They left immediately and headed straight toward Hajiya’s house. They arrived with hearts filled with deep grief and entered the residence. However, they did not find anyone in the living room. Nasrin stepped into Hajiya’s bedroom, but she wasn’t there either; she came back out and checked the kitchen, but she wasn't there either.
Nasrin muttered to herself, wondering where on earth Hajiya could have gone. Just then, they spotted an open door—one they had never seen open before—and they immediately headed toward it. They were certain Hajiya was in there. Upon arriving, they burst straight inside without knocking or even asking for permission.
Hajiya was sitting on the edge of the bed, engaged in a solitary act: shedding silent tears. She suddenly saw them standing in the middle of the room, and she quickly realized they were in a state of utter distress. She began asking them what was wrong, but they completely tuned her out because what they saw in that room terrified them far more. The exact shock they had encountered at their own house was precisely what they were looking at right now in this room. They stood frozen, reading the words explicitly written across the wall:
"My little sister, I swear by Allah that I love you deeply. I also pray and hope that we remain together forever.
Nasrin, you must know that my life belongs to you. Always and forever, you are the one I love, and you are my only choice.
Nasrin, even before I understood the true meaning of love, I was already consumed by my love for you. It is with this love for you that I wish to draw my final breath.
Furthermore, I pray that even on the Day of Resurrection, my Lord resurrects me with my love for you intact.
My little sister, I swear by Allah that if I lose you in this world, I don’t know what will become of me.
Nasrin, I swear by Allah that instead of losing you as my wife, I would much rather be resting inside my grave.
Nasrin, I swear I am entirely yours, and my life is your possession. You must know that you are the only one I have given my heart to.
My little sister, you were my first love, and you are the one I will love until my very last breath. Pl
ease, believe in me."
The Confrontation and The Revelation
These were the exact words they were reading, accompanied by photos that looked identical to them, yet they knew it wasn't actually them. Terrified, they instantly bombarded Hajiya with questions, begging her to tell them who these people were. However, she was too choked up to say a word. She stood up, attempting to walk out of the room, but they quickly blocked her path.
"For Allah's sake, Hajiya, please don't walk out and leave us like this without telling us anything! Hajiya, have pity on us! If you leave us in the dark, how do you expect us to cope? Right now, all of us are trapped in profound grief, and it is entirely because of these people who look exactly like us! Hajiya, these people knew you kept secrets about them. Why on earth do you want to keep us completely in the dark? Who are they, and what is their story? Are they our twins from birth, just as we are beginning to suspect? For Allah's sake, tell us, because right now, you are our only hope. Dad, Mum, and Umma have all utterly failed to tell us a single thing. That is exactly why we came to you, yet here you are, trying to run away without saying a word! Hajiya, swear to Allah, if you do not tell us something about these people, I will absolutely harm myself!"
Horrified by the threat, Hajiya quickly cut her off. "No! For Allah's sake, stop saying things like that! Don't worry, you are about to find out everything regarding them right now."
She walked over to her vanity drawer, opened it, pulled out an old diary, and handed it to them. "Take this and look through it. Inside, you will find the complete, uninterrupted story about everything."
They simultaneously reached out, scrambling over each other to grab it. Hajiya turned and walked out of the room, overwhelmed by an agonizing layer of grief. They cracked open the book to read its contents.
THE BACKSTORY: Nasir and Nasrin’s Secondary School Days
THE PAST STORY
First and foremost, I shall begin by greeting the reader of this book with the traditional greeting of Islam: Assalamu alaikum. Moving forward, my true name is Nasir Muhammad. I grew up as a highly pampered child to my mother, primarily because I am her only child, which made her love me fiercely.
She made sure to provide me with every form of happiness imaginable. However, despite this immense pampering, I grew up as an orphan. I never got to see my father alive, which made my mother anchor her entire soul onto me, showering me with pure, unadulterated love. The privilege and care I received exceeded that of any child whose father was still alive.
I had a close academic companion since our secondary school days named Nasrin. Nasrin and I were inseparable friends, to the extent that our parents formed a deep family friendship with one
another.
One cheerful day at school, Nasir sat with Nasrin, basking in high spirits. He looked at her intently and called her name: "Nasrin..."
She simply looked back at him with a warm smile without verbally answering. He found himself mirroring her smile.
"My little sister, we have finally completed our secondary school education, and tomorrow is our official graduation ceremony. Nasrin, what is your biggest dream right now? Do you desire to pursue your higher education, or is marriage what you want to jump into?" he asked, smiling playfully.
She immediately shot him a fierce, glaring look. "I am absolutely not getting married! I am going to have a baby!" she barked, followed by an annoyed hiss.
"Whoa! How on earth are you going to have a baby without getting married?" Nasir laughed.
"Well, if you get me pregnant, what's stopping me from giving birth?" she replied bluntly.
Nasir's jaw dropped. He quickly placed his hand over her mouth, shaking his head frantically. "No, my little sister! For Allah's sake, stop talking like that! How could I ever commit such an atrocious sin against my own little sister? I swear to Allah that could never happen between us. By the grace of Allah, believe me!"
She stared back at him silently, completely unbothered.
"Look, for Allah's sake, just drop this topic," she snapped, clicking her tongue in annoyance.
"Why are you getting so worked up with me just because I stated a reality?" Nasir asked.
"Look, I don't have time for your nonsense," Nasrin said, standing up and walking away angrily. He kept calling her name, but she completely ignored him. He jumped up quickly and ran after her, overtaking her to block her path.
"Come on, Nasrin, what is this for Allah's sake? You are making a scene. People are staring and laughing at me. Please, I beg you to forgive me. Let's move past it. I was only joking; I didn't mean it from my heart. Please believe me, I am telling you the absolute truth, please!" he pleaded, looking as though he was on the verge of tears.
"It's not going to happen," she said stubbornly.
"And why is that?"
"Because you said what fits me best."
"Like what?"
"Marriage, of course!"
Nasir gasped. "What on earth are you saying? How can you talk about marriage at your tender age? It is completely impossible!"
"That is your opinion, not mine," she dismissed.
"That's enough, Nasrin! We should stick to things that are realistic."
"Oh, so you realize it’s impossible?" she countered.
"Look, I already apologized, didn't I? By now, everything should be swept under the rug, for Allah's sake."
"Fine, it’s forgotten," she finally relented.
"Perfect, my little sister!" he cheered, beaming with a smile, which she quickly matched. "Now tell me, do you still hold the dream of becoming a Doctor, or have you changed your mind?"
"What would make me change my mind when nothing has changed about you?" she asked. "But in which city are we going to study?"
"Why shouldn't we study right here in our own city? Or do you prefer going somewhere else?" He shook his head sideways to indicate no. She smiled, and he returned the gesture.
While they were talking, Nasir's driver arrived to pick him up. They left together, first dropping Nasrin off at her house before heading to his.
Clarification on Nasrin’s Background
Let us pause and look into the background of who Nasrin actually is.
Nasrin was a young girl, barely sixteen years old. She was one of only two children born to her parents; she had an older brother named Na'em. She was the absolute guiding light of her household—the deeply cherished darling of her father (Abba) and her mother (Umma). Her older brother, Na'em, also loved her with an immense intensity.
She walked into her house bursting with her usual spoiled, playful energy and threw herself into her mother's arms. Umma welcomed her warmly. "Welcome back, my dear."
"Thank you, my Umma."
"How was school, and where is Nasir?"
"School was great. Nasir has headed back to his house."
"May Allah bless you all and grant you success."
"Ameen," Nasrin replied, standing up. "Umma, I'm going inside to take a quick shower."
"Go ahead, my dear. May Allah protect you."
"Ameen."
The Unfolding Romance and Nasir's Maternal Objections
(Author's interjection note: Thursday 30/8/2018. Page 52 to 55)
While Nasrin was getting dressed in her room, she heard her phone ringing. She didn't answer it immediately, even though she knew exactly who was calling. After completing her routine and performing her prayers, she picked up her phone to return the call, but he beat her to it. She answered with a beautiful Islamic greeting and a radiant smile, acting as if he were standing right in front of her.
"Good day, my Yayana (my big brother). I hope you are in a wonderful state of mind. I am deeply sorry you called earlier and I couldn't pick up. I was caught up in some chores, which is why I missed it. Please forgive me, please."
Hearing her voice, Nasir’s heart melted completely, rendering him momentarily speechless. He could only offer a deep, silent smile that she couldn't see. Sensing the heavy silence, she called out his name: "Yaya Nas? Why have you gone quiet? Please speak to me, because your silence is starting to worry me heavily, and I am certain you know the effect it has on me."
"With that said, I am pleading with you for Allah's sake to say something to me—anything! Because I absolutely despise it when you go silent on me."
Nasir exhaled a deep, heavy breath. "Oh, my little sister... I swear to Allah I don’t know why, but the moment I hear your voice, I completely lose the desire to speak. All I want to do is listen to your words indefinitely. And it’s even more intense when we are physically together; looking at that beautiful, constantly smiling face of yours makes me wish I could stare at you forever and never stop hearing the sweet melody of your voice. Nasrin, I don’t know what is happening to me or what the future holds, but whatever it is, I must confess this truth to you: I swear to Allah that I hold you in my soul far deeper than you could ever imagine."
"I feel exactly the same way, Yaya Nas," she whispered softly.
"Thank you... but actually, I don't want mere gratitude. What are you up to right now?"
"Nothing, I'm just sitting here."
"Okay, do you know what I want you to do right now?"
"Tell me."
"Get up and go eat something. Hajiya has been breathing down my neck trying to make me eat, but I explicitly told her I have no appetite unless you have eaten too. Alright, let's talk over the phone later. May Allah preserve us till then." With that, they said their goodbyes.
She stood up and walked into the living room, finding her Abba and her brother Na'em relaxing. She approached them with a bright smile, which they affectionately returned, and she greeted them. "Nasrin, so you were inside?" Abba asked.
"Yes, Abba. Welcome back, Yaya. How was school?"
"Alhamdulillah," Na'em replied.
Just then, Umma stepped in. "Alright, let's go. Food is ready." They all moved over to the dining table. Na'em pulled out a chair for Abba, while Nasrin pulled one out for Umma. "Thank you, my good daughter. May Allah bless you," Umma beamed. Noticing that Nasrin was barely picking at her food out of pure laziness, Umma affectionately hand-fed her until they finished the meal.
Late in the afternoon, Nasir arrived at Nasrin's house to finalize plans for their graduation ceremony taking place the following day. After exchanging pleasantries with Umma, they stepped out to run their errands. Na'em watched them leave with a knowing, fond smile. They didn't return until around 8:00 PM.
Realizing how late it had gotten, Nasir didn’t linger; he hurried back home. He found his mother, Hajiya, sitting silently in the living room. To his absolute shock, she completely ignored his arrival, giving him a cold shoulder. Perplexed by her behavior, he approached her, sat beside her, and called her name: "My Hajiya, is everything alright with you? Please tell me, what is wrong?"
"Nasir, why do you treat me like this?" Hajiya snapped. "Day in and day out, you have absolutely nothing of importance in your life except running errands for Nasrin! You have zero time for me, yet you know very well that you are all I have in this world. You are my only source of happiness, but I fail to understand why you refuse to give me your time! Tell me why!"
Nasir let out a sigh. "Please forgive me, Hajiya. And please, stop blaming my little sister for this."
"Oh, really? I knew exactly that is what you would say! I am honestly beginning to question if you don't love Nasrin far more than you love me!"
Nasir’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Haba, Hajiya! For Allah's sake, cover my flaws and never say such a thing again! Who am I to love anyone more than you? You must know that I will never have anyone like you in this universe. You are unique and matchless. Always and forever, I love you fiercely, my Hajiya!"
"I love you too, my son. May Allah protect your life."
"Ameen."
"Now let's go so you can eat," Hajiya said.
"Ah, actually, right before I came here, I already ate together with my little sister," Nasir admitted.
Hajiya shot him a sharp, stinging glare. Nasir immediately burst into laughter, while she eventually let out a faint smile. She stood up, held his hand, and walked him to the table, where she personally hand-fed him until he was full. Afterward, they returned to the living room, chatted for a while, and bid each other goodnight.
Nasir went straight to his room, took a shower, got dressed, and jumped onto his bed. He picked up his phone and dialed Nasrin’s number. However, she didn't pick up because she was busy changing into her sleepwear. Once she was done, she picked up her phone to call him back, but she couldn't get through because he was simultaneously trying to call her line again.
This mutual blockage thoroughly irritated both of them. They both hissed and sighed in frustration. Nasir tossed his phone onto the bed in annoyance, while Nasrin persistently redialed. The call finally went through, and he grabbed the phone instantly.
"Hello, Nasrin!" he answered eagerly.
"Yes, Yaya Nas. Are you doing good?"
"Yes. It's fine. Please forgive me; you called while I was getting dressed, which is why I couldn't pick up," she apologized.
He took a breath. "It's no problem. Are you fully done now?"
"Yes."
"Alright, well done."
They stayed up talking for a long time before finally saying goodnight to one another.
The next day, they celebrated their secondary school graduation. They received immense praise from their teachers, along with prestigious awards. Their parents were overflowing with pride, but no one was happier than Nasir and Nasrin themselves.
Some time passed, and they checked their final exam results; both achieved stellar, deeply prideful grades. One afternoon, Nasir was hanging out at Nasrin's house, chatting, joking, and laughing in complete harmony.
"So, Yaya Nas, what's the latest update regarding university?" Nasrin asked. "Honestly, we need to start applying soon. As for me, I have completed all my preparations to head to university."
"Wait, Nasrin, what are you talking about?" Nasir asked, looking confused. "I completely fail to understand you. Ah! I totally forgot to tell you! What about my upcoming trip to India?"
Nasrin’s jaw dropped. "India? India for what?"
"For my studies, of course! Oh, please forgive me, for Allah's sake, it completely slipped my mind, which is why I hadn't told you earlier. Hajiya has fully secured a university admission for me in India. In fact, I have finalized all my preparations. I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, Insha Allah."
She stared at him, her eyes wide with deep shock and disbelief, completely unable to utter a single word. Tears automatically began streaming down her face.
Nasir looked at her, his voice softening into a deeply tender tone.
"That's great, Yaya Nas. Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with intense grief. "So here I was, planning all along that we would attend the exact same university together, only to find out you didn't have a single care about that plan in your mind. Why, Yaya Nas? Why did you never mention a single detail about going to India until today—right at this very moment? Do you honestly think this is fair or right? It’s fine, may Allah make it easy. But you must know that I genuinely wish you nothing but the best."
Choked by heartbreak, she stood up to storm out of the room. Nasir quickly reached out, grabbed her hand firmly, and shook his head. "No, my little sister! For Allah's sake, do not walk away from me. Please, come back and sit down."
Without arguing, she sat back down. "Come on, Nasrin, is it really going to end like this? You're just going to walk out on me without thinking deeply about it? Does this mean you are truly furious with me? Speak to me..." She remained dead silent.
He took a deep breath and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Please forgive me, my little sister. Forgive me for breaking your heart and causing these precious tears to fall from your eyes. You must know that even if what I said about India were true, I would cancel the entire trip right now just to preserve your happiness. In this entire world, your happiness is what I need more than anything else. Nasrin, I swear to Allah I was only teasing you! I was just pulling your leg. I could never agree to anything that would create a distance between you and me, because I deeply need you by my side. Having you near brings pure peace to my heart and soul. So please, stop crying, and please stop being mad at me."
A stunning, captivating smile broke across her face. Nasir smiled right back at her. In a sweet, delicate voice, she said, "Who told you I was mad at you? You must know that I am not angry with you, and I will never, ever be angry with you. This is my lifelong promise to you, and nothing by the grace of Allah will ever make me break it."
"May Allah give you the strength to keep that promise," Nasir cheered. "Allahuma Ameen." They remained wrapped up in their conversation for a long time until late evening, when Nasir finally bid goodbye to Umma and headed home.
(Author's interjection note: Page 56 to 58)
Not long after, Nasir and Nasrin officially entered the university, where they enrolled to study as Medical Doctors. Looking at how closely they arrived and returned together daily, everyone on campus automatically assumed they lived in the same household. They were constantly glued to one another, completely inseparable, like flesh and blood. The fact that Nasrin openly called him "Yaya Nas" only solidified everyone's assumption that they were biological siblings from the exact same family.
One late afternoon, Nasir returned home from the university campus. With a single glance, Hajiya could tell he was profoundly exhausted. She stood up to welcome him, guiding him over to a cushion to sit down. "My son, what is wrong with you? Why do you look so worn out? Tell me, let me hear."
"Hajiya, I am incredibly sleepy. My eyelids feel so heavy, they are literally closing on their own," he muttered.
"Oh, bless you, my boy. May Allah protect you and give you the strength to complete this degree so you can finally rest."
Nasir stared at his mother, his voice trembling slightly. "Hajiya... I noticed that when you made that prayer, you completely excluded my little sister. Honestly, that didn't sit well with me at all. You must realize that Nasrin and I are exactly the same person—there is zero difference between us. Even at her house, her family never discriminates against me or treats me differently from their own children. Right now, before they even sit down to eat a meal, they call my phone to check if I can make it so they can wait for me to arrive. Yet here you are, making a beautiful prayer for me but completely leaving Nasrin out of it. Honestly, Hajiya, that is a huge mistake, and you need to be careful next time. If what I said offends you, please forgive me, for Allah's sake."
Without waiting to hear her response, he stood up and walked straight to his bedroom. Hajiya stared after him, utterly dumbfounded by his words.
She let out a heavy sigh, whispering silently to her own heart: "Oh, Nasir... This boy has absolutely no other topic in his entire life except Nasrin. Nothing holds a shred of importance to him unless it involves Nasrin. Every single breath is Nasrin! Nasrin!! Nasrin!!! Everything I do for him must include Nasrin; otherwise, he pouts, throws a tantrum, and scowls at me as if I committed a crime against him. Subhanalillah... What am I supposed to do? If I truly want my son to be happy, it is mandatory that I include Nasrin in every single aspect of our lives—even down to my private prayers! May Allah protect us. Ameen." She stood up...
2. Summary of the Story
This double-sided narrative weaves a complex mystery regarding a tragic past and its reflection on a confused present generation:
The Present-Day Mystery: The story opens with a group of young protagonists (including a modern-day Nasrin) entering Hajiya's home in absolute distress. They discover a hidden room filled with romantic confessions written all over the walls, alongside photographs of a past couple that look identical to them. Suspecting they are uncovering secrets about their biological origins or past incarnations, they demand answers from a weeping Hajiya. Hajiya, unable to speak, hands them an old diary containing the backstory.
The Diary's Backstory: The diary introduces Nasir Muhammad, a highly doted-on orphan raised entirely by his single mother, Hajiya. Nasir shares an intense, soul-deep bond with his childhood academic companion, Nasrin.
The Unconscious Escalation: As secondary school ends and they transition into medical school, their relationship shifts from platonic "siblinghood" to intense, codependent romance. While they refer to each other as family (Yayana, Qan'wata), their emotional reality is intensely romantic.
The Parental Friction: The deep codependency triggers severe maternal anxiety. Nasir's mother, Hajiya, feels completely pushed out of her only son's life, leading to silent friction when Nasir heavily reprimands his mother for failing to include Nasrin in her daily maternal prayers.
3. Original Description
Title:Burin Iyayenmu Shi Ne Namu (Our Parents' Desire is Our Desire).
Author: Fauziyya Usman Kogo (Also known as Bil-Fauzee or Ummu Adyan), author of the hit book Zabina.
Language Style: Classic Kano Market Literature formatting, filled with emotional emphasis punctuation ('), dramatic poetic wall confessions, and internal monologues.
4. Analytics & Character Breakdown
Character Dynamics
Nasir (The Past): An incredibly intense, single-minded protagonist. Because he was raised as a highly privileged only child by an indulgent mother, he displays an intense, unyielding stubbornness when it comes to his desires. His love for Nasrin borders on an obsession; he completely loses his identity in her and demands that his mother treat Nasrin as his literal extension.
Nasrin (The Past): A spoiled, highly treasured 16-year-old girl who is the "light" of her family. She uses playful defense mechanisms (like claiming she wants to have babies without marriage or picking at her food) to navigate her deep romantic attraction to Nasir while maintaining a clean, innocent dynamic within her household.
Hajiya (Past & Present): A tragic maternal figure. In the past, she suffered from classic empty-nest syndrome and maternal jealousy, feeling replaced by Nasrin. However, out of sheer desperation to keep her son happy, she suppressed her own feelings. In the present, she is a gatekeeper of a heavy, sorrowful secret that clearly ended in tragedy, given her tears and the hidden room.
Key Themes & Structural Observations
The Sibling-Lover Paradox: The text heavily explores the cultural and psychological tension of characters who refer to each other as brother and sister (Yaya / Qanwata) while possessing intense romantic and marital intentions. This dual boundary confuses outsiders (like their university classmates who assumed they were blood siblings) and creates domestic complications at home.
The Power of the Written Word: The author uses the wall confessions as a highly dramatic narrative tool. The prose on the wall shifts from standard narrative to poetic, haunting declarations of love beyond the grave ("I would much rather be resting inside my grave"), heavy foreshadowing that the past Nasir and Nasrin met a calamitous end.
The Manifestation of Fate: The modern-day protagonists discovering their lookalikes points directly to a classic multi-generational cycle common in Hausa romantic dramas, where the children must unknowingly untangle, repeat, or fix the tragic mistakes made by their parents or predecessors.
Present Day: The Discovered Secret and the Diary
They left immediately and headed straight toward Hajiya’s house. They arrived with hearts filled with deep grief and entered the residence. However, they did not find anyone in the living room. Nasrin stepped into Hajiya’s bedroom, but she wasn’t there either; she came back out and checked the kitchen, but she wasn't there either.
Nasrin muttered to herself, wondering where on earth Hajiya could have gone. Just then, they spotted an open door—one they had never seen open before—and they immediately headed toward it. They were certain Hajiya was in there. Upon arriving, they burst straight inside without knocking or even asking for permission.
Hajiya was sitting on the edge of the bed, engaged in a solitary act: shedding silent tears. She suddenly saw them standing in the middle of the room, and she quickly realized they were in a state of utter distress. She began asking them what was wrong, but they completely tuned her out because what they saw in that room terrified them far more. The exact shock they had encountered at their own house was precisely what they were looking at right now in this room. They stood frozen, reading the words explicitly written across the wall:
ease, believe in me."
The Confrontation and The Revelation
These were the exact words they were reading, accompanied by photos that looked identical to them, yet they knew it wasn't actually them. Terrified, they instantly bombarded Hajiya with questions, begging her to tell them who these people were. However, she was too choked up to say a word. She stood up, attempting to walk out of the room, but they quickly blocked her path.
"For Allah's sake, Hajiya, please don't walk out and leave us like this without telling us anything! Hajiya, have pity on us! If you leave us in the dark, how do you expect us to cope? Right now, all of us are trapped in profound grief, and it is entirely because of these people who look exactly like us! Hajiya, these people knew you kept secrets about them. Why on earth do you want to keep us completely in the dark? Who are they, and what is their story? Are they our twins from birth, just as we are beginning to suspect? For Allah's sake, tell us, because right now, you are our only hope. Dad, Mum, and Umma have all utterly failed to tell us a single thing. That is exactly why we came to you, yet here you are, trying to run away without saying a word! Hajiya, swear to Allah, if you do not tell us something about these people, I will absolutely harm myself!"
Horrified by the threat, Hajiya quickly cut her off. "No! For Allah's sake, stop saying things like that! Don't worry, you are about to find out everything regarding them right now."
She walked over to her vanity drawer, opened it, pulled out an old diary, and handed it to them. "Take this and look through it. Inside, you will find the complete, uninterrupted story about everything."
They simultaneously reached out, scrambling over each other to grab it. Hajiya turned and walked out of the room, overwhelmed by an agonizing layer of grief. They cracked open the book to read its contents.
THE BACKSTORY: Nasir and Nasrin’s Secondary School Days
another.
One cheerful day at school, Nasir sat with Nasrin, basking in high spirits. He looked at her intently and called her name: "Nasrin..."
She simply looked back at him with a warm smile without verbally answering. He found himself mirroring her smile.
"My little sister, we have finally completed our secondary school education, and tomorrow is our official graduation ceremony. Nasrin, what is your biggest dream right now? Do you desire to pursue your higher education, or is marriage what you want to jump into?" he asked, smiling playfully.
She immediately shot him a fierce, glaring look. "I am absolutely not getting married! I am going to have a baby!" she barked, followed by an annoyed hiss.
"Whoa! How on earth are you going to have a baby without getting married?" Nasir laughed.
"Well, if you get me pregnant, what's stopping me from giving birth?" she replied bluntly.
Nasir's jaw dropped. He quickly placed his hand over her mouth, shaking his head frantically. "No, my little sister! For Allah's sake, stop talking like that! How could I ever commit such an atrocious sin against my own little sister? I swear to Allah that could never happen between us. By the grace of Allah, believe me!"
She stared back at him silently, completely unbothered.
"Look, for Allah's sake, just drop this topic," she snapped, clicking her tongue in annoyance.
"Why are you getting so worked up with me just because I stated a reality?" Nasir asked.
"Look, I don't have time for your nonsense," Nasrin said, standing up and walking away angrily. He kept calling her name, but she completely ignored him. He jumped up quickly and ran after her, overtaking her to block her path.
"Come on, Nasrin, what is this for Allah's sake? You are making a scene. People are staring and laughing at me. Please, I beg you to forgive me. Let's move past it. I was only joking; I didn't mean it from my heart. Please believe me, I am telling you the absolute truth, please!" he pleaded, looking as though he was on the verge of tears.
"It's not going to happen," she said stubbornly.
"And why is that?"
"Because you said what fits me best."
"Like what?"
"Marriage, of course!"
Nasir gasped. "What on earth are you saying? How can you talk about marriage at your tender age? It is completely impossible!"
"That is your opinion, not mine," she dismissed.
"That's enough, Nasrin! We should stick to things that are realistic."
"Oh, so you realize it’s impossible?" she countered.
"Look, I already apologized, didn't I? By now, everything should be swept under the rug, for Allah's sake."
"Fine, it’s forgotten," she finally relented.
"Perfect, my little sister!" he cheered, beaming with a smile, which she quickly matched. "Now tell me, do you still hold the dream of becoming a Doctor, or have you changed your mind?"
"What would make me change my mind when nothing has changed about you?" she asked. "But in which city are we going to study?"
"Why shouldn't we study right here in our own city? Or do you prefer going somewhere else?" He shook his head sideways to indicate no. She smiled, and he returned the gesture.
While they were talking, Nasir's driver arrived to pick him up. They left together, first dropping Nasrin off at her house before heading to his.
Clarification on Nasrin’s Background
Let us pause and look into the background of who Nasrin actually is.
Nasrin was a young girl, barely sixteen years old. She was one of only two children born to her parents; she had an older brother named Na'em. She was the absolute guiding light of her household—the deeply cherished darling of her father (Abba) and her mother (Umma). Her older brother, Na'em, also loved her with an immense intensity.
She walked into her house bursting with her usual spoiled, playful energy and threw herself into her mother's arms. Umma welcomed her warmly. "Welcome back, my dear."
"Thank you, my Umma."
"How was school, and where is Nasir?"
"School was great. Nasir has headed back to his house."
"May Allah bless you all and grant you success."
"Ameen," Nasrin replied, standing up. "Umma, I'm going inside to take a quick shower."
"Go ahead, my dear. May Allah protect you."
"Ameen."
The Unfolding Romance and Nasir's Maternal Objections
(Author's interjection note: Thursday 30/8/2018. Page 52 to 55)
While Nasrin was getting dressed in her room, she heard her phone ringing. She didn't answer it immediately, even though she knew exactly who was calling. After completing her routine and performing her prayers, she picked up her phone to return the call, but he beat her to it. She answered with a beautiful Islamic greeting and a radiant smile, acting as if he were standing right in front of her.
"Good day, my Yayana (my big brother). I hope you are in a wonderful state of mind. I am deeply sorry you called earlier and I couldn't pick up. I was caught up in some chores, which is why I missed it. Please forgive me, please."
Hearing her voice, Nasir’s heart melted completely, rendering him momentarily speechless. He could only offer a deep, silent smile that she couldn't see. Sensing the heavy silence, she called out his name: "Yaya Nas? Why have you gone quiet? Please speak to me, because your silence is starting to worry me heavily, and I am certain you know the effect it has on me."
"With that said, I am pleading with you for Allah's sake to say something to me—anything! Because I absolutely despise it when you go silent on me."
Nasir exhaled a deep, heavy breath. "Oh, my little sister... I swear to Allah I don’t know why, but the moment I hear your voice, I completely lose the desire to speak. All I want to do is listen to your words indefinitely. And it’s even more intense when we are physically together; looking at that beautiful, constantly smiling face of yours makes me wish I could stare at you forever and never stop hearing the sweet melody of your voice. Nasrin, I don’t know what is happening to me or what the future holds, but whatever it is, I must confess this truth to you: I swear to Allah that I hold you in my soul far deeper than you could ever imagine."
"I feel exactly the same way, Yaya Nas," she whispered softly.
"Thank you... but actually, I don't want mere gratitude. What are you up to right now?"
"Nothing, I'm just sitting here."
"Okay, do you know what I want you to do right now?"
"Tell me."
"Get up and go eat something. Hajiya has been breathing down my neck trying to make me eat, but I explicitly told her I have no appetite unless you have eaten too. Alright, let's talk over the phone later. May Allah preserve us till then." With that, they said their goodbyes.
She stood up and walked into the living room, finding her Abba and her brother Na'em relaxing. She approached them with a bright smile, which they affectionately returned, and she greeted them. "Nasrin, so you were inside?" Abba asked.
"Yes, Abba. Welcome back, Yaya. How was school?"
"Alhamdulillah," Na'em replied.
Just then, Umma stepped in. "Alright, let's go. Food is ready." They all moved over to the dining table. Na'em pulled out a chair for Abba, while Nasrin pulled one out for Umma. "Thank you, my good daughter. May Allah bless you," Umma beamed. Noticing that Nasrin was barely picking at her food out of pure laziness, Umma affectionately hand-fed her until they finished the meal.
Late in the afternoon, Nasir arrived at Nasrin's house to finalize plans for their graduation ceremony taking place the following day. After exchanging pleasantries with Umma, they stepped out to run their errands. Na'em watched them leave with a knowing, fond smile. They didn't return until around 8:00 PM.
Realizing how late it had gotten, Nasir didn’t linger; he hurried back home. He found his mother, Hajiya, sitting silently in the living room. To his absolute shock, she completely ignored his arrival, giving him a cold shoulder. Perplexed by her behavior, he approached her, sat beside her, and called her name: "My Hajiya, is everything alright with you? Please tell me, what is wrong?"
"Nasir, why do you treat me like this?" Hajiya snapped. "Day in and day out, you have absolutely nothing of importance in your life except running errands for Nasrin! You have zero time for me, yet you know very well that you are all I have in this world. You are my only source of happiness, but I fail to understand why you refuse to give me your time! Tell me why!"
Nasir let out a sigh. "Please forgive me, Hajiya. And please, stop blaming my little sister for this."
"Oh, really? I knew exactly that is what you would say! I am honestly beginning to question if you don't love Nasrin far more than you love me!"
Nasir’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Haba, Hajiya! For Allah's sake, cover my flaws and never say such a thing again! Who am I to love anyone more than you? You must know that I will never have anyone like you in this universe. You are unique and matchless. Always and forever, I love you fiercely, my Hajiya!"
"I love you too, my son. May Allah protect your life."
"Ameen."
"Now let's go so you can eat," Hajiya said.
"Ah, actually, right before I came here, I already ate together with my little sister," Nasir admitted.
Hajiya shot him a sharp, stinging glare. Nasir immediately burst into laughter, while she eventually let out a faint smile. She stood up, held his hand, and walked him to the table, where she personally hand-fed him until he was full. Afterward, they returned to the living room, chatted for a while, and bid each other goodnight.
Nasir went straight to his room, took a shower, got dressed, and jumped onto his bed. He picked up his phone and dialed Nasrin’s number. However, she didn't pick up because she was busy changing into her sleepwear. Once she was done, she picked up her phone to call him back, but she couldn't get through because he was simultaneously trying to call her line again.
This mutual blockage thoroughly irritated both of them. They both hissed and sighed in frustration. Nasir tossed his phone onto the bed in annoyance, while Nasrin persistently redialed. The call finally went through, and he grabbed the phone instantly.
"Hello, Nasrin!" he answered eagerly.
"Yes, Yaya Nas. Are you doing good?"
"Yes. It's fine. Please forgive me; you called while I was getting dressed, which is why I couldn't pick up," she apologized.
He took a breath. "It's no problem. Are you fully done now?"
"Yes."
"Alright, well done."
They stayed up talking for a long time before finally saying goodnight to one another.
The next day, they celebrated their secondary school graduation. They received immense praise from their teachers, along with prestigious awards. Their parents were overflowing with pride, but no one was happier than Nasir and Nasrin themselves.
Some time passed, and they checked their final exam results; both achieved stellar, deeply prideful grades. One afternoon, Nasir was hanging out at Nasrin's house, chatting, joking, and laughing in complete harmony.
"So, Yaya Nas, what's the latest update regarding university?" Nasrin asked. "Honestly, we need to start applying soon. As for me, I have completed all my preparations to head to university."
"Wait, Nasrin, what are you talking about?" Nasir asked, looking confused. "I completely fail to understand you. Ah! I totally forgot to tell you! What about my upcoming trip to India?"
Nasrin’s jaw dropped. "India? India for what?"
"For my studies, of course! Oh, please forgive me, for Allah's sake, it completely slipped my mind, which is why I hadn't told you earlier. Hajiya has fully secured a university admission for me in India. In fact, I have finalized all my preparations. I will be leaving the day after tomorrow, Insha Allah."
She stared at him, her eyes wide with deep shock and disbelief, completely unable to utter a single word. Tears automatically began streaming down her face.
Nasir looked at her, his voice softening into a deeply tender tone.
"That's great, Yaya Nas. Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with intense grief. "So here I was, planning all along that we would attend the exact same university together, only to find out you didn't have a single care about that plan in your mind. Why, Yaya Nas? Why did you never mention a single detail about going to India until today—right at this very moment? Do you honestly think this is fair or right? It’s fine, may Allah make it easy. But you must know that I genuinely wish you nothing but the best."
Choked by heartbreak, she stood up to storm out of the room. Nasir quickly reached out, grabbed her hand firmly, and shook his head. "No, my little sister! For Allah's sake, do not walk away from me. Please, come back and sit down."
Without arguing, she sat back down. "Come on, Nasrin, is it really going to end like this? You're just going to walk out on me without thinking deeply about it? Does this mean you are truly furious with me? Speak to me..." She remained dead silent.
He took a deep breath and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Please forgive me, my little sister. Forgive me for breaking your heart and causing these precious tears to fall from your eyes. You must know that even if what I said about India were true, I would cancel the entire trip right now just to preserve your happiness. In this entire world, your happiness is what I need more than anything else. Nasrin, I swear to Allah I was only teasing you! I was just pulling your leg. I could never agree to anything that would create a distance between you and me, because I deeply need you by my side. Having you near brings pure peace to my heart and soul. So please, stop crying, and please stop being mad at me."
A stunning, captivating smile broke across her face. Nasir smiled right back at her. In a sweet, delicate voice, she said, "Who told you I was mad at you? You must know that I am not angry with you, and I will never, ever be angry with you. This is my lifelong promise to you, and nothing by the grace of Allah will ever make me break it."
"May Allah give you the strength to keep that promise," Nasir cheered. "Allahuma Ameen." They remained wrapped up in their conversation for a long time until late evening, when Nasir finally bid goodbye to Umma and headed home.
(Author's interjection note: Page 56 to 58)
Not long after, Nasir and Nasrin officially entered the university, where they enrolled to study as Medical Doctors. Looking at how closely they arrived and returned together daily, everyone on campus automatically assumed they lived in the same household. They were constantly glued to one another, completely inseparable, like flesh and blood. The fact that Nasrin openly called him "Yaya Nas" only solidified everyone's assumption that they were biological siblings from the exact same family.
One late afternoon, Nasir returned home from the university campus. With a single glance, Hajiya could tell he was profoundly exhausted. She stood up to welcome him, guiding him over to a cushion to sit down. "My son, what is wrong with you? Why do you look so worn out? Tell me, let me hear."
"Hajiya, I am incredibly sleepy. My eyelids feel so heavy, they are literally closing on their own," he muttered.
"Oh, bless you, my boy. May Allah protect you and give you the strength to complete this degree so you can finally rest."
Nasir stared at his mother, his voice trembling slightly. "Hajiya... I noticed that when you made that prayer, you completely excluded my little sister. Honestly, that didn't sit well with me at all. You must realize that Nasrin and I are exactly the same person—there is zero difference between us. Even at her house, her family never discriminates against me or treats me differently from their own children. Right now, before they even sit down to eat a meal, they call my phone to check if I can make it so they can wait for me to arrive. Yet here you are, making a beautiful prayer for me but completely leaving Nasrin out of it. Honestly, Hajiya, that is a huge mistake, and you need to be careful next time. If what I said offends you, please forgive me, for Allah's sake."
Without waiting to hear her response, he stood up and walked straight to his bedroom. Hajiya stared after him, utterly dumbfounded by his words.
She let out a heavy sigh, whispering silently to her own heart: "Oh, Nasir... This boy has absolutely no other topic in his entire life except Nasrin. Nothing holds a shred of importance to him unless it involves Nasrin. Every single breath is Nasrin! Nasrin!! Nasrin!!! Everything I do for him must include Nasrin; otherwise, he pouts, throws a tantrum, and scowls at me as if I committed a crime against him. Subhanalillah... What am I supposed to do? If I truly want my son to be happy, it is mandatory that I include Nasrin in every single aspect of our lives—even down to my private prayers! May Allah protect us. Ameen." She stood up...
2. Summary of the Story
This double-sided narrative weaves a complex mystery regarding a tragic past and its reflection on a confused present generation:
3. Original Description
4. Analytics & Character Breakdown
Character Dynamics
Key Themes & Structural Observations