Halin Rayuwa Book 2 Hausa Novel Complete
Babah Lantana looked at him with disappointment and said, "Ahau, ahau! Is this the best decision you can make?" She let out a sharp hiss and turned to see Sallau, who was struggling to walk while carrying his bag of belongings as he prepared to leave the house following the landlord's instructions.
Suddenly, she shouted at him, “Where do you think you're going with that weak body of yours? Take that bag back, lie down, and rest. Even if you're going to leave this house, it will only be after you've gotten justice for what was done to you.”
My stomach churned with unease because I knew exactly what her words meant. Sallau returned to his room and lay down, while she went back to her chores, muttering words I couldn't quite make out.
While this was happening, I heard a female voice greeting at the entrance of our house. Strangely, Babah Lantana addressed the visitor with a man's name.
"Nalami? And you even came into the house without waiting outside for permission?!" Babah Lantana mocked, laughing slightly. “If you don't let me treat you like this, won't you have failed as a decent person? I wouldn't call you Butulu—the name your relatives often use for you—would I? Or did you come here just to disrespect me in my husband's house?”
The voice from outside chuckled and replied, “Never! The sanctity of marriage forbids such behavior. No matter how mischievous one might be, once you come under the shelter of marriage, you gain respect and should be treated with dignity. So, I would never disrespect you in your husband's house.”
Babah Lantana laughed lightly and said, "Since you've said this with your own mouth, let's step outside and talk." But Nalami quickly interjected, “No, I’ll stay here. I won’t even step into your room, nor will I sit on your bed. If your husband comes in and sees me, it’s no issue. I'll adjust my posture and act as though I’m your father’s brother. If you think I’d behave inappropriately, know that I consider myself your father here.”
Still skeptical, she hesitated before bringing out a mat and spreading it for him to sit on. Meanwhile, my mind was racing, trying to understand what kind of person this Nalami was. I discreetly moved closer to observe him through the door. He was dressed in a flowing gown and a cap, but his words were far from noble.
"Is this how people’s homes are nowadays?" he remarked as he settled himself. He even lightly patted the mat as if testing its comfort.
Babah Lantana, visibly irritated, retorted, "Nalami, you have no shame! How dare you ask such questions here?" He made himself comfortable on the mat, smirking. “Eh, whatever you want to say, go ahead. I came here for a purpose.”
She glared at him. “Why don’t you leave then? Did I call you here?”
He laughed. “No, you didn’t. But once you sit comfortably, you start disrespecting others without remembering the past. You have no gratitude, and you’re a selfish person.”
She snapped at him, “Stop right there, Nalami. I no longer respond to such names. I’ve changed my ways. My husband is an honorable man.”
He chuckled again. “That’s true; I’ve seen him. He’s a man of great integrity. But how on earth does he manage to live with someone like you?”
Her face twisted in frustration. “You don’t let us have a proper conversation, do you? You just sit there throwing jabs. What’s the reason for your visit?”
Without skipping a beat, he replied, “Do you expect me to talk on an empty stomach? Bring me some food first. I’ve heard that every time someone visits your house, they don’t leave without eating chicken.”
As he ate the meat she brought him, he casually spoke. “I came here to share in your blessings since you’ve found shelter under your husband’s roof. Don’t forget all I’ve done for you. I helped you when others mocked you, especially when you gave birth to that child...”
She quickly cut him off, “I didn’t invite you here to remind me of my past. If you came for blessings, take what I’ve given you and leave.”
He responded with a sly smile, “Yes, exactly! I said so. But do you think everything you have is enough? I came here to get my share. After all, I’m sitting here in my own house, without any work or income.”
She sighed, got up, and went into her room. She returned and handed him some money. “Here, take this and at least buy yourself a cigarette.”
At that moment, I remembered the early days when Babah Lantana first joined our household. She used to smoke cigarettes but eventually stopped. It wasn’t until now, hearing her mention it herself, that I recalled that part of her past.
Instead of showing gratitude as one would expect when given a gift, Nalami…
