Kuncin Zuci Part 1 Complete Hausa Novel

The schoolwork that Na’ima hadn’t done was scheduled for the next day, so they planned to study together. After finishing, Na’ima went to the kitchen to prepare them some pounded yam with vegetable soup. Nafisa accompanied her, chatting about boys—both those she had left back home in Nigeria and the ones she was casually seeing in Oxford.

Na’ima laughed at the drama between Nafisa and Umar, her boyfriend, who had been with her since their time at BUK; now he was working at the Central Bank.

Nafisa said, “You know, this time if I block him, I won’t unblock him—we’re really done.”

Na’ima raised her eyes slightly and said, “Oh, so it has come to this?”

Nafisa added, “I’m serious this time.”

Na’ima replied, “Alright, let’s see. If you really block him, then we can continue this discussion.”

Nafisa placed her hands on her lap and took a plastic cup from the kitchen island to playfully tap Na’ima while laughing. Na’ima laughed back, saying, “It’s true, I’ve gotten tired of that blocking drama, and later you’ll call him and act all soft.”

Nafisa said, “You’ll be surprised, you’ll see.”

Na’ima returned to her cooking and said, “I’ll be surprised when that actually happens,” because she was tired of constantly forgiving Nafisa without letting her end things with the guy.

They finished cooking while chatting happily. After they ate, they prayed the Asr prayer, then each went to their rooms to take a shower and get ready for their evening outing. Walking through the streets toward a café, Nafisa stopped to take a picture of Na’ima, smiling, then took a solo photo with her phone. By the time the sun set, they returned home, holding the bag of snacks Nafisa had bought at a supermarket, as if they hadn’t shopped in ages.

Back home, they prayed and settled in the living room. Na’ima took her laptop to continue her essay while Nafisa scrolled through her phone, selecting the photos they had taken together and sending the ones of just Na’ima to Mami. She also posted some photos of herself, excluding Na’ima, on her Instagram handle. Then she fetched her laptop to check her schoolwork as well.

The next day, Monday, they were going to school. Na’ima woke up early to prepare breakfast. If she wasn’t cooking, Nafisa would make toast and tea for them. While in the kitchen frying eggs and preparing chips, Nafisa entered holding her iPad, her eyes half-closed as if she hadn’t fully slept. She handed the iPad to Na’ima. Na’ima took it and saw Mami’s face on the screen, smiling.

Mami asked, “Habibti, where did you leave your phone? I’ve been calling.”

Na’ima replied, “It’s in my room. Good morning, Mami.”

Mami said, “Good morning, Na’ima. Did you wake up well?”

Before she could respond, Abubakar, Mami’s eldest son, peeked from behind and greeted her. Na’ima smiled and replied, “Abu, you didn’t go to school today?”

He said, “We finished WAEC yesterday, aunty.”

Nafisa moved closer and said, “Hey, you should let Mami see your phone.”

Gwalo Abubakar teased her, and Na’ima laughed, familiar with their playful drama. She told him, “Leave her alone, just Neco left now, right?”

He said, “Yes.”

She said, “May God grant you success.”

He responded, “Amin,” moving closer to Mami, who asked, “Daughter, is everything okay?”

Na’ima said, “Yes, all is fine.”

“Alhamdulillah, remember to study,” Mami reminded, and they replied, “Yes, Mami, Insha’Allah.” Mami added, “May God help you and bless you.” They exchanged farewells, and Na’ima handed over to Nafisa, who did the same.

Na’ima finished preparing their breakfast, and they ate at the kitchen island seats. Nafisa said, “Today we’re going to a movie premiere in London.”

Na’ima asked, “Really? Which movie?”

Nafisa replied, “It’s a British movie. Lauren bought us tickets last week.”

Na’ima, still focused on her plate, asked, “Then what are you going for?”

Nafisa said, “She’s going for her content, and I’ll do something similar. Come on, it’ll be fun.”

Na’ima turned to her, eyes wide, saying, “Whaaat? I have school now and I’m still eating this breakfast.”

Nafisa said, “We’ll go after the morning lecture. I’m telling you, it’ll be fun.”

Na’ima shook her head, “I won’t go.”

Tuesday…

She stood on the balcony of their apartment on the 4th floor of a 10-story building. After returning from school, loneliness weighed on her, so she came out for some fresh air. From her position, she watched many people pass by on the street below. Often, she didn’t like sitting idle; if Nafisa wasn’t around, she would find something to keep herself busy and prevent overthinking.

She noticed a couple walking and laughing, following them with her eyes until they disappeared. Raising her hand, she looked at a mark on her palm and blinked at it, feeling her heart break as memories flooded back. A drop of her tears landed on her palm, and she quickly wiped her eyes, leaving the balcony and returning to the living room to start tidying with a mop.

That day, she even cleaned Nafisa’s bathroom and rearranged their wardrobes, cooked rice and stew for them, all just to keep her mind occupied and avoid overthinking.

On Friday morning, they were in the living room chatting and applying face masks. Na’ima studied on her iPad while Nafisa got a call. Sitting up, she answered, “Yes, Faruk?”

Na’ima put her iPad aside and turned to watch. Nafisa greeted him and quickly ran to the balcony, screaming with excitement. Na’ima put her iPad down and followed, looking at the street.

Faruk was by a car on the street, phone in hand, waving at them. Nafisa covered her mouth in shock, stomping her feet with joy, ignoring the curious onlookers. He laughed and moved his phone from his ear when he heard her scream. Nafisa ran back to the living room, quickly putting on her long-sleeve pajamas and pants before rushing out.

Na’ima stood smiling in the living room; she too was excited at his arrival. Yah Faruk was her person and Nafisa’s… an investment banker, firstborn in Nafisa’s family, the one Nafisa admired. After him, there was Al’ameen in school in Toronto, Canada, and the lastborn, Abubakar. With the four children, Na’ima became the fifth addition.

Standing in the living room, she heard the beep of the door password. She quickly returned to her room to grab her hijab; she was still in her sleepwear from after Fajr prayer. After brushing her teeth and having breakfast, Nafisa applied face masks before they showered.

After putting on her hijab, Nafisa removed her face mask and returned to the living room. Sitting, she started snacking. Na’ima approached, sat, and lowered her head to greet him with a smile.

He smiled back, only looking at her, noticing the change from the broken girl he once knew. Playfully, he said, “Habibti Mami.”

She lowered her head in shyness and went to the kitchen to fetch him a drink.

Nafisa asked, “Faruk, I thought you’d take a direct flight to Abuja or Lagos from Paris?”

He turned to look at her, “What’s that on your face?”

Only then did Nafisa realize and start laughing while removing her face mask.

Na’ima returned to the living room holding a plate with snacks, drinks, and bottled water, placing it in front of him before sitting down. They continued greeting each other, and he asked about their studies.

They chatted joyfully in the living room. In her brief time at Nafisa’s house, Na’ima realized that Yah Faruk was a kind man who loved his siblings, generous and cheerful. At 24, he had already been a part of their lives for six years.