to Bishira’s room to greet her. Bishira snapped, “Fati, leave my room—I’m not joking with you. I can see you’ve joined that reckless girl’s camp.” Fati left, muttering to herself that Bishira’s jealousy was pointless. Ummi stood frozen, frightened by what Fati had told her, but then another thought calmed her—that perhaps he did not even love Bishira, and might not stand by her.
Abba stepped out intending to go home, then changed his mind and went to the supermarket. He bought women’s cotton, thinking she would start her monthly cycle the next day; he never forgot the dates and always kept track of any changes. He added a few groceries and headed home, his heart pounding, worried Ummi might not have arrived yet. He diverted to Umma’s house; everyone else had dispersed. He greeted them. The old woman answered while making ablution; Umma replied from the kitchen.
The old woman asked, “Who are you looking for, Malam, and what brings you here after she has been taken to you?” Abba replied sharply, “Old woman, why are you asking? I’m going to Ummi. This is my family home.” The old woman warned him that Ummi had come there crying bitterly. Umma laughed lightly, saying there would be no quarrel because of Abba; Ummi was simply sensitive. The old woman told them to stop the talk. Abba suggested taking Umma’s belongings so she could stay with Ummi for support. Umma said she would hear matters even from here. Abba asked if Alhaji had arrived; she said no. As he was leaving, Umma advised Abba to be patient, be fair to his wife, reassure her, and not give Ummi room to belittle Bishira. Abba promised to be careful and asked Umma to convey his gratitude to Alhaji. She reminded him Alhaji was his father. The old woman joked about unpaid bridewealth. Abba laughed and left.
Tensions at Home
At the gate, Abba took his groceries from the car and entered with greetings, though his courage masked a sinking feeling. He did not know what trouble Bishira had prepared. He entered; Bishira was seated at the doorway, leaning on Muhibba, and did not respond. Dusk was approaching. He called her, asking if she couldn’t hear. She retorted that since he was present, he could wake himself—before another woman came, he had never complained.
He placed the bags down and went to perform ablution. Bishira stood and went to the bags, muttering that since groceries had arrived, there would be no special meal. She had planned carefully. Opening the bags, she found provisions and women’s cotton. She hissed, pushed them aside, and watched him as he returned, started the generator, collected the bags, and took them into the living room. He did not change clothes; he went straight to the mosque and returned only after the night prayer. Bishira remained seated.
Ummi, meanwhile, could not leave her room because she felt nauseous from the bathroom; her period had started earlier, and she heard everything happening with his wife. When Abba returned, he changed clothes, sprayed perfume, and answered a call from Salis, who joked about greetings and wished him a peaceful home. After the call, a message arrived—from Ummi, on the phone he had given her—saying she had a problem and needed help. His heart sank, but he assumed it was her cycle. He put on his cap, took the cotton bag, and headed to her room.
Bishira protested loudly about unfairness as he walked past, but he did not look back. He greeted Ummi; she answered, adjusted her veil, and they looked at each other, both hearts racing. Gently, he asked what help she needed. She closed her eyes, turned away in shyness. He handed her the bag. She accepted it with both hands, surprised—how did he know she needed cotton, and even the timing? She thanked him; he smiled and thanked her too.
As he was leaving, she called him back and, embarrassed, asked for toilet-cleaning medicine, distressed by the dirt she had seen. He smiled and asked which kind; he said there was IZAL but she should not be cleaning now. She insisted; he offered to do it for her. She refused politely, saying she would do it herself.
Jealousy, Service, and a Brewing Storm
He returned to the living room, removed his shirt, and began fetching water. Bishira stood up, taunting him that he could empty the well for her if he wished, but whenever water was to be used, he must fetch it for her too. Ummi came out with buckets—she had heard everything—and softly pleaded, “Ya Abba, please let me fetch this water.” He looked at her and instantly forgot all the bitterness Bishira had poured on him.
“Just arriving and you’re already fetching water?” he asked. Ummi took hold of the rope. “I didn’t come to sit idle, Ya Abba. I came to serve; Paradise requires effort.” He laughed. Bishira cut in sharply, mocking the display and threatening to splash the water she had poured into the bucket at Ummi. He warned her sternly to stop—then raised his voice in anger.