Babban Gida Takun Farko Hausa Novel Complete
They had just finished the Zuhr prayer when Yaya Ishaq arrived, just as he had said he would. He didn’t even know how to call Cutie to come out. A young boy happened to pass by, and he quickly stopped him.
“Hey, boy, come here,” he said. Without hesitation, the boy approached Yaya Ishaq.
After briefly looking at the boy, Yaya Ishaq said, “Go into that house and tell Zahrah to come outside; her brother is waiting for her.”
Without delay, the boy opened the door and entered the house, greeting as he went in.
“As-salamu alaikum,” he said.
Maamah Amira, who was sweeping, responded to his greeting and paused her sweeping, curious about what brought the boy there.
“Zahrah should come out; her brother is waiting for her outside,” the boy said and, without waiting for Maamah’s response, quickly left. Yaya Ishaq even gave the boy some money for helping him.
Maamah, on the other hand, called out to Amira, who was playing at the back of the house with the others. When there was no response, she stormed out angrily.
“You prostitute! Come out, he’s waiting for you outside!”
Zahrah looked at Maamah in shock and confusion. Why did they always associate her with prostitution? What had she done to deserve this? Then she remembered her new brother, Yaya Ishaq. Without hesitation, she ran out, saying goodbye to Amira as she left.
When she saw Yaya Ishaq, her face lit up like a cotton field, while he stood there, smiling at her warmly. He could do nothing but send her his charming smiles.
“Cutie, you said you’d take me to see Maamah, didn’t you?”
Zahrah widened her eyes like a mischievous little girl. Yaya Ishaq noticed her silence and pressed further, “Cutieee...”
After a moment of thought, she nodded. “Okay, Yaya, let’s go.”
“Good girl, Cutie!” he said.
He drove slowly, his full attention on her.
“Cutie, what does Maamah sell at the market in the evenings?”
Zahrah hesitated at first but then thought to herself, Maybe if I tell him, he might help us get relief from Kawu’s cruelty.
“Maamah sells roasted corn at the market. Do you know why?”
He shook his head like an innocent child, and she gave him a pitying look.
“When she goes to the market, the roasted corn is what she uses to make money. The leftovers are what we eat at night because Kawu doesn’t give her any money for food. He only brings in his own items, suya, and jarka drinks. But he never shares any with us...” She paused briefly.
“And with the money from the roasted corn, Maamah buys me clothes for Sallah. She even does laundry for the Chancellor’s household to earn extra money.”
Yaya Ishaq was heartbroken, hearing about their difficult life. He kept thinking to himself, He doesn’t even feed them? Some men, are they even worthy of paradise? How can you marry a woman, take her away from her family, and yet not provide for her?
Feeling his prolonged silence, Zahrah gently tapped his face.
“Have you changed your mind about visiting Maamah?” she asked.
He shook his head and said, “No, Cutie. I’m going to see her.”
When they arrived at the market, Zahrah led the way, and Yaya Ishaq followed closely behind. She headed straight to the stall where Maamah was frying roasted corn.
“Maamah, here’s my new brother!”
Maamah, who was scooping out roasted corn from the hot oil, looked up, not fully understanding what Zahrah meant.
“How is Madam Balaaba?” she asked.
Zahrah frowned slightly, remembering how Maamah had treated her poorly in the past, but she responded, “She’s doing fine. She sends her greetings.”
Maamah smiled faintly, then placed three pieces of roasted corn on a plastic plate and handed it to Zahrah.
“Here, eat this. You haven’t eaten anything today,” she said.
Zahrah accepted the plate and set it aside before saying, “Maamah, my new brother is here to greet you.”
It was only then that Maamah noticed Yaya Ishaq standing with his arms crossed over his chest. His focus was entirely on Maamah and her stall.
Clearing her throat, Maamah spoke, prompting Yaya Ishaq to straighten up and approach her stall.
He bowed slightly to greet her respectfully. “Good afternoon, Maamah. How is work going?”
“Everything is fine,” Maamah replied, her face a mix of surprise and suspicion. She couldn’t help but wonder—wasn’t this young man from the Chancellor’s family?
Noticing her expression, Yaya Ishaq smiled and said, “Maamah, please treat me like your own son, just as I’ve come to see Zahrah as my dear sister. I mean no harm to you or your family. I only want to support and improve your lives.”
Maamah smiled faintly and said, “It’s fine, young man. But who are you, and where did you meet Zahrah?”
