Bayan Duhu Book 1 Complete Hausa Novel
It was the home of a moderately well-off family.
In the middle of the compound, a beautiful young woman was washing clothes.
Just one look at her was enough to make anyone realise that she had Arab blood in her because of her striking beauty and naturally radiant complexion.
Ayrah Faces Harsh Treatment at Home
A woman came out of one of the rooms.
She looked at the young woman angrily and said:
“Ayrah, what kind of useless girl are you? You never do anything quickly. You have been washing those clothes for so long and you still haven’t finished, even though you know you still have to go and fetch water.”
Ayrah replied softly:
“Please forgive me, Mama Abu. I’m almost finished.”
The woman angrily responded:
“Oh God! You foolish, useless girl. I am giving you ten minutes to finish that washing and go out to fetch water for us. Otherwise, your body will tell you what will happen.”
After saying that, the woman turned around and went back into her room, still muttering angrily.
The tears Ayrah had been struggling to hold back finally began flowing from her eyes.
She raised her hand and wiped them away.
Deep inside her heart, she terribly missed her mother because she knew exactly what Mama Abu was capable of.
Ayrah Struggles With Hunger
Within fifteen minutes, Ayrah finished washing the clothes and hung them out to dry.
She then went into the kitchen, picked up a bucket and left the house.
Her stomach was painfully rumbling from hunger.
The last time she had eaten was the previous night when she went to her friend Sa’adatu’s house and was given some tuwo to eat.
Now it was already around 12:20 p.m., yet she had not eaten anything since then.
After leaving the house, she headed towards the public water tap, which was some distance away from their home.
Ayrah Meets Tanko at the Water Tap
As soon as she reached the water point, her heart suddenly began beating heavily because of the person she saw there.
Her entire body became tense as she slowly approached.
Before she even reached them, one of the young men looked towards his companion and said:
“Careful, Oga. Your girl is coming.”
Ayrah approached the tap with a greeting on her lips.
The same young man who had spoken earlier looked at her and said teasingly:
“Welcome, our boss’s bride.”
Ayrah frowned, looking as though she might burst into tears.
However, she decided to ignore them and placed her bucket in the queue.
It seemed as though Tanko had been waiting for exactly that.
He looked at the young man beside him and called:
“Dauda.”
Dauda immediately answered:
“Yes, Oga Tanko.”
Tanko said:
“My wife should not be standing in a queue. Remove whoever’s bucket is there and put hers in its place.”
Dauda did exactly as he was told.
He placed Ayrah’s bucket under the tap, filled it completely with water and removed it for her.
Tanko Calls Ayrah His Wife
When Dauda tried to lift the bucket for her, Ayrah quickly said:
“Leave it. I will carry my own bucket.”
He did not argue with her and left it for her.
Ayrah lifted the bucket and began walking back home.
Throughout the journey, her stomach continued making painful noises from hunger.
Another Problem Awaits Ayrah at Home
Ayrah entered their compound with a greeting.
A young woman who appeared to be around the same age as Ayrah looked at her angrily and said:
“So, slowpoke, you have only now decided to bring the water? I have wanted to take my bath since earlier. You have kept everyone waiting for you.”
Ayrah looked at her and replied:
“Please forgive me, Ma’u.”
Ma’u hissed angrily and said:
“Get away from here, you witch. Take this bucket to the bathroom for me. I want to take my bath, then you can go and fetch another bucket.”
Ayrah replied:
“Ma’u, Mama Abu said we should not use this bucket for bathing.”
Ma’u became furious.
She said:
“You wretched girl! Are you the one telling me what Mama said? She only stopped someone like you because you are useless.”
She continued angrily:
“Will you take that water to the bathroom for me, or do you want me to rearrange your face?”
Ayrah did not say another word.
She simply carried the water into the bathroom for Ma’u.