Sister, good day. I hope you are recovering well from the exhaustion of your journey. How are Aunty and Baby? I hope you are all in perfect health. May Allah make it so. Allahumma Amin. She arrived home with a heavy, deeply distressed heart, overwhelmed by an immense amount of worry and sorrow. Umma quickly rushed over to her, pulling her close to sit down. In a gentle, soothing manner, she asked what was wrong, but she couldn’t find the words to say anything. Instead, she burst into fresh tears, repeatedly calling out the names of Nasir and Umma. "Yaya Nas?" Umma asked in complete confusion, wondering what had happened to Nasir. Before she could mutter another word, Najib walked in alongside Na'em, entering just at the same time as Abba. "Subhanalillah! Hajiya, what is happening to Nasrin like this?" "By Allah, I don’t know either," Umma replied. "I was just sitting here asking her." Abba turned his gaze toward Na'em and Najib to question them, but he instantly realized from their expressions that they, too, were completely devoid of happiness. "Na'em, for Allah's sake, tell us what is going on. What happened between Nasir and Nasrin that is making her repeat his name?" Na'em explained everything to them. "Subhanalillah! So, how is Nasir’s health right now?" "I can say he is a bit better," Na'em replied, "because by now, he has managed to fall asleep." Deeply pained, Najib spoke up: "Please forgive me, my little sister. By Allah, I had absolutely no idea. I knew nothing about Nasir's illness. That was why I argued with him and went back and forth. But please know, by Allah, I am now deeply filled with regret over what happened. For Allah's sake, please understand me." She couldn't bring herself to say anything to him. Instead, she stood up and headed straight to her room. She could hear him calling after her, but she did not answer, let alone look back. Her mind was entirely shut off to him. Pained and frustrated, Najib also got up and headed to his own room while Abba and the others watched him walk away. Not long after, Na'em got up and found Najib sitting on the edge of his bed. A single glance was enough to see that he was carrying an immense burden of worry. Na'em walked over, sat down next to him, and called his name. "Najib, do you love Nasrin?" Najib nodded his head and uttered, "Yes, Na'em. I love her, and I deeply hope to have her as my wife. But unfortunately, she doesn’t feel the same way at all. Na'em, I don’t know why Nasrin rejects any expression of my love. Whenever I try to confess my feelings, she does everything she can to stop me. It makes me feel in my heart as though she hates me." He continued with distress: "Deep down in her heart, Na'em, I don’t know what to do to make Nasrin love me. I have come to completely realize that I don't mean anything to her. It is only Nasir she wants in her entire life. She has no other topic of conversation except Nasir; everything about her revolves around him. So, how can you think I could ever win her love, let alone have it lead to Marriage—which is what I dream of every single day?" "Be patient, Najib," Na'em consoled. "Take things one step at a time. Insha Allah, you will succeed, and one day you will become my sister's husband. Trust me." "May Allah make it so, Amin," Najib replied. The next morning, very early, Nasrin headed to Nasir’s house to check on his health. She arrived and found Hajiya in a very pitiable emotional state. Nasrin walked up to her and spoke with a pained voice: "Please forgive me, Hajiya. For Allah’s sake, don't be angry with me. Because if you are, it will deeply hurt me. Deep in my heart, Hajiya, I know that from yesterday evening until now, you have been in great distress over Yaya Nas's illness. Hajiya, by Allah, I am in the exact same state as you. By Allah, if it were possible, I would open up my heart to you just to prove what I am saying." "Is Yaya Nas awake, or is he sleeping?" "He is sleeping, but is he getting any better?" "Yes, Alhamdulillah." "Alright, let me go in and check on him." "No, Nasrin, leave his room alone." "Why shouldn't I go see him, Hajiya?" "Nasrin, I am afraid. Nasir might hurt you in the state he is in. He still hasn't returned to his normal senses." "No, he has regained his senses, but he is completely unhappy." "Don't worry about that, Hajiya. Insha Allah, nothing bad will happen. Trust me. Hajiya, please go to your room and try to lie down, okay?" Hajiya agreed, stood up, and went to her room, while Nasrin headed toward Nasir's room. Slowly, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. She spotted him pacing back and forth. Upon seeing her, he stopped in his tracks and stared at her, and she stared back at him. Slowly, she walked until she reached him. As soon as she reached him, she fell to the floor, grabbed his feet, and wept. "Forgive me, Yaya Nas. For Allah's sake, do not be angry with me, because that would deeply hurt me. Yaya Nas, today I have come to reveal a secret of mine that I have been hiding from you. Yaya Nas, I love you. By Allah, I love you deeply, and I hope to live with you forever. This is the reason I chose you to be my Husband and the father of my children. Yaya Nas, for Allah's sake, believe me. By Allah, I am telling the truth, I love you." He knelt down, held her shoulders, and lifted her face, looking at her with an intense gaze filled with love. He sat down, pulled her close into his embrace, holding her so tightly as if he wanted to put her back into the womb and give birth to her himself. In a soft, vulnerable voice heavy with profound worry, he spoke to her as if he were on the verge of tears. "My little sister, I love you too, and I have for a very long time. I know you are aware of this. I am certain everyone around us knows we love each other; this is an established truth that the whole world can witness. My little sister, for Allah's sake, tell me what happened to me at the birthday party yesterday. Because since you cut the cake, I remember absolutely nothing. Nasrin, what kind of sin did I commit? For Allah's sake, tell me, it's okay." "Yaya Nas, you didn't do anything wrong." "That's impossible, Nasrin. I must have done something. I feel it deeply inside me that I committed a grievous sin. What is it, Nasrin? For Allah's sake, tell me, whatever it is, please." Seeing how intensely he was pressing her, begging for the truth, she reluctantly told him everything. He suddenly turned her around quickly so they were facing each other. Staring at her intently, he said, "Nasrin, have I really reached the point where I would raise my hand to slap your face? Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return)." He looked down at his hands. "Surely, a great sin has been committed, and it is necessary that I punish myself for it." He pulled away from her, stood up, and marched toward the mirror. She watched him in distress as he smashed his hands violently against the mirror, shattering the glass completely. He continued to strike his hands against the broken shards forcefully and repeatedly. Nasrin rushed over, pulled him away, and shook her head while weeping. "Stop, Yaya Nas! What are you doing? Look at how you've injured yourself! Look at how the blood is flowing!" Since he was a doctor, he kept medical supplies at home. She fetched the first aid kit and treated his hands. After finishing, she kissed his hands. He lifted her face, wiped away her tears, and moved even closer to her—incredibly close. He held her neck, resting his forehead against hers, aligning his nose and lips with hers. He began kissing her passionately, licking and sucking her lips and tongue in an intense, romantic rhythm. They shifted from sitting to lying down. He showered her entire body with kisses. She found herself completely unable to stop him, until she noticed things were escalating drastically as he attempted to remove her top. Only then did she manage to halt him. "No, Yaya Nas, for Allah's sake, stop." "Why are you stopping me?" "I am not just rejecting you, no. But if this is to happen between us, we should seek a proper place, not here." "Why can't we do it here?" "Because of Hajiya. Think about it, you see it is entirely inappropriate for us to commit such a major sin here." "Nasrin, by Allah, I want you so desperately. That is why you see me pushing boundaries with you. But it isn't out of bad character. By Allah, I have never been this way with any other woman except you. Because you are the only one I love, and you are the only one I desire." "Don't worry, Yaya Nas, because I feel the exact same way about you. I feel everything you are feeling. Yaya Nas, since we both agree that we love each other, why don't we get Married to make our bond complete?" "That is absolutely true. It will happen. I will speak to Hajiya, and I want you to speak to Abba." "Alright then. May Allah make the best choice for us, Amin." They remained in that embrace for a long time, after which she said her goodbyes and left. After she departed, Nasir informed Hajiya of his intention to Marry Nasrin. It felt like a bad dream to Hajiya, who immediately expressed her refusal. "Be patient, Nasir, because a long time ago, I already selected the girl who will become your wife." "Hajiya, what on earth are you saying?" "Yes, Nasir. I should have told you long ago, but I didn't. Know that you already have a woman destined for you to marry, and it is not Nasrin." "Oh Hajiya, how can you do this to me? Honestly, this cannot happen because I love Nasrin, and she is the one I dream of marrying. Therefore, allow me to marry her." "Nasir, as your mother, have I ever asked you for a single favor or request in your life?" He shook his head. "Well, today I am asking for a favor. For Allah's sake, accept my choice and agree to MarryNadiya. She is the woman I have chosen for you, and I hope you will accept." "Hajiya, forgive me, but I can never marry Nadiya." He stood up and walked away, while she watched him go. Next Page please By Fauziyya Usman Kogo (Ummu Adyan) | {Yaron Kirki} Parents' Will is Our Will (BIRIN I'YAYEN'MU SHI'NE NA'MU) Page 84 to 86 Thursday 13/9/2018 | Time 10:34 am Hajiya stood up, followed him to his room, and found him pacing back and forth. She pulled him over to sit down. "Oh Nasir, why are you acting like this? For Allah's sake, what is wrong with Nadiya that you refuse to marry her? You need to know that Nadiya loves you and wants you as her husband, which is why I want you to marry her." "Hajiya, by Allah, I cannot. I can never marry Nadiya because I have absolutely no love for her." "Oh Nasir, that is nothing. If you want, you can easily train your heart to love her over time." "Hajiya, what do you think love is? Do you think it is something easy? Hajiya, you need to understand that love is not like a piece of lace fabric or atamfa cloth that you see on someone else, get admired by, and simply go to the market to buy! No, love resides deep inside the heart. Furthermore, love is spoken to the one who truly deserves it. Know that I have already given my love to the person I see as most deserving, and I will not change my mind. Do not even think I will change. Nasrin is, and always will be, my choice and the choice of my heart. You must accept this. Therefore, tell Nadiya to accept reality, because I will never belong to her. It will never happen." "Nasir! You must do what I want. I have given you Nadiya as a wife, and you must accept her for the sake of my happiness. Know this, and by Allah, I will not change my mind!" Finshing her words, she turned and walked away. He watched her leave, consumed by an indescribable, massive amount of pain. He thought to himself: "I am in deep trouble. What will I do with my life? How does Hajiya expect me to live without Nasrin? Honestly, I can't. She has to step back and let me marry Nasrin, because she is my only happiness, the only woman I desire to have as my wife, the mother of Nour. This is my dream, what I have spent my life dreaming of. How can Hajiya suddenly bring up Nadiya? I will never accept this, no matter what happens. This is my vow." Nasrin arrived home with a bright, pure heart. One glance at her was enough to know she was experiencing immense joy. She found Na'em and the others in the parlor chatting, playing, and laughing. She greeted them excitedly and said, "Abba, Yaya Nas sent me with a message for you." "Go ahead, I'm listening." "Abba, he asks that, for Allah's sake, you give him permission to send his parents to formally request my hand in marriage." Suddenly, Najib’s heart began to race violently, pounding hard against his chest. He stared at her intensely, but she didn’t even notice his reaction. Umma and the others smiled. "Masha Allah, this is wonderful. May Allah bring blessings." They all answered, "Amin." "Abba, besides that, Nabeela's family also requested that Yaya Na'em should step forward so we can combine the weddings and hold them on the same day!" "This makes me very happy. May Allah witness it for us, Amin." Abba then turned his gaze to Najib, calling his name. "Najib, haven't you decided on a woman to marry yet?" Najib nodded his head, signaling yes. "May Allah bring a good one, Amin," Abba concluded. Shortly after, Najib stood up and went inside. Na'em followed him because he completely understood his brother's pain. He found him sitting on a chair, walked over, sat down, and spoke in a comforting voice: "Be patient, Najib. In life, everyone has their own trials." "That's true, Na'em. But I simply cannot stop my heart from hurting over losing Nasrin. By Allah, I wished so badly to have her, but I never mattered to her. Nasir is the only one in her mind and heart. Oh well, may Allah make it better, Amin." Ever since she returned, Nasrin kept trying to call Nasir to tell him how things went with Abba, but his line wouldn't go through. She tried until nightfall to no avail. She called Hajiya, but she didn't pick up. Suddenly, panic began to set in. What was happening with Nasir's family? Why wasn't his phone connecting, and why wasn't Hajiya picking up? Surely, there was a problem. These thoughts kept her awake all night. The next morning, even before prayers, she kept calling Nasir, but his line was still unreachable. After getting dressed, she called again—still nothing. Since they usually had breakfast together before he drove her to the office, she found the silence strange. Realizing the delay was too long, she headed straight to his house, assuming he hadn't left for work. She entered the house and found Hajiya sitting with her chin propped in her hand, deep in thought. One look was enough to see she was carrying an immense burden of worry. Nasrin rushed to her side. "Hajiya, is everything okay? Where is Yaya Nas? For Allah's sake, tell me what is going on." With great difficulty and pain, Hajiya spoke: "Nasrin, for Allah's sake, help me convince Nasir to agree to marry Nadiya. This is my ultimate wish." Suddenly, Nasrin felt a wave of shock crash over her. Her head throbbed violently, and the entire world felt like it was spinning around her. She wept silently in her heart while tears poured down her face. She just stared at Hajiya, unable to say a word. "Nasrin, I know that you and Nasir love each other," Hajiya continued. "But what am I supposed to do about the promise I made to my older sister that Nasir would marry Nadiya? Nasrin, by Allah, this is an old agreement made long ago. I knew you would understand me, but Nasir completely refuses to understand. Right now, he is deeply angry with me. And now, my sister has started bringing up the marriage arrangements, which is why I told him. But the frustrating part is his total refusal. I don't know what to do. I am begging you, by Allah's greatness, help me sway him so he accepts Nadiya." Unable to speak, Nasrin simply nodded her head in agreement. "Wonderful, Nasrin. May Allah bless you, Amin." With a heavy heart, Nasrin stood up and walked toward Nasir's room. Upon entering, she sank to the floor against the wall, buried her head in her knees, and sobbed uncontrollably. She wept bitterly. Nasir quickly rushed over to her, calling her name. "My little sister, what is happening to you? For Allah's sake, tell me!" He lifted her face and shook his head. He drew a deep breath, closed his eyes, and opened them with a sigh. Pulling her closer into his embrace, he held her face and began kissing away the tears from her closed eyes. He moved his mouth to her ear, kissing her cheek and gently biting her earlobe. "Ah!" she gasped, drawing a sharp breath. In a vulnerable voice, on the verge of tears, he begged, "My little sister, for Allah's sake, tell me what is wrong." In a tearful voice, she replied, "Forgive me, Yaya Nas. Just marry Nadiya for Hajiya's happiness and the happiness of your entire family. I am only your friend. Nadiya is your relative, so just obey Hajiya's command and marry Nadiya." "Nasrin, what on earth are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you've given up on marrying me, or what?" She remained silent. "Fine, I will marry Nadiya, but on one condition: I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you do not love me. Only then will I agree to marry Nadiya." "Nasrin, I am listening to you! Tell me! Say it!" he shouted. "I can't, Yaya Nas! By Allah, I can't!" "See? That's one reason. Now, never bring up the marriage to Nadiya to me again, because I will never be a husband to any woman except you. Keep this in your mind and heart. Come, let's go." He stood up, grabbed her hand, and they walked out into the parlor where Hajiya was sitting. They sat down near her. Nasir spoke up, while Nasrin sat in stunned silence. "Hajiya, by now you should understand the type of love and affection that exists between me and Nasrin, so you can stop thinking about pairing me with Nadiya. I will never be a husband to any woman except Nasrin, because she is the only one I desire." "It won't happen, Nasir!" Hajiya snapped. "Whether you like it or not, you have no other wife except Nadiya. Therefore, you must teach your heart to love her, because you have no other choice!" "It's impossible, Hajiya! I will never marry Nadiya because there is no place for her in my heart. Know that I have no other wife in this world except Nasrin, because she is my choice and the choice of my heart." "That's enough, Nasir! Shut up!" In her utter frustration and rage, Hajiya slapped his face, then turned on Nasrin, yelling at her and kicking her out of the house. Nasir attempted to follow her, but Hajiya blocked him. Forced to submit, he retreated to his room, utterly broken and overwhelmed by an immeasurable depth of sorrow. Friday 14/9/2018 | Time 09:24 am Nasrin arrived home in a state of sheer panic and shock, looking as though she was losing her mind. Umma held her tightly, asking over and over what had happened, but Nasrin was completely unable to utter a single word. Seeing her condition, Umma called Abba's line...
2. SUMMARY Original Story
This excerpt is from a Hausa romantic drama novel titled "Burin Iyayenmu Shi Ne Namu" (Our Parents' Will is Our Will) by Fauziyya Usman Kogo. The story revolves around a tense domestic and romantic conflict involving four main characters: Nasrin, Nasir (a doctor, often called Yaya Nas), Najib, and Nadiya.
The Unrequited Love: Najib is deeply in love with Nasrin (his adoptive or close family relative/sister) and dreams of marrying her. However, Nasrin ignores his advances because her heart belongs entirely to Nasir.
The Mutual Confession and Escalation: Following a dramatic incident at a birthday party the night before (where an intoxicated or altered Nasir unknowingly slapped Nasrin), Nasrin visits Nasir. They share a highly emotional and intensely intimate encounter where they both confess their deep, long-standing love for one another and resolve to get married. Out of guilt for hurting her, Nasir violently smashes his hands into a mirror, and Nasrin nurses his wounds.
The Parental Obstacle: When Nasir announces his intention to marry Nasrin to his mother (Hajiya), she flatly refuses. Hajiya reveals she has already promised Nasir to her sister's daughter, Nadiya. Despite Nasir's poetic defense of true love, Hajiya demands absolute obedience.
The Climax of the Segment: Hajiya begs a heartbroken Nasrin to convince Nasir to accept Nadiya. When Nasrin tries to sacrifice her own happiness for the family, Nasir forces her to admit she loves him. They confront Hajiya together, resulting in Hajiya violently slapping Nasir, unleashing a furious tirade against Nasrin, and kicking her out of the house. The segment ends with Nasrin returning home in a state of emotional trauma and psychological shock, leaving her family panicking.
3. Character and Setting Description
Characters
Nasrin: The female protagonist. She is gentle, deeply emotional, and intensely loyal to Nasir. She is caught between her profound romantic passion for Nasir and her cultural obligation to respect elders (agreeing to nod along to Hajiya's painful request).
Nasir (Yaya Nas): A medical doctor. He possesses a volatile, intense, and deeply passionate personality. He is fiercely independent when it comes to his heart, rejecting maternal manipulation, but displays toxic/self-harming tendencies (smashing the mirror) when overwhelmed by guilt and frustration.
Hajiya (Nasir's Mother): The primary antagonist of this arc. She represents rigid adherence to family arrangements (auren zumunci). She values family promises and parental authority above her son's psychological or romantic happiness, resorting to verbal abuse and physical violence (slapping her adult son) to maintain control.
Najib: A sympathetic secondary character. He is deeply in love with Nasrin but experiences the quiet agony of unrequited love, realizing he stands no chance against Nasir's shadow over Nasrin's life.
Umma & Abba (Nasrin's Parents): Supportive, loving parental figures who contrast sharply with Hajiya. They observe their children's pain with deep concern and seek communication rather than coercion.
Na'em: Najib's brother and Nasrin's sibling/relative, acting as a confidant to Najib and a structural buffer in the family.
Nadiya: Nasir's cousin (off-screen). She is the arranged bride backed by Hajiya's ancient familial promise.
Setting
Nasrin's Family Home (The Parlor/Rooms): A space of communal interaction, warmth, and typical family life where news of weddings is shared with smiles, turning into a place of panic at the end.
Nasir's House (The Bedroom/Parlor): The emotional pressure cooker of the story.
The Bedroom serves as a sanctuary for forbidden, highly charged physical intimacy, vulnerability, and raw psychological breakdowns (the shattered mirror).
The Parlor acts as the stage for confrontation, generational clashes, and structural violence where family dynamics are fractured.
4. Analytics and Literary Evaluation
Cultural and Structural Themes
The Clash Between Individual Autonomy and Parental Authority (Biyayya). Hajiya states, "As your mother, have I ever asked you for a single favor... accept my choice." This leverages cultural and religious guilt associated with parental blessing (Albarka). The title of the book itself, Burin Iyayenmu Shi Ne Namu (Our Parents' Will is Our Will), is highly ironic, as the narrative clearly portrays the trauma and chaos caused by forcing parents' desires onto unwilling children.
Dialogue and Metaphor Analysis
The author uses powerful, relatable prose to describe abstract concepts. A standout piece of dialogue is Nasir’s defense of love to his mother:
"Soyayya ba kamar leshi ko atamfa bane da zaki gani gun'wani yabirge'ki ki'tafi kasuwa kisiyo ba..." (Love is not like a piece of lace or atamfa fabric that you see on someone else, admire, and simply go to the market to buy! No, it resides deep inside the heart).
This effectively contrasts the consumerist, superficial arrangement of a family-brokered marriage with the internal, involuntary nature of true romantic love.
Tone and Melodrama
The tone is highly melodramatic, utilizing extreme emotional swings. Characters rarely just speak; they speak "cike da kunci" (filled with misery) or "cike da gudanar tashin hankali" (filled with panic). Physical reactions are exaggerated to convey internal states: collapsing to the floor, grabbing feet, crying silently in the heart, and breaking glass with bare hands.
Sensory and Intimate Language
The passage contains an unusually explicit level of physical intimacy for traditional Hausa popular fiction, blending traditional romance tropes with modern, highly sensory prose (descriptions of licking tears, lip-sucking, and the physical escalation toward removing clothes). The author walks a fine line by having Nasrin halt the encounter on moral grounds ("inappropriate to commit such a major sin here"), preserving the characters' cultural integrity while indulging the reader in high-stakes romantic tension.
Sister, good day. I hope you are recovering well from the exhaustion of your journey. How are Aunty and Baby? I hope you are all in perfect health. May Allah make it so. Allahumma Amin.
She arrived home with a heavy, deeply distressed heart, overwhelmed by an immense amount of worry and sorrow.
Umma quickly rushed over to her, pulling her close to sit down. In a gentle, soothing manner, she asked what was wrong, but she couldn’t find the words to say anything.
Instead, she burst into fresh tears, repeatedly calling out the names of Nasir and Umma.
"Yaya Nas?" Umma asked in complete confusion, wondering what had happened to Nasir. Before she could mutter another word, Najib walked in alongside Na'em, entering just at the same time as Abba.
"Subhanalillah! Hajiya, what is happening to Nasrin like this?"
"By Allah, I don’t know either," Umma replied. "I was just sitting here asking her."
Abba turned his gaze toward Na'em and Najib to question them, but he instantly realized from their expressions that they, too, were completely devoid of happiness. "Na'em, for Allah's sake, tell us what is going on. What happened between Nasir and Nasrin that is making her repeat his name?"
Na'em explained everything to them. "Subhanalillah! So, how is Nasir’s health right now?"
"I can say he is a bit better," Na'em replied, "because by now, he has managed to fall asleep."
Deeply pained, Najib spoke up: "Please forgive me, my little sister. By Allah, I had absolutely no idea. I knew nothing about Nasir's illness. That was why I argued with him and went back and forth. But please know, by Allah, I am now deeply filled with regret over what happened. For Allah's sake, please understand me."
She couldn't bring herself to say anything to him. Instead, she stood up and headed straight to her room. She could hear him calling after her, but she did not answer, let alone look back. Her mind was entirely shut off to him. Pained and frustrated, Najib also got up and headed to his own room while Abba and the others watched him walk away.
Not long after, Na'em got up and found Najib sitting on the edge of his bed. A single glance was enough to see that he was carrying an immense burden of worry. Na'em walked over, sat down next to him, and called his name.
"Najib, do you love Nasrin?"
Najib nodded his head and uttered, "Yes, Na'em. I love her, and I deeply hope to have her as my wife. But unfortunately, she doesn’t feel the same way at all. Na'em, I don’t know why Nasrin rejects any expression of my love. Whenever I try to confess my feelings, she does everything she can to stop me. It makes me feel in my heart as though she hates me."
He continued with distress: "Deep down in her heart, Na'em, I don’t know what to do to make Nasrin love me. I have come to completely realize that I don't mean anything to her. It is only Nasir she wants in her entire life. She has no other topic of conversation except Nasir; everything about her revolves around him. So, how can you think I could ever win her love, let alone have it lead to Marriage—which is what I dream of every single day?"
"Be patient, Najib," Na'em consoled. "Take things one step at a time. Insha Allah, you will succeed, and one day you will become my sister's husband. Trust me."
"May Allah make it so, Amin," Najib replied.
The next morning, very early, Nasrin headed to Nasir’s house to check on his health. She arrived and found Hajiya in a very pitiable emotional state. Nasrin walked up to her and spoke with a pained voice: "Please forgive me, Hajiya. For Allah’s sake, don't be angry with me. Because if you are, it will deeply hurt me. Deep in my heart, Hajiya, I know that from yesterday evening until now, you have been in great distress over Yaya Nas's illness. Hajiya, by Allah, I am in the exact same state as you. By Allah, if it were possible, I would open up my heart to you just to prove what I am saying."
"Is Yaya Nas awake, or is he sleeping?"
"He is sleeping, but is he getting any better?"
"Yes, Alhamdulillah."
"Alright, let me go in and check on him."
"No, Nasrin, leave his room alone."
"Why shouldn't I go see him, Hajiya?"
"Nasrin, I am afraid. Nasir might hurt you in the state he is in. He still hasn't returned to his normal senses."
"No, he has regained his senses, but he is completely unhappy."
"Don't worry about that, Hajiya. Insha Allah, nothing bad will happen. Trust me. Hajiya, please go to your room and try to lie down, okay?"
Hajiya agreed, stood up, and went to her room, while Nasrin headed toward Nasir's room.
Slowly, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. She spotted him pacing back and forth. Upon seeing her, he stopped in his tracks and stared at her, and she stared back at him. Slowly, she walked until she reached him.
As soon as she reached him, she fell to the floor, grabbed his feet, and wept. "Forgive me, Yaya Nas. For Allah's sake, do not be angry with me, because that would deeply hurt me. Yaya Nas, today I have come to reveal a secret of mine that I have been hiding from you. Yaya Nas, I love you. By Allah, I love you deeply, and I hope to live with you forever. This is the reason I chose you to be my Husband and the father of my children. Yaya Nas, for Allah's sake, believe me. By Allah, I am telling the truth, I love you."
He knelt down, held her shoulders, and lifted her face, looking at her with an intense gaze filled with love. He sat down, pulled her close into his embrace, holding her so tightly as if he wanted to put her back into the womb and give birth to her himself.
In a soft, vulnerable voice heavy with profound worry, he spoke to her as if he were on the verge of tears. "My little sister, I love you too, and I have for a very long time. I know you are aware of this. I am certain everyone around us knows we love each other; this is an established truth that the whole world can witness. My little sister, for Allah's sake, tell me what happened to me at the birthday party yesterday. Because since you cut the cake, I remember absolutely nothing. Nasrin, what kind of sin did I commit? For Allah's sake, tell me, it's okay."
"Yaya Nas, you didn't do anything wrong."
"That's impossible, Nasrin. I must have done something. I feel it deeply inside me that I committed a grievous sin. What is it, Nasrin? For Allah's sake, tell me, whatever it is, please."
Seeing how intensely he was pressing her, begging for the truth, she reluctantly told him everything. He suddenly turned her around quickly so they were facing each other.
Staring at her intently, he said, "Nasrin, have I really reached the point where I would raise my hand to slap your face? Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return)." He looked down at his hands. "Surely, a great sin has been committed, and it is necessary that I punish myself for it."
He pulled away from her, stood up, and marched toward the mirror. She watched him in distress as he smashed his hands violently against the mirror, shattering the glass completely. He continued to strike his hands against the broken shards forcefully and repeatedly.
Nasrin rushed over, pulled him away, and shook her head while weeping. "Stop, Yaya Nas! What are you doing? Look at how you've injured yourself! Look at how the blood is flowing!"
Since he was a doctor, he kept medical supplies at home. She fetched the first aid kit and treated his hands.
After finishing, she kissed his hands. He lifted her face, wiped away her tears, and moved even closer to her—incredibly close. He held her neck, resting his forehead against hers, aligning his nose and lips with hers. He began kissing her passionately, licking and sucking her lips and tongue in an intense, romantic rhythm. They shifted from sitting to lying down.
He showered her entire body with kisses. She found herself completely unable to stop him, until she noticed things were escalating drastically as he attempted to remove her top. Only then did she manage to halt him. "No, Yaya Nas, for Allah's sake, stop."
"Why are you stopping me?"
"I am not just rejecting you, no. But if this is to happen between us, we should seek a proper place, not here."
"Why can't we do it here?"
"Because of Hajiya. Think about it, you see it is entirely inappropriate for us to commit such a major sin here."
"Nasrin, by Allah, I want you so desperately. That is why you see me pushing boundaries with you. But it isn't out of bad character. By Allah, I have never been this way with any other woman except you. Because you are the only one I love, and you are the only one I desire."
"Don't worry, Yaya Nas, because I feel the exact same way about you. I feel everything you are feeling. Yaya Nas, since we both agree that we love each other, why don't we get Married to make our bond complete?"
"That is absolutely true. It will happen. I will speak to Hajiya, and I want you to speak to Abba."
"Alright then. May Allah make the best choice for us, Amin."
They remained in that embrace for a long time, after which she said her goodbyes and left.
After she departed, Nasir informed Hajiya of his intention to Marry Nasrin. It felt like a bad dream to Hajiya, who immediately expressed her refusal. "Be patient, Nasir, because a long time ago, I already selected the girl who will become your wife."
"Hajiya, what on earth are you saying?"
"Yes, Nasir. I should have told you long ago, but I didn't. Know that you already have a woman destined for you to marry, and it is not Nasrin."
"Oh Hajiya, how can you do this to me? Honestly, this cannot happen because I love Nasrin, and she is the one I dream of marrying. Therefore, allow me to marry her."
"Nasir, as your mother, have I ever asked you for a single favor or request in your life?" He shook his head. "Well, today I am asking for a favor. For Allah's sake, accept my choice and agree to Marry Nadiya. She is the woman I have chosen for you, and I hope you will accept."
"Hajiya, forgive me, but I can never marry Nadiya." He stood up and walked away, while she watched him go.
Next Page please
By Fauziyya Usman Kogo (Ummu Adyan) | {Yaron Kirki}
Parents' Will is Our Will (BIRIN I'YAYEN'MU SHI'NE NA'MU)
Page 84 to 86
Thursday 13/9/2018 | Time 10:34 am
Hajiya stood up, followed him to his room, and found him pacing back and forth. She pulled him over to sit down. "Oh Nasir, why are you acting like this? For Allah's sake, what is wrong with Nadiya that you refuse to marry her? You need to know that Nadiya loves you and wants you as her husband, which is why I want you to marry her."
"Hajiya, by Allah, I cannot. I can never marry Nadiya because I have absolutely no love for her."
"Oh Nasir, that is nothing. If you want, you can easily train your heart to love her over time."
"Hajiya, what do you think love is? Do you think it is something easy? Hajiya, you need to understand that love is not like a piece of lace fabric or atamfa cloth that you see on someone else, get admired by, and simply go to the market to buy! No, love resides deep inside the heart. Furthermore, love is spoken to the one who truly deserves it. Know that I have already given my love to the person I see as most deserving, and I will not change my mind. Do not even think I will change. Nasrin is, and always will be, my choice and the choice of my heart. You must accept this. Therefore, tell Nadiya to accept reality, because I will never belong to her. It will never happen."
"Nasir! You must do what I want. I have given you Nadiya as a wife, and you must accept her for the sake of my happiness. Know this, and by Allah, I will not change my mind!" Finshing her words, she turned and walked away.
He watched her leave, consumed by an indescribable, massive amount of pain. He thought to himself: "I am in deep trouble. What will I do with my life? How does Hajiya expect me to live without Nasrin? Honestly, I can't. She has to step back and let me marry Nasrin, because she is my only happiness, the only woman I desire to have as my wife, the mother of Nour. This is my dream, what I have spent my life dreaming of. How can Hajiya suddenly bring up Nadiya? I will never accept this, no matter what happens. This is my vow."
Nasrin arrived home with a bright, pure heart. One glance at her was enough to know she was experiencing immense joy. She found Na'em and the others in the parlor chatting, playing, and laughing. She greeted them excitedly and said, "Abba, Yaya Nas sent me with a message for you."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"Abba, he asks that, for Allah's sake, you give him permission to send his parents to formally request my hand in marriage."
Suddenly, Najib’s heart began to race violently, pounding hard against his chest. He stared at her intensely, but she didn’t even notice his reaction. Umma and the others smiled. "Masha Allah, this is wonderful. May Allah bring blessings." They all answered, "Amin."
"Abba, besides that, Nabeela's family also requested that Yaya Na'em should step forward so we can combine the weddings and hold them on the same day!"
"This makes me very happy. May Allah witness it for us, Amin." Abba then turned his gaze to Najib, calling his name. "Najib, haven't you decided on a woman to marry yet?"
Najib nodded his head, signaling yes. "May Allah bring a good one, Amin," Abba concluded.
Shortly after, Najib stood up and went inside. Na'em followed him because he completely understood his brother's pain. He found him sitting on a chair, walked over, sat down, and spoke in a comforting voice: "Be patient, Najib. In life, everyone has their own trials."
"That's true, Na'em. But I simply cannot stop my heart from hurting over losing Nasrin. By Allah, I wished so badly to have her, but I never mattered to her. Nasir is the only one in her mind and heart. Oh well, may Allah make it better, Amin."
Ever since she returned, Nasrin kept trying to call Nasir to tell him how things went with Abba, but his line wouldn't go through. She tried until nightfall to no avail. She called Hajiya, but she didn't pick up. Suddenly, panic began to set in. What was happening with Nasir's family? Why wasn't his phone connecting, and why wasn't Hajiya picking up?
Surely, there was a problem. These thoughts kept her awake all night. The next morning, even before prayers, she kept calling Nasir, but his line was still unreachable. After getting dressed, she called again—still nothing. Since they usually had breakfast together before he drove her to the office, she found the silence strange.
Realizing the delay was too long, she headed straight to his house, assuming he hadn't left for work. She entered the house and found Hajiya sitting with her chin propped in her hand, deep in thought. One look was enough to see she was carrying an immense burden of worry.
Nasrin rushed to her side. "Hajiya, is everything okay? Where is Yaya Nas? For Allah's sake, tell me what is going on."
With great difficulty and pain, Hajiya spoke: "Nasrin, for Allah's sake, help me convince Nasir to agree to marry Nadiya. This is my ultimate wish."
Suddenly, Nasrin felt a wave of shock crash over her. Her head throbbed violently, and the entire world felt like it was spinning around her. She wept silently in her heart while tears poured down her face. She just stared at Hajiya, unable to say a word.
"Nasrin, I know that you and Nasir love each other," Hajiya continued. "But what am I supposed to do about the promise I made to my older sister that Nasir would marry Nadiya? Nasrin, by Allah, this is an old agreement made long ago. I knew you would understand me, but Nasir completely refuses to understand. Right now, he is deeply angry with me. And now, my sister has started bringing up the marriage arrangements, which is why I told him. But the frustrating part is his total refusal. I don't know what to do. I am begging you, by Allah's greatness, help me sway him so he accepts Nadiya."
Unable to speak, Nasrin simply nodded her head in agreement.
"Wonderful, Nasrin. May Allah bless you, Amin."
With a heavy heart, Nasrin stood up and walked toward Nasir's room. Upon entering, she sank to the floor against the wall, buried her head in her knees, and sobbed uncontrollably.
She wept bitterly. Nasir quickly rushed over to her, calling her name. "My little sister, what is happening to you? For Allah's sake, tell me!" He lifted her face and shook his head. He drew a deep breath, closed his eyes, and opened them with a sigh. Pulling her closer into his embrace, he held her face and began kissing away the tears from her closed eyes. He moved his mouth to her ear, kissing her cheek and gently biting her earlobe.
"Ah!" she gasped, drawing a sharp breath. In a vulnerable voice, on the verge of tears, he begged, "My little sister, for Allah's sake, tell me what is wrong."
In a tearful voice, she replied, "Forgive me, Yaya Nas. Just marry Nadiya for Hajiya's happiness and the happiness of your entire family. I am only your friend. Nadiya is your relative, so just obey Hajiya's command and marry Nadiya."
"Nasrin, what on earth are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you've given up on marrying me, or what?" She remained silent. "Fine, I will marry Nadiya, but on one condition: I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you do not love me. Only then will I agree to marry Nadiya."
"Nasrin, I am listening to you! Tell me! Say it!" he shouted.
"I can't, Yaya Nas! By Allah, I can't!"
"See? That's one reason. Now, never bring up the marriage to Nadiya to me again, because I will never be a husband to any woman except you. Keep this in your mind and heart. Come, let's go." He stood up, grabbed her hand, and they walked out into the parlor where Hajiya was sitting. They sat down near her.
Nasir spoke up, while Nasrin sat in stunned silence. "Hajiya, by now you should understand the type of love and affection that exists between me and Nasrin, so you can stop thinking about pairing me with Nadiya. I will never be a husband to any woman except Nasrin, because she is the only one I desire."
"It won't happen, Nasir!" Hajiya snapped. "Whether you like it or not, you have no other wife except Nadiya. Therefore, you must teach your heart to love her, because you have no other choice!"
"It's impossible, Hajiya! I will never marry Nadiya because there is no place for her in my heart. Know that I have no other wife in this world except Nasrin, because she is my choice and the choice of my heart."
"That's enough, Nasir! Shut up!" In her utter frustration and rage, Hajiya slapped his face, then turned on Nasrin, yelling at her and kicking her out of the house. Nasir attempted to follow her, but Hajiya blocked him. Forced to submit, he retreated to his room, utterly broken and overwhelmed by an immeasurable depth of sorrow.
Friday 14/9/2018 | Time 09:24 am
Nasrin arrived home in a state of sheer panic and shock, looking as though she was losing her mind.
Umma held her tightly, asking over and over what had happened, but Nasrin was completely unable to utter a single word. Seeing her condition, Umma called Abba's line...
2. SUMMARY Original Story
This excerpt is from a Hausa romantic drama novel titled "Burin Iyayenmu Shi Ne Namu" (Our Parents' Will is Our Will) by Fauziyya Usman Kogo.
The story revolves around a tense domestic and romantic conflict involving four main characters: Nasrin, Nasir (a doctor, often called Yaya Nas), Najib, and Nadiya.
The Climax of the Segment: Hajiya begs a heartbroken Nasrin to convince Nasir to accept Nadiya. When Nasrin tries to sacrifice her own happiness for the family, Nasir forces her to admit she loves him. They confront Hajiya together, resulting in Hajiya violently slapping Nasir, unleashing a furious tirade against Nasrin, and kicking her out of the house. The segment ends with Nasrin returning home in a state of emotional trauma and psychological shock, leaving her family panicking.
3. Character and Setting Description
Characters
Nadiya: Nasir's cousin (off-screen). She is the arranged bride backed by Hajiya's ancient familial promise.
Setting
The Parlor acts as the stage for confrontation, generational clashes, and structural violence where family dynamics are fractured.
4. Analytics and Literary Evaluation
Cultural and Structural Themes
The Clash Between Individual Autonomy and Parental Authority (Biyayya).
Hajiya states, "As your mother, have I ever asked you for a single favor... accept my choice." This leverages cultural and religious guilt associated with parental blessing (Albarka). The title of the book itself, Burin Iyayenmu Shi Ne Namu (Our Parents' Will is Our Will), is highly ironic, as the narrative clearly portrays the trauma and chaos caused by forcing parents' desires onto unwilling children.
Dialogue and Metaphor Analysis
The author uses powerful, relatable prose to describe abstract concepts. A standout piece of dialogue is Nasir’s defense of love to his mother:
This effectively contrasts the consumerist, superficial arrangement of a family-brokered marriage with the internal, involuntary nature of true romantic love.
Tone and Melodrama
The tone is highly melodramatic, utilizing extreme emotional swings. Characters rarely just speak; they speak "cike da kunci" (filled with misery) or "cike da gudanar tashin hankali" (filled with panic). Physical reactions are exaggerated to convey internal states: collapsing to the floor, grabbing feet, crying silently in the heart, and breaking glass with bare hands.
Sensory and Intimate Language
The passage contains an unusually explicit level of physical intimacy for traditional Hausa popular fiction, blending traditional romance tropes with modern, highly sensory prose (descriptions of licking tears, lip-sucking, and the physical escalation toward removing clothes). The author walks a fine line by having Nasrin halt the encounter on moral grounds ("inappropriate to commit such a major sin here"), preserving the characters' cultural integrity while indulging the reader in high-stakes romantic tension.