HUSNA (EDITING)

Chapter1

RAFIN GUZA KADUNA.....
"The alarm went off and wake her. "It's already 7:00am?", she thought as her eyes opened up unwillingly. Not that she had slept much. The nights seemed so shorter, now that she had to wake up early again. but anyways she's used to it and not to forget that she had a morning class today.

She made her way to the bathroom to wash up. While she was brushing her teeth, she noticed a couple more pimples creeping under the surface of her skin near her chin.

Her acne had shown up a few weeks earlier, but it was a long time ago when it actually had started. Maybe secondary school? She doesn't even remember.but she don't care.."

She emerged from her room, her natural black hair neatly packed. She walked directly to the tiny kitchen, where her mother struggled to ignite the firewood.

"Adda jam bandu na," (good morning) she greeted her mother in her Fulani accent, .

"A ommi jam Husna," (have you woken up)her mother replied, asking if she had woken up. "Noi a tsakai dillugu school?"Why aren't you ready for school.?As she spoke, Husna's mother picked up her baby Nokia phone to check the time. "It's already 7:15 am," she exclaim.

Junta mi nyumi jutta mi taskan mi dilla waddu mi valle be kulgaldo tawon (I just woke up now, I will get ready,but let me help you)

"An kam accu yuhu tasku a dilla school(no go and get ready for school)

"Husna agreed quietly, nodding her head in submission as she headed back to her room to get ready for the day. She loved her parents dearly and didn't want to disappoint them. She quickly grabbed a bucket and headed to the tap to fetch some water, her movements efficient and swift.

As she took a quick bath, she mentally prepared herself for the day ahead. She has classes starting at 8:00 a.m. sharp, and she wouldn't want to miss a single one. Her attendance record is  impeccable, and she intended to keep it that way.

After her bath, she rubbed Vaseline on her skin, feeling the cool, smooth texture as she quickly got dressed. She slipped on her atamfa boubou, The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in all the right places. She paired it with a crisp, well ironed hijab, the ash colored fabric framing her face beautifully.

Not bothering to check herself in the mirror, she started searching for her face mask, her hands rummaging through her bag with a sense of urgency. She know she has to hurry if she want to make it to class on time."

"Her  mother often reminded her that a little powder, lip gloss, and koil could go a long way in enhancing her features. But she  isn't  interested in artificial adornments. She embraced her natural beauty, comfortable in her own skin.the house is  unusually quiet, her siblings having left for school after the governor's announcement about the reopening of schools following a month long lockdown.

She  emerged from her room, informing her mother that she is about to leave. "Husnatu, you haven't eaten anything?" her mother asked.

"Adda, please stop calling me Husnatu!" she whined, stamping her foot like a petulant child. "And don't worry, I have some money with me. Abba gave it to me last night, so I'll be fine."

Her mother sighed, her expression a mix of worry and resignation. "Wala kundume, Allah hokku sa'a" (It's okay, God bless you), she mumbled , to which Husna replied, "Ameen"

As she finally secured her face mask to her nose, she  stepped out into the quiet street. But when she reached the main road, the loud noise enveloped her the place is  bustling with activity. It is Monday, and people are  rushing to get to school or work.