Auren Kwaila Book 1 Complete Hausa Nove
“Umma! Umma!! Umma!!!” Fatima burst into the house running at breakneck speed, loudly shouting for her mother, who was sitting further away pounding and washing black-eyed peas to prepare evening alale (moin-moin) and kunu (millet porridge) for sale.
“My Umma!!” she called out her mother’s name a second time.
Umma Ramatu looked up and answered, “Yes, Fatiti! My tall Fati, what happened? Who dared to mess with you?”
“Umma, can you believe Ikilima wants to play games with me?” Fati complained bitterly. “I sold thirty naira worth of sugarcane to her child, and now she brought him back claiming she won’t buy it anymore because it’s too expensive, demanding I refund her money! But I never accept returned items or give refunds after a sale. So she just has to deal with it—I swear by Allah, I am not taking it back!”
Facing Off with the Soldier’s Wife
“Oh, is that so? Even if it were stolen goods, I wouldn’t buy this sugarcane of yours for thirty naira!” Ikilima interrupted before Umma could say a word. “No matter how insolent you are, you MUST give me back my money, ehee!”
Fati fired back immediately, “By God, you won’t get it! Even your husband wouldn’t dare…”
The customers waiting to buy porridge gasped in complete shock at the brazen words of this young girl toward a soldier’s wife—for Ikilima’s husband was indeed a military officer.
“You! I’ve been hearing reports of your disrespect,” Ikilima snapped. “So your impudence has finally crossed over to me? You better behave yourself and know your place, you insolent child!”
Umma Ramatu Intervenes to Settle the Dispute
“Come on, Ikilima, with your status and maturity, would you really stoop to Fati’s level?” Umma pleaded gently. “Please, for God’s sake, have patience. Here is your money, take it.” Umma spoke as she untied the edge of her wrapper, counted out thirty naira, and handed it to Ikilima.
Ikilima reached out, took the money, and turned around to grab the sugarcane from her child’s hand to hand it back to Umma Ramatu.
Umma shook her head and said, “Ah, no, Ikilima! Let the child keep and eat the sugarcane. Why snatch it back from him?”
“I swear to God, Umma, she wouldn’t dare! She MUST give us back that sugarcane…” Fatiti interjected saucily, reaching out her hand to forcefully snatch the sugarcane back.
Umma promptly slapped her mouth and reprimanded her strictly, “Didn’t I warn you against disrespect and bringing trouble to me? Get inside and get out of my sight!” She then turned back to Ikilima and added, “Ikilima, see you later. Give my regards to your husband.”
The Aftermath of the Confrontation
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Ikilima escorted her child out of the house. Meanwhile, Zarah turned away, grumbling with a sulky pout as she stormed into her room, dramatically declaring that her business was over.
Umma Ramatu chuckled softly and said to herself, “Well, I didn’t force you into business in the first place—you chose it yourself! A girl who acts as if I gave birth to her among boys, engaging in all sorts of male trades… even her business associates are all men! What on earth is all this? Ho-ho-ho, poor me, Ramatu!”
She paused and concluded with a sigh, “Well, as of today, the sugarcane business is officially over! Unless she finds another trade, she’ll just have to quit. Honestly, when it comes to Fatima Zarah’s business ventures, I swear I’ve washed my hands of them!”
Key Highlights from Auren Kwaila Book 1
- Character Dynamics: Showcases the sharp contrast between Fatima Zarah’s fiery temper and her mother’s calm wisdom.
- Cultural Context: Highlights daily life in Northern Nigeria, featuring local street food vending (kunu and alale) and neighborhood trade interactions.
- Main Theme: Moral lessons on respect for elders, authority, and maternal discipline.