Survival A Hausa Novel

5|PAIN

choose people who choose you.

*****

I had switched off the light and closed my eyes to sleep but my troubled mind has taken over my sleep. Ismail hasn't texted me and it got me worried. I turned over again in bed to my right, holding the duvet to my body.

today was a good day with some of Atata's relatives and Hassana the woman staying with her. Hassana is a free spirited person. Everyone loves her, the house was lively and noisy. We've been craving waina flour and fara (grasshopper). So we begged Hajara Atata's youngest sister.

" haba inna Hajjo ki taimaka mana (c'mon Inna Hajjo help us)"

Yusrah begged her, crossing her arms against her chest. Inna Hajjo has been giving us attitude feeling herself, She enjoys it thoroughly when we beg her for something. She's nice lady believe me but can be annoying.

"Toh naji Amma sai idan zaku raka ki er kuttungu (alright I've heard but unless you're escorting me to the market).

"No that's not a problem let's go".

Yusrah squealed dragging me into our room to fetch hijabs. Our mothers have this belief that whenever we are traveling to katsina we don't pack jeans and shirts just trads, also we don't go out with a veil unless it's a special occasion. We either put on hijab or wear Abaya when we are going out. According to mummy kar ku ja mana magana.

We sat comfortably in the kurkura. Enjoying the moment and to avoid thinking of Ismail I left my phone at home. Today is my day it's been a while since we had this fun, going to the market in Katsina is not something we do regularly. After 20 minutes we reached the market, bought the necessary ingredients for the waina flour and a kilo of fara (grasshopper). After all the shopping it was after asr so we headed back home.

Reaching home, escorting Inna Hajjo wasn't enough she made us grind the vegetables, putting on the fire, and frying of the Fara. We basically did everything all she did was instruct. All in all we had fun and our cravings were satisfied at last. After Isha, exhaustion took over, we retired to bed early. Yusrah fell asleep immediately, I on the other hand have been tossing and turning around. My lips quivered up rembering my conversation with Ismail and soon my eyelids shut close, welcoming the darkness I fell into a deep slumber.

I roller over in bed waking up to a sharp pain in my head, i tried opening my eyes but they felt heavy. my eyelashes fluttered open, adjusting to the darkness around me. Yawning, I buried my head into pillow, trying to forget the pain and fall back into sleep but the pain throbbing my head just increased. Lazily I made my way to the bathroom I need to ease myself. As I made my way back to the room a wave dizziness hit me , the last thing I remember was me calling yusra's name.

******
Third person P.O.V

He tagged behind Adnan as they made their way through the crowd trying to locate the room Ammah is. They arrived in Katsina yesterday with the intention of surprising their girlfriends. Deep down Ismail knew he tagged along not because he wanted to see Ammah but because he has to keep up the pretence if he wants to fit in. They came to a stop when they reached the top of the stairs leading to the first floor. In front of them stood Yusrah who was pacing front and back, expression of sadness and fear written on her face. As the young men approached they heard their grandmother scolding yusrah to sit and rest.

"tsohuwa ki zauna mana!"

Adnan couldn't help but chuckle as the two of them were oblivious to the two of them standing a feet from them. His eyes twinkled with amusement seeing Yusrah pouting and stomping her feet like a child.

"I can't Atata not when Ammah is in there suffering with god knows what!" As if her puppy face will help her cousin from what she's going through.

"sit down and pray for her. That's the only solution right now, you pacing isn't going to save her." Atata scolded her.

"Fine! naji" heaving a defeated sigh she sat down. Only then did she notice the two guys standing in front of them. The moment she locked gaze with Adnan, she felt overwhelming emotions. Tears immediately pooled her eyes. She rushed to his side crying.

"Adnan.....Am...ammah is there she just fainted" she hiccuped.

Adnan patted her head in attempt to console her. Atata long forgotten. She cleared her throat trying to gain their attention.

"tsohuwa su waye wadan nan? (old lady who are They?)" she asked without recognising her own grandchildren.

"erm.. Atata Nanu ne da Sam'ila (it's Adnan and Ismail)"

"ow toh Sam'ila da Nanu yaran Ibrahim.... sannun ku zuwan yaushe? (oh Ismail and Adnan children of Ibrahim when did you come?)"

For the first time since their arrival Ismail opened his mouth to say something.

" Atata ina kwana? jiya muka zo, dazu muka je gida Hassana tache kun zo asibiti. ( Atata good morning we arrived yesterday, we went to your house and Hassana told us you guys were here)"

She was about to reply when a nurse came out of the room that Ammah was in.

"what's wrong with her how's she?"

They stopped her and asked her.
The nurse instead of answering them told them off and asked them to wait for the doctor. Shortly the doctor came out and told them she had a convulsion which they are trying to find out what caused it but some tests have been taken they are just waiting for the results.

"The patient is currently unconcious but you can go in and see her" with that he walked away. Immediately after he left Yusrah called her parents informing them of the situation.

********
I tried opening my eyes but they refuse to accept the sunlight yet, i couldn't help but stubbornly attempt opening them again.

I almost yelped in surprise when I saw Ismail standing beside me his back facing me. I was about go call out his name when I heard him talking on phone.

"No man, she's asking for more and you know I can't give her anything I just can't" he raked his hands through his hair and sighed in frustration. I didn't grasp what he was saying. Who was he talking about, who's the girl bothering him. She better leave my guy. I thought bitterly.

" Tahir I'm just Dating Ammah because she's ticks everything you know the beauty, kuma er gayu and she lived abroad. I can easily show her off to guys like Hambal and Amir I'll fit in with them perfectly Amma tana bani matsala. She's taking us serious and I can't give her what she wants" he paused, I shut my eyes immediately as I saw him turning around.

"I'll just keep up the pretence until they meet her after, After then I'll just break it up with her ya ka gani?"

He laughed and my heart broke into pieces. What? Am i just a dreaming. Is this actually happening or he's really using me to befriend other guys really Ismail?. It took every ounce of power I have left not to let go of the tears burning in my eyes. The pain came back with full force. I couldn't help but whimper.

I felt my hand being held. I slowly opened my eyes meeting the black orbs. His beautiful features were hazy.

Ismail was looking at me with such tenderness that melted my heart for a minute before I was brought back to my senses. He gave me a soft small smile that promised of tenderness and care, but I knew that smile was only there to give me a sense of false comfort, I knew he was up to no good. I knew his intentions were far from pure but I also knew there was no running away it's time I face to harsh reality of life.

hello!

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more intense chapter coming soon.

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