Life is full of challenges, but every individual has their own unique struggles. In my own story, my father is my challenge; no matter how hard I try to win his approval, I never succeed. No matter what I do to try to make him happy, it fails. Everything I do to make him notice and praise me goes unseen... I have accepted this as my destiny, and I will continue to pray until the day I experience a CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Dubantu Quarters, Hadejia, Jigawa State, Nigeria "Salma, look at how you've changed! What on earth has been bothering you these past few days?" Slightly startled, Salma, who was sitting on the parlor chair, let out a deep sigh as she looked at Hajiya, who was speaking to her while fixing her with an intense, piercing stare. Salma quickly lowered her head. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Promptly, Hajiya lifted Salma's face in alarm and said, "Salma, what on earth is happening to you? If you cannot tell me, in my capacity as your mother, who else in this world could you possibly confide your worries in besides me?" With that, Salma simply burst into tears, throwing herself into Hajiya's arms. Hajiya wrapped her arms tightly around Salma's back, a fresh wave of panic washing over her. With great difficulty, Salma managed to open her mouth and say, "Why, Hajiya, why do I not understand my studies at all? Everything taught in class surpasses my understanding. And Abba despises me because I am not brilliant in school. Hajiya, he even said that whether I like it or not, I must pass my studies, and if I fail or carry an 'over' [carryover/failure] again, he will shut my mouth for good." She finished speaking as tears poured out of her eyes once more. Honestly, the matter pained her deeply. She simply could not understand what was wrong with her brain; it just refused to retain academic knowledge. No matter how hard she tried or forced herself to grasp the lessons, it was simply impossible. Moreover, she grew up in a household where Western education is cherished above everything else in life. Education is compulsory for everyone in their family; whether you like it or learn it, that is Abba's strict rule. Hajiya let out a heavy sigh, using her hand to wipe away the continuous tears streaming down Salma's face. After a moment, Hajiya said, "If it were up to your father, but as for me, you were meant for marriage, not Western education. Wallahi, I would much rather you find a husband and get married. Ismail and Ahmad can go ahead with their education since they are boys, but as for you, a girl, my mind is simply not at peace with what your Abba is obsessing over—forcing you all to..." The sound of Abba's greeting cut off the rest of the words lingering on Hajiya's lips. Scowling darkly, he finished walking into the parlor, his face set in a hard, forbidding expression as he stared at Salma. Without wasting a second, Salma stood up, intending to leave the parlor, but he stopped her abruptly by calling out her name. The very tone in which he called her made her certain that he had heard what Hajiya was saying. Her heart began to race wildly, beating three times faster than normal. Terrified, she sat back down on the floor, keeping her eyes glued to the ground. Abba let out a deep breath, watching how Hajiya frowned back at him—she was fed up with him already, too. "You, Salma! Open your ears wide and listen to me well," Abba began. "No one on earth has the power to stop you from acquiring Western education except if I die. And I heard what your mother was telling you regarding your studies—she wants to corrupt your mind into thinking about marriage at such an early age. Well, let me tell you this: if I ever catch wind that you have even started a romance, wallahi, I will never forgive you, Salma, let alone standing around with any man." Not only Salma, but even Hajiya quickly turned to look at Abba in shock. Hajiya's lips trembled as she asked, "Malam Rabe, I don't understand what you are trying to say?" "I spoke in Hausa; I didn't speak in some foreign tongue." "Oh, I simply cannot understand where you're heading with this. How can children reach the age of marriage and you insist that a girl must pursue Western education? You know very well, my daughter, that she does not have the mental capacity for rigorous Western schooling. Everyone has their own destiny—just let her get married, for that is the true dignity of a female child." Abba stood up, furious enough to strike Hajiya, pointing a finger at her as he yelled, "Did you hear what I said? Therefore, in my house, education must be pursued! And don't you dare whisper nonsense into your daughter's ear again, because wallahi, I will do something unimaginable to both you and her! No one lacks intelligence in this world unless they choose to make themselves a fool. So, wallahi, keep your daughter in check! Look at her younger and older siblings—some have finished their education successfully. Why must she alone be the one giving me a headache?" Furious as well, Hajiya stood up and retorted, "Rabi'u, stop beating around the bush! Just come out plainly and say you prefer your other daughters because they are the favored ones who never do wrong and are always praised by you. As for me and my children, you never loved us to begin with!" A grim smile crossed Abba's face as he turned to leave, saying, "Say whatever you wish to say; I have said my final word. And no father alive has the right to give my daughter's hand in marriage without my consent. If I am a woman who marries off her daughters without a husband's say, then let's see—let them start with you!" Hajiya shot back so he would hear clearly, "Even without you, weddings can be conducted; it is not mandatory to have only you! And wallahi, I am certain that Salma will turn out to be the one who will first come to your aid in life!" Salma hurried into her bedroom the moment her parents started this familiar exchange of arguments. It was always about her. Sometimes, when they argued like this, Salma would cry. Hajiya could no longer stay silent or fail to talk back to Abba, because she had reached her limit with him as well. He was constantly praising Maryam—the daughter from his other wife—who was the favored child. As for Salma and her siblings, everything they did was met with insults inside the house... Copa Cabana Estate, Lokogoma District, Abuja, Nigeria "Hey Kande, what the devil dropped you here looking so frantic?!" Terrified, Kande stared at Momy, who was yelling at her. She couldn't even speak; she just pointed upstairs while crying. Momy let out a long hiss of annoyance and repeated, "Hey, I hate this village behavior! What on earth are you doing?" "It's... it's just that Hajiya, umm... umm..." "Will you look at you, Kande, why do you lack common sense and composure? Are you going to tell me what is happening, or are you going to stand there stuttering?!" Kande wiped away some saliva and stammering, said, "Hajiya, that thing you gave me—when I went to bury it right in the middle of Salma's bed, I..." She couldn't finish her sentence as she saw Momy's eyes widen in horror. Swiftly, Momy grabbed Kande by the throat and landed a flurry of heavy slaps across her face—tass! tass! Stars practically flashed before Kande's eyes from the sheer force of the slaps. Before she could even recover her senses, Momy's voice dropped into a fierce snarl that nearly made Kande wet herself. "You cursed fool! Didn't I tell you to simply lift the bed and place the gourd right underneath the center of the bed? Did I tell you to open it and look inside, huh?!" Kande swallowed hard, speaking in a panic, "Wallahi, Hajiya, it was an accident! What I saw terrified me, and I thought maybe you didn't know what was inside. Hajiya, it was a snake I saw lying inside that gourd..." Before she could finish, another roar—far more terrifying than the first—hit Kande as Momy yelled, "If you ever utter a word of this to anyone else, I swear to God, Kande, I will kill you! You will leave this world before your time comes!" Kande's eyes bulged in absolute terror. She clamped her hand tightly over her mouth, her stomach churning loudly. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing, "Hajiya, for the love of God, please forgive me! I swear by the Lord who created me, not a single soul will ever hear this secret of yours!" "It's better that way," Momy declared. She walked straight into Salman's room. Without a shred of fear, she reached out with her bare hands and grabbed the huge, pitch-black snake that had emerged from the gourd, returning it inside as if it were nothing at all. She put the mattress back in its exact place and made the bed herself so neatly that it looked untouched. Throughout all of this, Kande remained cowering in a corner, watching her with a mixture of extreme shock and dread. Could it be that all the times Salman acted like a mentally unstable person, Momy was behind it all? That was why whenever his affliction flared up, whoever was closest to him suffered severe beatings. Many women had been married off to him, but they all fled due to this exact reason. He had been driven practically mad, yet whenever he was in his right mind, you could never tell that anything abnormal was happening in his life. So, what exactly was Momy looking for? Just because Salman came from a rival co-wife who had known Alhaji before her? But now that the woman was no longer alive, what was the point of jealousy? The sound of a voice cut through Kande's brief train of thought. Seeing Momy standing right before her made Kande swallow another bitter mouthful of saliva out of sheer panic. "If the ears hear, the body is spared," Momy said. With those words, Momy walked out, leaving Kande with her mouth hanging open. Quickly, Kande bolted out of the apartment as well—by God, she was terrified of that room. No sane person with their right mind would ever spend a single night sharing a space with that massive snake she had seen with her own eyes, which had nearly driven her out of her senses. Gurbi, Jibia Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria She hurried into the compound. Seeing Inna pounding corn chaff, she paused for a moment to catch her breath. Inna glanced at her for a few seconds before asking, "Nanah, why do you look so breathless, coming in without even greeting?" The girl called Nanah rushed further into the compound, saying, "Oh Inna, you have every right to see me looking frantic! They say those kidnappers have entered Gurbi—they've surrounded the town, and they are looking for someone to abduct!" Instantly, Inna dropped her pestle, clutching her chest as she exclaimed, "Nanah, I don't want your lies! When was the last time they came near us? May God keep them away from us; stop summoning them into our conversations. How on earth did you even know they are inside the town?" "Inna, people all over have seen signs of them in town! Don't you see, they've blended in with the townspeople, probably waiting for something!" Before Nanah could even finish her sentence, gunshots rang out, accompanied by the terrified screams of the townspeople. Soon, the entire town fell silent except for the terrifying crack of gunfires. Inside the compound, Inna and Nanah could do nothing but weep. Before you could blink, they had huddled together inside a room, sweating profusely. With great difficulty, Inna found her voice and said, "We are doomed! Malam hasn't come home yet, along with Auta. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, staying here is no longer an option!" She finished speaking as she struggled to stand up. Quickly, Nanah grabbed Inna's hand, saying, "By the Qur'an, Inna, I will never let you go outside! They will be looking for hiding places too." "Nanah, why are you so senseless? Are you saying Auta can protect himself? A boy who isn't even thirteen yet—he's only twelve! Will you let me go, I said?" No matter what Inna said, Nanah refused to let go of her hand. Right as they struggled, the front door of their compound was flung open violently. Both of them bolted upright, clinging tightly to each other, fully believing that the bandits had broken into their home. However, hearing the voices of Auta and Malam made them instantly rush outside, eyes wide with shock. Seeing the state Malam was in nearly made Inna and Nanah burst into laughter, but they held it back. Malam's cap was missing, his flowing grand boubou robe was displaced, and as for his shoes, he had likely thrown one away while running, because only one was left on his foot. Inna quickly pulled Auta toward her, demanding, "Malam, where on earth did you linger? You, of all people, I know don't sleep inside the town precisely because of things like this! You knew these people wouldn't just leave this town alone; I always knew they would return. Why shouldn't we pack up and leave this village, Malam?" Malam wiped away a torrent of sweat, saying, "Look here, Binta, I don't have the wealth to pack up and leave this village. Those who are leaving are going, because even right now, when they entered, it turns out they came for D'an Liti mai shigo, and they successfully abducted him! He had just arrived from Kano and went on a shopping spree when they nabbed him. They almost shot his younger brother, Jafaru, but by the grace of God, it was averted. They claimed they didn't come to kill anyone, but merely to carry out an abduction order. If not for that, they could have wiped out the entire village. Did you see their numbers?" Inna's heart hammered violently against her ribs. Filled with dread, she said, "Malam, even if you see them taking people one by one, one day that turn might come to us too. It's better we leave this village—I think that would give us peace of mind." Malam sat down on a stool in the courtyard, arguing further, "Look, Binta, they don't target people like us. What do I even own that would make them interested in abducting me? I have achieved nothing, nor do I have any wealth stashed away except for this mud house. People like D'an Liti mai shigo are the ones they target, not the likes of us." Auta, still clinging to Inna, spoke up, "Inna, did you see how they were firing guns right outside people's shops while everyone ran? They abducted him and took off, looting all the expensive goods from the shops!" "You, Auta, whose house did you hear that from?" Nanah demanded, standing nearby. "Well, didn't Auta have to tell you how it happened? Since both of us were right by the roadside when it occurred, by the grace of God it was averted. I suspect these terrorists aren't the killing kind, because I heard they are just 'Daba Daba' thugs." Inna sighed and said, "Well, Malam, what I fear is that one day these merciless men will break right into our town, because you know they don't care whether you are poor or rich—they just round people up and drag them into the bush." Malam, who detested the idea of leaving his beloved village, simply stood up and retreated into his private room. The moment he stepped away, Auta opened his mouth and said, "Inna, I wish they would come back and say they are coming to take Baba! Then he would quickly tell us to move to the city. I want us to leave the village too, just like my friend Ismail's family left and moved to Katsina." Swiftly, Nanah slapped Auta across the mouth, glaring at him as she scolded, "You have no sense! How can you wish for such a terrible thing?" Inna looked at Auta, stroking his head as she said, "Look, Nanah, that is not how you correct a child. You guide a child with wisdom when they do wrong. Listen, Auta, what you said is wrong. No one would ever wish for those men to abduct someone they love. From today on, I never want to hear such words come out of your mouth again, do you hear me, Auta?" Auta offered a faint smile and nodded to show he understood. He glared at Nanah for slapping his mouth so hard it hurt, and she glared right back at him. As she went back to pounding, she tried to suppress a laugh at how Auta continued to cling to Inna like a nursing baby...
Chapter 2
Villa For Sale In Dubai Hills Estates He stood upright, phone pressed against his ear. He turned around, running a hand through the strands of hair that cascaded down his back. He spent a few moments on the call before lowering the phone, taking a slow, deep breath. The sound of the parlor door being pushed open made him turn around completely. Jasmin stood there, fixing him with a hunger-filled gaze, feeling as though she could devour him alive. The breathtaking, maddening handsomeness he possessed seemed to have intensified beyond belief. She swallowed hard, staring at him as if her eyes might pop out of her head. She heard his voice say, "What look? That's enough." She let out a breath, stepping further into the middle of the parlor, her intense gaze still locked on him. With an air of coquettish elegance, she said, "You were born to be looked at, My Salman. No woman could ever look at you and turn her eyes away even for a second." He twisted his lips—they were as red as an infant's. Of course, he also knew that he should be looked at, but his mind wasn't on her. Even the women he had been forced into marriage with were not married by his own choice, and all of them had eventually fled because of the medical condition that plagued him repeatedly. Jasmin's voice cut through his thoughts. "It is time for you to accept me, Salman. Marry me—wallahi, I am madly in love with you." Salman blew out a breath, gazing at Jasmin for a moment before instantly averting his eyes. As if he wasn't going to speak at all—causing her to almost lose hope—she heard his soft yet sharp voice say, "Jasmin, I have told you repeatedly; I have married not once, not twice. Every woman I marry cannot live with me, because I cannot burden those who have everything, when I myself am struggling to bear the responsibility that God has placed on me. So please, Jasmin, forget this talk of marriage between us." "Wallahi, even if you were to kill me, I know I can live with you. Just agree to marry me, for God's sake!" Salman simply stared at Jasmin. She actually pitied him, wallahi. She was just talking empty words; his physical beauty was the only thing mesmerizing her, not him for who he was. That was why many women didn't impress him. Most of them only loved him for his wealth and the handsome looks God had blessed him with, rather than anything else. Without saying another word, he pulled out his phone and called his PA, Fahad. Shortly after, Fahad walked into the parlor. Fahad looked at Jasmin and shot her a glare—truthfully, she irritated him. The way she degraded her dignity as a woman, coming to his boss every day begging him to love her—all in vain, knowing fully well he would never give her the time of day. Salman's voice interrupted Fahad's thoughts. "Fahad, have you made sure everything is completely ready for our departure?" "Yes, Your Excellency, our flight departs at six." With that final word, Salman strode out of the parlor without sparing Jasmin another glance. Jasmin felt as though she might choke on her own heart and die from how coldly he dismissed her. Although she was used to it, this time hurt worse than ever. With great effort, she forced words past her throat, glaring at Fahad in annoyance as she asked, "Where is he going?" "The wind tires the carrier of palm fronds. You know very well that the boss is never stationary; he runs his businesses across various countries. And besides that, he has family in Nigeria—or didn't you know? He's going home to visit." "Hmm, PA being a PA, you are not his equal. The one who hired you is my match!" "All this madness of yours will never make the boss marry you. You are only dazzled by his looks and wealth; your obsession is not for the sake of God. Let me give you advice, Jasmin: even if the boss ever intends to marry now, he will never choose you, because you are unsuited for him. Look at yourself, look at your body, look at the clothes you wear—you look nothing like a daughter of Hausa tradition. Just because you grew up abroad, does that mean you must throw away your culture?" Jasmin's body trembled with intense anger. She wanted to lash out and insult Fahad in return, but something caught in her throat. Seeing that she was speechless, Fahad walked past her with a smile, knowing she had absorbed the lesson fully. Wallahi, he certainly didn't wish for his boss to marry someone like Jasmin—they would utterly ruin his life. Canada Studio Faruk Galadima He sat inside the studio, listening to the song he had just finished recording in English. A tap on his shoulder made him remove his earpieces and look at Henry, who was standing behind him. Henry said, "Oh, Faruk, you should rest instead of working so hard today. I see your phone ringing—you should check it." Faruk let out a long breath, closing his eyes as he gently massaged his long strands of hair—one look at him would reveal his pure Fulani heritage. In an exhausted voice, he stood up, saying, "By God, I'm also planning to leave the studio and go home. I know, but I've been waiting for this." "You should do it, because today we are working on this song." He picked up two computers and a few other items, preparing to leave the area when he heard Henry say, "Oh right, I forgot—that major female singer came looking for you, saying she wants to do a song with you." "Who is that?" "Enisa, of course." "Oh, but I just sing; I don't release music videos. Some people cover my songs when we do normal tracks, but honestly, I won't do it. I can't do a video." "Faruk, I told her that. Although she wanted you both to feature in a music video, she agreed that you can just record the audio track." "Okay, that's fine. Did she write the song?" "Yes, she did. In fact, she left the written lyrics with me, and she'll return tomorrow to see you. Then you can decide when you think you will record the song." "No problem, even tomorrow if work doesn't tie me down, we can handle it." He walked out of the studio, making sure to put on a face mask to conceal his identity and avoid fans swarming him. Even though it was late into the night, the city felt as bright as morning. Everywhere he went in Canada, people knew him—they knew who Faruk Galadima was, the famous, reigning global pop star. He had started making music since childhood, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a musician. And his mother had supported him all the way. Yet, despite all that success, he never forgot who he was. Only his mother remained for him in this world. They had endured severe hardship back in the day, but music was what propelled him to fame—a level of success he had never imagined. Even he himself hadn't thought he would become someone the world would be proud of like this; it's a good thing for everyone to embrace him wherever he goes. What brought him back to base in Canada, alongside his mother, was that aside from music, he also worked at a manufacturing company producing phones, computers, and other electrical devices. He understood the intricate circuitry of phones and computers; whenever they had faults, he could expertly repair them...
Summary
This multi-setting narrative follows the trials and contrasting lives of different individuals:
Salma (Hadejia, Jigawa State): Struggling academically, Salma faces immense pressure from her strict father, Abba, who insists she must excel in Western education despite her learning difficulties. Her mother, Hajiya, defends her, wishing Salma could simply marry instead, leading to constant marital friction in the house over favoritism toward Abba's other children.
Salman (Abuja & Dubai): A wealthy, handsome, yet emotionally distant businessman burdened by a mysterious medical condition that causes his past marriages to fail. While women like Jasmin obsess over his wealth and looks, he remains detached, while behind the scenes, dark manipulations involving a venomous snake hidden under his bed by a maid under Momy’s orders point to a sinister domestic conspiracy.
Nanah & Inna (Gurbi, Katsina State): Living in a rural village, they experience the terrifying reality of banditry and kidnappings plaguing the region, contrasting sharply with the urban lives of the other characters.
Faruk Galadima (Canada): A globally renowned Nigerian-Fulani music star and tech engineer who balances his international fame with his humble roots and dedication to his mother.
Description
The text is written in a contemporary Hausa-English hybrid prose style common in modern Nigerian fiction (popularly known as Littattafan Soyayya or modern Hausa urban literature). It weaves heavy emotional drama, family pressure, domestic intrigue, rural insecurity, and international wealth into a multi-layered narrative framework.
Analytics
Primary Themes: Parental pressure, academic struggle vs. societal expectation, domestic manipulation/jealousy, rural insecurity (banditry in Northern Nigeria), and global fame versus personal isolation.
Narrative Structure: Multi-POV storytelling across contrasting geographical locations (Hadejia, Abuja, Katsina, Dubai, and Canada).
Tone: Emotional, tense, suspenseful, and dramatic.
Chapter 1
Life is full of challenges, but every individual has their own unique struggles. In my own story, my father is my challenge; no matter how hard I try to win his approval, I never succeed. No matter what I do to try to make him happy, it fails. Everything I do to make him notice and praise me goes unseen... I have accepted this as my destiny, and I will continue to pray until the day I experience a CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
Dubantu Quarters, Hadejia, Jigawa State, Nigeria
"Salma, look at how you've changed! What on earth has been bothering you these past few days?"
Slightly startled, Salma, who was sitting on the parlor chair, let out a deep sigh as she looked at Hajiya, who was speaking to her while fixing her with an intense, piercing stare.
Salma quickly lowered her head. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Promptly, Hajiya lifted Salma's face in alarm and said, "Salma, what on earth is happening to you? If you cannot tell me, in my capacity as your mother, who else in this world could you possibly confide your worries in besides me?"
With that, Salma simply burst into tears, throwing herself into Hajiya's arms. Hajiya wrapped her arms tightly around Salma's back, a fresh wave of panic washing over her.
With great difficulty, Salma managed to open her mouth and say, "Why, Hajiya, why do I not understand my studies at all? Everything taught in class surpasses my understanding. And Abba despises me because I am not brilliant in school. Hajiya, he even said that whether I like it or not, I must pass my studies, and if I fail or carry an 'over' [carryover/failure] again, he will shut my mouth for good."
She finished speaking as tears poured out of her eyes once more. Honestly, the matter pained her deeply. She simply could not understand what was wrong with her brain; it just refused to retain academic knowledge. No matter how hard she tried or forced herself to grasp the lessons, it was simply impossible. Moreover, she grew up in a household where Western education is cherished above everything else in life. Education is compulsory for everyone in their family; whether you like it or learn it, that is Abba's strict rule.
Hajiya let out a heavy sigh, using her hand to wipe away the continuous tears streaming down Salma's face. After a moment, Hajiya said, "If it were up to your father, but as for me, you were meant for marriage, not Western education. Wallahi, I would much rather you find a husband and get married. Ismail and Ahmad can go ahead with their education since they are boys, but as for you, a girl, my mind is simply not at peace with what your Abba is obsessing over—forcing you all to..."
The sound of Abba's greeting cut off the rest of the words lingering on Hajiya's lips.
Scowling darkly, he finished walking into the parlor, his face set in a hard, forbidding expression as he stared at Salma. Without wasting a second, Salma stood up, intending to leave the parlor, but he stopped her abruptly by calling out her name. The very tone in which he called her made her certain that he had heard what Hajiya was saying. Her heart began to race wildly, beating three times faster than normal. Terrified, she sat back down on the floor, keeping her eyes glued to the ground.
Abba let out a deep breath, watching how Hajiya frowned back at him—she was fed up with him already, too.
"You, Salma! Open your ears wide and listen to me well," Abba began. "No one on earth has the power to stop you from acquiring Western education except if I die. And I heard what your mother was telling you regarding your studies—she wants to corrupt your mind into thinking about marriage at such an early age. Well, let me tell you this: if I ever catch wind that you have even started a romance, wallahi, I will never forgive you, Salma, let alone standing around with any man."
Not only Salma, but even Hajiya quickly turned to look at Abba in shock. Hajiya's lips trembled as she asked, "Malam Rabe, I don't understand what you are trying to say?"
"I spoke in Hausa; I didn't speak in some foreign tongue."
"Oh, I simply cannot understand where you're heading with this. How can children reach the age of marriage and you insist that a girl must pursue Western education? You know very well, my daughter, that she does not have the mental capacity for rigorous Western schooling. Everyone has their own destiny—just let her get married, for that is the true dignity of a female child."
Abba stood up, furious enough to strike Hajiya, pointing a finger at her as he yelled, "Did you hear what I said? Therefore, in my house, education must be pursued! And don't you dare whisper nonsense into your daughter's ear again, because wallahi, I will do something unimaginable to both you and her! No one lacks intelligence in this world unless they choose to make themselves a fool. So, wallahi, keep your daughter in check! Look at her younger and older siblings—some have finished their education successfully. Why must she alone be the one giving me a headache?"
Furious as well, Hajiya stood up and retorted, "Rabi'u, stop beating around the bush! Just come out plainly and say you prefer your other daughters because they are the favored ones who never do wrong and are always praised by you. As for me and my children, you never loved us to begin with!"
A grim smile crossed Abba's face as he turned to leave, saying, "Say whatever you wish to say; I have said my final word. And no father alive has the right to give my daughter's hand in marriage without my consent. If I am a woman who marries off her daughters without a husband's say, then let's see—let them start with you!"
Hajiya shot back so he would hear clearly, "Even without you, weddings can be conducted; it is not mandatory to have only you! And wallahi, I am certain that Salma will turn out to be the one who will first come to your aid in life!"
Salma hurried into her bedroom the moment her parents started this familiar exchange of arguments. It was always about her. Sometimes, when they argued like this, Salma would cry. Hajiya could no longer stay silent or fail to talk back to Abba, because she had reached her limit with him as well. He was constantly praising Maryam—the daughter from his other wife—who was the favored child. As for Salma and her siblings, everything they did was met with insults inside the house...
Copa Cabana Estate, Lokogoma District, Abuja, Nigeria
"Hey Kande, what the devil dropped you here looking so frantic?!"
Terrified, Kande stared at Momy, who was yelling at her. She couldn't even speak; she just pointed upstairs while crying.
Momy let out a long hiss of annoyance and repeated, "Hey, I hate this village behavior! What on earth are you doing?"
"It's... it's just that Hajiya, umm... umm..."
"Will you look at you, Kande, why do you lack common sense and composure? Are you going to tell me what is happening, or are you going to stand there stuttering?!"
Kande wiped away some saliva and stammering, said, "Hajiya, that thing you gave me—when I went to bury it right in the middle of Salma's bed, I..." She couldn't finish her sentence as she saw Momy's eyes widen in horror. Swiftly, Momy grabbed Kande by the throat and landed a flurry of heavy slaps across her face—tass! tass!
Stars practically flashed before Kande's eyes from the sheer force of the slaps. Before she could even recover her senses, Momy's voice dropped into a fierce snarl that nearly made Kande wet herself.
"You cursed fool! Didn't I tell you to simply lift the bed and place the gourd right underneath the center of the bed? Did I tell you to open it and look inside, huh?!"
Kande swallowed hard, speaking in a panic, "Wallahi, Hajiya, it was an accident! What I saw terrified me, and I thought maybe you didn't know what was inside. Hajiya, it was a snake I saw lying inside that gourd..."
Before she could finish, another roar—far more terrifying than the first—hit Kande as Momy yelled, "If you ever utter a word of this to anyone else, I swear to God, Kande, I will kill you! You will leave this world before your time comes!"
Kande's eyes bulged in absolute terror. She clamped her hand tightly over her mouth, her stomach churning loudly. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing, "Hajiya, for the love of God, please forgive me! I swear by the Lord who created me, not a single soul will ever hear this secret of yours!"
"It's better that way," Momy declared.
She walked straight into Salman's room. Without a shred of fear, she reached out with her bare hands and grabbed the huge, pitch-black snake that had emerged from the gourd, returning it inside as if it were nothing at all. She put the mattress back in its exact place and made the bed herself so neatly that it looked untouched. Throughout all of this, Kande remained cowering in a corner, watching her with a mixture of extreme shock and dread.
Could it be that all the times Salman acted like a mentally unstable person, Momy was behind it all? That was why whenever his affliction flared up, whoever was closest to him suffered severe beatings. Many women had been married off to him, but they all fled due to this exact reason. He had been driven practically mad, yet whenever he was in his right mind, you could never tell that anything abnormal was happening in his life.
So, what exactly was Momy looking for? Just because Salman came from a rival co-wife who had known Alhaji before her? But now that the woman was no longer alive, what was the point of jealousy?
The sound of a voice cut through Kande's brief train of thought. Seeing Momy standing right before her made Kande swallow another bitter mouthful of saliva out of sheer panic.
"If the ears hear, the body is spared," Momy said.
With those words, Momy walked out, leaving Kande with her mouth hanging open.
Quickly, Kande bolted out of the apartment as well—by God, she was terrified of that room. No sane person with their right mind would ever spend a single night sharing a space with that massive snake she had seen with her own eyes, which had nearly driven her out of her senses.
Gurbi, Jibia Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria
She hurried into the compound. Seeing Inna pounding corn chaff, she paused for a moment to catch her breath. Inna glanced at her for a few seconds before asking, "Nanah, why do you look so breathless, coming in without even greeting?"
The girl called Nanah rushed further into the compound, saying, "Oh Inna, you have every right to see me looking frantic! They say those kidnappers have entered Gurbi—they've surrounded the town, and they are looking for someone to abduct!"
Instantly, Inna dropped her pestle, clutching her chest as she exclaimed, "Nanah, I don't want your lies! When was the last time they came near us? May God keep them away from us; stop summoning them into our conversations. How on earth did you even know they are inside the town?"
"Inna, people all over have seen signs of them in town! Don't you see, they've blended in with the townspeople, probably waiting for something!"
Before Nanah could even finish her sentence, gunshots rang out, accompanied by the terrified screams of the townspeople. Soon, the entire town fell silent except for the terrifying crack of gunfires. Inside the compound, Inna and Nanah could do nothing but weep. Before you could blink, they had huddled together inside a room, sweating profusely.
With great difficulty, Inna found her voice and said, "We are doomed! Malam hasn't come home yet, along with Auta. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, staying here is no longer an option!"
She finished speaking as she struggled to stand up.
Quickly, Nanah grabbed Inna's hand, saying, "By the Qur'an, Inna, I will never let you go outside! They will be looking for hiding places too."
"Nanah, why are you so senseless? Are you saying Auta can protect himself? A boy who isn't even thirteen yet—he's only twelve! Will you let me go, I said?"
No matter what Inna said, Nanah refused to let go of her hand. Right as they struggled, the front door of their compound was flung open violently. Both of them bolted upright, clinging tightly to each other, fully believing that the bandits had broken into their home.
However, hearing the voices of Auta and Malam made them instantly rush outside, eyes wide with shock. Seeing the state Malam was in nearly made Inna and Nanah burst into laughter, but they held it back. Malam's cap was missing, his flowing grand boubou robe was displaced, and as for his shoes, he had likely thrown one away while running, because only one was left on his foot.
Inna quickly pulled Auta toward her, demanding, "Malam, where on earth did you linger? You, of all people, I know don't sleep inside the town precisely because of things like this! You knew these people wouldn't just leave this town alone; I always knew they would return. Why shouldn't we pack up and leave this village, Malam?"
Malam wiped away a torrent of sweat, saying, "Look here, Binta, I don't have the wealth to pack up and leave this village. Those who are leaving are going, because even right now, when they entered, it turns out they came for D'an Liti mai shigo, and they successfully abducted him! He had just arrived from Kano and went on a shopping spree when they nabbed him. They almost shot his younger brother, Jafaru, but by the grace of God, it was averted. They claimed they didn't come to kill anyone, but merely to carry out an abduction order. If not for that, they could have wiped out the entire village. Did you see their numbers?"
Inna's heart hammered violently against her ribs. Filled with dread, she said, "Malam, even if you see them taking people one by one, one day that turn might come to us too. It's better we leave this village—I think that would give us peace of mind."
Malam sat down on a stool in the courtyard, arguing further, "Look, Binta, they don't target people like us. What do I even own that would make them interested in abducting me? I have achieved nothing, nor do I have any wealth stashed away except for this mud house. People like D'an Liti mai shigo are the ones they target, not the likes of us."
Auta, still clinging to Inna, spoke up, "Inna, did you see how they were firing guns right outside people's shops while everyone ran? They abducted him and took off, looting all the expensive goods from the shops!"
"You, Auta, whose house did you hear that from?" Nanah demanded, standing nearby.
"Well, didn't Auta have to tell you how it happened? Since both of us were right by the roadside when it occurred, by the grace of God it was averted. I suspect these terrorists aren't the killing kind, because I heard they are just 'Daba Daba' thugs."
Inna sighed and said, "Well, Malam, what I fear is that one day these merciless men will break right into our town, because you know they don't care whether you are poor or rich—they just round people up and drag them into the bush."
Malam, who detested the idea of leaving his beloved village, simply stood up and retreated into his private room.
The moment he stepped away, Auta opened his mouth and said, "Inna, I wish they would come back and say they are coming to take Baba! Then he would quickly tell us to move to the city. I want us to leave the village too, just like my friend Ismail's family left and moved to Katsina."
Swiftly, Nanah slapped Auta across the mouth, glaring at him as she scolded, "You have no sense! How can you wish for such a terrible thing?"
Inna looked at Auta, stroking his head as she said, "Look, Nanah, that is not how you correct a child. You guide a child with wisdom when they do wrong. Listen, Auta, what you said is wrong. No one would ever wish for those men to abduct someone they love. From today on, I never want to hear such words come out of your mouth again, do you hear me, Auta?"
Auta offered a faint smile and nodded to show he understood. He glared at Nanah for slapping his mouth so hard it hurt, and she glared right back at him. As she went back to pounding, she tried to suppress a laugh at how Auta continued to cling to Inna like a nursing baby...
Chapter 2
Villa For Sale In Dubai Hills Estates
He stood upright, phone pressed against his ear. He turned around, running a hand through the strands of hair that cascaded down his back.
He spent a few moments on the call before lowering the phone, taking a slow, deep breath.
The sound of the parlor door being pushed open made him turn around completely.
Jasmin stood there, fixing him with a hunger-filled gaze, feeling as though she could devour him alive. The breathtaking, maddening handsomeness he possessed seemed to have intensified beyond belief.
She swallowed hard, staring at him as if her eyes might pop out of her head.
She heard his voice say, "What look? That's enough."
She let out a breath, stepping further into the middle of the parlor, her intense gaze still locked on him. With an air of coquettish elegance, she said, "You were born to be looked at, My Salman. No woman could ever look at you and turn her eyes away even for a second."
He twisted his lips—they were as red as an infant's. Of course, he also knew that he should be looked at, but his mind wasn't on her. Even the women he had been forced into marriage with were not married by his own choice, and all of them had eventually fled because of the medical condition that plagued him repeatedly.
Jasmin's voice cut through his thoughts.
"It is time for you to accept me, Salman. Marry me—wallahi, I am madly in love with you."
Salman blew out a breath, gazing at Jasmin for a moment before instantly averting his eyes. As if he wasn't going to speak at all—causing her to almost lose hope—she heard his soft yet sharp voice say, "Jasmin, I have told you repeatedly; I have married not once, not twice. Every woman I marry cannot live with me, because I cannot burden those who have everything, when I myself am struggling to bear the responsibility that God has placed on me. So please, Jasmin, forget this talk of marriage between us."
"Wallahi, even if you were to kill me, I know I can live with you. Just agree to marry me, for God's sake!"
Salman simply stared at Jasmin. She actually pitied him, wallahi. She was just talking empty words; his physical beauty was the only thing mesmerizing her, not him for who he was. That was why many women didn't impress him. Most of them only loved him for his wealth and the handsome looks God had blessed him with, rather than anything else.
Without saying another word, he pulled out his phone and called his PA, Fahad.
Shortly after, Fahad walked into the parlor.
Fahad looked at Jasmin and shot her a glare—truthfully, she irritated him. The way she degraded her dignity as a woman, coming to his boss every day begging him to love her—all in vain, knowing fully well he would never give her the time of day.
Salman's voice interrupted Fahad's thoughts.
"Fahad, have you made sure everything is completely ready for our departure?"
"Yes, Your Excellency, our flight departs at six."
With that final word, Salman strode out of the parlor without sparing Jasmin another glance.
Jasmin felt as though she might choke on her own heart and die from how coldly he dismissed her. Although she was used to it, this time hurt worse than ever.
With great effort, she forced words past her throat, glaring at Fahad in annoyance as she asked, "Where is he going?"
"The wind tires the carrier of palm fronds. You know very well that the boss is never stationary; he runs his businesses across various countries. And besides that, he has family in Nigeria—or didn't you know? He's going home to visit."
"Hmm, PA being a PA, you are not his equal. The one who hired you is my match!"
"All this madness of yours will never make the boss marry you. You are only dazzled by his looks and wealth; your obsession is not for the sake of God. Let me give you advice, Jasmin: even if the boss ever intends to marry now, he will never choose you, because you are unsuited for him. Look at yourself, look at your body, look at the clothes you wear—you look nothing like a daughter of Hausa tradition. Just because you grew up abroad, does that mean you must throw away your culture?"
Jasmin's body trembled with intense anger. She wanted to lash out and insult Fahad in return, but something caught in her throat.
Seeing that she was speechless, Fahad walked past her with a smile, knowing she had absorbed the lesson fully. Wallahi, he certainly didn't wish for his boss to marry someone like Jasmin—they would utterly ruin his life.
Canada Studio Faruk Galadima
He sat inside the studio, listening to the song he had just finished recording in English. A tap on his shoulder made him remove his earpieces and look at Henry, who was standing behind him.
Henry said, "Oh, Faruk, you should rest instead of working so hard today. I see your phone ringing—you should check it."
Faruk let out a long breath, closing his eyes as he gently massaged his long strands of hair—one look at him would reveal his pure Fulani heritage.
In an exhausted voice, he stood up, saying, "By God, I'm also planning to leave the studio and go home. I know, but I've been waiting for this."
"You should do it, because today we are working on this song."
He picked up two computers and a few other items, preparing to leave the area when he heard Henry say, "Oh right, I forgot—that major female singer came looking for you, saying she wants to do a song with you."
"Who is that?"
"Enisa, of course."
"Oh, but I just sing; I don't release music videos. Some people cover my songs when we do normal tracks, but honestly, I won't do it. I can't do a video."
"Faruk, I told her that. Although she wanted you both to feature in a music video, she agreed that you can just record the audio track."
"Okay, that's fine. Did she write the song?"
"Yes, she did. In fact, she left the written lyrics with me, and she'll return tomorrow to see you. Then you can decide when you think you will record the song."
"No problem, even tomorrow if work doesn't tie me down, we can handle it."
He walked out of the studio, making sure to put on a face mask to conceal his identity and avoid fans swarming him. Even though it was late into the night, the city felt as bright as morning. Everywhere he went in Canada, people knew him—they knew who Faruk Galadima was, the famous, reigning global pop star. He had started making music since childhood, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a musician. And his mother had supported him all the way. Yet, despite all that success, he never forgot who he was. Only his mother remained for him in this world. They had endured severe hardship back in the day, but music was what propelled him to fame—a level of success he had never imagined. Even he himself hadn't thought he would become someone the world would be proud of like this; it's a good thing for everyone to embrace him wherever he goes.
What brought him back to base in Canada, alongside his mother, was that aside from music, he also worked at a manufacturing company producing phones, computers, and other electrical devices. He understood the intricate circuitry of phones and computers; whenever they had faults, he could expertly repair them...
Summary
This multi-setting narrative follows the trials and contrasting lives of different individuals:
Faruk Galadima (Canada): A globally renowned Nigerian-Fulani music star and tech engineer who balances his international fame with his humble roots and dedication to his mother.
Description
The text is written in a contemporary Hausa-English hybrid prose style common in modern Nigerian fiction (popularly known as Littattafan Soyayya or modern Hausa urban literature). It weaves heavy emotional drama, family pressure, domestic intrigue, rural insecurity, and international wealth into a multi-layered narrative framework.
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