Kalbim Book 2 Complete Hausa Novel
Hadiza went straight to her father and found him with her uncles. She said she had left everyone at home and came alone. Then, without wasting time, she presented the reason for her visit: to seek forgiveness for Turaki from them. She said nothing was preventing him from returning except that he was aware of the magnitude of his offense against you. He felt it was so heavy until his friend advised him to push through it and face you, to accept his fault no matter how big.
“For God's sake, Umma, please be patient and restore his wife to him, since he himself has now come to say he wants her. I also understand that, by God, he is sincere. And this is the first time he has ever disobeyed your orders. Furthermore, it's the first time Turaki has ever spoken up despite his shyness, to say he loves a woman. I am sure that Goggon Kulthum and the others will not refuse to return her to her home, especially since they didn't ask for her to be returned to them; it was our own initiative.”
Maimartaba replied to Hadiza that he had actually forgiven Turaki since yesterday, but he wouldn't be seen as a small man in the eyes of his subjects; he wouldn't arrange a formal plea (biki) for Kulthum for him. He should go himself, and if her parents are satisfied with his remorse, they should remarry her to him. His shyness shouldn't make them do something they haven't properly considered. Umma also said she supported Maimartaba's view.
Hadiza found Turaki in his quarters and explained to him how they had handled things with his in-laws. His mind was put at ease, since they had agreed to forgive him. He resolved in his heart that this time, he himself would win back Kulthum for life. He would use his wisdom and manly skills to renew their life together. He would seek Kulthum's love without anyone's help!!!
The next day, Hadiza returned to Kiru, her husband's house.
Turaki called Batulu to his quarters. Batulu, the chief attendant for her elder sister ("Yaya"), entered quietly with a tray carrying a food warmer. She said, “Elder Sister Turaki, guess what? Today I made you burabusko (a type of porridge) with miyar ganye (leaf soup).”
He made a face and said, “Fatima, what if I don't want it?”
She chuckled and said, “Taste it first. Besides, see the fresh lemon on the side that I squeezed for you; I added ice, you can just keep sipping it.”
He gave a polite smile; he wasn't in the mood for jokes. He said, “Thank you, Fatima. May God bless you. May God give you a good husband. Sit down, we need to talk.”
She sat nearby, smiling at the prayer he made for her.
He said, “Fatima, it's about your sister (kawarki). You will help me, right? You won't judge me for my fault?”
Fatima-Batulu widened her smile. But then she felt she should defend Kulthum's dignity. They say a woman's pain is for another woman to understand, let alone her own Kulthum. She said, “Elder Brother Turaki, I love you and Kulthum, but honestly, right now I'd prefer she married someone else who loves her.”
His sleepy eyes widened at Batulu. He said, “Fatima, did I ever tell you I don't love her?”
In her heart, she was thanking God, but outwardly she said, “Well, you never said you did. Actions speak louder than words.”
He gave a slight smile, rested his chin on his clasped hands, and said in a calm voice, “That was then… Fatima, you are my sister, I can't hide anything from you. I'm just seeking your favor. Please give me your support. I am determined to win Kulthum back into our life. All your wish for her to marry someone who loves her is me, Fatima. Since those who know say, 'What is yours will come to you…'”
Batulu looked at him sideways, skeptically. She said, “How can I believe you love her now, Elder Brother Turaki? Is it not just to please Umma that you want her back? Truly, I want Kulthum to have a love marriage, the kind I hope for myself.”
Turaki stared directly at his sister-in-law Batulu, amazed. He said, “Fatima, I'm old enough to tell you what is not in my heart. Besides, Umma has withdrawn their hand from this matter. You are the only support I have left. If you don't trust your brother, who will? So, let me say it clearly: I love her, immensely. Please help me, Batulu.”
On this point, Batulu's resistance broke. She believed he was sincere. But she felt she couldn't tell him that Kulthum had left Gaya town for a place even she herself didn't know, because Goggo hadn't told her. Hajiya Nasara had advised Goggo not to tell Kulthum's husband's family where she was, because she understood that Kulthum still loved Turaki, and it wouldn't be surprising if he returned and sought her; she might even abandon her studies, since it's said he didn't divorce her himself.
Therefore, Batulu didn't know the town Kulthum was taken to. Goggo had only told them that her niece (Yayarta) had taken her to the city; she herself didn't know the name of the town.
So, Batulu bit her tongue and stayed silent. She told him if he was ready, she would accompany him to plead. He said he wanted to go today, not tomorrow.
They walked along the roadside to Malam Jibo's house; the town was dark except for the light of the full moon. Turaki asked Batulu many questions about Kulthum—the Kulthum whom marriage had joined him to, yet he knew nothing about. Today, he wanted to hear all about her character. Batulu noticed he only wanted to talk about Kulthum; even when she tried to change the subject, she couldn't, because God, who destined them to come from the same womb, had also placed love between them.
He learned many things about Kulthum from Batulu's mouth, things that nearly brought tears to his eyes.
She said, “Kulthum is a patient person. All those years you were away, she never complained. We went to school and returned together; no one knew she was married. One day she told me, 'Batulu, may God keep your elder brother well. For me, if he is well, that's all that matters. Praise be to God, I will continue to wait for him from now until forever!... Unless he returns and says he doesn't want the marriage.'”
Turaki turned his head away because of the tears that filled his eyes. He said, "I swear by God, Batulu, I never hated her, I never felt any bitterness towards her in my heart. It's just that our marriage happened too early for me, and I wanted to feel I loved a woman before marrying her. Then I was rushed into marriage, and I didn't get the peace and enough time for us to understand each other, as I was busy with travel preparations.
After I left, I thought of her constantly, waking and sleeping. I never imagined that Maimartaba would ever consider dissolving our marriage, even if I didn't return for ten years. If I hadn't made this mistake of not returning… What my heart keeps telling me is that our marriage is forever; nothing can separate it, and I will gradually overcome all obstacles in its way.
I will surprise your sister, Batulu. This is a new Abubakar, not the one she knew in their childhood years."
Batulu knew everything he said came from his heart. But deep down, she knew he was far behind, a gap for which she didn't know when God would reunite them, because Goggo had told her she didn't even know the name of the town she was in.
Just as they arrived at Malam Jibo's house, she told him to wait at the gate while she went in first. She hadn't been inside long when she came out and said Goggo asked him to come in. A new mat was spread out for him by Goggo, who was amazed at the situation she found herself in. Today, Turaki himself was following the footsteps of her Kulthum! How would she feel if she were here?
She was a witness that until tomorrow, Kulthum loved her husband. She had no choice in the verdict his parents had passed for them, and her shyness wouldn't let you know what was in her heart.
Turaki's voice was cold when he greeted Goggo. He felt his body grow weak, perhaps due to the signs of Kulthum's absence he saw in the house.
Goggo said, “Have the travelers returned? I hope you were successful in what you went to seek?”
While responding with "Baffa" (a greeting), he saluted and entered the house. The flashlight in Baffa's hand shone on Turaki, but he didn't recognize him, because after growing up, Turaki had added a handsome demeanor he didn't have before. His skin was clear and smooth, and he looked fresh. He said to Goggo, “We have visitors? Where are they from? I don't know them.”
Batulu quickly said, “Baffa, it's Elder Brother Turaki!”
Turaki's head dropped; he didn't know where to look out of shame before these elders.
Baffa said, “Turaki? The Turaki I know? Kulthum's Turaki?”
He couldn't describe how that sentence—"Kulthum's Turaki"—touched his heart.
More helpless tears filled his eyes. He knelt before Baffa and began apologizing for his fault of not returning home as he had promised his in-laws. Then he said, "Baffa, I, of my own accord, did not divorce Kulthum. But since it was a legal separation, and Kulthum has observed her waiting period (idda), I have come with all humility to beg you to return Kulthum to her home with me. God willing, I will not bring you shame. I will care for Ummu-Kulthum with love and trust until the end of my life.
Baffa, Maimartaba and Umma said they wouldn't interfere if you return Ummu-Kulthum to me; they told me not to intimidate you. Baffa, I have come on my own to plead for my wife. Please forgive my haste, give me a chance, even if it is the last favor you do for me regarding Ummu-Kulthum."
Baffa and Goggo fell silent as if water had consumed them. Batulu was also crying. She said, “Baffa, for God's sake, do this favor for Elder Brother Turaki. I am a witness that he loves Kulthum. And you, Baffa, it's not that you didn't love her; it was youth and his studies that took priority. Please, Goggo, pacify Baffa.”
Goggo waved it off and said, “Batulu, you chatterbox! We are not angry, and we weren't the ones who said Kulthum shouldn't return. The judgment was Maimartaba's.”
Batulu said, “Well, Goggo, let them settle it among themselves. If they settle it, Maimartaba will be the happiest of all.”
Baffa looked at Turaki, felt sorry for him, and said, “Abubakar, the issue of overriding parental authority is fraught with regret. I am happy that you have realized you wronged your in-laws and have returned to seek their forgiveness. And that you wish to make amends. But the thing I have to tell you is… Kulthum is not in this house…”
